Sunscreen is the only anti-ageing face cream that will prevent UV damage, brown spots and wrinkles, but as editor, Trudi Brewer discovers not all SPF's are created equal.
We are sunscreen nerds. We love the science behind an SPF and more importantly how it keeps your skin protected from the punishing environment. Our latest crush is hot from the Shiseido lab where researchers have discovered how to use the benefits of water and sweat (two of the most common reasons your sunscreen slips off your face) to protect the skin from those punishing UV rays.
Here's how it works.
Shiseido Perfect UV Protector SPF50+ Wet Force, $66.
What is it?
A long-lasting, lightweight, water-resistant sunscreen that feels and looks like an illuminating primer once on the skin.
What's in it?
The line up of ingredients includes octinoxate, which absorbs UVB (burning rays), while octocrylene, neutralises both UVA and UVB rays, and is often found in BB and CC creams. There is also a healthy dose of mineral screens such as titanium and zinc oxide (our favourites) that work as a barrier to reflect the UV rays from damaging your skin. An ingenious polymer binds those ingredients to trace minerals in H2O (and sweat) to form a stronger veil of UV protection while at the beach, pool or exercising outdoors. This 'super veil' Shiseido have named Wet Force, which literally sticks to every contour of your face, to stop the sun catching the high points of like forehead nose and chin.
Why do we like it?
It's a liquid-light lotion, that's not greasy, and the sheer pearly colour blends quickly to leave a luminous-looking sheen on the skin much like a BB cream. It smells like Lipton peach flavoured iced tea, or as one of our team commented, a piña colada–cocktail. After my beach holiday of watching my son surf and dipping in and out of the water myself, we did not get the usual spots of redness and no stinging eyes, common when wearing water-resistant sunscreens in the sea. We did reapply every few hours and there was not a trace of sunburn - we call that SPF success.
Rating?
8/10.