Its been a while since I had a good ol’ rant at a product. Uhoh, I hear you think – does not bode well for this does it?
Yes ladies, I present to you the cause of my cystic acne breakouts – not once, not twice, but THREE times!
The story starts this way. I have my favourite sunscreens, but I’m always in the market for something new. And for some reason, my eye kept getting drawn to the ROC Minesol Triple Defense sunscreen. That’s the trouble with reading online reviews – I keep coveting something new all the time and for some reason, this particular sunscreen seems to be raved about mostly because it has what it says – Very High Protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
Why Triple Defense? Because this one contains Titanium Dioxide, Tinosorb S and M, Avobenzone and Octocrylene. Basically, this cream covers you from every end of the spectrum and back again.
Thing is, ROC skincare is pricey and this one is no exception. I believe it retails at RM80+ for a 50ml tube. But one day, while in Penang, I saw this going at only RM54.90 so I snapped it up. Still pricey, mind you, but a discount softens the blow.
The cream is thick with a slight yellow cast. I’m used to wearing thick creams – my good ol’ favourite of La Roche Posay Anthelios cream is thick too. But where that one absorbed well into my skin without leaving it feeling too oily or sticky, this ROC Minesol did not. It sits on the top of my skin, making it feel oily and sticky and ick! Everything I do not like in sunscreen and everything that turns people off applying sunscreen. It also left a white cast on my skin.
Nevertheless, I persevered. I had to see why everyone raved about it.
The first time I started developing cystic acne about 2 days after I started using this, I did not pay too much attention. I continued using it, and the acne got worse. For some reason, I never twigged that it might be this sunscreen.
I stopped this to try another, and everything cleared up. Came back for a 2nd run and bam! Cystic acne again. This time, I had some spots on my forehead and cheek too. If you aren’t sure what cystic acne is, it is those huge hard painful bumps you get under your skin. They sometimes don’t erupt, they just stay hard and painful and red. Annoying as heck.
This time, I thought it might be the sunscreen, so I stopped it to let the acne heal. A month later, strictly to test this sunscreen, I applied it on Day 1 and observed.
Day 2 saw me waking up with a bump on my chin. That was it! I was not hanging around to see more appear (and 2 more did the following day) so I’ve stopped using this sunscreen.
Its a pity it reacted so badly with my skin. It promises to be a perfect sunscreen with all the right UV blockers to protect the skin from the sun’s rays. But I guess my skin hated all that eh?
Pros: Very high protection
Cons: Thick, Gave me cystic acne, Oily, Left a white cast, Expensive
Here’s the ingredient list. I was too lazy to copy it all out so I hope its all clear and readable. If you are a clever sort with a nice A in Chemistry or Dermatology or basically cleverer than I am, perhaps you could twig as to why I broke out so badly from this cream. Or there might be nothing, because everyone has different skin types!
I now have a full tube of this ROC Minesol Triple Defense Very High Protection Cream being a Very Big Bother on my dresser. In most cases, I’d pass it onto my sister or my Mum but not this time. I don’t want them to come after my blood when they discover their skin breaking out!
Anyone out there like this? If you’re in Malaysia and you like it, and don’t mind a slightly used tube, I’ll send it to you – gratis. Just don’t blame me if you break out 😛
Paris B
ROC Minesol Triple Defense Very High Protection Cream SPF50+ retails at RM80+ or more at large outlets of Guardian and Watson’s.
I am reminded as to why I’m afraid to branch out to other brands of skincare… Clinique Superdefense for me!! ^.^
Lol! If you have sensitive skin stick to what you know!
A product that broke you out? But you normally have ‘skin like an elephant’! I am amazed…
Yup! So its pretty bad as you can imagine
Can I have it? Been shopping around for a new sunblock because mine doesn’t seem to be working. I’ve never had any problems with pimples so this might work for me… 🙂
Don’t say I didn’t warn you! Please drop me an email 🙂
Hi,
I usually have major problems with sunblock because I’m quite sensitive to it. A lot of the brands that I’ve tried causes me to break out, I believe its mainly because my skin have issues with oil based product or products that are too creamy.
You should try out Lancome’s UV Expert. Its SPF 50, has UVB and UVA protection. It costs about RM 158 but the amount you use for the whole face is very very little. My tube lasts for about 4 months and does not have that ugly white sheen on your face that many Sunblock does.
Be cautious though, there is the makeup base version and the BB cream version.
Hope that helps
I haven’t tried the Lancome normal sunblock but I’ve tried the BB Base version which is ok. Anything in the L’Oreal stables usually work very well for me 🙂 thanks for the suggestion
Wow – that sucks.
I got the RoC spray on sunblock that I can’t stand either because of the smell… and I hate the smell of vanilla on people that aren’t bakers 😛 Not that I actually paid for it, but still.
I think I’ll avoid ROC’s sun products now. I’m still interested in trying their skincare though.
“That’s the trouble with reading online reviews – I keep coveting something new all the time” – SAME HERE no thanks to you hehe… 😉
But seriously thanks for this review. I almost wanted to try out something from ROC as I’ve heard good reviews about their product particularly their anti-aging range. Guess it’s always better to stick to the tried and tested!
Oh dear, I AM guilty aren’t I? 😉
I am still keen to try their other products though. Maybe its the combination of all the blockers and stuff that didn’t agree with my skin.
Urgh, that’s the problem with sunblocks! They all promise protection, but it’s quite difficult to find a sunblock which actually does what it says without any adverse side effects (ranging from overly thick texture to breaking out…I’ve experienced it all!). Such a catch-22, it’s a product we can’t live without, yet it presents so much problems in the quest to get a good one.
You’re absolutely right! Its so hard to find a sunblock that works well. I have so I should really stop playing the field lol!
Ew! Cystic acne is horrifying
By the way, sometimes when a sunscreen don’t work on my face, I will try to apply it on my hands. No bumps or zits so far (fingers crossed!) 😀
Thank you so much for reviewing this 😉
Hey thanks for that tip! I would but bleh… The thought of using this put me off 😛
Ouch..sounds painful!
Very! Took me ages to get it cleared up
omg paris, this was the culprit? my goodness, i’m staying shit far away from it! the last time i got cystic acne was from the rmk skintuner, it was HORRIBLE. u should have SEEN me face i wanted to cry!
anyway.
Yep you’d better stay far away from this one! If it broke me out imagine anyone else without “elephant skin” 😛
Hi ParisB
I’m sorry to hear, i try to help out your case too..looking at this site, maybe it’s Propylene/butylene glycol at prank and it’s high in the ingredient list and this ingredient is derived from petroleum
http://www.healthhype.com/harmful-sunscreen-ingredients.html
Aww that’s so kind of you to help! 🙂 I’ve used products with those ingredients and its ok. I’m thinking its a potent combi of everything!
hmmm I thought the raves are for the new range called roc soleil protection?? i think this is the old range which I didn’t see in Singapore. I think you bought the wrong one! the new one is definitely not oily at all 🙂 cozycotters also reviewed that.
Perhaps but I’m not trying any for now! This did get raves too. I checked makeupalley but nope I’m definitely frightened off this line for a long long time 😛
here’s a link to the intro:
http://www.rte.ie/fashion/2010/0510/rocsoleil.html
I only use La Roche Posay, Bioderma and Eucerin products because of my sensitive skin. I’m too chicken to try out any other skin care products! I hate cystic acnes! I get one or two a few times a year before my period.
I like La Roche Posay too! Wish we had it here though I did hear it might come in soon 😀 Eucerin is a pretty good brand too – underrated
I don’t know what it is that caused cystic acne, but I don’t think ROC’s price for this sunscreen is very justified. Especially when physical sunblock like titanium dioxide is not one of the highest on the list, and no zinc oxide whatsoever. Anyway, sunscreen is notorious for causing acne because of the way it clogs pores. Maybe the texture of this sunscreen got something to do with it.
ROC does have different lines so perhaps other lines are better? I don’t know. Perhaps the combination of ingredients just didn’t work for me 🙂
you should try Avene’s suncare they are really good i have really oily skin their suncare are not oily at all
Will look at it thanks!
Hi Paris. I’m using Avene’s “Very High Protection” (uh oh.. same name as ROC’s) Emulsion SPF 50+ UVA/B protection for normal to combination sensitive skin.
I like it. It has a creamy texture but can absorb into the skin. Not oily but not matte either. Slight whitish cast. But on fair skin, it can pass muster. No breakouts so far. Better to pat it on rather than rub – for a more natural look. Compared to their first generation sunblock when Avene entered the Malaysian market, it has improved a lot.
I used a ROC sunscreen spf 30 some years back, not even high protection, and it looked like I had a thin layer of white mask on my face. ROC sunscreens are best for beach and body I guess. Mineral sunscreens are supposed to provide a physical layer of protection. Maybe that explains the whitish cast that won’t go away?
Thanks for sharing about the Avene sunblock. I haven’t tried it myself but will take a look should the sunblock bug bite again 🙂
Hi Paris. Last question: have you ever tried the Uriage range that’s sold in Guardian? Although not sure if Guardian still carries this line. I used to avoid it because everything was in french but now.. I’m intrigued..
Nope I haven’t tried Uriage although I have been tempted many a time. I guess the higher prices makes me pause – but its not to say I’ll never try it – some day I probably will coz I’ve been watching them for a long time!
Hi Paris,
I’m taking a guess at the 2nd ingredient-cyclohexasiloxane. It’s a type of silicone, which can cause breakouts in some…
I am a real spot prone person and I have problems all the time with acne, however I really HATE the tanned oompa loompa look and so I use sunblock religiously. This product for me, is fantastic, I prefer the RoC spf 40 Mineral cream though as this spf 50 is a little too thick and doesn’t spread well. I am not fussed on the ”white cast” it gives as I love being pale, and it goes well with my whiter than white tone!! 🙂 Good for those who like the vampire look, I guess!! LOL!
I use this. I have mild acne and it doesn’t make me break out any. I guess everybody’s skin is different (it doesn’t leave a white cast on me though).
A friend gave me a tube of Roc Minesol 40spf creme & I really thought I had something good because it’s a little pricey. However it Really SUCKED! I looked like I had gotten baby powder slapped by Dave Chapelle lol! I had to take 20 minutes to wash it off & start all over again.