Clinique City Block Sheer oil free daily face protector broad spectrum 25 SPF

Packaging/Pricing:

The product is offered in opaque tube format, which keeps all ingredients stable. You get 40g (1.4fl.oz) for 23$ US.

 

Ingredients:

Active: Titanium Dioxide 7.3%, Zinc Oxide 6.9%

Other: Water, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Steareth-2, Stearyl Heptanoate, Silica, Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Gentiana Lutea (Gentian) Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract, Betula Alba (Birch) Bark Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Tristearate, Linoleic Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Caprylyl Methicone, Sorbitol, Sodium RNA, PEG-40 Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytantriol, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cellulose, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Stearyl Dimethicone, Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Pantethine, Bisabolol, Ceteth-2, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Steareth-20, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Sodium Stearate, Nylon-12, Citric Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Nylon-6, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.

Excellent (only beneficial ingredients, proven research)

Good (mostly beneficial, not extensive research or just not quite outstanding properties)

OK (mostly thickeners, emulsifiers, mild preservatives, pH adjusters, all that is necessary, but not a skincare per se) 

Bad (irritants and anything bad that shouldn't be in skincare, usually fragrance)

 

Ingredients Discussion:

As you can see above, formulation is quite good. It features range of antioxidants and anti-irritants, as well as few barrier repairing agents (hyaluronic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid). I would love to see
some cell communicating agents like niacinamide or peptides, but overall formula is noteworthy. It has no obvious irritants, though there are plenty of ingredients here that do not have solid research behind them. This product offers broad range sun protection with mixture of physical sunscreen ingredients, which would be suitable for everyone, but especially worth attention from people with sensitive skin.

Consumer Thoughts:

Though I liked composition of this sunscreen, unfortunately I didn't like the texture of it too much. It is quite emollient, with light cream texture, which would mostly suit people with normal to slightly dry or combination skin. But at the same time, since this formula features physical sunscreen, it has a bit of a powdery finish to it. It wouldn't probably suit people with very dry skin. I have to stress though, that it doesn't leave matte finish. Skin looks dewy and moisturised (do not trust oil-free claim), but with a bit of texture on top. This cream is tinted as well to offset white cast that physical sunscreen ingredients can leave, which would be a good news for some. Personally I didn't find this particular feature attractive. I have very pale skin and a little bit of white cast isn't a problem for me. But a bit of an orange cast was a problem. I would say if you are really fair, look for something else. This would best suit people with light to medium complexions. So this was a deal breaker for me. Since it is not actually a BB or CC cream, it offers no coverage. On me it looks a bit weird. You look like you are wearing make up (tinted skin and a bit of powder on top), but all your imperfections are still visible. Also you have to keep in mind that you would have to wash it off in the evening like any make up product (preferably with something like cleansing oil).

 

Verdict:

I would recommend this product, but personally do not 100% like the look of it on my skin. So I wouldn't repurchase this sunscreen. Also to get the highest rating it should feature cell-communicating ingredients (which improve how cells work and promote the best skin behaviour). 4 out of 5.