Sunscreen Review: Bioderma Photoderm Sensitive Protective Milk SPF 50+

It’s been quite a while since the last sunscreen review so here’s one coming right up, courtesy of a gift from a friend that has TOO MANY sunscreens 😛

Bioderma Photoderm Sensitive Protective Milk SPF 50+

Here’s a 100ml tube of Bioderma Photoderm Sensitive SPF 50+ Protective Milk, which claims to provide Very High protection for Photosensitive Skin, Invisible Texture, Face and body suitable AND water resistant.

Let’s put it to the test.

Since I don’t have the box to get the ingredients list, I got them off this website instead (http://www.beautytools.com/BIODERMA-Photoderm-SENSITIVE-SPF-100-50-Milk-p/bio-sensitive.htm). It is an avonbenzone-based sunscreen (along with octocrylene) so incompatible with your makeup with SPF.
•Maximum anti-UVB efficacy and unmatched extreme anti-UVA performance.
•Safely protects extremely sensitive skin, prevents sunburn and sun intolerance reactions.
•Its exclusive patented Anti-UV sensitivity complex provides increased protection for very sensitive skin and optimizes its tolerance to the sun.
•The melting texture leaves the skin feeling comfortable and intensely soft.
•Perfectly colorless when applied, spreads very easily, leaving no oily film.
•Non-comedogenic, water-resistant and photostable.
•Fragrance-free and ensures excellent tolerance.

 
 BIODERMA Photoderm SENSITIVE Milk
for Extremely Sensitive Skin

• FACE AND BODY – UVA 40
• Fragrance-free formula. Water-resistant. Photostable.
• Non-comedogenic. Hypoallergenic.

•Apply Photoderm SENSITIVE Milk generously and evenly before sun exposure on dry skin.

•Reapply Photoderm SENSITIVE Milk frequently after swim/sport activity or if it has rubbed off.
WATER (AQUA), DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE, OCTOCRYLENE, BUTYLOCTYL SALICYLATE, METHYLENE BIS-BENZOTRIAZOLYL TETRAMETHYLBUTYLPHENOL, BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHEBYL TRIAZINE, C20-22 ALKYL PHOSPHATE, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERYL STEARATE, PEG 100 STEARATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, MANNITOL, XYLITOL, RHAMNOSE, FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES, LAMINARIA OCHROLEUCA EXTRACT, CREATINE, GLYCYRRHETINIC ACID, NIACINAMIDE, HYDROLYZED SOY PROTEIN, HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN, TOCOTRIENOLS, TOCOPHEROL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN OIL, EPIGALLOCATECHIN GALLATE, DECYL GLUCOSIDE, XANTHAN GUM, HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE COPOLYMER, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CITRIC ACID, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, SODIUM, HYDROXYDE, DISODIUM EDTA, PHENOXYETHANOL, CHLORPHENISIN.  
  
 

I tried this over the weekend on my face and body. It’s a squeeze tube that dispenses easily owing to the texture of the sunscreen, which is “milk”-like. Runny. There is no scent to this that I can discern, in-line with most products that cater to the most sensitive of skins (which i can’t claim to have).

Has good glide and spreads easily. To be expected of a milk texture really. It does feel rather moisturising on the face although it feels alright on my body, which is drier than my face.

That’s how the sunscreen looks after it has been rubbed to-and-fro 30+ times.
Invisible texture? Fail. Major fail.

When used on my body, it sank in a lot faster although it did require some rubbing to reduce the white cast appearance. On my face, this was really white and took at least 10 minutes of massaging (with approximately 1.25 ml used which is the recommended amount for the face) to get rid of the white cast. Even then, it was Grease City. I could not step out of the flat without patting loose powder on my face. It’s not that tacky so much as… greasy.

While walking around and running errands in the hot sun, I did not turn red nor feel this stinging my eyes (although I did take care not to get it near my eye area when applying). So while I can’t testify to its water-resistance, this did work well in providing ample protection when out in the sun and somewhat sweat resistant (which some equate with water resistant). Removal was easy with my usual double cleansing with an emulsifying cleansing oil followed by a milder cleanser.

I’d recommend keeping the usage of this to just the body, unless you have very dry facial skin. Otherwise, it’s too much hassle to bother with on the face when there are other alternatives around. As for the “Invisible texture” claim, I beg to differ. On the body it’s fine and the 100ml tube is a reasonable amount to tote around in your luggage for a week’s bake in the sun. I’m not told the price of this but Bioderma in Singapore is slightly pricey, being imported from France and marketed as a grade above the Coppertones, Niveas and Banana Boats =P

~*Item reviewed by me was given as a personal gift*~