I think I have found one of the most beautiful sunscreens in the world. Admittedly, it costs 9,450 JPY (approximately US$120) for 50g, and admittedly, things are made even better that I didn’t have to buy it (I received it as part of a gift basket) but still. It’s absolutely fantastic — I suppose it really should be for 9,450 JPY. If I were to describe and review this in one word, it would be ‘luxurious’.
It has the most beautiful, luxurious texture of all the sunscreens I have tried to date. The cream has a velvety whipped texture with a pearl pink-beige tint containing what Clé de Peau calls ‘Illuminating Complex’. Although I have always preferred the ‘radiant and glowing’ look, I am always very apprehensive about using illuminating sunscreens as I find they always cross the boundary between ‘glowing’ and ‘sparkly’ or ‘oily’ when applied generously. When I first tested it on my back of my hand, I didn’t think much of it. Its texture aside, I saw very minimal difference in my skin. I tested it on my face later and was amazed; it made my skin looks fresh, radiant, and more evenly toned — a ‘glowing from within’ look. No white cast, no ‘sunscreen’ smell, no greasiness.
I personally really dislike the feeling of the sun on me and I’m ‘allergic’ to outdoor sports so you’re not going to find me lounging outside soaking up the rays or mountain hiking. I apply Clé de Peau BEAUTÉ UV Protection Cream in lieu of a moisturiser and it works beautifully at preventing my skin from redness, burning, and tanning when I’m walking about all day in the city. At the end of the day, my skin was as soft and smooth as it had ever been. There is no oil-control (and it doesn’t claim to) but to my surprise, it doesn’t turn my T-zone into an oily mess by mid-day either.
Let’s come crashing back to earth and the fact that this sunscreen costs 9,450 JPY for 50g — that’s outrageously expensive by any standards. There’s no denying one can find many excellent sunscreens for a small fraction of the price but Clé de Peau is not a ‘slap it all over’ cosmetics brand either. If you have a bit of disposable cash and want to treat yourself to tremendously luxurious things, then Clé de Peau BEAUTÉ UV Protection Cream might be well up your street. It’s the Hermès of sunscreens!
***Note: The US version with the same product name and packaging (minus the French) is not the same. The Japanese (Asian) version contains Tinosorb S and Uvinul A Plus as some of its UV filters, both of which are yet to be approved by the FDA.
