Sunscreen Photostability

Source: graur codrin | Freedigitalphotos.net

As you may have already read in this post, a good sunscreen requires protection for both UVA and UVB. Yet, even if the formulation offers protection against the harmful rays doesn't mean it's 100% reliable. Another step that manufacturers need to look at to ensure sun protection is photostability of their sunscreen ingredients. To be photostable means that the sunscreen UV filters must remain stable under sun exposure. Some sunscreen ingredients break down immediately under sunlight, rendering their protective capabilities as useless. An interaction between different ingredients needs to be carefully analyzed.

Take note that the question of photostability lies only on chemical sunscreens as physical sunscreens are highly photostable. So if you're using a physical sunscreen, there is no need to worry about photostability. On the other hand, not all chemical UV filters can remain stable under the sun. UV filters such as avobenzone and octinoxate are highly unstable UV filters, but if they are combined with other more stable ingredients, then the problem of stability is solved.

For the layperson, studying about the interaction among ingredients can appear very complicated. Several online resources are available to guide consumers about sunscreen photostability. But, to make matters more simple, Skin Cancer Foundation offers a Seal of Recommendation for sunscreens that have met their photostability criterion. Keep in mind though that it doesn't mean that products without the Seal are automatically unstable; perhaps some of these just haven't undergone the foundation's testing yet.

Among the suncreen products that are found to be photostable are Hawaiian Tropic, Alba Botanica, Aveeno, Cetaphil, Obagi, Jergens, Copperstone, Physician's Formula, Serious Skin Care, Avon, Banana Boat, and Shiseido. For a complete list of brands bearing the Seal of Recommendation, see this page.

Meanwhile, if you are highly interested on the mechanisms of sunscreens, here are some recommended readings to help you get started:

Skinacea: Sunscreen Stability

Skin Cancer Foundation: Does Sunscreen Become Ineffective with Age?

Hallstar: Sunscreen Photostability 101

FDA: Photostability

To know more about sun protection, read my article: The Sun and Your Skin

Product Review: Happy Tea Time Cleansing Foam (Green Tea)

If you have read the About page as well as my dermatologist experience, you probably already know that the only skin care routine I had adopted in my younger days was cleansing the face. As a teen, I used to just wash with a bar soap - any bar soap that I was using for my body. Pretty economical, yet a major facial skin care flop. Then, I somehow upgraded to a bar soap especially made for the face. It was good enough to deal with my acne, but it became too effective for fighting off my zits that my skin became overly dry. 

A few years more, I upgraded my cleansing product again. This time I switched to a facial cleanser. It was a big improvement because my pimples didn't have to experience getting accidentally squished by a hard bar of soap. Later on, I followed my cleansing with a toner and moisturizer as additional steps to my skin care routine.

Over the years, I never seemed to get contented with a single facial cleanser. I would switch from product to product to see which works best. In the midst of my experimentation with my face, I found this product from Etude House. What I liked about this is the very affordable price tag. It's Php 148.00 price tag is equivalent to a huge tube of facial cleanser. Not bad.

Product Name: Happy Tea Time Cleansing Foam (Green Tea)

Price and Availability: Php 148.00 (Etude House), Amazon  / 150ml

Ingredients: water, glycerin, potassium stearate, potassium myristate, peg-30, myristic acid, hydrated silica, potassium laurate, cocamidopropyl betaine, camellia sinensis leaf extract, lauric acid, disodium edta, peg-100 stearate, benzoate phenoxyethanol, ci 42090, ci 19140, fragrance (Note: According to cosdna.com database, myristic acid and lauric acid have comedogenicity scale of 3 and above out of 5.)

Introducing, Happy Tea Time Cleansing Foam - Green Tea:

Review:

The consistency of this product is very very thick. During my stay in Singapore, I brought this along with me. I needed to transfer some amount in a smaller bottle for portability. I had used a hard clear plastic bottle with a screw-on cap, and got a very difficult time to dispense a small amount whenever I washed my face. In fact, even if I flipped the container upside down overnight, the cleanser barely got influenced by gravity - that's just how thick the consistency is. 

Yeah I know, the container I used was a wrong choice. Good thing that the original container is a squeezable tube, take note though that as the content becomes less, squeezing becomes more difficult as well. I just hate to see the cute plastic tube become deformed.

Before buying this product, I've already read a few reviews. According to these bloggers, they need only a few amount of the product for each wash. It's very economical that way. For me, for some reasons, I needed more squirts in order to get the desired result - as much as the amount I used in a toothpaste (How many pea-sized amount is that?). Later on however, I used less and less amount. I realized that I just needed to mix in a little water with the cleanser for foaming to occur. I wish I had learned that earlier because my product is already running low.

I had expected a green tea scent, which should have been very soothing. But no, I did not smell anything of that kind, but the fragrance ain't that bad anyway. I like the idea of green tea taking it's action for fighting bacteria and stabilizing the free radicals on my face. Sadly though, the green tea I love is way below the ingredients list, meaning it is only used in small concentration within the formulation. The product did perform a good job in removing grime anyway. I notice my skin brightening up immediately after every wash.

While using this product, I still get breakouts every now and then, and more often around my period. I presume this is hormonal and has little to do with the cleanser itself. Happy Tea Time is not a drying formulation. It did not dry out my existing pimples which other cleansers are good at.

Overall, still, this is a pretty good cleanser for me, only because I don't put heavy makeup on my face. I am using a BB cream, but not daily, and I'm not confident that this product alone is enough to remove any BB cream residue. Whenever I use this to wash off my BB cream, I would still find some brownish stain from the tissue I use to pat my face dry. Without my makeup, I do think though that the cleanser is mild enough to effectively clean my oily face.

So here are the pros and cons to summarize everything about Happy Tea Time Cleansing Foam:

Pros:

- mild yet removes grime

- cute packaging

- economical

- doesn't give me breakouts

Cons:

- contains fragrances that sensitive skin might not love

- product is very difficult to dispense

- might not be effective to remove makeup (using additional makeup removers is a must)

Verdict:

The verdict? I will buy this again especially when I'm on a tight budget. I will skip using this though on days that I would wear makeup.

Rating:
3.5/5

Also available, Happy Tea Time Cleansing Foam (Aloe):

How about you? Are you using this product? What do you think of it?

What Are Parabens: The Highly Controversial Substance

Parabens are compounds commonly used as preservatives in skin care products. They are important because they prevent bacteria and fungi from contaminating the products. Since the report of EWG about it's possible carcinogenicity, parabens have become widely controversial. Despite this, the scientific community concluded that it is generally safe to use.

Why do the scientists, in the midst of this hype, approve the use of parabens in cosmetics? 

For one, parabens have weak potency and are only used in little concentrations in products. Some studies have found that parabens can mimic estrogen (a sex endocrine hormone), disrupt our body and promote cancer growth. Yet, endocrine disruption has only been found by injecting an extremely high amount of parabens in cell cultures and female mice - an amount far greater than what is actually used in our skin care products (.02-.03%). In addition, scientists found that parabens' potency are 100,000 times weaker than the estrogen produced naturally by the body, thereby suggesting the safety of parabens.

Second, there is no direct link found between parabens and cancer. Studies that suggest parabens to be dangerous came about from analysis of breast tissues with tumors where parabens were found to be present. However, the presence of these compounds is not conclusive. More so, parabens aren't only found in breast tissues but also in other healthy parts of the body. 

Without the use of some form of preservative, microorganisms will grow in our skin care products and can become harmful to use. Yet because of the high demand for paraben-free products, many manufacturers have found some alternatives to parabens. 

Resorting to paraben-free products can sometimes become even more costly (some manufacturers take advantage of this frenzy to promote their expensive paraben-free products). Switching to alternative preservatives does not guarantee safety as well. Take for example, during my product search in a store, I have found a paraben-free moisturizer, yet I've also found that it contains a preservative called DMDM Hydantoin - a substance that may produce formaldehyde (another carcinogen) as a by-product.

What should we do then?

Upon learning the possible dangers of parabens for the first time, like most people, I got paranoid of buying paraben-containing products. Thinking about slathering my skin with paraben-containing sunscreens and applying layers and layers of skin care products made me worry that the parabens in them might accumulate over time and produce the unwanted effect on my health (this was only my baseless assumption, parabens do get flushed out by our body - though to what extent is unknown to me - as seen in urine samples). However, was my fear based on fact? Why was I afraid of parabens? In fact, they are naturally occurring substances found in many foods, including blueberries. To make a substance toxic is a matter of concentration levels.

(Read: Understanding Sunscreen Labels)

After digging further, I learned that parabens aren't as dangerous as they were known to be. Yet, admittedly, the uneasiness is still there, instilled so well into my mind by the media. But personally, I am not into an all-out-anti-paraben campaign. Parabens have already been used in decades and using a newer form of preservative might be risky. Avoiding parabens altogether is impossible. I still find them in my current shampoo and facial cleanser. But as much as I can, I look for moisturizers, sunscreens, body lotions - products that stay on my skin for a long time - that do not contain parabens.

So, to avoid or not to avoid, it is a matter of your preference. If you don't feel safe with parabens, then it is your choice not to use them. For the meantime, keep an open eye on all the rest of the substances in your skin care products. People tend to avoid one or two unwanted ingredients, while neglecting the rest of the ingredient list. Going for the certain-substance-free products does not guarantee that their formula is any safer. Read the labels carefully. Stay updated on further skin care studies. Don't jump to conclusions if a source says something is dangerous without checking the source's credibility. 

For more information, here are some of the interesting materials I've found about parabens (with differing viewpoints):

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics 

Paula's Choice - Parabens: Are They Really a Problem?

Cosmetics Info - Paraben Information 

Breast Cancer Organization - Exposure to Chemicals in Cosmetics 

Smarter Living 

Breast Cancer Fund 

Chicago Tribune - Don't be Fooled by Paraben Hype 

How to Prevent Acne

Nothing is worse than waking up in the morning to 

find out a large pimple on your face!

Source: Illustration by cheerfulnuts

We all get acne at some point in our life. The breakout of acne is often noticeable during puberty, but adults may have acne problems too. It’s hard to pinpoint the real cause of acne.  Genetics, hormones, and some dietary factors yet to be determined might play a role.

 

What is Acne?

Before I go into details how to prevent acne, you should first understand how it develops. Our skin has pores with hair follicles. Our skin naturally has oil to act as a natural barrier. The sebaceous glands are responsible for the oil or sebum production. Sometimes, these glands produce more sebum than necessary. The sebum, plus the dead skin cells, gets clogged in the pores. A trapped sebum leads to the formation of whiteheads or blackheads. Sometimes they go away by themselves, gradually releasing the trapped substances. At other times, rupture occurs along the follicular wall, leading to inflammation. Red bump starts to appear around the pore. A bump on the surface that gets infected is called a pimple, whereas a blockage that occurs deep in the pore becomes a cyst.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, there are three factors responsible for acne development:

1. overproduction of sebum,
2. irritation
3. build up of bacteria.

Apparently, if you want to prevent acne, you should watch out for these three culprits. I’ll elaborate on these later.

Treatment for Acne

Topical treatments such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid address to acne problems by dealing with bacteria and sebum. These medications dry out excess oil and remove dead skin cells. Benzoyl Peroxide prevents the build up of P. acnes bacteria whereas Salicylic Acid cuts through grease and promotes skin peeling. They are available over-the-counter and are often included in cosmetic products such as soaps and facial wash as active ingredients. 

How to Prevent Breakouts

Dealing with acne can start at home. Follow a proper skin care 

regimen and choose your products carefully to help prevent acne.

Source: Photo by Adam Borkowski/Dreamstime

Dealing with acne can start at home. By just adapting proper skin care methods and some good habits, you can help prevent or lessen your acne. Let’s first take a look on the three contributing factors of acne development:

Overproduction of sebum

Some people have oily skin. If you are one of them, you should follow a good skin care regimen. Wash your face with a mild cleanser twice daily (washing more than needed could do more harm than good). After washing, use an alcohol-free toner to remove excess oil and dead skin cells. Slather on a light moisturizer afterwards. Remember that despite having an oily face, you still need to do this step as this will help retain the needed moisture for your skin. Other than this routine, watch out for your stress level too. More stress equals more sebum production. Learn some stress management techniques to avoid compromising your skin and prevent acne.

Irritation

Follicular walls rupture when irritated. Vigorous rubbing and scrubbing irritates the skin. So avoid rubbing your face while towelling after wash. Instead, pat it dry. Be gentle to your face, it is delicate. If you have extra sensitive skin, aggressive mechanical exfoliation might be too harsh. Consider using products with alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) ingredients for a gentler peeling method. Be aware where your breakout tends to occur. If it occurs on one same spot, it may be due to your habits. Do you rest one side of your face on the pillow while sleeping? Are you frequently using the telephone? Resting your skin against these things causes irritation too. Watch out for your beauty products. Products with fragrances usually irritate skin. Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, oil-free, and water-based are the labels you should look for in a product to prevent acne breakouts. Check your hair products labels as well, especially when your hair is always in contact with your face. Make sure they have no oil and no irritants.

Build Up of Bacteria

Bacteria are not dirt. Dirt does not cause acne, although it may worsen it. Washing too often does remove dirt, but harms the skin. Benzoyl peroxide kills P. acnes bacteria responsible for acne growth. You might want to add products with this ingredient as part of your skin regimen. The medication, however, might cause over dryness, peeling, and sensitivity to sun. Lessening the application, applying moisturizer, and applying sunscreen are ways to deal with the side effects. If irritation persists, stop using the medication.

For more information about acne, see related blog posts.

Last Updated: August 22, 2015

Product Review: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream

I've never tried anything from Kiehl's before. The first time I entered their shop was during my search for a hair product. I got turned off immediately because of the expensive price. However, during my trip to Singapore with friends, I found myself again inside a Kiehl's store. My friends highly recommended their products, and so I got convinced to buy my first Kiehl's item - a Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream for SGD 48.00.

(See more updated reviews below.)

Product Name: Kiehl's Ultra Oil-Free Gel Cream
Price and Availability: Php 1700.00 (Kiehl's Philippines) SGD 48.00 (Kiehl's Singapore) , USD 28.48 (Amazon)
Ingredients:
aqua / water, glycerin, alcohol denat., propanodiol, glycereth-26, isononyl isononanoate, ammonium polyacryldimethyltauramide / ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, imperata cylindrica root extract, phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, propylene glycol, potassium sorbate, sodium hyaluronate, pseudoaltteromonas ferment extract, citric acid, caprylyl glycol, carbomer, biosaccharide gum-i, panthenol, cucumis sativus juice / cucumber fruit extract, acrylates /c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer

Analyze ingredients here. (Copy the list above and place it inside the site's text box.)

Presenting, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream:

The product is contained in a jar, a rather inefficient choice by Kiehl's if you ask me. I have to really close the lid fast enough after every use because I wouldn't want the product inside to be exposed in the air and dirt for so long. I also dislike the idea of dipping my fingers inside, so I decided to improvise by using a mini plastic spatula (the one that goes with your grocery pudding or gelatin). But since the whole spoon tends to sink in this super lightweight formulation, I just transferred some amount into smaller container. That way I also get to prevent the rest of the product from oxidizing which may lessen it's potency.

I bought Kiehl's Ultra Oil-Free Gel Cream because it is a moisturizer that is recommended for oily skin. It is colorless, unscented, and does not contain any other fragrances (yes, there is a difference between unscented and fragrance-free), which is good for sensitive skin.

The texture is very runny. When applied to skin, it feels so lightweight as if it wasn't there. There is a rather unpleasant odor but it goes away quickly after application. Spreading out the gel is easy and fast, I didn't have to wait long for it to sink in.

I've been using Kiehl's for some time already, and to be honest, I didn't notice any major difference with my long-time moisturizer - Celeteque Facial Moisturizer - considering that it costs a lot lot more. My previous moisturizer was already very good (and highly affordable). It did not cause me breakouts. It is also colorless, unscented, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic, but has a slightly thicker consistency than Kiehl's (but still lightweight). The only reason why I ditched Celeteque is because it contains DMDM Hydantoin (a preservative known to release formaldehyde).

Perhaps despite the little difference between these two moisturizers, Kiehl's still has the upper hand with regards to the ingredients. Not only does it not contain DMDM Hydantoin, it is also free of the preservative paraben (a highly controversial ingredient that is said to disrupt the endocrine system and cause cancer). In addition, Kiehl's doesn't contain silicones as well, which is present in Celeteque. 

(Learn more about silicones and parabens.)

There is one thing that bothers me about Kiehl's gel cream's formulation though. It's the alcohol content. I know I have oily skin, but that doesn't mean I should expose my skin to the drying and possibly irritating effect of alcohol. But it also contains glycerin, and many other hydrating ingredients that may have countered the drying effect of alcohol. I guess as long as I didn't experience any dryness and irritation from the product, it will be fine to continue using it.

A note of precaution: If you are using chemical peels such as AHA and BHA, or other drying topical medications, you should really worry about the presence of alcohol in the products you are using along with your treatment.

My sister is using the same product with me, and her experience is far better than my so-so result. I noticed that her skin has become smoother and more radiant. She likes Kiehl's very much. And the high price tag is surely a no turn-off to her considering the benefits she's gaining. Well good for her!

So to wrap this post off, in a nutshell, the pros and cons:

Pros:
- No DMDM Hydantoin and parabens
- Unscented and fragrance-free
- No colorings
- Noncomedogenic
- Lightweight

Cons:
- Very expensive
- Jar container
- The not-so-sweet smell (though not a deal-breaker to me)

Verdict:

Will I buy this again? Until I cannot find a far better formulation with a lower price tag, I will stick with Kiehl's. If you are like me who have oily skin, you will surely love the feel of this moisturizer. I also recommend it to people who dislikes parabens and silicones in their products.

Rating:
4/5

UPDATE: June 6, 2013
I'm starting to like this product more and more. Despite the lightweight consistency of the gel, it is packed up with moisturizing power. It's gooey yet easily absorbed in the skin. I noticed my skin appearing a bit dewy, which I really loved (only that my skin becomes very oily during midday). I am yet to see this product's effect on me during the cold months (it's still very humid here). Keep posted for my furture updates.

UPDATE: July 17, 2013
I'm about to finish my tub of Kiehl's moisturizer, and so I have bought another spare. I really like this product. I was wrong to have compared it with my previous drugstore moisturizer as the effect it had on me was far better than my old moisturizer. I use Kiehl's as a night cream as well, and had noticed my skin looked amazing the next morning after waking up. My skin has maintained its smoothness even without applying the moisturizer. There was one time when I forgot to apply it before BB cream but I was amazed how the BB cream was gliding across my skin.

Physical and Chemical Sunscreen

Photo: eltaMD , a combination of both physical and 

chemical sunscreen (Source: Amazon)

What's the use of all the promising skin care products if you don't apply sunscreen? After all, it's the sun's harmful UV rays that give you sunburn, dark spots, age spots, and premature wrinkles. Dabbing on some antioxidants on your skin would only give little help if you don't prevent the culprit that has been causing your skin problems in the first place.

Sunscreens are also particularly very useful to people using acne medications such as myself. Topical acne treatment such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid make the skin more sensitive to the sun. Also, sun exposure promotes hyperpigmentation, leading to further darkening of acne marks.

If you are currently looking for a new sunscreen, and have little idea about how to choose one, you might want to check my choosing a sunscreen post first.

There are generally two types of sunscreens, physical and chemical. Each of them works differently to protect your skin.

Physical sunscreens sit on top of your skin to act as a barrier against UV rays. They are very stable under the sun yet leave a noticeably white residue on the skin. Check the ingredients list of your sunscreen. If you see titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, it is a physical sunscreen.

Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, should bind first with your skin in order to become effective. Once taken into the skin (a good 30 minutes), it can protect the skin by absorbing and breaking down the UV rays. However, some chemical sunscreens become unstable when exposed to the sun. In order to make it easier for consumers, the Skin Cancer Organization has tested a wide range of sunscreen products and awarded those who passed their photostability tests with their Seal of Recommendation. Note however that a product without the seal does not automatically mean that it is unstable, only that it might not have been checked by the organization yet.

Unlike physical sunscreens, chemical sunscreens may cause skin irritation and breakouts. That is why if you have sensitive skin, it is advisable that you use physical sunscreen instead. However, many women still prefer to use the latter type because it's more lightweight and visually appealing, not to mention it goes better with makeup. 

Many sunscreens today are a combination of both physical and chemical sunscreen, perhaps because it provides a more photostable and aesthetically appealing formulation. According to Skin Cancer Organization, there are generally at least three UV filters used in a formulation:

1. benzophenones for shorter wavelength UVA

2. PABA derivatives, salicylates, cinnamates for UVB

3. avobenzone, ecamsule, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide for the remaining UVA spectrum

There has been a lot of talks within the skin care community about when to apply sunscreen. It is not uncommon for a woman to apply several products in a day, thereby, the issue of whether the order of sunscreen application can affect it's effectiveness has been a concern.

The common approach suggested is to apply sunscreen last in your skin care routine but before makeup. Meaning, cleanse, tone, moisturize, sunscreen, then primer, foundation, etc. However, other sources recommend applying sunscreen first before anything else. That is, you apply it right after you cleanse and tone your skin. This is specially recommended if you're using a chemical sunscreen, because it needs to bind with your skin to be effective.

Despite the different suggestions, the order of when you should apply it is your choice. If you only believe in scientific studies, there are no such studies yet (at least in my knowledge) that has tested a sunscreen's effectiveness with the consideration of the interaction with other skin care products. As for me, if you really want certainty, then the less products you use at daytime, the better. Save those antioxidant serums and ointments at night.

Haven't decided which sunscreen to buy yet? I have listed here some of the sunscreens that are suitable for oily skin type. On the other hand, if you want to find a sunscreen based on active ingredients, Skinacea has done a great job on classifying these products.

Which type of sunscreen are you using right now? Share what you think about sunscreens.

Last Updated: August 3, 2015

Sunscreens for Oily Skin

In my previous post, I've given out five tips when it comes to choosing a sunscreen, so if you have no idea on how to choose a sunscreen, you might want to check this blog post first.

Once you get the general idea of the do's and don'ts of choosing a sunscreen, shopping for a sunscreen can become a breeze, especially if you have normal skin type. However, if you have sensitive skin, a closer look at the ingredients list is a must! You should know if the sunscreen contains physical or chemical UV filters. Certain ingredients may trigger an allergic reaction, such as fragrances and colorings. 

If you have oily skin type, you should watch out for comedogenic ingredients. For aesthetic reasons, you may also want a sunscreen which is less greasy and matte. It's a challenge as many sunscreens are greasy and sticky, some of the ingredients may also clog the pores and trigger a breakout.

If you want to learn about specific customer reviews, check out the Amazon links or see the specific reviews from bloggers that I will also include in the list. 
I myself have very oily skin. Though I would love to have a good protection on the skin, but applying a sunscreen on the face is a very unappealing sensation. It's sticky, greasy, and feels very heavy on the skin. It makes my skin appear oilier than ever, and worse, it leaves a white cast on the skin.

But thanks to the advancements of skin care science, more and more sunscreen products are coming out the shelves with better formulations for women with oily skin type. You can already find several of these with noncomedogenic formula that is lightweight and matte. Women with normal skin type can also benefit from a lightweight formula as it makes the skin more aesthetically appealing and agreeable to makeup.

Here, I've collected a handful of sunscreen products that are friendly to oily skin types. I have also included the ingredients of these products for your reference. Ingredients highlighted in RED have a comedogenicity rating of 3 and above out of 5 scale based on cosdna.com database (but may not necessarily lead to breakouts in the formulation's entirety, so I advise you to check each product review). 

Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50+

Price and Availability: available on Amazon

Description:

- antioxidant Vitamin E to help prevent free-radical damage
- new optimized combination of sun filters for an even more lightweight, silky, non-greasy finish than before
- oil-free, fragrance free, paraben free, color free
- water resistant (80 Minutes)

Sun Protection: SPF 50 PA+

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (15%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (5%) Oxybenzone (6%) 

Inactive Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denatured, Silica, Dicaprylyl Ether, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Methylparaben, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Disodium EDTA, Dodecene, Poloxamer 407

Remarks:

The formula is noncomedogenic yet contains a relatively high concentration of alcohol, which is an irritant.

Reviews:

http://www.musingsofamuse.com/2011/08/kiehls-super-fluid-uv-defense-spf-50-review.html

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Green Tea

Price and Availability: Php 375.00 (Healthy Options) / 113g (4oz.); also available on Amazon

Description:
- water-resistant for 80 minutes
- paraben-free
- non-greasy

Sun Protection: SPF 45

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients: Homosalate 10.0% (sunscreen), octocrylene 10.0% (sunscreen), ethylhecyl methoxycinnamate 7.5% (sunscreen), ethylhexyl salicylate 5.0% (sunscreen), titanium dioxide 2.0% (sunscreen) 

Inactive Ingredients: Aqua (water), glycerin, cetearyl olivate, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate SE, sorbitan olivate, dimethicone, VP/hexadecene copolymer, caprylic/capric triglyceride, aloe barbadensis leaf juice*, calendula officinalis flower extract*, camellia sinensis leaf extract*, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract*, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower/leaf/stem extract*, sodium stearoyl glutamate, tocopheryl acetate, xanthan gum, alcohol, benzyl alcohol, ethylhecyglycerin, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, citronellol, geraniol, hexyl cinnamal, limonene, linalool and fragrance. 

Remarks:

It's water-based and oil-free. The inclusion of soothing Aloe and antioxidant Green Tea extract is a plus for this product. It also has other moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin. Ingredients to watch out for are: alcohol, fragrances, silicones, and the high concentration of comedogenic cetyl alcohol and glyceryl stearate SE.

My Own Review:

http://seriousskincareblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/product-review-alba-botanica-hawaiian.html

Reviews:
http://galelovescolors.blogspot.com/2012/10/review-alba-botanica-hawaiian-sunscreen.html

Eltamd UV Clear 

Price and Availability: Php 700.00+ (eBay) / 48g (1.7oz.); also available on Amazon

Description:

- lightweight and oil-free
- no parabens
- for sensitive and acne-prone skin

Sun Protection: SPF 46

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (9.0%), Octinoxate (7.5%) 

Inactive Ingredients: Purified Water, Cyclomethicone, Niacinamide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lactic Acid, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Remarks:

It's water-based and has a impressive list of ingredients. It contains silicones though which may be a drawback to other people.

Reviews:

http://renata-skincare.blogspot.com/2013/03/light-moisturizer-with-sunscreen.html

Last Updated: July 28,2015