CLINIQUE CITY BLOCK SPF40 - IS IT REALLY?

[JulesDorney]

Sorry for the caps!

I've used the above for years and now have the new version. I've noticed though it doesn't have the * (star) ratings that other spf products have (like LRP and Ultrasun.)

I also read that some of Clinique's sun screens 'failed' a test and weren't really the SPF they said they were.

I use spf40/50 every single day under make up.

I was also using E Lauder Perfectionist UV protect lotion but it seems to be discontinued/ out of stock and only the gel available.

Anyone know more on this?

Disclaimer - I haven’t worked for Clinique for many years now… but I did work for then as a sun care specialist for 15 years. The main difference with Clinique sun care (unless it’s changed) is that they primarily use titanium dioxide as a physical barrier rather than a chemical ingredient. This means that if people don’t apply enough of the product then it won’t provide the protection - and titanium dioxide needs a lot - it’s the white stuff in it that provides the barrier. So that’s probably why it fails in some tests. They use physical barriers because a lot of people are allergic to the chemical sunscreens in other companies and it fits with their allergy tested etc ethos.

I should also say I have lupus and have worked with people with lupus and one of then best ranges you can get is Ultrasun. Until recently this was one of the only brands available on prescription for lupus patients who struggle with sun induced rashes.

I'm in The Netherlands where the local consumer watchdog agency did some testing recently where Clinique sunscreens came out performing poorly (and a few other brands as well, mostly low cost own brands like Aldi, etc.). It was standardised testing for SPF performed by labs so not down to user error as speculated above. An SPF50 was realistically an SPF17 or thereabouts when using the recommended amount.

I think German TÜV found similar issues but also with some products from LRP (but other LRP products scored extremely well). The only brand I've seen perform consistently well in these types of tests is Bioderma.

WRT the star system, it's a British system and its not exactly useful (an SPF30 can score better than a SPF50 even if objectively the UVA protection in the SPF50 is higher) so not every brand is all that eager to bring out special UK only packaging for it.