I’d intended to review this sunscreen much sooner, but I simply couldn’t do it, as it’s impossible to wear the sunscreen in warm weather – it doesn’t resist sweat or friction at all. But, as they say, better late than never.

The formula includes a mix of titanium dioxide and chemical filters, giving us the protection of SPF 50+ (or as many retailers list on their website SPF 118) and a PPD rating of 61. The product contains alcohol, but it isn’t drying at all, as the host of silicones, dimethicone in the base counteracts its drying effect. We can also find here the trendy hyaluronic acid, allantoin, panthenol, and vitamin E for some hydrating and skin-soothing action. The product contains fragrance, but a very tiny amount. 

Before I share my experience with this concoction, let’s dig into the marketing claims because one of them leaves me perplexed. 

On ISDN’s website, we can read that the product’s ‘protection is 3 times higher than the minimum required for a SPF 50+ suncare’ (isdin.com). What do they mean by that? Any sunscreen with an SPF rating equal to 60 or more qualify for the SPF 50+ label. It seems like they want people to believe that the product has an SPF rating equal to at least 180 and not 118. And, I am sure if the product had SPF 180, they would’ve advertised it everywhere. It doesn’t, though, so what do they mean by that? Can someone explain it to me in the comments? 

Another marketing claim with which I have a beef is: ’Exclusive thixotropic formula that, through heat and friction, becomes thinner and melts into your skin’ (isdin.com). Let’s crack into this right away. The sunscreen doesn’t hold against any friction or heat. You can wipe it off with your fingers, and heat makes it move around on the skin. It gets into the eyes, and sweat will make it stream down your face. The thixotropic tech does nothing. *

After trying Eucerin’s SPF 100 sunscreen, I had high hopes for this product, but my experience with this sunscreen was disappointing. As I’ve mentioned twice before, it doesn’t fare well in the heat. It leaves a white cast, which is very noticeable. The good thing is that ISDIN don’t make any claims about the finish. Unfortunately, the fluid also creates odd streaks on the face, it’s not that easy to blend it in despite its purported lightweight texture. The sunscreen never truly settles, it leaves a shiny overlay on my skin. Considering that I don’t apply much of it, just under a quarter of a teaspoon, which is less than the amount I usually use, the finish is dreadful. Though, the thing that makes me dislike this product the most is that it irritates my eyes. I can compromise on many things, but I won’t be having watery eyes just to wear sunscreen of subpar quality.

From me, this product gets a no. I think there’s a lot of marketing around it, especially among medical circles, because it seems to be popular among doctors in Europe, but I wouldn’t recommend it. However, if you are looking for suncare with SPF 100, I’d suggest checking out Eucerin’s Sun Actinic Control SPF 100. 

Ingredients:

Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Octocrylene, Alcohol Denat., Titanium Dioxide [nano], Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Nylon-12, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum (Fragrance), Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethiconol, PEG-8, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid. (isdin.com) 

*Update 24/02/2022: While writing this review, I had the Anessa technology in mind. ISDIN don’t make the same claims as Shiseido, and I over-interpreted their words. The thixotropic formula helps with the application of the product; just like butter, it’s easier to spread when it’s warm. The thixotropic formula adds nothing.