My 2016 sunscreen buddies!

While picking up a new bottle of my go to, Ombrelle SPF 60 Complete, I noticed that they had reformulated their Kids version and also released a few new sunscreens.

New for 2016, Ombrelle’s Sport Clear Continuous Spray SPF 50+ and Face Cream SPF 60 both contain the highest amount of Mexoryl SX and XL among their sunscreens.

Mexoryl SX and XL are two modern sunscreen filters that are patented by Ombrelle’s head company – L’Oreal. You’ll only find the filters in their products, and often in the high-end ranges like La Roche Posay. Unfortunately the US FDA has limited their use in the USA, so these products are often only available in Europe, Asia, and luckily for me – Canada! A bill was passed last year to help push through the approval of newer sunscreens like Mexoryl and Tinosorb, and while it became law – the US FDA’s response was to deny all pending applications.

I tried the Sport Continuous Spray and while it offers great protection, it becomes quite tacky if you apply it heavily – while it is convenient for the body, at $16 CAD for a bottle I’ll be saving it for camping trips and the like. I haven’t tried the Ombrelle Face Cream, because it’s a quarter of the size of the Kids version and the same price, $17 CAD.

I’m really liking the Ombrelle Kids Water Resistant Lotion SPF 50+. It’s much less heavy compared to the Ombrelle SPF 60 Complete and contains 4.5% Mexoryl XL and 1.5% Mexoryl SX. The Complete SPF 60 on the other hand contains only 2.5% Mexoryl XL and 0.5% Mexoryl SX, and isn’t water or sweat resistant.

The Kids version does contain 5.85% Titanium Dioxide so there is some whitening upon application, but it fades on my medium skin once the sunscreen is dry. It also leaves a nice natural looking finish once dried, and I double-layer my sunscreens! It does contain humectants so will likely become shinier and more moist throughout the day – I recommend a light dusting of powder if you have oily skin.


Ingredients of Ombrelle Kids Water Resistant Lotion SPF 50+

Active Ingredients
Titanium Dioxide: 5.85%
Octisalate: 5%
Drometrizole Trisiloxane (Mexoryl XL): 4.5%
Avobenzone: 3%
Octocrylene: 2.5%
Ecamsule (Mexoryl SX): 1.5%

Other Ingredients:

Aqua, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Alcohol Denat., Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isododecane, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Synthetic Wax, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Silica, Triethanolamine, Cellulose Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isostearyl Alcohol, Dodecene, Poloxamer 407, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Pentasodium Ethylenediamine Tetramethylene Phosphonate, Hydrolyzed Algin, Magnesium Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol.

Aqua, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Alcohol Denat., Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isododecane, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Synthetic Wax, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Silica, Triethanolamine, Cellulose Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isostearyl Alcohol, Dodecene, Poloxamer 407, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Pentasodium Ethylenediamine Tetramethylene Phosphonate, Hydrolyzed Algin, Magnesium Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol.


I’ve also picked up the Biore UV PERFECT Milk SPF50+ PA++++, unfortunately Japanese sunscreen manufacturers aren’t required to list the % of their sunscreens though PA++++ indicates a UVAPF of 16 or greater. It’s a runny milk and dries to a matte finish on the skin.

I’ll likely not repurchase the Biore AQUA RICH Sarasara SPF50+ PA++++ because of its lemon scent. I also don’t like how it feels on my skin. I find it a bit filmy and powdery.

And lastly for Canadian shoppers: Each year Ombrelle releases a $3 off coupon for any of their sunscreens, so they’re super affordable. The coupons can be found here on MyGarnier.ca

One thought to “My 2016 sunscreen buddies!”

  1. What is your opinion about the (high) alcohol content in Japonese sunscreens (e.g. Bioré, HadaLabo, etc)?I love their texture and performance but I always worry about the alcohol content (one can even smell it for a couple of seconds after application).

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