Review: RMK Face Protector SPF 31

I was never a sunscreen or sunblock kind of gal during my teenage years even though my CCAs in schools are the ones that has the most sun exposure and i do assure you the word "fair" never had its place in my dictionary. Especially after all that Banana Boat sunscreen and Coppertone which i detest till this today (because of the smell and the whitish layer over your skin after application).

As the years went on and of course after knowing that exposure to excess sunlight is the main culprit for premature aging of the skin and the reason for skin cancer, i started to take sunscreen seriously (no gal, no gal would like to have freckles on her face unless she is Jodie Foster).

For the longest time, i have been using Clarins UV Plus Protective Day Screen SPF 40 PA +++ (which protects against UVA and UVB, as well as external environment pollution), it has been working well for me, so far so good, even though i have oily combination skin type, the day screen work well for me. My only gripe would be its hefty price - S$75.00 for 30ml, which translate to a bottle every 3 months or so.... not friendly on my pocket i would say.

And so, begins my quest for the more pocket friendly substitute.....

I present RMK Face Protector SPF 31 (which i have gotten during the last Isetan Anniversary sale)......

The simple white packaging.

In terms of packaging, there isn't really anything to comment, except that it is a simplistic thin white board kind of packaging. The face protector comes in the form of a silver tube (a little like toothpaste, except that the opening of the tube is narrow which helps to dispense the appropriate amount required one application and to retain the integrity of the product too, i suppose), and this kind of packaging is commonly seen for a lot of sunscreens or sunblocks in the market.

There is a obvious smell of alcohol when i got the product out of the tube but it fades off minutes after the application. I do admit i am rather uncomfortable with that as i do not like to have alcohol content in my skincare products (especially in this case, alcohol is the second ingredient listed which would indicate that there is a significant percentage of alcohol in the face protector).

Applicationwise, as the face protector is water-based the consistency of the face protector is thin and spreads easily across the surface of the skin and is easily absorbed into the skin as well, plus there is a tinge of cooling sensation when the product is applied (i would say its due to the alcohol). After the product is absorbed, my skin doesn't feel like i have applied sunscreen to it and its transparent (this is the aspect that i like about the product).

The Paint-tube like dispenser.

The milky white texture of the face protector.

The texture of the face protector after spreading it out.

After application of the face protector.

Function-wise, i find that the face protector might offer insufficient protection if you are planning for outdoor activities as it is only SPF 31 (a little unclear if the product is able to offer protection for UVA or/and UVB). On the other hand, if you are the indoor staying kind of gal, SPF 31 PA+ should offer sufficient protection.

Personally, i like my sunscreen to be able to protect me from both UVA and UVB and the high alcohol content in the ingredients of the face protector made me think twice about getting a second tube of the product. I have been using it for nearly a month and i would say i am about a third through the tube. Although i am not fond of the high alcohol content in the product, so far i have not suffered any adverse effects from the product.

This product contains Methicone and mineral oil, so take note if methicone breaks you out, you might want to avoid this product.

Currently, i am still siting on the fence on this one...... i like the texture and how it applies but i am not confident of the protection it can offer and yes, alcohol as one of its main ingredients, plus even though the price is more pocket friendly than Clarins's sunscreen, it remains in the mid to high price range for a sunblock or sunscreen.

I would say, test it for yourself..... i am most likely to revert back to my trusty Clarins after i have finished this tube and continue the journey on my search for the HG sunscreen.

Priced at S$46.00 for 35g or 1.22oz (available at Takashimaya Shopping Centre and Isetan Shopping Centre).

Main Ingredients:Water (aqua), Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc oxide, Isocetyl Myristate, Cyclomethicone, Glycerin, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Mineral Oil(Paraffinum Liquidum), Polysorbates 85, Methicone, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Octyltrimethoxysilane coated titanium dioxide, Disodium Edta, Bht, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract.