So, is there a facial sunblock that doesn't turn you into a ghost

[Jjcrackers]

I've just posted on another thread about my annoyance at discovering that Clinique City Block Spf 40 is only for 'incidental sun' ie walking from car to house.

Does anyone have the holy grail - a SPF 30 or so that doesn't make you look deathly pale (once my bronzer has slid off)?

The best I've tried are the LRP Anthelios extra light fluid spf50, this can be bought tinted or untinted and the Missha pink safeblock factor 45. Neither of these leave a white cast and have used both in 40 degree sun all day on holiday

PoppyAmex - I am not impressed with the Biore - it is so high in alcohol it irritates my skin, which is why it feels light to wear. And I am not convinced it protects - I wore it yesterday and got proper sunburn all across my face despite slathering loads on just before going out, and no makeup on top.

I will stick to British ones or at least ones sold here that I know will meet British guidelines and testing.

I really wanted to like it as the consistency is ideal.

Biore is a bit controversial among AB followers. It's HG material for many people but some people experience burning, tanning or freckling while using it. I always pair it with a BB cream that adds a physical zinc/titanium filter and have had no problems even in the sunny Mediterranean, but a sunscreen that has a physical component would probably be safer. But they always seem to come with a chalky cast, unless you have micronized or nano particles, and those can be risky too. The pink Missha is a nice physical-chemical combination.

Oh and remember that fully chemical sunscreens need to be applied 30 min before going out and they lose their potency fairly quickly - physicals are effective immediately as they just coat your skin (hence the cast).

I am really pale with very sensitive skin and I am in a very got Mediterranean country. The Biore Watery Essence works really well for me, but I do apply it half an hour before I go out. I'm in and out of the pool all day and it protects better than Nivea SPF50 on my body. I think that the trick may be that you need to apply at least half an hour before going out? I love it
I like Ultrasun Sunsense too, but I found it oily, thick and it did leave a slight white cast on me (maybe because I am so pale?). It's my second choice, after Biore.

Ah ok that's interesting. What ingredients do I look for to know whether one is a physical or chemical sunblock? I have rosacea so probably do need a physical one for my skin to be happy. I don't mind a white cast that much as I'm very pale anyway. I'll use up the Biore though and make sure I apply 30 mins before hitting the sun and see if improves. I'm sure I'm more pigmented since starting to use it though so I'm a bit scared tbh. All my fancy skincare down the pan if the basic sunscreen bit isn't working!

It was ridiculously hot yesterday though and I was out in the midday heat. I need a hat I think!

If you look further up the thread I posted a link to skincancer.org's page with the approved ingredients in physical and chemical sunscreens. Physical sunscreens contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

The clarins factor 50 is amazing. It's very light and silky and you can apply make up over it too.

Aldi make a factor 50, 5 star sunscreen that you can spray on your hands and then apply. You can't really see it. I is under £3.

I also have a Nivea 50 High that I keep in my bag (I'm an optimist), that's very good for the face too.

Thanks for the info Purple. I will choose a physical one after lots of googling!

I wonder if the chemical ones need to be in direct contact with the skin to work properly - I had Vichy Aqualia serum and CeraVe moisturiser underneath.

Yes, chemical sunscreens should be as close to your skin as possible. Some of my serums are quite siliconey and everything slides off them. I use Biore either on bare skin or after Missha First Treatmenet Essence that is basically a light spray of sake-smelling water.

I used to live in the tropics and have used super hardcore physical sunscreens (Badger and California Baby) when I was pregnant and breastfeeding. They were extremely chalky and greasy, like nappy cream. So you have to find a balance between convenience, cosmetically pleasing results and protection...

I like the Sunsense one, too. They also have an "Anti-Aging" one which is has AHA's and antioxidants. I have been wearing them on my face since the late 90's. My skin looks a lot better than most Aussie women my age. (Also I didn't put it on my décolleté and really wish I had - the skin there is completely different)

I found the alpha u moisturiser with sunscreen really good and not at all white or ghost like.

Wise people - is sunsense daily face a physical sunblock?

It's worth remembering that many products require 15 to 20 minutes waiting time before you go out in the sun.

Dermalogica spf 50 sport sunscreen works well on face, as does acorelle spf 30 sun oil (you need to wait 5 minutes for it to sink in before applying make up but I would do that with moisturiser anyway). Acorelle also do an spf 25 facial gel that is really light.

Could I ask which ultrasun you recommend for face protection please? I sadly already have damage (pigmentation areas) and there seems to be a few to choose from, marksandspencer.com/l/beauty/ultrasun Thanks.

Ultrasun antipigmentation facial sunscreen is really good, I used this when I was at a car boot last weekend for 6 hours in the blazing sun and experienced no tanning or burning whatsoever. No white cast (I have olive skin) and it is a touch greasy but this can be dealt with by powdering over it once its absorbed.

If you are interested in japanese sunscreens, you will find loads with a high spf, very lightweight and no white cast, but the downside is waiting for shipping. I have tried the biore mentioned above and am stocking up so I don't have to wait ages for a replacement!

Thanks Mowglik, does your/would my liquid foundation go on ok over the Ultrasun (as it's a touch greasy)?

Vote for the Biore Watery Essence, but I tried to buy more in Singapore recently and was told it is sold out all over Asia!

I've very recently ordered more Biore Watery Essence and it arrived in 6 days.

Also never had a problem with catching the sun whilst wearing it, but have heard of others that have.

naughty I let the ultrasun settle for about 15 min then I always powder over it before foundation. I'm sure if I applied foundation straight over it it wouldn't last very long on my oily skin. The powder trick takes the greasiness away and then I have no problem with foundation. If I know I will be out in the sun I use ultrasun and reserve Biore for normal out and about days