Best Sunscreens Vol. 1 – Neutrogena Ultra Sheer vs Shiseido Multi-Defense

With all the house finishings and roaming around, I am being extra careful about my skin. In the last two months alone, I have used up almost four best sunscreens so you can easily imagine how much quantity of sunscreen I apply. Well, I am happy to share that winters and aging has helped control the grease and oil and my face has not been looking like an oil pan.

The real test of sunscreen happens only in summers though. So, I decided I would do a good amount of research and find out the best sunscreens that really work and pass the requirements like not getting too oily on skin, giving adequate protection, easy to apply and remove, not making the skin dull and many other things.

I usually prefer lotion and cream sunscreens which come with protective packaging. Spray sunscreens are not my type since there is a lot of wastage and the smell and fumes are usually very strong. Have you ever tried a spray sunscreen? Did you like it?

On a side note, remember the news I shared about us buying a house and shifting this month end. Life has been crazy last month but this month is even worse. The dealing with laborers is a job best left to experienced people but then there is always a first time, right? I just hope we can stick to our shifting schedule otherwise we are in suds!! No roof over our heads. Anyways, let me start with the least expensive and my favorite sunscreen.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock Spf 50 PA+++

Price : Rs 549 for 88ml

Availability : Flipkart | Amazon | Easily available in Supermarkets and Beauty Centers

I have used this sunscreen since ages and have loved it for the protection it provides. It is one of the best sunscreens I have ever tried. Yes, the texture of the product could do with a lot of revamping. There are a lot of other sunscreens and products from Neutrogena which have not been released into Indian market which are apparently very good and light and not as thick and gloopy as this sunscreen. I wish they do release their other products here as well.

• Comes in a tube which you can cut once the sunscreen is nearing its finish and scoop out whatever you could not squeeze out, trust me there is a lot left inside!
• Texture is thick and gloopy
• Easy to apply when you squeeze out a dollop of sunscreen and dot it around the face and blend it in with a little patience
• Blends in without leaving a white cast unless you go overboard with the sunscreen
• Does make you sweat in summers and can be a lot greasy on the face
• Definitely for dry and combination skin, not oily skin
• May cause white cast depending on how well you have blended it so be patient when you apply this
• Settles into wrinkles over the day, if not immediately
• One of the best sunscreens in terms of protection but reapplication is difficult
• Easy to apply in winters and drier seasons
• Perfect body sunscreen
• Might not be a good choice of sunscreen in humid places
• Does give a light glow to the face once applied
• Not exactly inexpensive but affordable compared to other best sunscreens in the market

I would highly recommend this sunscreen if you are starting to use one, if you do not want to invest much and are looking out for a good body sunscreen. Definitely must have!

Shiseido Multi-Defense UV Protector Spf 50 PA+++

Price : Rs 2100 for 30ml

Availability : Shoppers Stop Outlets

This is a sunscreen which I used almost a year back. I bought it on Paris’s recommendation. Shiseido has come up with another version of this sunscreen which claims to be waterproof. I have yet to try it.

• Comes in a cute little bottle with a nozzle and a well-fitting cap, fits in a hand and absolutely easy to carry
• Very light and runny sunscreen which is milky white in color
• Texture of the product is a little creamy but it does not feel heavy at all
• Creamy texture makes it easy to apply and blend on the skin
• I usually apply my sunscreens in dots all over the face so this is easy to apply and gets absorbed really fast into the skin
• The finish is usually matte unless you go overboard
• Leaves skin glowing and a little bright
• Does leave a white cast if you over-apply but it is mostly visible only on medium to dark skin
• Does NOT sweat or cause sweating when it is super hot or you are in sun as some products do unless you apply a lot, of course
• Can settle into wrinkles so you have to take care of that
• And, the biggest con with this is it is super expensive for the size
• Hardly lasts a month or month and half and for that you have to shell out 2100 bucks which is going to increase thanks to the upcoming GST norms

Overall, this is definitely one of the best sunscreens in terms of finish and protection both. But, buying it on a regular basis is not feasible for me due to its sheer expense.

In the next segment in this series, I am coming up with a comparison between Avene and La Rochay Posay. So, have you tried Shiseido multi-defense UV protector? Did you like it? Which sunscreen would you recommend? Do you have any favorites?