I know I risk sounding preachy, but sun protection is the most important step in skincare, in my opinion. Sure, skipping cleansing won’t do anything wonderful for your skin, but a breakout from clogged pores hasn’t killed anyone (that I know of). Skin cancer has. I go through sunblocks rather quickly because I use them every day of the year on my face, neck, chest, and anything else that’s exposed. You can read my reviews of the ones I’ve tried.
I’m currently using Make P:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream. It’s a hydrating 100% physical sunblock that doesn’t leave a white cast and is gentle on the skin. Physical sunblocks work by reflecting the rays (vs absorbing and neutralizing them the way chemical filters do). This one is suitable for all skin types, but especially oily and combination (I have combination skin with an oily t-zone and dry-to-normal cheeks). It’s available on* eBay and Amazon.
This product has SPF 50+ and PA++++ (the highest possible). Most of us have probably already heard of SPF (sun protection factor), but what is PA? It’s based on a Persistent Pigmentation Darkening test which measures how much UVA a person can be exposed to without tanning/skin darkening. The range is from + to ++++. In short - higher SPF and more “+”s after the PA mean higher protection against the sun.
What about the “reduces heat” claim on the bottle? Infrared sun rays can affect the skin along with the UVA and UVB rays by raising the skin’s temperature and causing free radical damage. This product protects the skin from infrared rays and lowers its temperature. It doesn’t contain controversial ingredients such as: parabens, sodium lauryl and laureth sulfates, and synthetic dyes.
Active ingredients:
Zinc oxide - physical sunblock
Titanium dioxide - physical sunblock
Birch sap - locks in moisture
Centella extract - soothes the skin, reduces inflammation and irritation; great for acne prone skin
How to use:
Apply after your skincare and before makeup.
For best results, use 30 minutes prior to going outside
My impressions:
For years I have lived with the smelly, sticky, white-out sunscreens - enduring all of that in the name of skin health. And the best thing about discovering Korean beauty is their sun protection. This product is easily in my top two favorites (along with this one). It’s slightly mattifying but not drying, easy to apply under or without makeup. It doesn’t make me greasy, shiny, or ghost-white. I strongly prefer physical sunscreens to the chemical ones for health reasons, so it’s really nice to find one that is also aesthetically pleasing. I can’t speak to the temperature lowering claims as I do not put myself out in the sun for long enough periods to test that. I’m not an outdoor person in general and sweating is one of my least favorite things to do :) But we are planning a short trip this summer, so maybe I’ll write an update after that.
Overall, the product is great. It’s completely gender neutral without any “girly” scents and a minimalist, clean cut packaging, so if I weren’t so stingy with it, I could have easily shared it with my husband. If you’ve been on the hunt for a physical sunscreen that’s gentle on the skin, non sticky and has a high SPF and PA, then try this one!
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I bought this product on 0.8L
Make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream Ingredients: Water, Cyclomethicone, Zinc Oxide, Propanediol, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Pentylene Glycol, Magnesium Sulfate, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Fructooligosaccharides, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Pullulan, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Betula Alba Juice, Dipropylene Glycol, Xylitylglucoside, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Rubus Arcticus Callus Extract, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glucose, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sodium Hyaluronate