Is only sunscreen enough or you need #DoubleDefence?

Who doesn’t love a bit of sun and holidays? I certainly do! However, Sun not only gives you Vitamin D for your bones but also gives harmful rays which can lead to fine lines, wrinkles and discolouration. Are you keeping your skin protected with SPF? Even if you are, what are you doing about the damage from atmosphere? You need to prevent your skin against free radical damage and protect it from sun damage for reducing the appearance of skin-ageing and photoaging.

Using a preventive serum rich in L-Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) helps with skin discolouration and age spots and reverses signs of ageing. SkinCeuticals have some of the best serums and treatment products like Phloretin CF, CE Ferulic etc. I have been using the Phloretin CF + Brightening UV Defense #DoubleDefence kit (Phloretin CF – Antioxidants + Sunscreen) on my combination skin for a while now and I am really impressed so far.

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF

Phloretin CF encourages the skin’s natural repair process and accelerates cellular turnover leading to improved skin texture. As a result you may notice less discoloration and dullness.

How Phloretin CF is different from CE Ferulic?

The main difference in Phloretin CF and CE Ferulic Acid is that CE Ferulic contains Vitamin E along with Vit C and is very moisturising. It aims towards normal, dry skin and wrinkles while Phloretin CF aim towards combination skin and targets skin discolouration or age spots. This is also great for anyone with dry skin but lives in a very hot climate. Ferulic acid + Phloretin help in hyperpigmentation and prevents any additional damage.

Phloretin CF has no vitamin E (CE Ferulic had 1%) and has reduced the dose of vitamin C from 15% to 10%. It has kept the 0.5% drop of ferulic acid and added in phloretin at 2%. Ferulic acid is a powerful, plant-derived antioxidant that seeks and destroys free radicals and improves the performance of vitamins C and E. Phloretin is a flavenoid that is found exclusively in apples.

Packaging & Shelf Life

It comes in a dark dropper glass bottle and you’ll have to be extra careful not to drop it. The serum can change colour slightly as the Vitamin C oxidises and changes colour slightly but the shelf life of the product is 3 years so unless its not really brown, its good to use.

It’s a good idea to store this product in the refrigerator in order to extend its longevity since exposure to oxygen can cause oxidation.

Ingredients

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol Denaturated, Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Triethyl Citrate, Phloretin, Ferulic Acid

How it works and how to use?

It works by delaying the deposition of sugar deposits into the skin which can harden collagen. It also enhances skin tone, radiance and improves texture.

The recommended usage is to apply 4-5 drops to the face and neck area. It’s a good idea to apply it to dry skin (not damp) and let the serum penetrate completely into skin before applying moisturizer, sunscreen and makeup.

Texture

This is a Concentrated product without any silicone in it. The serum doesn’t spread unlike other serums/gels. It has oil texture so its better to pat it onto skin so it penetrates really quickly into the skin. It is not sticky or heavy.

Pros

• Smoother skin
• Improvement in texture
• Radiance
• Even Skintone

Cons

• High price tag
• Contains denatured alchohol

Denatured alchohol may be a deal breaker for some. Denatured alchol is not necessarily bad but it may dry your skin depending on your skin type.

SkinCeuticals Brightening UV Defense SPF 30

This light-weight and moisturising high broad-spectrum sunscreen helps to brighten the look of dull-looking skin. This sunscreen reflects and absorbs UVA/UVB rays from the skin’s surface to help protect against photoaging.

Packaging

The sunscreen comes in a tube packaging, easy to use and travel with.

Ingredients

Aqua/Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Terephthalyidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Dromwtrizole Trisiloxane, Alcohol Denat, Triethanolamine, Titanium Dioxide [Nano], Stearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Nylon-12, Palmitic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Tromethamine, Ethylparaben, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Aluminium Hydroxide, Isohexadecane, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 80, Zea Mays Extract, Mentha Pipertia Extract, FIL D45726/2

How to Use?

Once Phloretin CF is penetrated into the skin, finish by applying Brightening UV Defense SPF 30. Apply this sun protection before sun exposure and reapply generously and frequently to maintain protection.

Benefits

• High SPF 30 protection
• Protects the skin against UVA and UVB rays
• The formula, enriched with HyperBright Complex, helps prevent the occurrence of future brown spots and pigmentation
• Lightweight and hydrating formula
• Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and uneven skin tone

This sunscreen is so lightweight yet very effective. It sinks into the skin right away and feels very moisturising. The best part is this doesn’t leave any white cast or interfere with makeup. The sunscreen also aims to even out the skin tone, minimising the appearance of brown spots, fine lines and pigmentation and creating a glowing and radiant finish.

SkinCeuticals Double Defence kit is perfect to shield against premature signs of skin ageing induced by ozone pollution and daily UV damage.

If you purchase the products separately, Phloretin CF alone will cost you £150 while the Double Defence kit (worth £191) can be purchased at £150. Due to the concentrated formula of Phloretin CF, you don’t need much so it will last a long time.

Until next time

Ashh xo

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*This post features PR samples. Opinions are my own & unbiased.