Fountain of Youth: Bioderma Photoderm Milk SPF 50+ PPD 42 Review

Kid you not, I have an Excel list of over 25 sunscreens I’m wanting to try. And that’s just sunscreen. Sigh, being a skincare addict means I’m always on the hunt for that Holy Grail.

Well this sunscreen isn’t HG material, but I’ll be keeping this in my rotation. Read on to find out why!

Bioderma Photoderm Milk SPF 50+ PPD 42 Claims:

• Chemical SPF: Octocrylene: 10%, Bisoctrizole (Tinosorb M): 6%, Avobenzone: 5%, Bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S): 2.5%
• PPD 42 UVA protection
• Milky lotion texture
• Recommended for Normal to Dry Skin
• No oily film
• Doesn’t leave white marks
• Non-comedogenic. Photostable.
• Paraben Free
• Water Resistant

What’s Good PPD: La Roche Posay Anti Shine SPF 50+ Gel Cream PPD 31 review

I feel like I’ve been on the hunt for the HG sunscreen for a while now. For the longest time I would only use mineral sunscreens because chemical ones can be irritating. Well, I’ve slowly dipped my toes into using chemical SPF’s and found my skin can tolerate it pretty well.

Recently, I learned about PPD and how it relates to sunscreen. Basically PPD stands for Persistent Pigment Darkening and is used to value how well a sunscreen protects against UVA rays – the bad ones that cause aging and hyperpigmentation. IE, a “PPD of 10 means that it’ll take around 10 times longer for your skin to tan, compared to if it was unprotected”.

This La Roche Posay (LRP) has a PPD rating of 31! For reference, most North American sunscreens (and even Asian ones) have PPD ratings of less than 16. What. Is. Good. PPD?! F*ck now I’m realizing, this whole time I’ve been using weak UVA sunscreens and that’s probably why its taking me FOREVER to heal my PIH! Could this LRP sunscreen be my gateway drug to my obsession with EU sunscreens?

La Roche Posay Anti Shine SPF 50 Dry Touch Gel Cream PPD 31, Claims:

• High UVA protection PPD 31
• High SPF50+ to defend skin from UVA/B rays
• Non-greasy, dry touch texture, no white marks & anti-shine
• Water resistant for long wearing

Shine Control Routine: Estee Launder Double Wear tawny, Hylamide Matte 12, Paulas Choice BHA….

We got a major heatwave here in Vancouver and my oily skin is suffering. Thankfully I’ve perfected a skincare and makeup routine that helps me beat this heat. For my oily skin, I can literally see oil seep through my pores like 3 hours after washing my face. But with my arsenal of products I’m able to look fresh for a large portion of my 8+ hour work day.

Here, I’m breaking down the key skincare and makeup products that keep me beat during the heat.

Best Tinted Sunscreen for Oily Skin: FAB Triple Protection Skin Tint SPF 30 Medium + swatch

Holy Grail alert. Sorry to spoil the review but I love this tinted sunscreen from First Aid Beauty (FAB). One of my favorite skincare category is sunscreen because it’s such an important product to have in your routine. Personally, I’m working on treating my hyperpigmentation and wanted something to layer over my sunscreen which gives me a white cast.

Well, this has been the perfect product to add into my routine; the skin tint hides the white cast from my SPF 50, while giving some back up protection in the form of mineral Zinc Oxide SPF 30.

FAB Skin Tint SPF 30 Claims

• Available in 4 adaptable shades
• Weightless fluid adds natural looking color to help even skin tone
• Antioxidant-rich ingredients help shield skin from environmental aggressors
• Zinc Oxide filters UVA and UVB rays and helps protect skin from photo-aging
• Non-comedogenic and for all skin types, even sensitive

SkincareAddiction Favorite: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

I swear, finding a Holy Grail sunscreen will be the death of me.

I’m super picky because I have quite high maintenance skin. I’m oily and acne prone and suffer from hyper-pigmentation so ideally prefer SPF50+. And of course the sunscreen has to be cosmetically elegant in order to work with my skincare and makeup routine. And finally it has to contain little to no white cast. I mean, is all that so hard to ask?! ;p

With each sunscreen I buy and use, I feel like I’m getting closer and closer to finding the HG. Previously, I thought I found my Holy Grail SPF but recently learned that Zinc offers better sun protection than Titanium dioxide! So my search continued and has led me to this cult favorite:

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

Claims:

• Helps calm & protect sensitive skin prone to breakouts, rosacea and discoloration.
• Contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and lactic acid to promote healthy skin.
• Lightweight and silky, may be worn with makeup or alone.
• 0% transparent zinc oxide. UVA/UVB sun protection. Leaves no residue.
• Fragrance-free, oil-free, paraben-free, sensitivity-free and noncomedogenic