[Review] Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating Facial Sunscreen

Applying sunscreen has become a must in my daily AM skincare routine for the past couple of years. And yes I am kicking myself for starting so late in life. It’s such a simple inexpensive thing to do to prevent ageing from the sun and skin cancer. I live in Sydney Australia where it’s hot for the majority of the year. Due to Australia’s geographic location, the ozone layer is very thin, and as a result UV ray penetration is stronger more-so than anywhere else.

My preference has remained with chemical sunscreen. It has never caused me any issues and I don’t buy into the myths that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Physical sunscreen high in zinc and titanium dioxide haven’t worked for me and since I’m applying it on my face daily I want it to not only be effective and protect my skin but also for it to be cosmetically elegant. 

For the longest time, I’ve been mainly using sunscreens made in Korea. Once I tried Mecca’s To Save Face 50+ sunscreen, I started to develop a liking to Aussie sunscreens. When I saw that Ultra Violette had released a range of sunscreens I knew I had to try one. I’ve been using the Supreme Screen for about 8 months daily and since it’s almost out, I thought I’d share my thoughts on it. 

About Ultra Violette

from adorebeauty.com.au

Created by two Aussie beauty industry alumni, Ava Matthews and Bec Jefferd, who wanted a better standard for sunscreen. Bored of hunting for a sunscreen that didn’t suck, they decided to take matters into their own hands. It was time for something awesome. After years of work, Ulta Violette was born.

Ultraviolette’s products are free of parabens and oxybenzone, cruelty, and any trace of a sticky white grease. 

Product claims

from adorebeauty.com.au

Supreme Screen is a three-in-one that combines the protection of a sunscreen, with the hydration of a moisturiser, and the makeup-readiness of a primer. It’s hydrating enough that you need one less skincare step in the morning.

On many mornings, I only use this for the three purposes listed. Sometimes I apply moisturiser underneath like in winter, but when it’s warmer you 100% don’t need to (if you have combo skin like me). Which suits me fine since I’m always in a rush in the mornings to go to work. All for the multitaskers!

Cost

$45 AUD from adorebeauty.com.au, 50ml

Ingredients

Active ingredients: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (10%), Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (3%), Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (2.5%)

Inactives: Aqua, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Nylon 6/12, Ceteareth-20, Squalane, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-40 Stearate, Silica, Saccharide Isomerate, Decyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Parfum, Triethanolamine, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, l-carnosine, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499

Packaging

The sunscreen is housed in a thin squeezy tube with a pump for easy distribution. No complaints here whatsoever.

Consistency

It’s on the thicker side so it’s mess free to dispense and apply. I can best describe it to having a similiar consistency to a hydrating moisturiser but with a bit more body. 

Scent

It smells like ginseng to me, even though it doesn’t contain any. There is kakadu plum (Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract) in it so it might be from that. Nonetheless the smell is pleasant and subtle which I don’t mind. 

How to use

Freshly pumped

Ultra Violette’s website recommends to use 5 pumps but I normally use 3 for my face and 1 for my neck. I don’t have time to do more than one layer. I apply it how I would usually apply sunscreen or moisturiser, making sure my entire face and neck is covered and ensuring that all the sunscreen is rubbed in. It’s really easy to spread around and since it makes my face noticeably more dewy, I can easily tell if I’ve missed any areas.

Once rubbed in. You can see the obvious difference in hydration on my dry AF hand

Final thoughts

Rating: 4/5 (really liked it, would repurchase)

The Supreme Screen hydrating facial sunscreen is a really good sunscreen. It meets its claims about it being hydrating, has no white cast and serves well as a moisturiser and primer hybrid. 

I really liked it when I first started using it last winter. It also served me well during December in which I spent in Japan and Korea (winter there). When it started to really heat up in Sydney in January, my combo skin became oilier and since it doesn’t like the humidity, I felt really dewy after I applied this. Generally it would be ok since I would apply foundation but on the weekends, I don’t always do that. I felt like wearing this alone made me look shiny/sweaty and when it’s hot the last thing I would want to do is powder my face. I think it’s a great one for dry/normal skin types all year round but for me, it was too much in the hotter months in Sydney. 

However when I do apply foundation or skin tint over it, it sits nicely underneath and has never caused any problems with pilling or anything.

Would recommend and repurchase but not in a great hurry since I have a couple more waiting for me to try. I bought the Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel and the Anessa Perfect UV Mild Milk sunscreen from Japan which I’m keen to try. Keep an eye out for reviews on those a bit later. 

What sunscreen are you using or have loved recently? Let me know!

[Review] Heimish Artless Glow Base SPF50/PA+++

It was only until a year or so ago that I started to wear sunscreen on my face daily. That was also exactly the same time that I discovered k-beauty. Sunscreen is the number one anti ageing secret for Koreans so they use it religiously, as do I (now).

I’ve learnt that a lot of Korean sunscreens have chemical filters, also known as organic sunscreens. This works by absorbing uv rays before they can penetrate the skin and cause damage. PA means Protection Grade of UVA rays, so the more “+” the better.

I was first introduced to the brand when I bought the (now famous) All Clean Balm. It was my first (first) cleanser so I remember it well. Because it was such an awesome product, I wanted to try more from Heimish. I couldn’t find too much (only a short blurb below) about the company itself but judging from the aesthetics, they feel to be more a modern and polished brand. You can tell this from their packaging alone. Their use of pastel pink, white and rose gold accents is very well done. They have a range (not massive) of skincare and cosmetics.

I’ve been using this for awhile and since it’s almost out, I thought I’d share my thoughts on it. Please keep on reading if you’re interested in my thoughts on this sunscreen.

About Heimish

from stylekorean.com

Heimish expresses a modern and chic style. with common and natural makeup to realize “No More Normal”. It is a common makeup that anyone can use. It effortlessly draws attention and can win one’s heart even if applied lightly. It should not be “your makeup”, but “you, wearing the makeup” that grabs attention. include dailism, all clean balm to help you achieve this season’s hottest looks.

Product claims

from stylekorean.com

  1. A tone up base that brightens your complexion
  2. Highly moisturising sun care
  3. Herb extracts to protect your skin

I would definitely agree with the first two points. It does bring life back into my face, even after a sleepless night. It also is very moisturising, so for oilier skin types, you probably won’t need a moisturiser beforehand.

Cost

$20 AUD from ebay, roseroseshop. 40ml

Ingredients

from ohlolly.com

Water, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Octocrylene, Niacinamide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891(titanium dioxide), CI 77019 (mica), PEG-100 Stearate , Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Beeswax, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Adenosine, Disodium Edta, Tin Oxide, Carmine, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Fragrance

This sunscreen also has titanium dioxide which is found in physical sunscreens. Physical filters deflect uv rays, creating a barrier on top of your skin, rather than absorbing like chemical. Plant extracts (help fight free radicals) mentioned in the claims are at the bottom of the list whereas Niacinamide is in the top ten.

Packaging

The sunscreen is housed in a sleek squeezy tube with a twist rose gold cap. As mentioned earlier, the packaging is sleek and modern. For people who like taking “shelfies”, this would be a pretty one to have.

Heimish Artless Glow Base SPF50/PA+++
Pretty rose gold lid with a sleek tube.

Consistency

It is a little on the thick side but easy to work with once you rub it into the skin. It has a slight pink tinge to it (was hard to capture), for the tone up effect I guess. The texture is emollient, similar to a rich cream moisturiser. It absorbs completely on my skin (NC30), leaving it dewy and glowy, without any sign of a white cast. I did notice however, that if you apply too much you may get a slight white cast, so best to work in sections on the face and keep rubbing until fully absorbed.

Scent

It smells a bit like the sunscreen that we all know (and hate) but it isn’t bad. I think the plant extracts help with making it more pleasant. You can’t smell it once it’s absorbed on the face.

How to use

Heimish Artless Glow Base SPF50/PA+++
Pea sized amount

I’ve been using this for the best part of autumn/winter so I would apply it after moisturiser. I squeeze around a pea sized amount and rub it onto my face, working in sections because it is thicker and needs a bit more attention.

I usually use sunscreen as my primer, a) to save time and b) it usually works well under makeup. This one sits under makeup fine and gives me the look of a glowy primer. This just means that my many primers are sitting idle. Sometimes I would apply a pore filling primer on top (in the t-zone) but not on week days. Typically, you’re supposed to wait a few minutes before applying foundation or whatever your base is, but I don’t have time for that! Works well when I slather everything else on top so that’s all that matters.

Heimish Artless Glow Base SPF50/PA+++
Leaves behind a nice glow.

Final thoughts

Rating: 5/5 (love it, holy grail status!)

This is a great sunscreen. It delivers on its claims, protects my face from the sun and also works nicely as primer. The “tone up” just describes the glow and brightness it gives you so don’t be deterred by that. Because it can be used in place of a primer (any sunscreen could if it doesn’t pill or make your makeup weird), it doesn’t feel like a chore to apply it.

The added bonus of glow and dew is great too, it gives you a nice radiance, not a disco ball bam like tin man or anything. Would highly recommend this Artless Glow Base.

All of the sunscreens I have used have been chemical as they are known for being easier to apply, without giving you a white cast. This glow base has not broken me out or irritated my skin whatsoever. Sensitive skin types, please do a patch test before slathering it on. Also please take note of the ingredients list before buying any sunscreen because alcohol (the bad ones) are sometimes high up on the list. I tend to avoid those ones.

If I was at the beach however, I would opt for physical with SPF, for all over UVB and UVA protection. I couldn’t care less if I had a white cast on the beach and they’re not so apparent these days anyway. But for daily use on my face, chemical works fine and now I can’t go out without it. I use chemical exfoliants and retinol which all causes skin sensitivity to the sun. So wearing sun protection for me is a no brainer. My only regret is not wearing it sooner!!

Have you tried this glow base? What is your favourite sunscreen?

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