From The Straits Times    |
beauty review Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution SPF 50 THUMBNAIL

Even though the Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution SPF 50/PA++++ sunscreen isn’t exactly a new product, I’ve only recently started using it on a regular basis. And I’m now a complete convert; this sunscreen works as either a fabulous base for your foundation or even as a BB cream if you only need sheer to medium coverage. On top of that, this product even seems to improve the overall quality of your skin!

beauty review Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution SPF 50 DECOR 1

WHAT IS IT?
The Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution SPF 50/PA++++ sunscreen is also described as BB cream on the Clarins website. It’s described as being an “Anti-UV, Anti-Pollution, Anti-Age protector” and was designed “specifically to keep Asian skin beautiful” by using lots of plant extracts including Organic Alpine sanicle extract which apparently “helps to protect the skin by reinforcing its natural defenses against the harmful effects of pollution and UV rays”.

Clarins has spent a huge amount of time and money on researching how the combination of UV rays and pollution affect the skin to cause “hyperpigmentation and darkening of the complexion”. According to Clarins’ research the sun’s radiation is “responsible for stimulating the activity of melanocytes, the skin’s pigmentary cells that produce melanin, the brown pigment that rises to the skin surface. This causes dark spots to appear, affecting the brightness and luminosity of the complexion which becomes darker”. 

beauty review Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution SPF 50 FLOWERS

In the same research Clarins says it found that the impact of the UV rays is worsened with the addition of pollution as it stops the skin from being able to react to and neutralise the sun’s damage. So, according to Clarins, UV radiation plus pollution equals premature aging. 

Anyway, that’s the science according to the brand. The Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution SPF 50/PA++++ sunscreen is available in three shades ‒ Neutral which gives a transparent finish; Baby Pink which is designed to add luminosity to dull complexions; and Baby Blue which helps to reduce redness and dark spots. The sunscreen is available in two sizes ‒ 30mls at $74, and 50mls at $95. 

WHY I LIKE IT … 
I’ve not always done the right thing and worn sunscreen everyday over the years; partially because I’m lazy, young people are stupid, and the textures of earlier sunscreens were tacky, sticky and were weird under makeup. However for the last 10 years or so I’ve done my best to ALWAYS wear a sunscreen, no matter what, even though not all of them have been perfectly suited to wear daily, or under makeup. 

beauty review Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution SPF 50 PRODUCT

This one, though, the Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution SPF 50/PA++++ sunscreen, is brilliant. It’s not sticky, in fact it lays down an almost powdery layer of smoothness that helps your foundation to go on beautifully. That same surface construction also makes this product great to use as a BB type cream; you can wear it without any other type of coverage on ‘good skin days’ (you know what I mean) and it’s perfect for long flights too as it manages to hold in moisture on your skin.

I’ve also found that since I’ve started using it on a regular basis, any number of people have remarked on ‘how much brighter’ my skin seems … Personally, I feel that I’ve had fewer skin imperfections and that generally the surface texture of my skin has improved too.

Overall, I’m now totally obsessed with the Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution SPF 50/PA++++ sunscreen … It’s a something that not only does what it’s supposed to do ie. keep off the sun; it does a bunch of other useful stuff too. 

The Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution SPF 50/PA++++ sunscreen is available in three shades ‒ Neutral which gives a transparent finish; Baby Pink which is designed to add luminosity to dull complexions; and Baby Blue which helps to reduce redness and dark spots. The sunscreen is available in two sizes ‒ 30mls at $74, and 50mls at $95. You can buy it at any Clarins counter and also online at www.clarins.com.sg/en/uv-plus-spf50-neutral