Esmeralda's Road

Well well well, it’s that time again! Summer is starting to rear its scorching head! The amount of walking we do here combined with the florentine love of patios mean that a good SPF is a must. The sun just hits different in Italy.

Below are brief descriptions of my thoughts on these particular five. It was tough to narrow them down! Please note: these are just my thoughts, I did not rank, I just want to share my experience with these products 🙂

La Roche-Possay

Let’s start with the one that reigns supreme for me. La Roche-Possay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 FLUIDO INVISIBILE SPF 50+ This baby is a cult fave for good reason. For starters, it’s truly invisible on my tan skin. That is not something to sniff at considering that most sunblocks leave a ghostly white cast, no thanks. Although now that I think about it, none of the ones I included leave a whit cast either…

Anywho! This tried and true has a very liquid formula which absorbs quicker than most while providing true coverage and protection. It’s widely available at pharmacies here in Italy and is about €20. I use this on my face all summer because it feels less greasy than other SPFs I’ve tried.

Clarins

Up next is one I recently bought at Sephora to see how I liked it. Clarins Youth-Protecting Sunscreen SPF 50 (€33) As I went fishing for the link I scoffed at the description which says it leaves a dry, matte finish. I’m still halfway through but I stopped and went back to my tried and true because, while it was pleasant to apply it, just didn’t absorb as well.

I had to wait to apply makeup because it felt as if it would melt right off if I put it on top of the cream. Another big con was that the thick layer of protection it leaves unfortunately rubs off forming little rolls of what looks like dirty skin, I wish I could explain it better but basically don’t rub your neck lest you want to look/feel dirty. This also applies to makeup blending.

I’m definitely going to finish the tube but I will only wear it at the beach where I’m more concerned with swimming and tanning rather than touching my face and neck.

Waso Shiseido

Before I tried the Clarins one above I was finishing up a tube of the Waso Shiseido Shikulime color control oil-free moisturizer (SPF 30) €33-41. Phew! What a mouthful. Anyway, I did like this one. The fact that it comes out creme colored and then changes color to match your skin tone is pretty cool.

This one did absorb much better than it’s counterpart above (Clarins). The color correcting also means that it leaves this nice, kind of blurred finish. The reason it’s not a top fave is that it really bothered my eyes. Once I accidentally got too close to one eye and I couldn’t get it to stop burning til I furiously washed it off.

The two above didn’t feel as dangerous around the sensitive eye area. But if you are more careful than I, this one is a great everyday SPF. Although at 30 spf I would use it more as a fall/winter product.

Biotherm

The final sunscreen I’ll cover is one I mentioned in my Summer Survival article. This one is especially nice to put on as the texture is like that of a great moisturizer. I’m talking about the Biotherm Waterlover Sun Milk (spf 30) €32. This one is for both face and body and has a luscious scent. I normally don’t love strong scents in skincare but this one is just perfect for summer days by the beach or pool.

I did try to use it throughout the fall and winter but the scent ended up reminding me too much of nice weather in the dead of winter. Not to mention that the moisturizer-like feel didn’t come with fast [enough] absorption.

Again, great for the pool or beach, less great for day to day. I used to put it on before breakfast so that by the time I was finished I could start my makeup. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t excessively greasy, it just gave me the type of dewy look that teeters between a welcome glow and a sweaty day face.

I’ll definitely be using it at the beach along with it’s bonus mention the Waterlovers Sun Mist (SPF 30) €32. This oil spray leaves a tanning-oil-like finish. which I really love on a good beach day. Not to mention the spray feature is super easy rather than using sandy hands to reapply.

Supergoop!

Ok one final protector to mention (since I put the picture in lol) is the Supergoop! (re)setting mineral powder €32. It’s built in brush provides an effortless way to reapply. If you tend to only apply SPF in the morning because you can’t reapply over makeup, this one will ensure your face is covered throughout the day – from your 9 to 5 to the pool or beachside touch ups for us divas.

Final Thoughts

All in all, I would probably repurchase all of these (except maybe the Clarins one – it’s the dirt-like feel when it rubs off). The Biotherm one will probably replace the La Roche-Possay one during the summer since the scent is great and I spend much of July and August by the beach with little to no makeup.

What about you? Have you tried any of these? Were you curious? Do you have your own faves? Let me know!