This brand often causes a bit of controversy when it is mentioned on a blog, because it does not give an spf on any of its products. Instead, the products are categorised by type of skin (normal, sensitive, intolerant) and strength of sun (gentle, normal to strong, extreme). The bronz repair and adaptasun ranges are designed to support safe tanning, which sounds like an oxymoron; the commonly accepted current belief is that a tan is a sign of damage. Institut Esthederm claims to 'prep' the skin to produce melanin more quickly and evenly on exposure to sunlight, thus minimising damage.
I'm intrigued by this line as it has had some positive reviews. It is also meant to be good for skin that becomes uncomfortable in sunlight. On the basis that it's all good for blog research, I bought a tube of the Bronz Repair Cream for normal to strong sun, which the SpaceNK assistant said was more than adequate for UK sun, even in high summer.
These products do contain traditional sunscreen ingredients. I used the BASF sunscreen simulator to calculate the spf and UVA protection of the Bronz Repair normal to strong sun based on the active ingredients (the % and name of active ingredients are on the back of the tube), and it gives an SPF rating of 15 and PPD protection of 7.4 (UVA 3 stars or Good, or PA++). The moderate UVA protection means that you will almost certainly notice some tanning with this product, and I wouldn't personally use it for prolonged exposure in the middle of a hot summer day, even in the UK.
I've just started using this as my day cream, and it is cosmetically comfortable on my normal to dry skin (more normal than dry in summer), although it does feel more sunscreen-y than the Chantecaille Firming Sun Cream I've been using for the last couple of summers. I do not intend to change my routine of practicing sun avoidance where possible, and will report back on if I do develop the glowing even tan that this brand claims to promote (or if I experience any issues using it). I will reapply if I am in sustained sunlight, as per the instructions (like the instructions for all sunscreens).
This is a very expensive facial sunscreen at £52 for 50ml. The Bronz Repair range is more expensive than the Adaptasun range (£32 for 50ml for Normal/Strong sun) as it contains additional anti-wrinkle ingredients. If you were in the sun for prolonged periods, you'd get through a whole tube within a week or so quite easily.
Blogger ate this post during its tantrum, so I'm re-publishing it. Apologies to Klara and Mq, Cb whose comments were lost - I will be sure to write an update after using it for a while.
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I can't wait to read your update on using this sunscreen! I was always intrigued by this brand but found it a bit odd that they don't list the SPF on their products. I think that finding a good SPF that doesn't clog pores, gives sufficient protection and doesn't irritate the skin is quite hard. And then of course there is the mineral vs. chemical filter debate and I feel like every year there are new researches on "bad SPF ingredients" so it's really difficult to choose. I'll stop babbling now. Thank you for a great post and for including the ingredients of the product! x Klara
ReplyDeleteI believe Lisa Eldridge did a video on youtube where she touted this sunscreen and said that it was the only one that she had used that prevented brown spots and discolouration that you could actually use in the sun.
ReplyDeleteSo far, the only reason that I have not clicked is because of the price so I will be very interested to hear how you get on.
i had this for my holiday last year i bought it because i tan easily with olive skin but am prone to prickly heat. i found that i got the worst prickly heat i have ever had whilst using this product and would not use it again. however my boyfriend used this the whole holiday and found it to be great; he didn't burn at a ll and is prone to burning. so i would say it is a good product for preventing burning but not at a all good for sensitive skin. i hope that helps x
ReplyDeletejust as a ps to my last comment i just spoke to my boyfriend and he reminded me that he did in fact get mild prickly heat on that holiday for the first time ever while he was using this product. So perhaps it is not ideal for even those not prone to such conditions.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like this at all. My skin congested badly with it, and although I tanned quickly it was grubby looking. I don't really like myself with a tan though!
DeleteI never reviewed it in the end because I hadn't used it long enough to review fairly. What I do find works well for skin resistance to strong sunlight is an astaxanthin supplement (I take Krill Oil - v good, but not for you if allergic to shellfish!). I've been taking this since the summer.