Sunscreen

What are Chemical Sunscreens and Physical Sunscreens?

Paris B 26 Comments

Monstro left a question in a previous comment asking what the difference was between Chemical Sunscreens and Physical Sunscreens.

Without going into the virtues of either form of sunscreens, a simple explanation of the 2 different types of sunscreens in the market is as follows.

Chemical Sunscreens

Chemical Sunscreens are so called because they contain synthetic chemicals which absorb UV rays thereby absorbing radiation. These chemicals work by absorbing UVA or UVB but usually also contain ingredients to block UVA rays. According to the American Melanoma Foundation:-

Chemical sunscreens contain special ingredients that act as filters and reduce ultraviolet radiation penetration to the skin. These sunscreens often are colorless and maintain a thin visible film on the skin. These sunscreens usually contain UVB absorbing chemicals and more recently contain UVA absorbers as well.Continue Reading

Review: Skincare: Eucerin White Solution Whitening Extra Treatment Fluid SPF40

Paris B 63 Comments

Anyone who’s read my site long enough will know I’m a firm advocate of L’oreal UV Perfect SPF50 as THE BEST sunscreen for me. About a month ago, I picked up a newly launched product from Guardian pharmacy that effectively dethrones the L’oreal UV Perfect as the perfect sunscreen for me, and has placed itself high on my must-have list – Eucerin White Solution Whitening Extra Treatment Fluid SPF40.

The Eucerin White Solution Whitening Extra Treatment Fluid with SPF40 is a mouthful. I’ll just call it Eucerin White Solution Fluid throughout this review. White Solution is Eucerin’s “whitening” range of skincare products and they have had body lotions and facial washes for a while. The Whitening Extra Treatment Fluid is actually a moisturiser with SPF40. The active ingredients for sunscreening and sunblocking are Tinosorb S (chemical) and Titanium Dioxide (physical). For me, SPF40 is good enough for our tropical weather.

The product comes in a 50ml pump bottle and promises that it :-

  • repairs accumulated dark spots, dull & damaged skin inside and outside
  • strengthens sensitive skin with cell-protecting Vitamin E
  • is fragrance free

I quizzed the Eucerin promoter who seemed to know what she was talking about, and she told me that the White Solution fluid is firstly a moisturiser but as it contains SPF40 is good enough to use as sunscreen too. Now, I’m as sceptical of such lofty claims as they come, so I decided to test out the sunscreening properties.Continue Reading

Mexoryl and Tinosorb S Sunscreen

Paris B 16 Comments

I’ve written time and time again about how well L’oreal UV Perfect sunscreen with Mexoryl works for me. I have conceded that it does not work well for everyone, with some people reporting breakouts but in general its worked well for me.

Mexoryl is a chemical sunscreen or sunblock patented by L’oreal, that has been used quite prevalently in Europe and Asia for a while, but was not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) until quite recently. What’s good about Mexoryl is that it absorbs both UVA and UVB rays and is photostable which means it doesn’t break down as easily under the sun and thus protects the skin against UVA rays (the ones that cause skin aging) better.

Recently, I was at Guardian checking out the Eucerin counter when I saw that Eucerin has introduced a new product – Eucerin White Solution with SPF40. This is a day moisturiser that comes with very high SPF and I was intrigued. The sun protection ingredient is provided by Tinosorb S.Continue Reading

Garnier UV Protect SPF 50 Sunscreen with Mexoryl

Paris B 15 Comments

My favourite sunscreen for the face is the L’oreal UV Perfect SPF50 – Anti dullness. It doesn’t seem to suit everyone though. Many people complain about the fact it makes their skin oily and some others have complained of breakouts.

I passed by the Garnier counter at Watson’s a few days ago and I spotted something new – the Garnier UV Protect SPF50 Sunscreen with PA+++. I scanned the back of the box and saw that it contained Mexoryl, which is a chemical block for UVA and UVB sun rays. I couldn’t find any information on this sunscreen online at all nor have I seen anything in print in the news. Perhaps I’m looking in the wrong places, but the only Garnier sunscreens I can find online are by Ambre Solaire which we don’t find here. This was manufactured by Garnier in Indonesia, so I’m wondering if this Garnier UV Protect sunscreen is only found in Asia. Thus far, I think so, just like the L’oreal UV Perfect is only found in Asia. Continue Reading

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