This product has been such a pleasant surprise. It offers very high UV protection with a presentable finish.

This sunscreen contains a mix of chemical filters and titanium dioxide, giving us the protection of SPF 100 and PPD 58 (information obtained from Eucerin). Why do they put SPF 100 on the label even though the majority uses SPF 50+ for sunscreens with SPF higher than 60? First of all, the EU sunscreen labelling regulations are recommendations, not hard laws. The EU trusts producers that they will adhere to the rules without the necessity to control them – which is a good and bad thing if you ask me. Also, this product is a medical device; I don’t know how because sunscreens aren’t regulated as medical devices in the EU, but Eucerin claim this product can ‘prevent actinic keratosis and non-melanoma skin cancer’, so perhaps on this basis (Eucerin). 

The vehicle is rich yet frothy cream full of fatty alcohols, dimethicone, and hydrogenated rapeseed oil. All of these completely mitigate the drying effects of denatured alcohol present in the formula. So there’s no need to worry that the product will dry out your skin or irritate it. There’s no fragrance; hence the product smells like face cream mixed with alcohol, but as the alcohol evaporates, so does its tang. Suitable for all skin types and ages. 

I like this sunscreen, but I know not everyone will enjoy it. It feels like a regular moisturiser on the skin. It’s not heavy or sticky, but over time, I mean after a few hours of wearing, it will gather in skin folds, creases and it’s where it will weigh down on the skin. To avoid that, you can remove excess sunscreen before reapplying. I usually like to start the day by applying 2.5g of sunscreen, but Eucerin advise using 1g of product for the face, which in my case equalled to 1 1/2 layers. I round the number up by coating my face with two even layers. With a bit more than the recommended amount, the sunscreen gives a pretty good-looking finish, a somewhat whiteish and oily sheen. I wouldn’t call it a regular white cast, though, as the cast is not comparable to Asian tone-up sunscreens. However, after a few reapplications, the product will naturally accumulate on your face, and you’ll end up with a white cast – still nothing comparable to mineral sunscreens. You also need to remember to thoroughly blend in the sunscreen, especially around the hairline, brows, and I would recommend a clean shave with this one, as stubble covered in sunscreen doesn’t look attractive. I think it’s a small compromise to make considering the level of protection that this sunscreen provides.

The sunscreen doesn’t cause any problems like breakouts, though it makes me sweat a bit more than usual during warmer weather; I wouldn’t use it during a heatwave. However, if I were to go on a beach holiday, which usually entails spending prolonged hours outside, I would use this sunscreen on every part of my body that wouldn’t be covered with fabrics. I advise you to do the same, as this product can be used on all family members, both adults and children (not babies, keep them away from the sun). Even if you underapply this sunscreen, given you wholly cover your skin, let’s say you use half of the recommended amount; still, you will end up with a reasonably decent level of protection against UV rays. You won’t get similar protection from sunscreens with SPF 50 and especially those with SPF 30. This sunscreen also will work great after medical treatments like peels, lasers etc. A couple of weeks ago, I underwent a laser treatment for redness, mentioned here, and I could use this product the next day after the treatment without any issues. 

The only thing I don’t like about this product is the high content of emollients. Is the hydrogenated rapeseed oil really necessary with all the fatty alcohols? It makes the sunscreen unnecessary unctuous, which will deter many oily skinned people from using it. I have to blot my T-zone before reapplying this sunscreen, otherwise, it looks pretty shiny. I am not sure if decreasing the number of emollients would affect the anti-UV properties of the product, but Eucerin could figure something out. 

In my opinion, it is a terrific product. It provides high protection against UV rays without being too heavy or looking too sunscreeny on the skin. It’s suitable for all skin types and ages. It is a must-have for all holidaymakers. I know that I will definitely repurchase this sunscreen.

Ingredients:

Aqua, Alcohol Denat, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate-Dicaprate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Distarch Phosphate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Homosalate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Titanium Dioxide – nano, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Silica, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Acrylates-C10-30-Alkyl-Acrylate-Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, 1-2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, EDTA (Eucerin)

The Eucerin Actinic Control MD SPF 100 is available at pharmacies in select markets. You can get it worldwide from Escentual.com and Farmacialoreto.it.