Why I never skip sunscreen + a few lightweight products to try
If there’s one beauty advice my non-kikay mom taught me, it’s this: never skip the SPF.
Vitamin D from the sun may be good for you, but prolonged exposure to UV rays can seriously damage skin. Most people are aware that staying out in the sun too long can result into burning and/or darkening of the skin, but not everyone knows that sun exposure can accelerate aging, too. You need a good sunscreen which offers a broad spectrum protection against UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) with at least SPF15, and you need it every day – no excuses. Whenever I feel like skipping SPF, I would just watch these videos by artist Thomas Leveritt (click here and here) and my relationship with SPF is renewed.
Screengrab from the "How the sun sees you" video shows how sunscreen covers and protects the skin when viewed in ultraviolet light (right)
I’ve tried and tested three SPF products so you won’t have to spend so much money trying out different formulas. I hope these reviews help you make a more informed decision on what to purchase the next time you’re out shopping for a sunscreen!
The Cetaphil Daylong SPF 50+ Light Gel for Face & Body (P660/50ml) is one of the more popular products in the online local beauty community. It boasts of high level PA++++ protection and an oil-free, fragrance free, paraben free, non-comodogenic, water resistant, non-greasy formula. Basically all of the good bits. True enough, it really is non-greasy and is very easy to blend out. It leaves a very slight white mask, but nothing awkward – I would compare it with the brightening effect of a CC cream. It’s a great sunscreen, just not the best IMHO. It feels a little tacky once it sets, but I found that it helped my foundation stick better to my face. I guess it could double as a primer, too.
Swatches: Cetaphil Daylong SPF 50+ Light Gel for Face & Body, L’Oreal Paris UV Perfect Aqua Essence Advanced Watery Gel, and Yadah Oh My Sun Block
If you’re the type to skincare-and-go, the L’Oreal Paris UV Perfect Aqua Essence Advanced Watery Gel SPF50PA++++ (P500/30ml) is more for you as it doesn’t leave that sticky film. It absorbs easily into the skin and leaves no white cast whatsoever despite the high SPF. It feels cooling when applied, and the texture is even lighter than the Daylong sunscreen. It also offers a 12HR broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB. However, there are some issues I encountered with this one which is why I think you could do better.
It leaves my skin feeling soft but not smooth, which made my makeup harder to blend out. It’s not an issue if you’re working with a powder foundation or skipping a makeup base altogether, but I had a harder time than normal when applying either liquid or cream foundations over this. Additionally, my main beef with this is the amount of alcohol it contains and how STRONGLY it smells! I know some people feel strongly against alcohol (I don’t), but whether it’s good or bad for your skincare products to contain them is still an ongoing debate. Just know that this contains both denatured and benzyl alcohol so you won’t be disappointed going in.
Trying on all three sunscreens! From left to right: Cetaphil Daylong SPF 50+ Light Gel for Face & Body, L’Oreal Paris UV Perfect Aqua Essence Advanced Watery Gel, and Yadah Oh My Sun Block
Now something that I do highly recommend and have completely fallen in love with is the Yadah Oh My Sun Block SPF35 PA++ (P225/20ml; P425/50ml). It takes all the good points of the L’Oreal Aqua Essence - light in texture, cooling, absorbs easily, doesn’t leave a white cast, not sticky – and then some. I love how soft, smooth, and dewy my skin looks like post application. It’s highly moisturizing, and it works well on its own or as a great makeup base. The smell is reminiscent of the distinct Aveda smell - very organic, highly addictive. As with all Yadah products, the Oh My Sun Block is hypoallergenic and has a great list of natural plant-derived ingredients for added skincare. Big plus points for being the cheapest among the three, too!
So there you have it. Obviously the Yadah Sun Block is the best IMO. Unless some overly hyped product comes up in the future, I think I’ll be sticking to this one for a long time. How about you? What’s your favorite SPF product?
