Daily Face Protection

Hello, April and my dear bumblebees! I'm going to review my sunscreen routine. If you've followed my Instagram I did actually posted my daily essentials that included sunscreen in it a long time ago. So yeah, wearing sunscreen has been basically a habit for me.

Based on the new FDA regulation, manufacturers are no longer allowed to use the word 'sunblock', it's now called 'sunscreen'. I have recently changed my sunscreen from the chemical to physical ingredients. In case you're wondering what's the difference between those two, physical sunscreens protect your skin from the sun by deflecting or blocking the sun's rays, whereas the chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the sun's rays. The utmost reason why I converted is because physical sunscreen does not cause free radicals! Plus, it is also safe for sensitive skin.

L'Occitane The Immortelle Brightening Shield SPF 40/PA+++

According to Fragrantica, Immortelle is a flowering plant of the daisy family. The leaves of the plant have a strong aromatic smell. This is a small perennial shrubby herb with narrow, silver-hairy leaves and small, yellow dry (straw-like) flowers. It is known as the everlasting flower: it never fades, even after it has been picked. The flowers produce the essential oil, its oil is rich in active molecules with unique anti-ageing properties.

Immortelle essential oil has traditionally been used for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, cell regenerating, pain reducing and calming properties. Immortelle is used in many skin care products for its ability to stimulate the production of new dermal cells. This property makes it popular in facial care for acne scars, dry and weathered skin and for mature skin.

Product description: The Immortelle Brightening Shield SPF40/PA+++ includes both Immortelle essential oil and Bellis Perennis (Daisy) extract.  Immortelle essential oil helps minimize the appearance of wrinkles and make the skin appear younger looking while Bellis perennis extract helps skin appear more even toned. Additionally, skin is protected by mineral origin UV filters, to help prevent the appearance of dark spots caused by the sun. A combination of Sunflower, Ivy and Rice Loaf extracts fight against the harmful effects of pollution.

The 11,52% of titanium dioxide is FDA-approved and can filter both UVA (UVA II) & UVB.

The product expires in six months after first application, remember that an expired sunscreen no longer works as a sun protectant. You may experience changes in the color and consistency of the product as well as skin irritation.

One pump for the face and another one for the neck area.

Even though it is being said that titanium dioxide can be problematic for some people, I don't find this product troublesome for my skin. The BA told me the product can be used for young people as well.

Directions: Shake before use. Apply each morning to clean, dry face and neck, after the daily moisturizer.

What I like:

• fast absorbs
• matte finish
• brightening effect
• not too oily nor too dry for my combination skin
• does not leave a flashy white cast
• does not break me out

What I dislike:

• strong fragrance
• not effective against UVA I rays
• glass packaging

Who would love this: Those who look a natural sunscreen alternatives from the zinc oxide.

Who would not love this: Those who are allergic to ragweed.

Price: IDR 735k per 30ml

If you are looking for a travel friendly packaging product that offers the same SPF 40/PA+++, uses 100% mineral screen and has less strong fragrance, I recommend Clarins UV Plus HP. The price is slightly cheaper than L'Occitane, it's around IDR 650k per 30ml. However, it only has 8,1% of titanium dioxide (the higher the concentration of a physical blocking ingredient, the more effective a sunscreen is). My mom who has dry skin uses this product and it doesn't dry out her skin. Furthermore, if you're probably allergic to ragweed, UV Plus HP is definitely a great alternative. It uses an extract from the pulp of a cantaloupe melon variety cultivated by organic farming.

Well, did you know the benefits of wearing sunscreen? Maybe you won't feel the benefit of it directly now, but 20 years later, you'll totally regret why you didn't wear it when you were young. Trust me!

Firstly, let me explain what the Ultraviolet radiation and SPF are. Ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation) is part of the electromagnetic (light) spectrum that reaches the earth from the sun. It has wavelengths shorter than visible light, making it invisible to the naked eye. While SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The number associated with the SPF is the number of times longer that you will be protected from burning than you would be without sunscreen.

Secondly, let me give you some understanding about the difference between UVA, UVB and PA. You would find theses abbreviation in a lot of sunscreens. UVA stands for Ultraviolet A rays, these rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB (Ultraviolet B rays), which have long been known to play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling.

How UVA and UVB reach the skin layer.

Illustration courtesy of skincancer.org

Also, studies over the past two decades show that UVA damages skin cells called keratinocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis, where most skin cancers occur! UVA rays are 30 to 50 times more prevalent than UVB. UVA is further divided into two wave ranges, UVA I, which measures 340-400 nanometers (nm, or billionths of a meter), and UVA II which extends from 320-340 nm. UVA present with relatively equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year, and can penetrate glass! Therefore, if you're just staying at home, let's say you're browsing on the net at your room with windows and you think you're safe, sorry dear, you are not at all! Scary, right?
Despite the fact UVB is the shorter waves, it also contributes to the development of skin cancer and primarily being the cause of skin reddening and sunburn.
While PA is a Japanese rating system in place before the new regulations that was a way to show how much protection you are receiving from UVA rays. There are PA+, PA++, and PA+++ as the highest rating of all.

Some active ingredients that can be found on your sunscreen.

Remember the thing I mentioned earlier about chemical and physical ingredients?

As I'm not a dermatologist expert, so kindly click here, here and here to read more information about sunscreen, skin cancer and anything related to it.

Now, I hope you get how important wearing sunscreen for daily basis. I know sometimes I get lazy too to use this additional sunscreen because my base cream, BB cream and CC cream are all included with SPF. But hey, they are only like SPF 25ish that would not be enough for outdoor activities and usually has limited ray protection! Btw, if you wear the chemical ingredient, you must wait 20 minutes after application for effective sun protection. Reapply every two hours, or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating. In addition to using sunscreen, wear sun-protective clothing, broad-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

P.S: The more you make sunscreen a daily habit, the easier it will be to remember.