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I recently read a great article on marketing claims on a fellow bloggers website (Skin Care Inspirations). The article was inspired by someone asking her on Instagram why she accepted mineral oil in her skincare if she wouldn´t put it in her salad, which lead to a very interesting read about whether or not natural is always better, especially if you have sensitive skin.
The reason why I link her here is because the klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF 50 PA++++ claims to be an “everyday sun protector for sensitive skin”, while still containing Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil.
Citrus essential oils in SPF are strange to say the least, as many (not this one) contain furocumarine, which are phototoxic and should not be applied within 12 hours before sun exposure. And while Citrus Aurantium Dulcis oil does NOT contain furocumarine, essential oils in general are potentially sensitizing (just like artificial fragrance is), so I wouldn´t recommend them for sensitive skin.
Why it was added to the klairs Soft Airy UV Essence in the first place? I don´t know, but I will share my thoughts on the product below.
What klairs claims
The Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF 50 PA++++ is an everyday sun protector for sensitive skin. As is it water-based, it holds a gel-type texture to give a soft weightless and light finish. Also with its high SPF and PA level, it completely guards the skin against UVA, UVB without leaving any greasiness or white cast
Facts
Prize and size
One squeezy tube contains 80 ml and retails for 23 $ on the website here. It is cruelty-free and vegan.
Texture and smell
It looks like a cream and feels like a hydrating gel when applied, sinking into the skin quickly without leaving a white cast. I don’t really notice a scent.
Application and effects
While not exactly mattifying it doesn´t add an abundance of shine to my face either, feels lightweight and is moderately hydrating. While it certainly will not be enough hydration for dry skin on ist own, for my combination oily skin is acts like a lightweight daytime moisturizer. I had no issues with piling and it worked well under makeup.
Ingredients
Favorable ingredients
- Dicaprylyl Carbonate: Emollient
- Butylene Glycol: Humectant
- Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate: Uvinul A plus, photostable UVA filter
- Hydrogenated Polyisobutene: Emollient
- 1,2-Hexanediol: Humectant
- Glycerin: Humectant
- Niacinamide: Vitamin B3, fights free radicals, combats hyper pigmentation, stimulates collagen production and protects skins barrier
- Ethylhexyl Triazone: Uvinul T 150, photostable and water resistant UVB filter
- Cetearyl Alcohol: Emollient
- Glyceryl Stearate: Fatty acid, naturally occurring in the human body, emollient
- Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate: Emollient
- Sorbitan Stearate: Humectant
- Panthenol: Vit. B 5, humectant, penetrates into deep layers of skin, moisturizing, antiinflammatory
- Beta-glucan: Humectant, antioxidant, collagen boosting, improves skins barrier
- Citrus Junos Fruit Extract: Brightening, rich in antioxidants
- Adenosine: Part of cell communication, reduces fine lines
- Sodium Hyaluronate: Hydrating, smaller form of hyaluronic acid with deeper penetration
- Anthemis nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil: Soothing, antioxidant
- Caprylyl Glycol: Emollient
- Vitamin E (Tocopherol): Antioxidant, reduces hyperpigmentation and improves skins elasticity
- Allantoin: Aminoacid, soothing irritated skin
Other ingredients
- Dibutyl Adipate: Solvent
- Polyglyceryl-10 Methylglucose Distearate: Emulsifier
- Silica: Viscosity enhancing, mineral
- Cetearyl Olivate: Emulsifier
- Sorbitan Olivate: Emuslifier
- Disodium EDTA: Binding Agent
- Ethylhexylglycerin: Preservative
- Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Oil: Fragrance
Unfavorable Ingredients
- Essential oils as potential sensitizers
Humectants, soothing ingredients, Niacinamide, Beta-Glucan and two modern and photostable UV-filters – if they had left out the essential oils, I would have considered it my perfect formula ingredientwise. With that addition I´d be careful if my skin was sensitive.
Does it live up to its claims?
Yes.
With the exception of the sensitive one, as stated above. It is lightweight, hydrating, non-greasy and without a white cast.
Would I repurchase?
Yes.
And that says something, as I have been an exclusive user of the ISDIN Fusion Water for several years now. This one here is a little less lightweight, but wins in terms of stable filters over the ISDIN version.
Who do I recommend it to?
Anyone not trying to avoid essential oils. I believe that depending what you use underneath this sunscreen can be used by all skin types (except sensitive ones)
