I don’t know what I thought when I was purchasing the sunscreen. Did I believe that L’Oréal, out of nowhere, had started making ungreasy sunscreens? If so, then I am a naive fool. Because the masters of upcycling formulas have done it again, this sunscreen is technically the Anthelios Ultralight-Fluid with few skin-benefiting ingredients. 

The sunscreen contains only chemical filters, including L’Oréal’s proprietary Mexoryls XL and XS offering reliable protection of SPF 50+ and UVA PF (PPD) 46, the highest anti-UVA protection level currently available in L’Oréal’s sun care lineup. The product has a light texture thanks to the overflowing amount of alcohol, I usually don’t mind ethanol in sunscreens, but this product makes me flush upon application. Moisturising ingredients like glycerine and hydrolysed protein counteract alcohol’s irritating effect, but they aren’t enough. Besides UV filters, the compelling components of the formula are peptides, niacinamide, a type ferment described by Vichy as probiotic fractions, as well as tried and tested vitamin E. As most of Vichy’s skincare, this one also includes volcanic water from Vichy, rich in minerals improving skin’s health. Some fragrance was added to the product, but it isn’t perceptible. And the unique future of this product is the Net Lock Technology which creates a long-lasting, net-like film on the surface, providing enduring coating resistant to water, sweat, and sand. I don’t know who would need a sand-proof film in a daily sunscreen, but maybe there is a need for that. Upon application, you can see a net type of shape if you dab a drop of sunscreen on your face, quite similar to LRP’s sunscreen. 

When it comes to application, it isn’t too bad, but you have to know how to use the product. It may sound odd, I know. I do not recommend using the sunscreen like Vichy do, at least on their Instagram page, I mean as the last step of your routine. Any moisturiser product underneath will bring out the sunscreen’s oiliness. Instead, apply something lightweight or something mattifying only. I have only managed to make the SK-II Essence and some Skinoren work with this sunscreen, as the gel leaves a matte overlay which prolonged the wearability of the sunscreen. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that I like to start my day by applying 2.5g (half a teaspoon) as my first layer of sunscreen; with this product, it’s not possible. Already after trowelling on a quarter of a teaspoon (1.25g), the product transforms my face into a disco ball; it makes my skin reflect light like normal skin shouldn’t. The effect only gets worse with subsequent reapplication. When I use this product first,  I always start with a quarter of a teaspoon and then blot before reapplying to remove as much of the oleaginous layer as I can. I’ve also tested the product while jogging, and even one thin layer turned shiny after a short run. I mean, when I wear this sunscreen, my skin doesn’t look oily as if it was covered in oil, but it’s unnaturally glistening. 

It’s just another typical sunscreen from L’Oréal. And I’ve got a bit of an issue with that because as much as European brands have quickly adopted to make marine life safe claims about their sun care with L’Oréal leading the game, there is little movement to adapt sunscreen to the changing climate. The truth is if someone truly cares about sea life, then they should limit the use of sunscreen at the beach and wear UPF clothing instead. Chemical filters may bleach coral reefs, but mineral filters aren’t any better, as they suffocate fish, so UPF fabrics seem the safest bet. Going back to the issue of changing climate, the temperatures are rising around the world due to global warming. In Europe, we have hotter summers with more heat waves that are more frequent and of longer duration. Nobody in such conditions wants to use greasy sunscreens that turn shiny and oily in hot, humid weather. I believe European sunscreen makers should adjust their formulas to the changing climate. I will blame glycerine for the glossy finish in this product, though, in all probability, other ingredients contribute to it. There is a reason why glycerine is scarcely ever used in feather-light sunscreens from Asia. I hope to see a shift in new sun care coming from Europe soon. 

The sunscreen’s positive features are its truly lightweight texture and that it doesn’t leave any white cast (if blended in well). It also doesn’t break me out or clog my pores, which is always a concern with sunscreens. But, it has trickled into my mouth on a few occasions despite the Net Lock Technology, and there’s nothing worse than the bitter taste of sunscreen in the mouth. 

The sunscreen is all right – it’s not the best out there but worth considering. It’s an improvement from the Ultra-light & Fresh Fluid, but there’s a lot more improvement needed yet. The sunscreen feels watery and leaves no white cast. I just wish it had a less shiny finish. I am not sure if I will return to this product, though, as I prefer Garnier’s fluid. 

Ingredients:

WATER – ALCOHOL DENAT – DIISOPROPYL SEBACATE – SILICA – ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE – ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE – ETHYLHEXYL TRIAZONE – BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE – BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE – GLYCERIN – C12-22 ALKYL ACRYLATE/HYDROXYETHYLACRYLATE COPOLYMER – PROPANEDIOL – NIACINAMIDE – DROMETRIZOLE TRISILOXANE – PERLITE – TOCOPHEROL – CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE – ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER – CAPRYLYL GLYCOL – HYDROLYZED RICE PROTEIN – HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE – PENTYLENE GLYCOL – TEREPHTHALYLIDENE DICAMPHOR SULFONIC ACID – TRIETHANOLAMINE – TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE – VITREOSCILLA FERMENT – PARFUM / FRAGRANCE (vichy.it) 

The Capital Soleil UV Age Daily SPF50+ Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ is available from Vichy’s stockists across Europe.