Hi there my peeps, after the mayhem of the past few weeks, due
to an overloaded personal/professional life, I am back on track, so its about time
I get my butt into gear and finish off what I started here. :-w I am referring to my personalised skin care products,
which coincides with my Serious Skin Care program, giving y’all a rundown on
the secret weapons I use regularly, to maintain my ultimate anti-ageing skin
care regime. So far, I have covered the basic three-step skin care routine of Cleansing,
Toning and Moisturising, followed by Vitamin Therapy – Topical Vitamin A and C,
so now I am moving onto a subject that I have developed a love/hate
relationship with over the years, Sun Protection. Yep, finding an effective sunscreen has
always been a challenge, because most formulations are too rich and heavy, causing
a greasy, shiny mess, which is that oily in fact, you could fry and egg on it,
EEK! :-S That much excess oil causes
sunscreen to pretty much slide straight off, rather than staying put to perfect
the job at hand. Not to mention, mismatched
sunscreens also lead to congestion, generating breakouts or even worse provoking
irritations and unsightly rashes. :| Trying to attempt wearing makeup in
conjunction with the unsuitable sunscreens was an even bigger nightmare, because
after a couple of hours (if that) not only would I lose the sunscreen, I also
had to kiss my makeup goodbye as well. ~X(
Arghhh, Not Happy Jan! LOL ;)
These days, though, I have finally nailed my ideal sun
protection products that compliment and support my oily complexion, instead of
always enduring the former disappearing act that defeated the purpose of using
sunscreen the first place. I thought
those side effects would always be part and parcel of safeguarding my oily skin. :-< Wrong, after deciding that enough was enough
and I didn’t want to persevere with looking like I belong in the deep fryer any
longer, research led me to a greater knowledge of products that might accommodate
my oily skin; what a relief I was finally on the right track. #:-S
Naturally, like with any skin care product,
it all comes down to trial and error and I have tried my fair share of
sunscreens that claim to be fitting for oily skin, yet within hours an onset of
the ghastly slick would surface, noooooo! :( Still to this day, I can count on less than 10 fingers, the number of sunscreen products I have tried that actually work and work well, minus the grungy onslaught I use to dread. Here are the progressive products I am referring to, the ones that work, which I regularly use, as well as those that perform unchallenged and unrivaled, beyond conviction; I know I can rely on any of these SPF products to satisfy my oily skin needs. (*)
This is different to any other SPF moisturiser I have tried,
EVER! So, what is different about this one? Lots, it’s lightweight, non-whitening, water
resistant, touch dry and ultra sweat resistant. With the extreme humidity, here
in Far North Qld, I always battle with sunscreens sweating off, well not anymore!
Phew #:-S
This one actually stays put and I
love that it comes in a low irritant, non-greasy formula that doesn’t seem to
clog my pores or contribute to any breakouts.
While my sun protection preference is usually zinc, with its physical barrier,
unfortunately the options are limited when it comes to finding a decent,
formula, developed into a light enough cream for daily use underneath makeup. I normally avoid chemical sunscreens, because
they bring back memories of nothing but grief; however, I was surprised to find this chemical version is so complimentary and kind to my skin, that all reservations
aside, I have instead, embraced its efficacy. >:D<
This multi-tasking trifecta combines a moisturiser, antioxidant and sunscreen, boasting five, non-nano, broad-spectrum protection filters that absorb both UVA and UVB rays like a force field, before they can cause any damage. The skin preserving antioxidants are beneficial in the fight against skin ageing and may reduce the risk of certain sun cancers. What’s more, it is water resistant for up to four hours, so I can enjoy water activities, like swimming, without worrying that my skin is exposed. \:D/ If you have an oily or combination skin type this is an ideal daily moisturiser for you, provided you don’t have any issues using chemical sunscreen filters.
I have been using the Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF30+ since it was first released, on a regular basis and I am impressed with its incredible staying
power. My face is indefinitely matte after application and remains like that for
the duration of the day, without any sign of that pesky shine. Presented in a handy pump bottle, just two small squirts, delivers enough weightless, creamy fluid to evenly cover my entire face
and neck. It blends well and melts away to nothing within seconds, leaving my
face prepped, adequately protected and ready for my makeup application. Overall, this is one of the
best sun protection products I have tried that addresses oily skin, in addition to ALL of my regular skin concerns as well, without any notable cons. =D>
(Other than my own conscience reminding me that it’s still a chemical
sunscreen, @-) LOL).
I even find the title is very fitting too, as it has
become a ‘Daily Essential’ step in my skincare regime. When Alpha-H developed this SPF moisturiser,
I am sure they specifically knew all about my skin care woes, haha :)) It targets each of my individual sunscreen
dilemmas, whilst it also represents and acknowledges an awareness of our humid weather
conditions, conformed with its unique ‘Australian friendly’ formulation. I have never found an SPF moisturiser with the unsurpassed qualities of the Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF30+, which literally runs rings around its competitors with performance capabilities alone. I rate it as a 4 ½ star
creation out of 5, which only loses the ½ star because it’s not a physical sunscreen (See there I go again, damned integrity, =)) ROFL). Maybe I might drop a hint to Alpha-H,
claiming I would love them forever if they could possibly unite the superior advantages
of a physical. zinc-based sunscreen, with the competence of the Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF30+'s unique, breakthrough formula, to cater for us chemical sunscreen snobs, haha. >:/ Honestly though, at the end of the day, I am
thankful for such an awesome SPF moisturiser that is a pleasure to use, which exceeded my expectations, ten fold, despite my initial reluctance and
scepticism. :)>-
Until about 12 months ago, this WAS my ‘Holy Grail’ sun
protection product. What’s changed? Well
as I pointed out in my Top 10 Award post, I found out that my ‘be all and end
all’ was in fact somewhat of a fraud. :-O
Initially, I was extremely disappointed and as a consumer, I felt
deceived and misled, no thanks to the deluding information available on the
brand website and product packaging, giving the impression that it’s an all natural
blend, with 18% zinc oxide minerals, along with two preservatives. :-L There is nothing ANYWHERE on the packaging or
website suggesting that it has any other ingredients infused in the formulation,
whereas other declarations presented in capital letters, stating ‘No Chemical
Absorbers’ for example, are blatantly obvious for all to see. I would imaging that to the average 'Jo Blow', a
statement of that nature would have them assuming, it’s a natural product without
harmful ingredients, like chemicals etc on board, just mineral zinc and a pair of
preservatives, that is it. :-??
The packaging details. |
This discovery was the pits to be honest and for a while, I
actually boycotted the product all together, refusing to touch it. :-t Mostly because I
felt used, abused and feeling the fool. :">
Over the following month or so, I conducted numerous internet searches,
trying to find an alternative, void of nasties, but had little success; much to
my dismay, there are very few unsuspecting, trustworthy, zinc-based sunscreens around. Anyhow, in time I eventually returned to my ‘old
faithful’ after coming to terms with the reality that I had never actually experienced
any complaints at all, when I used the product. *-:)
One would think that a 3-year period would be sufficient to determine any
problems, which would have surely reared their ugly head, if that were the
case. However, I didn’t experience
anything even remotely negative, in terms of side effects. Additionally, if I were none the wiser to the
information uncovered, I would have continued on my merry way, singing its
praise, as I always did. With that said,
an old saying came to mind, ‘If it ain't broke, don't fix it!’ Well, bearing in mind that I was impressed with the results I had previously
achieved using Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF30+ and without a worthwhile
replacement in sight, I had to take it or leave it. I opted for the latter. [-O< Due to it’s physical zinc-based properties, it
still remains my sunscreen of choice. Because
it sits on top of my skin reflecting any harmful rays before they cause any
damage, which unlike chemical sunscreens, that enter into your skin, there is
less chance of developing any conflicts like allergies and irritations that are
sometimes associated with chemical penetration.
It is also a known fact that Zinc Oxide offers the best of both UVA and
UVB protection, so it made sense to stick with it, especially for occasions
where I was exposed to direct sunlight, i.e. a day at the beach. B-)
Before and after applying to skin. |
Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF30+ has remarkable coverage for a
tinted moisturiser and it doesn’t cause my oily skin to develop into a grease
ball after a few hours. It’s a
multi-tasker, combination tinted moisturiser/sunscreen providing a natural tint
with a matte-like finish with additional anti-ageing benefits. Despite claims
that it contains pore-clogging ingredients, I have never suffered from
congestion and like how it keeps my skin nourished with increased hydration. Finding such a decent
tinted moisturiser that harmonised with my skin, empowered me, for the first
time in my life, to scrap my full coverage foundation during the day (something I would have never dreamed of doing before, it's like being naked :-O LOL). I can instead, apply the Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF30+
with a bit of concealer and a light dusting of translucent powder and be
confident that my imperfections are disguised, without the need for loads of makeup. Furthermore, the frequent
application of topical zinc to my skin, has over time, improved the overall
condition of my skin, preventing the onset of pimples and breakouts, leaving my
complexion healthy and clear. :)
The formula, while very thick, takes some getting use to, but
its actually rather lightweight, non-greasy and is easy to spread and blend,
remembering that you don’t need much. Begin
with a small pea-sized amount, adding more as required until you achieve your
desired, natural-looking effect. The
thick texture contributes to a slightly tacky feel for the first couple of
minutes, but setting it with a powder helps to accomplish a flawless, shine-free
finish, minus the ghostly white cast often left by certain sunscreens. It’s a perfect solution to contend the conditions of our
humid, tropical climate and even on the hottest summer days I can use it of a
morning and know it’s not going to budge at all. ;) Because of the impeccable staying power, it
can often be difficult to remove with a normal cleanser, so based on my own
experience I have determined that either an oil-based cleanser to break it down
or a deep pore cleanser, such as an AHA formulation will dispel the normally stubborn
remnants with ease. The most important acknowledgement though, is that I have never sustained even a touch of sunburn, since
introducing the Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF30+, to my daytime routine. It really does impart the ultimate barrier between my skin and the sun to safeguard against its damaging UV rays. =D> I am the first to admit I am not
thrilled about the realisation of the included hidden nasties, after I already had developed
a love affair with the product. =(( For now
though, I am comfortable enough to keep plugging on with it until a better
option comes along. :) If anyone can
suggest a decent zinc-based sunscreen, I would love to hear about it.
My other Staunch SPF Products - Tried, Tested and Deemed Suitable
for Oily Complexions (by yours truly)
Ultraceuticals Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF30+ - This is
a creamy, lightweight, non-greasy, age defying moisturiser with the bonus of antioxidant
goodies to combat free radical damage and a high SPF rating, consisting of both
chemical and physical sunscreens. It combats dehydration and delivers a superb
matte finish.
Kosmea Moisturising Lotion SPF30+ - This lightly textured, delicately scented, oil-free moisturiser has excellent sun protection properties incorporating both physical and chemical technology, targeting prematurely ageing skin to promote a healthy, youthful complexion. Featuring some super beneficial all natural ingredients, and no nasties, it’s everything like a gorgeous nourishing lotion and nothing like a sunscreen.
Burts Bees Radiance Day Lotion SPF30+ - Infused with a subtle, sweet fruity
fragrance the lightweight, ultra delicate, cream absorbs super fast with no greasy
residue. The airy texture provides a matte finish and it remains shine-free all
day, while the natural ingredients enhance the skins radiance and rejuvenate
the complexion. It offers an adequate chemical and physical combination sun
protection in a non-typical sunscreen formula that doesn’t leave a white cast
on the skin.
Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser SPF20 – This is a tinted moisturiser with a difference, providing super staying power and a fresh, dewy finish in a non-greasy formulation. It has a thick foundation-like texture, but blends with ease to achieve a the fullest sheer coverage tinted moisturiser I’ve ever seen, which is also buildable for extra concealment of any stubborn imperfections, ensuring an evenly toned, healthy, natural looking complexion. The one downfall is that I wouldn’t be inclined to reply it as my sole sun protection product because the chemical sunscreens, unfortunately don’t offer broad spectrum protection, so I like to use it in conjunction with another form of protection.
Mukti Botanicals Tinted Moisturiser SPF15 – This non-nano, chemical-free,
zinc-based tinted moisturiser offers decent physical protection, in an
all-natural formula, that instantly sparked my attention. It has a slightly herbal aroma and the
texture, whilst thin and lightweight, is probably slightly too rich for my oily
skin, due to the enticing blend of nourishing ingredients, which tends to get a
bit shiny during the day. My other dilemma is the coverage is basically nada,
it’s so sheer it’s invisible, therefore makes for a great base, preferably
under a dusting of mineral powder foundation. Unfortunately, it doesn’t hide my
flaws or even out my skin tone, so I dare not use it alone without the security
of at least some extra cover. 10/10 for
coming real close to the physical protection solution I am looking for. ;)
Philosophy Supernatural Oil-Free Tinted Foundation PrimerSPF 15 – This primer literally blew me away, it totally exceeded my expectations, as never have I tried a tinted primer, much less one that also has the benefits of broad spectrum chemical and physical sun protection properties. It’s silky smooth in texture with added silicones that magically transform my complexion, evening the tone and hiding the imperfections for a flawless finish. My skin looks amazing BEFORE I have even applied any foundation. It keeps my makeup in place and looking matte all day, definitely the best primer I have tried to date. :x I am sceptical on the effectiveness of the SPF, however, so if heading outdoors I just apply additional sun protection to be certain.
Whoa, :-" that was one heck of a mouthful if I do say so myself,
LOL. :)) Nevertheless, if you think about
it, that is only eight sun protection products that I highly regard as worthy
of recommendation to my fellow oily skinned sisters. Over the duration of my thirty odd years, I constantly
searched for a pertinent safeguard, in alliance with the ongoing Aussie health
campaign I evolved with, 'Slip, Slop, Slap'.
Yet pinpointing the right sunscreen was never an easy feat, for someone
with oily skin. I learned quick smart
that oily skin and sunscreen do not readily unite. One fail would usually lead to another and
then another and so forth, so having established eight amazing sun protectors that
DO synthesise in accordance with my oily complexion is quite an achievement for
me, hehe. ;)) Seriously, you probably won’t
believe this, but it has only been during the past four years or so that I have
established every one of my SPF staples, when I finally got my skin professionally
analysed and was educated about products and ingredients that compliment my
skin type. Prior to that, I was constantly
at war with my skin, due to misuse of incompatible skin care products, so
slapping on any old sunscreen didn’t do me any justice, and needless to say
none of the products from the past three decades are still with me today, haha. :)) Do
you have problems finding a sunscreen product, which is compatible with your
skin type? Do you have any favourites
you might care to share? Hit me with
your suggestions, I’m all ears. :)
All images in this post are my own.
All images in this post are my own.
Excellent post, really comprehensive, I'm on the hunt for a HG sunscreen but I'm a dry skinned gal, currently have a few on my list to try and a Neal's Yard one currently being shipped over (which I hope it's good) :)
ReplyDelete@JadegrrrlThanks heaps, sorry I can't help with any suggestions for dry skin, although I guess I can say I have used my fair share of unsuitable rich ones over the years, lol. Ooohhh I have never heard of Neal's Yard, can't wait to hear your thoughts. I have never thought about trying a foreign sunscreen before, will have to look into some of the popular ones. Good luck with it :)
ReplyDeleteWas actually looking for sunscreen today- I've been using the neutrogena dry touch one which feels so heavy, sticky and yuk, even though it's meant to feel nice on the skin. I won an invisible zinc giveaway, so looking forward to trying that out especially after reading this :-)
ReplyDelete@Rin
ReplyDeleteThanks darl, yes I have tried the Neutrogena Dry Touch and completely agree, it's one of the ones 'supposed' to be good for oily skin but still made me look like a grease monkey, LOL. I hope you like the IZ, it takes a bit to get use to but it really grows on you :)
Where can I buy the philosophy primer? The philosophy website costs nearly $40 for international delivery.
ReplyDeletePS I'm loving reading your blog. It's all very interesting and informative. Great pics too :)
ReplyDeleteBlackmagic xx
@Anonymous I know the price is the ONLY downside, but I think its worth every penny. I have seen a few on ebay US for a reasonable price and only a few dollars for delivery. I am using mine sparingly coz I know I am going to have to fork out for a new one and its not exactly cheap, lol, but I love it so much I will just have to bite the bullet and bare the expense, lol.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous Thanks BlackMagic, I appreciate your feedback babe, glad you find it helpful, mwah xxx ooo
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I'll have to give some of these a try as my Physician's Formula natural tinted moisturiser is only spf 15. The deceptive marketing of Invisible Zinc has put me off a bit. I can't stand when I see silly things like "certified natural" or "no sulphates" on a product like moisturiser which never have sulphates in it anyway. I'll probably have to give some of the brands like Kosmea, Burt's Bees and Mukti a try. I have seen the Mukti one before but went looking for it on their site last night and didn't see it - I must be getting blind :P
ReplyDeleteThanks for the list, with summer coming up i'm going to need a good facial sunscreen for my oily skin.
@MissTeaAddict Thanks heaps darl. I completely understand your reservations about IZ, its a real shame that companies feel the need to resort to delude their consumers, its not a great look and these days because we are becoming wiser to those kind of tactics and it doesn't sit well :( At least their are still a few natural alternatives around and I hope that before too long I will find an all zinc formula to replace the IZ. LOL I originally came across the Mukti one during the initial shock period after learning about IZ when I was searching for zinc spf products, the link on this page should take you straight to the product on their website for more info. Good luck finding your holy grail, because I can totally relate that oily skin and summer can be quite painful ;)
ReplyDeleteWow love this!! This is really detailed info. (appreciated). I have a somewhat odd kind of skin where my face is either real oily or real dry. And living in the tropics @ the mo just causes my skin to go chaotic at times! I have been looking for a decent sun protector esp. for my t-zone areas so I I'm going to check out the ultraceuticals protective moisturiser you mentioned sounds pretty good! : D
ReplyDeleteUrban art + street fashion addict:
C.ULT FRIDAY.
@VIVA.VHey there Viva, yeah I know all about temperamental skin and finding a suitable sunscreen, so glad I have given you some idea's ;) Good luck with the Ultraceuticals one, hope you love it xxx ooo
ReplyDelete