Is Alpha-H Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturiser SPF 15 The Only Skincare Product You Need In The Morning?

alpha-h essential skin perfecting moisturiser spf 15

UV rays. Pollution. Blue light from your phone and laptop. Your skin’s under attack every single day – no matter if you hide in the office or not.

You need a shield to protect your skin from all that damage. But what?

Well, sunscreen for sure. A moisturiser. A serum to fight antioxidants. Something for the blue light… Before you know it, you’ve got 10 layers of products on your skin.

What if you could use just one? Alpha-H Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturiser SPF 15 is a 5-in-1 cream that promises to futureproof skin against all its enemies.

Rumour has it, it acts as a moisturiser, primer, shield against blue light and pollution and UV filter. Does it deliver? Let’s find out:

Key Ingredients In Alpha-H Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturiser SPF 15

Shea Butter And Niacinamide To Moisturise Skin

Alpha-H Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturiser SPF 15 contains one of my fave ingredients ever: niacinamide.

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B that strengthens the skin’s protective barrier and increases hydration. In other words, it keeps skin soft and moisturised for hours.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Niacinamide is a multitasker that also:

Whatever skin woe you have, niacinamide can help you fix it.

The other moisturizing star in Alpha-H Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturiser SPF 15 is shea butter. It’s one of the most moisturising things on this planet.

It works by creating a barrier on the skin that keeps it soft and supple for up to 8 hours. Plus, it has a few antioxidants that help fight wrinkles.

The catch? Shea butter can be TOO moisturising for oily skin. Sometimes, it may even break you out. Here, it’s not in the top 5, so it shouldn’t clog pores.

Related: 5 Reasons To Add Niacinamide To Your Skincare Routine

Antioxidants To Shield Against Blue Light And Pollution

What do blue light and pollution have in common? They generate free radicals, the nasty molecules that give you wrinkles and dark spots.

Fighting them is a job for antioxidants. They patrol your skin looking for free radicals. When they spot one, they neutralise it because it can start destroying your collagen, elastin, and… well, everything.

Alpha-H Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturiser SPF 15 contains a few including:

A promising start, but I’d love to see even more antioxidants here. When it comes to them, my skin can’t get enough.

Related: How Antioxidants Help You Fight Premature Ageing

UV Filters To Protect Skin From Sun Exposure

Alpha-H Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturiser SPF 15 uses synthetic UV filters:

These filters work by absorbing UV light and transforming it into a less damaging form of energy (heat). They’re safe too, if you’re not a baby, pregnant or breastfeeding.

The catch? They don’t last long. As they neutralise UV rays, they get deactivated and slowly stop working. At the beach, they become useless after 2 hours. That’s why you need to reapply sunscreen so often, by the way.

FYI, moisturizers with SPF provide adequate sun protection only when you apply enough (1/4 of a teaspoon). If that’s too much for you (it is A LOT of product), you’re better off with a separate sunscreen.

Related: Do Moisturisers With SPF Provide Adequate Sun Protection?

Let’s Put It To The Test: Personal Use & Opinion

Alpha-H Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturiser SPF 15 is a pinkish beige in colour. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think it’s a foundation. Then, you realise it’s so sheer, it doesn’t really cover anything.

But, it blurs. The colour blends in with my skin tone, blurring out small imperfections like large pores and creating the perfect smooth canvas for makeup. My foundation goes on so smoothly over this.

The texture is incredibly lightweight, yet moisturising enough for my combination skin. It leans more to the dry side these days, but the cream is enough to keep it soft and supple all day. Only for very dry skin, it may not be enough.

The best part? It sinks in immediately without leaving a sticky or greasy residue behind. Just a lovely soft feeling and plumped up skin.

To recap, how does Alpha-H Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturiser SPF 15 fare as:

  • Moisturizer: love it. Unless you have super dry skin, it leaves skin soft and smooth for hours without clogging your pores.
  • Primer: another thumbs up. It blurs small imperfections and creates a smooth canvas for makeup.
  • Sunscreen: good, IF you apply enough (but this is true for ALL moisturisers with SPF).
  • Blue light and pollution fighter: ok. I’ll neutralise some free radicals (I just wish it had even more antioxidants).

Sure, there’s a little room for improvement. But overall, it’s a lovely daytime moisturiser that’ll suit most skin types.

Available at: £39.99 at Adore Beauty and Cult Beauty

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Have you tried Alpha-H Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturiser SPF 15? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Dicapryl Carbonate, Octocrylene, Dicaprylyl Ether, Homosalate, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Vitellaria Paradoxa (Shea) Butter), Sodium Polyacrylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Sorbitan Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract (Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract), Caprylyl Glycol, Caffeine, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil (Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Oil), Pinus Radiata Bark Extract, Diisopropyl Adipate, Disodium EDTA, Lecithin, Propanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Acrylic Acid/Acrylamidomethyl Propane Sulfonic Acid Copolymer, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Hexapeptide-10, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool.

PR Sample. Affiliate links.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

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Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

Is Alpha-H Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturiser SPF 15 The Only Skincare Product You Need In The Morning? syndicated from Beautiful With Brains
April 16, 2019 at 08:20AM

#DermsHolyGrail: Dr. Fatima’s Skincare Regimen

#DermsHolyGrail: Dr. Fatima’s Skincare Regimen

Name: Fatima Fahs Practice setting and job title: Dermatology Resident. Detroit, MI Fitzpatrick skin type: II/III Oily vs. Dry vs. Combination skin: combo skin AM Regimen: With a toddler at home and little time to myself in the morning, my AM routine is quick but efficient. I never compromise on the first 3 steps and […] Read more…

The post #DermsHolyGrail: Dr. Fatima’s Skincare Regimen appeared first on Tea with MD – your guide to health and beauty.

#DermsHolyGrail: Dr. Fatima’s Skincare Regimen
Originally posted here: http://www.teawithmd.com/2019/04/dermsholygrail-dr-fatimas-skincare-regimen/

Editor’s Picks: 31 of the Best AHA and BHA Exfoliating Pads for Bright, Clear Skin

Exfoliating pads have had a makeover. Not long ago, you could only find them in the acne aisle at the drugstore—and they were always laden with harsh ingredients like alcohol and fragrance. Now, there’s an exfoliating pad for almost every skin concern, with cleaner, gentler formulas available at …

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Editor’s Picks: 31 of the Best AHA and BHA Exfoliating Pads for Bright, Clear Skin syndicated from The Skincare Edit
April 15, 2019 at 05:58PM

The Truth About Apple Cider Vinegar For Acne: Does It Work & Should You Use It?

the truth about apple cider vinegar for acne

Is apple cider vinegar good for acne? Yes.

Should you use it? No.

Newsflash: just because something works, it doesn’t mean you should use it. Baking soda can exfoliate skin… and leave it a red, flaky, irritated mess that takes ages to recover.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is the same. For one person who swears ACV cured her acne, there’s another who’s got burnt (literally!) by it. WTH?!

It’s all in the pH. Get that wrong and ACV turns from your skin’s BFF to its worst enemy. Here’s what I mean:

What’s Apple Cider Vinegar And What Does It Do For Skin?

Vinegar is made when alcohol meets bacteria. These little buggers eat the alcohol and poop out the waste product, acetic acid. It’s this acid that gives vinegar its low pH.

Apple cider vinegar is fermented juice from crushed apples. It’s made up mostly of acetic acid and citric, with some vitamins and minerals thrown in for good measure. It does 2 things for your skin:

  • Exfoliation: acetic acid speeds up the skin’s natural exfoliating process so that dead cells don’t end up in your pores and clog them up.
  • Low skin’s pH: when your skin’s pH is too high (cleansing is a big culprit here!), your skin’s protective barrier breaks down, putting you at risk of dryness and inflammation. ACV lowers the pH, fixing the issue (… or not?).

Related: Why You Should Quit High pH Cleansers Now

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good For Acne?

In theory, apple cider vinegar looks like the perfect acne remedy. Here’s why:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar Keeps Pores Clear & Help Starve Acne Bacteria

Acne happens when your pores get clogged. It goes like this:

When your skin’s not exfoliating properly on its own, dead cells fall into your pores. There, they mix with excess oil, forming a mixture that clogs your pores.

This mixture just happens to be P. Acnes’ fave food. The little buggers munch on it, giving you pimple after pimple.

If dead cells didn’t get stuck in the pores, P. Acnes wouldn’t have much to feast on. That’s where apple cider vinegar comes in.

ACV is keratolytic, a fancy way of saying it helps dead skin cells shed faster. If they’re off your face, they can’t get stuck in the pores, right?

Related: 10 Reasons Why You Should Exfoliate Your Face For Clearer, Younger-Looking Skin

2. ACV Makes Skin Inhospitable For Acne

P. Acnes doesn’t just need food to grow. It needs a 6/7 pH, too.

Apple cider vinegar has a 2/3 pH. That’s much, much lower than P. Acnes likes. By lowering the pH of your skin that much, ACV makes it almost impossible for acne bacteria to grow.

Is It Safe To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Acne?

If you’re thinking, “Awesome! I’m gonna get myself some ACV now,” wait. It’s NOT all good news.

The low pH of apple cider vinegar isn’t bad news just for acne. It’s bad news for your skin, too. A ph of 2/3 is too harsh for your skin. It can cause inflammation, irritations and breakouts (the very thing you’re trying to avoid).

In the worst case scenario, ACV even causes burning. Yep, some people get BURNS when they put ACV on their skin.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But, Gio, don’t vitamin C and glycolic acid need a low pH to work their magic, too?”

Yes, – you’re absolutely right – they do. But they’re usually formulated in the 3.4-3.8 pH range. They rarely go lower than that – for a good reason.

When you use 100%, pure, undiluted ACV, you’re risking a serious case of irritation… or worse. If you must use this stuff (and I DON’T recommend it), at least dilute it to raise the pH to a skin-friendly level.

P.S. Aim for a pH of 4. It’s high enough for ACV to work and low enough to scare off P. Acnes.

Why You Shouldn’t Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Acne (And What To Do Instead)

Let’s say you’re willing to dilute ACV so you can get rid of acne without burning your skin. I still don’t recommend it.

There’s a reason why you won’t find acetic acid (the acid in ACV that give its skin-beneficial properties) in skincare products. It just doesn’t work that well.

Better alternatives are:

Related: Salicylic Acid Vs Glycolic Acid: Which One Should You Choose?

The Bottom Line

There’s some anecdotal evidence that apple cider vinegar helps treat acne by exfoliating skin and making it an inhospitable environment for acne bacteria. But it’s very harsh for the skin and can cause irritations, breakouts and even burning. Why use it when there are safer alternatives?

Have you tried apple cider vinegar for acne? Share your experience in the comments below.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Screenshot from 2017 04 30 11 51 35

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

The Truth About Apple Cider Vinegar For Acne: Does It Work & Should You Use It? syndicated from Beautiful With Brains
April 15, 2019 at 08:19AM

How to Recycle an Eyebrow Pencil

Pictured: a couple of eyebrow pencils I made along with a little pot containing the leftover mass that I didn’t have enough casings for. I hate discarding excess make-up I’ve made –even if it’s a teensy little bit. There’s less than 5 grams in that little pot.

Also pictured: a snazzy jazzy dial-up eyebrow pencil container with a pre-shaped tip that makes application absolutely fool proof.

You: But Lise, you make all your own makeup. Why do you have a commercially manufactured pencil?

Read more »

How to Recycle an Eyebrow Pencil syndicated from LisaLise Blog – Natural Skin Care
April 15, 2019 at 03:00AM

#DermsHolyGrail: Dr. Tiffany Libby’s Skincare Regimen

Dr. Tiffany Libby

Name: Tiffany J. Libby, MD Practice setting and job title: Academic, Dermatologic Surgeon and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Brown University Fitzpatrick skin type: IV Oily vs. Dry vs. Combination skin: Combination AM Regimen: Cleanser: Skinceuticals LHA Gel Cleanser Extras (antioxidants, medicines, etc.): Skinceuticals CE Ferulic or Phloretin CF, Neutrogena Hydroboost or La Roche Posay […] Read more…

The post #DermsHolyGrail: Dr. Tiffany Libby’s Skincare Regimen appeared first on Tea with MD – your guide to health and beauty.

#DermsHolyGrail: Dr. Tiffany Libby’s Skincare Regimen
Originally posted here: http://www.teawithmd.com/2019/04/dermsholygrail-dr-tiffany-libbys-skincare-regimen/

Scientism or “Science-Washing” in Beauty

Scientism or "Science-Washing" in BeautyThis is an amended version of a series originally published on my Instagram account @labmuffinbeautyscience. As science has gotten more trendy, scientism is starting to show up more in beauty marketing and the beauty community. Scientism, which I call “science-washing” (although apparently no one says that except me, but I’m vainly trying to make it…

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Scientism or “Science-Washing” in Beauty syndicated from Lab Muffin Beauty Science
April 13, 2019 at 01:23PM

Can This Works Sleep Plus+ Pillow Spray Help You Get Your Beauty Sleep?

this works sleep plus pillow spray

Disclaimer: I don’t have any sleep problems.

Two hours before my head hits the pillow, I turn off all electronic devices (yes, even my phone!). I dim the lights, grab a book and let it lull me to sleep. Works a charm.

Or at least it worked until a couple of weeks ago. That’s when I started looking for a new flat. If moving houses isn’t stressful enough, I’ve also had to move web host (the internet home where BWB lives) cos my old server kept crashing all the time. Neither move is going smoothly…

True to Murphy’s law, everything that could possibly go wrong IS going wrong. Cue endless sleepless nights wondering if I picked the right web host, figuring out how to fix the glitches that went along with the migration and making plans for the flat move (with 2 weeks to go, I still have NOT found a decent place to live in…).

I know I’ll figure it all out… if the stress doesn’t kill me first. I don’t drink coffee so if I don’t get my 8 hours of beauty sleep, I’m gonna be cranky for the whole day. After a week of that, Mr BWB is wondering if he should move somewhere alone…

That’s when I remembered I had a bottle of This Works Sleep Plus+ Pillow Spray lying around somewhere. Could this baby relax me so I can sleep better, be more productive and get rid of those pesky dark circles? It was worth a shot…

Can Lavender Help You Fall Asleep?

Lavender oil is an old wives’ tale for restless sleepers and insomniacs. But… it sounds too easy, doesn’t it? Where’s the catch?

Lavender works only in MILD cases.

I’ve scoured the scientific literature and found plenty of studies showing that a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow “improved quality of daytime wakefulness and more sustained sleep at night” and has a significant beneficial influence on quality and duration of sleep and improved general mental and physical healthwithout the side effects associated with drugs.

But the results are’t so staggering to trumpet lavender as a miracle cure for sleep. Far from it. Those same studies also showed that “milder insomnia also improved more than severe ones“.

Still, even a little bit is better than nothing, right? Problem is, I’m not sure This Works Sleep Plus+ Pillow Spray uses lavender oil. It’s a scented spray, so it doesn’t have to list ALL the ingredients on the packaging.

It may be they’re just using chemicals that are mimicking the smell of lavender. If that’s the case, I’m not sure that’s as effective…

Let’s Put It To The Test: Personal Use & Opinion

It didn’t work.

There, I said it. I spray a generous dose of This Works Sleep Plus+ Pillow Spray on my pillows, went to bed and… tossed and turned for 3 hours before finally falling asleep. And I barely got a wink of sleep the past two nights. It’s not like I wasn’t tired already.

This Works says natural nighttime movements are supposed to release the fragrance into your pillow. Maybe it does, but I could hardly smell it.

This stuff is so faint, my nose barely picked it up (and nope, I don’t have a cold). I get it that you don’t want the scent to be too strong and overwhelming, but how can a scent help if you can’t smell it?!

Maybe that’s the issue here. This Works Sleep Plus+ Pillow Spray is too faint. Or maybe it doesn’t use real lavender oil. Or maybe this “lavender helps with sleep” thing is just a placebo effect. If you don’t believe it helps, it won’t.

Guess I’ll have to stick to concealer to get rid of dark circles then. If only it were so easy to get rid of the cranky mood, too.

Available at: £27.50 at This Works

Have you tried This Works Sleep Plus+ Pillow Spray? Share your experience in the comments below.

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Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

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Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

Can This Works Sleep Plus+ Pillow Spray Help You Get Your Beauty Sleep? syndicated from beautifulwithbrains.com
April 11, 2019 at 08:17AM

Are They Dupes?: The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane Vs Revolution 0.2% Retinol Serum

dupes the ordinary retinol in squalane vs revolution retinol serum

Have you heard? Revolution has come up with a skincare line that’s almost an exact dupe of The Ordinary.

Just look at the packaging. Revolution’s a little fancier, but you can’t miss the resemblance. Even the product names are pretty much identical.

But what about the formulas? We love The Ordinary because their stuff works. You can copy the look, but if the goodies inside don’t deliver the same results, you’re another copycat heading towards oblivion.

Let’s start off this showdown with The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane VS Revolution 0.2% Retinol Serum:

Retinol

You’d be forgiven for thinking 0.2% retinol is a pittance. Like, that’s so small, why would you even advertise it?! Don’t skincare goodies work only when you use 10% or something high like that?

Most of the time, yes. But, there are exception. Retinol is one of them. This form of vitamin A is so powerful, it gives you results even at incredibly low concentrations.

Go too high with retinol and you’ll have to deal with irritation, peeling, flaking and all that jazz. FYI, powerful means harsh in skincare. The best away to use powerful actives without experiencing side effects is to start small.

Both The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane and Revolution 0.2% Retinol Serum have 0.2%, the right concentrations for beginners. It’s high enough to slow down the ageing process and low enough not to irritate skin (unless yours is super sensitive and can’t tolerate retinol at all).

Here’s how retinol keeps your skin young:

  1. It has antioxidant properties that destroy free radicals before they give you wrinkles and dark spots.
  2. It accelerates cellular turnover (i.e. the skin’s natural exfoliating process), reducing the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles.
  3. It boosts the production of collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm.

Retinol is the real deal. Forget the hype about peptides, EGF and snail slime. Vitamin A (retinol included) is the ONLY thing proven to reduce wrinkles so far. If you’re serious about antiaging and you’re 25+, you need this.

Related: What Strength Of Retinol Is Right For You?

Squalane Oil VS Coconut Oil

Both The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane and Revolution 0.2% Retinol Serum are oil-based. The reason is simple: oils are moisturising and counteract the drying effects of retinol.

The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane has made the better choice here. Squalane is one of only 3 oils that is safe for everyone, including fungal acne sufferers.

Non-comedogenic, Squalane is a natural component of your skin’s natural barrier. This means your skin instantly recognises it as a friend. It sinks in quickly and moisturises well – without irritation.

Revolution 0.2% Retinol Serum went with coconut oil, grape oil, sweet almond oil and sunflower oil. All these oils are super moisturising BUT the chance you’ll get a breakout is higher.

It’s not a given. Dry skin can use oils safely without getting a single zit. But coconut oil (the main oil in the serum) is known for breaking out oily skin. If that’s the case, The Ordinary is a better choice for you.

Related: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Squalane In Skincare

What Else Do You Need To Know?

Not much else. Both The Ordinary 0.2% Retinol In Squalane and Revolution 0.2% Retinol Serum keep it simple. An oil base + retinol to fight wrinkles without drying out skin. No fragrance or irritants that cause unnecessary problems.

On the other hand, you won’t find antioxidants or extra goodies here. That’s why the prices are so low.

Which Of The Two Should You Go For?

If you have dry skin, Revolution 0.2% Retinol Serum is well worth a try. It’s the most moisturizing of the two.

Anyone else, stick to The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane. The extra oils in Revolution could break out skin that produces a little too much oil.

Related: The Complete Guide To The Ordinary Retinoid Skincare Products

Availability

Revolution 0.2% Retinol Serum: $8.00/£6.00 at Beauty Bay and Ulta

The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane: £4.25 at Asos, Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty and Feel Unique

Is Revolution 0.2% Retinol Serum A Dupe For The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane?

I wouldn’t say that Revolution 0.2% Retinol Serum is an exact dupe for The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane, but it’s close enough. It’s more moisturizing, so dry skin will like it a lot more. For oilier skin types, The Ordinary is the best choice.

What’s your fave: Revolution 0.2% Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane? Share your pick in the comments below.

Revolution 0.2% Retinol Seum Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, BHT, BHA.

The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane Ingredients: Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Retinol, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, BHT.

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Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

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Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

Are They Dupes?: The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane Vs Revolution 0.2% Retinol Serum syndicated from beautifulwithbrains.com
April 10, 2019 at 08:15AM

Does A Sunscreen-Enriched Moisturiser Provide Adequate Sun Protection?

the inkey list zinc oxide cream moisturiser

Is it sunscreen? Is it a moisturiser? Is it both?

The Inkey List Zinc Oxide Cream Moisturiser is one of those hybrid products no one understands. That can be dangerous.

When SPF’s involved, you need to get the application right. The last thing you want is to find 10 years later your sun protection was failing you all along…

But when you get it right… Ah, when you get it right, you can say goodbye to sun damage – without turning your skin into a greasy, white mess. Can this cream give you that? Let’s find out:

Key Ingredients In The Inkey List Zinc Oxide Cream Moisturiser

UV Filter

Don’t let the name trick you! Zinc oxide ain’t the only UV filter in The Inkey List Zinc Oxide Cream Moisturiser. A few chemical UV filters are hiding here too.

Here’s the complete list (in order of concentration):

If you’re a total mineral sunscreens fan girl, this ain’t for you. But if you’ve been avoiding them for fear of the dreaded white cast, this moisturizer/sunscreen is a good compromise.

Related: Is Zinc Oxide The Best UV Filter Ever?

Silicones

Ah, the family everyone loves to hate. It’s a shame, because silicones have a lot going for them:

  • Better texture: they gives moisturisers that silky soft feel that makes them a pleasure to use.
  • Enhanced slip: they make moisturisers glide smoothly on the skin.
  • Blurred imperfections: they fill in wrinkles and blur out pores so they look smaller.

So, why are they so hated? Cos people believe all sorts of nasty things about them:

The real problem with silicones is they just airbrush skin. They don’t have antioxidant or antiaging properties of their own. I totally get if you prefer to use moisturiser with natural oils and butters that go the extra mile.

Just stop blaming silicones for things they do NOT do!

P.S. The Inkey List Zinc Oxide Cream Moisturiser is loaded with silicones. If you don’t like them, this ain’t for you.

Related: Are Silicones Bad For Skin?

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

I bet you’ve seen Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride in 90% of your moisturizers. The Inkey List Zinc Oxide Cream Moisturiser has it, too. What makes it so popular?

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a mixture of coconut oil and glycerin. It’s just as moisturizing as coconut oil, but not as thick and NON comedogenic.

In other words, it gives you all the benefits of coconut oil without its side effects.

Related: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Coconut Oil In Skincare

Can A Sunscreen-Enriched Moisturiser Provide Adequate Sun Protection?

The Inkey List calls Zinc Oxide Cream Moisturiser a sunscreen-enriched moisturiser. That’s just a fancy way of saying moisturiser with SPF.

Does it provide adequate sun protection? Yes and no. It depends on how you use it. Let me explain…

UV filters don’t stop providing sun protection just because they come in moisturiser form. They stop providing ADEQUATE sun protection when you DON’T apply enough.

It doesn’t matter if you’re using sunscreen, moisturiser, tinted foundation or whatever. If you want to reach the SPF stated on the packaging, you need to apply 2.0mg/cm^2 of skin. In plain English, that’s 1/4 of a teaspoon.

That’s A LOT of product. I don’t know anyone who uses that much moisturizer. Heck, even The Inkey List tells you to apply a pea-sized amount of it. 🙄

If you do apply enough, kudos to you. You’ll get adequate sun protection. Anyone else, layer this under a proper sunscreen.

Related: Do Cosmetics With SPF Provide Adequate Sun Protection?

Let’s Put It To The Test: Personal Use & Opinion

By the way, did you notice what’s missing in the ingredients breakdown above? Yep, antioxidants. The Inkey List Zinc Oxide Cream Moisturiser barely has a drop.

This isn’t an antiaging moisturiser. It’s a basic moisturiser with sunscreen benefits (if you apply enough!). For the price, can you really complain?

Texture-wise, the cream is rich but it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. I don’t mind piling it up, but if you have oily skin, that may feel a little too much for you.

On my pale skin, it goes on smoothly without leaving a white, ashy residue behind. The finish’s matte, which I’m not too happy about. I prefer a dewy glow, but I can fix that with makeup.

I didn’t experience any irritation, breakouts or pilling from this moisturizer. But it’s not the most hydrating either. It’s ok for my combo-leaning-more-to-the-dry-side skin type now, but in the depth of winter, I need something more heavy duty.

I’m on the fence with this one. I’d have loved it in my late teens when antiaging wasn’t a concern yet. It can also work for people who are willing to apply enough to get the SPF benefits. Why use two products when the one will do?

Me? I’ll stick to antiaging moistruizers and use a separate sunscreen.

Available at: £8.99 at Asos, Cult Beauty and Feel Unique

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Zinc Oxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isohexadecane, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-11, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polysorbate 80, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate

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Does A Sunscreen-Enriched Moisturiser Provide Adequate Sun Protection? syndicated from beautifulwithbrains.com
April 9, 2019 at 08:22AM