It's a long and slightly boring story, so here's the short version: I messed up my order, I received two sunscreens instead of one, and when I contacted Clio to let them know, they very graciously offered to refund me, exchange it, or whatever I wanted to do. That's pretty spiffy considering that I was the one who made the mistake. I suggested an alternative: what about a giveaway?
Image from original haul post |
So, I decided that once I was finished with testing and using the product, if I liked it I would give away the second tube, and if I didn't, I'd send it back to Clio. I've been using this since mid-June and it's the end of September, so I've used for two seasons and am confident in saying it's been thoroughly tested and is ready for review.
In this post:
- Product details
- Ingredients & what's the deal with all-physical sunscreens?
- Review & white cast demo on NC30 skin
- Giveaway details (also includes sheet masks!)
Product Details:
Full product name: Goodal Mild Protect Natural Filter Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++
Purpose: A high-protection sunscreen which uses only physical UV filters, and thus unlike chemical UV filter sunscreens, can be worn either under or over makeup, does not need to absorb, and provides instant protection.
Scent: I'm just going to quote my original first impression from: A Haul Before the Storm: Eye candy, Details, First Impressions, & some Mini Reviews
Holy florals, batman. This is like getting punched in the face with a knuckle-and-petal sandwich. It's a nice scent, but if you are ultra sensitive to fragrance, flee and save yourself.So, you've been warned. I don't really notice it a few minutes after application, but if I apply it on my hand and then bring it up to my face, I can still smell it and it lingers. Also, if I apply anything over it (such as makeup) the scent fades from my face as soon as I layer something over it.
Texture: A surprisingly creamy, easily-spread sunscreen that sinks in reasonably easily, considering that it's a physical sunscreen.
Quantity: 50ml, which is reasonably-sized for an Asian sunscreen, They are usually tiny.
Rating: 4/5, which is the highest rating I've ever given a sunscreen. My face does not like sunscreen, but it also doesn't like the sun. I can tolerate wearing this on a daily basis, which may not sound like much, but it makes me want to party in the streets.
Where to get it: Amazon | eBay | ClubClio| Bisou Beauty Bar
Repurchase: Yep. I'm about halfway through my tube and I have a few other sunscreens to try, but if I ran out I would repurchase in a heartbeat. Of all the sunscreens I've tried, this one works best for my extremely hissy-fit-prone skin. See Skin Type & History for tragic backstory.
Ingredients & what's the deal with all-physical sunscreens?
You know what's really exciting when you unbox a Korean product? Seeing an ingredients list in English. It's an unexpected perk that never fails to send a thrill through me as it took weeks for me to translate ingredients and my phone doesn't have enough space for me to install the Hwahae app.
I've left this image in ultra-huge hi-res size, so you can view it in a legible text size if you're really keen on what's in it, or alternatively you can just view it on Cosdna here. It has has only a few flags in Cosdna that score a 1, and just one that scores a 2. As confirmed in the ingredients list, it contains only physical UV filters, which is is the who hullabaloo about this sunscreen to begin with.
Click for huge size! |
You can read an in-depth comparison of physical vs chemical sunscreen filters here: Skinacea: Physical vs. Chemical Sunscreen but here are some of the basics as I see them:
Physical filter sunscreen pros:
- Full-spectrum sunscreen, which is necessary
- Protects immediately upon application
- Will not be compromised by reacting with other products
- Less irritating than chemical sunscreens**
- Leaves a white cast on the skin and flashback in photos
- Can be expensive and hard to find
Chemical filter sunscreen pros:
- No white cast
- Wears more easily under makeup because it absorbs into the skin
- Cheaper and easier to source
- Some filters are unstable, have controversy around safety, or don't offer full-spectrum protection
- Highly irritating to some people, including me
- Cannot always be layered under or over other sunscreens or products without compromising their protection (so read up on this if you use them!)
- Requires 20 minutes to be absorbed into the skin before makeup can be layered over it/you can go outside
This product also contains all sorts of fermented goodies and extracts and whatnot, and I can say that this sunscreen really lives up to it's 'sun cream' name, because the texture is moisturizing, gentle, and probably not suited to very oily skin types in ultra-hot, humid climates. That's partly what makes it such a good option for fall and winter; it's not greasy, but it's non-drying and gentle enough for winter use- which is good because I need me some all-year-round sunscreen that doesn't feel like I've taken a cheese grater to my face.
Left to right: applied, swatched, and blended. NC30 skin swatches below! |
So, if you're struggling with reactions to sunscreens, I highly recommend investigating whether chemical sunscreen filters might be the culprit.
It also does not contain alcohol (i.e. alcohol denat, etc) per se, although it does contain alcohol derivatives (i.e. Octyldodecanol) so this may be a good option for those looking to avoid high-alcohol content sunscreens. This is also important for all-physical sunscreens, as often they're packed with alcohol and feel harsh and drying on the skin.
Review & white cast demo on NC30 skin
So far, of all the physical sunscreens I've tried and scent notwithstanding, I like this one the most. It reminds me of the only other sunscreen I've considered rebuying, the IOPE UV Shield Sun Mild Clinic SPF25 PA++, but it annihilates the sun protection rating of the IOPE, not to mention the price.
Yessss! |
Why I like it:
- It's physical-only
- My skin tolerates wearing it (SCORE!!!!)
- It's non-irritating, non-drying, and isn't packed with alcohol
- It's readily available in the US for a decent price
- It has Hanbang-y fermented extracts in it, including Aloe, Licorice, and even Hyaluronic acid
- White cast is minimal for a ultra-strong physical-only sunscreen
- The scent
To my surprise and delight, she reported that although the white cast is more apparent on camera, it's not visible to the naked eye and instead looks 'brightening'. She also warns that the 'brightening' effect only lasts for about 20 minutes, and then fades. That's actually a good thing, because it means the white cast isn't hopeless. Now that I've seen it 'disappear' (at least to the naked eye) on my husband's skin, I feel more confident in warning people that it might look odd in pictures if you aren't wearing base makeup over it, but it's less likely to be an issue in-person.
If your skin won't tolerate chemical sunscreens, that's pretty encouraging! Here's her skin tone, for comparison:
She also reported that she was equally terrified of the scent at first, but that it faded/was less noticeable in later applications/layered products, so that's also a relief. She also said that she "kinda loves it" and it's "great for days when your skin is irritated." Score!
Edit: She adds that "[She's] gotta say that the texture is crazy good. It's literally like a regular cream, and to [her], even less thick/greasy than a nivea cream." I agree; the texture is really pleasant to apply and doesn't give me that "layer of sludge" feeling that western sunscreens do.
As you can see in my earlier swatch photos, my skin tone isn't a good test on whether or not something has a prohibitive white cast; sometimes I use white cast sunscreens as a white base to lighten BB creams/cushions that are otherwise too dark for me. While that's all fine and good for the melanin-challenged, that doesn't help the majority of sunscreen-wearers out there, so I've enlisted my husband as my hand model.
So here's the deal; the following photos have been cropped (because no one needs to see my un-pedicured toes peeping out from the periphery, also watermarked) but otherwise not edited, white-balance-adjusted, or even colour-corrected. That means that the colours will be a little off from real life, but I'm sure you all will forgive me for the trade-off of going edit-free in the name of accurate white cast measurement. These are pretty terrible photos because the viewfinder was so far above my head that I couldn't see what was in the shot, relying on him to tell me (from his much-taller vantage) if our hands were in the shot- I neglected to confirm there wasn't anything else in the shot, like tripod legs.
Freshly swatched: I'm already wearing 3 thin layers on the back of my hand (like I would on my face) and none on my wrist:
Note to self: discuss photo composition with husband to avoid unexpected background objects. |
I dragged him away from smoking BBQ ribs to swatch this; I didn't dare ask him to exfoliate first. |
Sunscreen has a faint white cast on him even after the cream has absorbed. |
Want to give it a try? Enter the giveaway below!
Giveaway details:
Winner will receive:
- 1 Goodal Mild Protect Natural Filter Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++
- 5 Assorted sheet masks from my stash
Short version:
- Giveaway limited to the US (apologies!) as I will be shipping it myself
- You need to be 18, or have the permission of your parent/legal guardian to enter and receive the prize
Full rules:
This giveaway is open to residents of the US who live in any state which USPS ships flat rate boxes (that's all of them, including Hawaii and Alaska, but does not include territories.) Entrants must be 18 years of age or older, or must have the express permission of a parent or legal guardian to enter and receive the prize. Entries will be verified. The prize will be marked as a gift and should incur no Customs charges or taxes as it will be Domestic shipping, but in the event that the post office charges you some unpredicted fee, said fee will not be responsibility of myself or this blog. Neither the blog nor myself are not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen prizes. The winner is responsible for verifying the freshness and suitability of all prize items before using them; neither my blog nor myself are responsible for the effect of any products received as part of a giveaway on skin or general health. I will notify the winners within 48 hours of the contest close. The prize winners will have 48 hours to contact me at snowwhiteandthepear @ gmail.com with their mailing addresses. If any of the winners do not contact me within 48 hours, the winning entry is void and I will draw another winner. This giveaway is void where prohibited.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And with that, we're done! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's sunscreen tips and thoughts for the fall and winter season.
All the best,
-Cat
**Disclaimer: All products reviewed/mentioned in my blog, are 100% purchased with my own money, with a single exception of a press sample I tested & reviewed in 2015 which swore me off of them forever. This product was originally purchased by me, and then I received another product in exchange, and in lieu of a refund, offered this for a giveaway. This blog contains both affiliate and non-affiliate links, and clicking the former before you shop means that this blog will receive a small commission to assist in this blog supporting itself. Please see my Contact Info & Disclaimer policy for more information.
This is the best! I'm going to see where I can find it (I'm from SouthAmerica), because I'm always looking for physical only sunscreens and yeah, are hard to find a really good one. I don´t mind the scent, probably could love it because love floral scents.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review!
They are surprisingly difficult, aren't they? Glad that the scent doesn't scare you off; it's a great sunscreen but the fragrance is definitely present. Good luck with the hunt!
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DeleteYES, physical sunscreens! Chemical ones make me itch so I've been on the hunt for a physical-only one for forever. SO glad to see this review. Now if only someone would make a good PA++++ one!
ReplyDeleteThree cheers for physical sunscreens that are pleasant to wear!
DeleteThree cheers for physical sunscreens that are pleasant to wear!
DeleteIv'e had my eye on this sun cream! Thanks for the review :)
ReplyDeleteYou and your husband's hands make a cute couple btw. That sounded really weird... I'll go now >.>
Haha actually you are not the first person to remark on the "couple swatches" so it's not weird at all!
DeleteHaha actually you are not the first person to remark on the "couple swatches" so it's not weird at all!
DeleteI'm forever on the search for the perfect facial sunscreen that doesn't pill or make my face angry. Hopefully this will be the one!
ReplyDeleteCrossing fingers and toes for you! Make the sunscreen odds ever be in your favour!
Deletei was talking to a friend of mine today about sunscreens and she brought up that past 30 SPF is not really beneficial because the chemicals are harsher, is that true? any reading you can recommend.
ReplyDeleteHi Habana,
DeleteI haven't done research into chemical filters as I can't use them anyway; I am aware of some of the issues that people have with them, but cannot comment beyond that.
That's one of the blessings of only being able to use physical filters, I suppose! :)
yeah i did some reading on EWG and the physical ones are definitely better for your skin, unfortunately i believe i'm darker than your hubby, so i think the white cast may be too extreme, still not sure about wether there's a big difference between the 30 and 50 spf and even less info on korean products, i've yet to find a US sunscreen i could put on my face they all feel super heavy and greasy i tried the iope one and really liked it, waiting for a haul that contains the innisfree one. your reviews are much appreciated!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I am glad that the reviews are helpful! I think it's really important to show white cast on a range of skintones, and even if I only have my husband available, it still helps to show it on him in addition to mine, which definitely sounds like it's the case here, so thank you for your comment. :)
DeleteI'm glad that the IOPE worked for you, and I hope the Innisfree works too!
Have you tried The Face Shop Natural Sun Eco Sebum Control Moisture Sun? It has SPF 40 and PA +++.
ReplyDeleteI learned from a very young age that I was allergic to chemical sunscreen. I'd break out in hives and rash and...it's disgusting. So I'm very cautious when I try out other sunscreens. I only use physical sunscreen and I've actually been told that some people sleep with zinc oxide applied on their face to cure acne. Never tried that because I don't like the idea of sleeping with sunscreen on my face, haha.
Anyways I tried out The Face Shop's verison and it is sooo nice! One thing that irks me about sunscreen is the oily shine it gives off but not this one. It's demi-matte and it smells like baby Johnson's shampoo. Some people even use it as a primer. It's awesome because they come in 50 ml, or 100 ml. They have a whole Natural Sun Eco line but I like this one the best since I have oily skin. Maybe you can give it a try (:
I will keep that in mind, thank you for the suggestion! I have just started tret so my skin will risk being very very dry, but definitely something to consider for summer weather. Thanks!
DeleteWas just wondering if you apply 1/4 tsp to your face? I prefer physicals but have not had much luck with white cast when applying that amount despite reviews saying otherwise with other sunscreens :c (I'm nc15)
ReplyDeleteI do, but I usually have to apply it in layers and it definitely leaves a slight whitecast. Whitecast is inevitable with physical sunscreens, sadly, and it's just a matter of degree. :(
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ReplyDeleteAw dang it, I meant to hit reply, not delete! No, you would need to contact the manufacturer for that info.
DeleteHere is another list of physical UV filter sunscreens you can go through: https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/35g2kr/affordable_morning_physical_sunscreen_with_good/
ReplyDeleteA powder mineral sunscreen might be more suitable for your skin type actually. Why don't you try out the Catrin Natural 100 Mineral Sunkill RX SPF46 PA+++ ~ http://www.amazon.com/Catrin-Natural-Mineral-Sunblock-Suncream/dp/B01BOD578Q/
ReplyDeleteAh, unfortunately powder sunscreens are not really effective, for the reasons that cosmetic chemist Kind of Stephen mentions here: http://www.kindofstephen.com/post/131484583454/how-much-powder-foundation-you-need-for-the
DeleteBut thank you for the suggestions :)
Do you know if there exists any AB physical sunscreens with only zinc oxide, not titanium dioxide? I've reacted to mineal make-up in the past, and I suspect that titanium dioxcide has been the culprit. The AB physical sunscreens I have found all seem to contain TD, and naturally I am not that keen to try them :(
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm not Snow White and the Asian Pear, but I saw your comment today and I have a suggestion for you. Leader's UV Perfection Aqua Sun Block uses zinc as it's only uv filter. It also has a ton of plant extracts and niacinamide too. I use the cream version and I want to warn you that it's super glossy and moisturizing, but I am very happy with it. :D They have a liquid version of the same product (but it contains alcohol, unlike the cream version) and it might be less shiny.
DeleteFor anyone looking for good physical sunscreens I would suggest straying from AB and trying out western brands because I find they make fantastic ones.
ReplyDeleteRecommendations:
-BareMinerals Prep Step Mineral Shield SPF50: No alcohol, light texture, no white cast, wears fantastic under makeup, available easily from Sephora (and you get their fantastic return policy too)
-Synergie Skin Uberzinc Cream: Zinc oxide only (21%) rated SPF30, great for days without excess sun exposure, doubles as an anti-inflammatory, they even recommend using this as a night cream for people with acne! This does have a thicker texture but it is not greasy or goopy and dries down nicely with no white cast. Does have a distinctive smell but it dissipates and I will take that over anything fragranced.
-La Roche Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid: comes in a tinted + untinted version. Great light silky texture that is not greasy at all. High protection. Does contain dimethicone for people that want to avoid that.
-Skinceuticals Physical Fusion SPF 50: tinted, therefore no white cast. Again, light texture that works well with makeup. Contains dimethicone. Though probably anyone darker than NC35ish (just a guess) wouldn't suit this since it is a "universal" tint.
Notable mentions: EltaMD UV Physical SPF41, Dr Dennis Gross also makes a few different physical sunscreens in various textures/formats.
All of these options are alcohol free(the denatured/alcohol type) and fragrance free! I also don't find them drying on me (I have a terrible tendency for the mosaic-crackiness-skin especially with makeup on top)
I struggled a lot because I have rosacea so I neeeed my high spf sunscreen but I also react badly to chemical sunscreens and alcohol, hopefully this list will be helpful to some :)
After trying Goodal, Atopita, Avene, etc; I discovered 50 Megumi Morning UV Protection Cream SPF50+ PA++++ (Japan) and haven't looked back...it's simply amazing, and has no scent. i also use Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion WetForce for Sensitive Skin and Children Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ (light blue bottle, no scent), often on top of the Megumi. thanks to it's smooth/light white cast it doubles as foundation on my fair skin and i need no other makeup (cuz Megumi leaves no white cast despite being purely physical). just a suggestion for anyone who dislikes fragrance and loves moisture + benefits(50 megumi), and/or is looking for the "best" white cast(shiseido). --fre
ReplyDelete