Does the ideal sunscreen exist? | Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++ Review

Friday 10 January 2020

Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++

Ideal sunscreen doesn't exist. We all have different skin types and different needs. Some clever brands try to make formulas and change them to fit the client's need. Purito is such a brand because they did not only release mineral sunscreen, they also made a chemical sunscreen. The only problem with the chemical sunscreen was... essential oils. Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++ is a version for people with sensitive skin to essential oils, but with high protection and flawless formula that won't leave any white cast. Is this our new favourite sunscreen?

About Purito?

Purito is a K-beauty brand focused on the skin and the environment. The brand made a cool video about their history and why they decided to remove mineral oils, PEG-s and many other ingredients. The name Purito is a combination of words Purify and Chinese character To (土) which stands for soil. The brand name meaning is to go back to the roots and healthy skin barrier with pure ingredients. The brand is against animal testing, so all their products are Cruelty-Free, they also donate money to Best Friend Animal Society. All the formulas (except snail line) are 100% Vegan- Friendly. They also make paper packaging from recycled paper - that's one of the things you'll notice ASAP. The packaging used by Purito has a different colour and texture. They also donate money to the Korean Federation For Environmental Movement. Purito products are free from Paraben, Ethanol, PEG, Triclosan, Mineral Oil, Silicone, Petrolatum, Sulfate, Phthalate and Oxybenzone. Products are free from synthetic fragrance and colourants.

What do I think about organic/eco brands?

I have nothing against brands that do not use silicones, mineral oil, PEG-s and other stuff. If I would ever have to make a skincare brand I would remove stearic acid, myristic acid and couple other ingredients that cause acne. Every ingredient used in skincare is chemical - even the natural ingredients are considered to be chemicals. We shouldn't be scared of them since the norms are very strict (at least EU, US and many other places have strict norms, but the counterfeit market is not strict and you can find that many ingredients that can be a threat to your life due to lead and mercury contamination. For example, the Philippines have strict norms, but still, you can find places with counterfeit products or products sold illegally) but we need to remember that some countries have exceptions and there are differences between markets. Still, I'm happy that there's a variety of choice because your skin might prefer green skincare over synthetic ingredients while some of the skin conditions need synthetic ingredients. By the way, if it comes to the norms - when the package from Purito went through customs it didn't pass the EU regulations according to the customs which is a great joke because Purito products are sold in EU (you can see that on Purito's website) and none of the ingredients is banned in the EU - plus Tinosorbs and other sunscreen ingredients used in South Korea are common in EU market as well.

What's UVA, UVB, UVC and why we need sun protection?

I believe that I'm the worst person to tell you about the Ultraviolet spectrum. Why? Because last year I spent at lab testing light therapy including UV and I understand UV as wavelengths. UVC is the shortest wavelength (200nm - 280nm) and it can't get through the ozone layer. I can admit in 2019 suncare post I made a mistake and I wrote 100nm instead of 200nm. This type of light can be found in hospitals for disinfection purposes. It's not a natural UVC and when the UVC lamp is turned out no one can stay in the room. UVC doesn't have any colour because it's NOT a visible light, but usually, these lamps in the hospital have purple or blue light to make everyone know that YOU CAN'T GO INTO THIS ROOM. UVB (280nm –315nm)has a longer length, we usually say that B stands for Burn. UVB might be a cause of sunburn, but it also helps with Vitamin D synthesis. UVA (315nm –400nm) is longer than UVB and it can penetrate the skin. A stands for Aging. We need sun protection, even if sunscreens won't minimalize skin cancer to 100%, they minimalize the chance of skin cancer.

Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++

SPF and PA?

K-beauty (and J-beauty) products use SPF and PA systems. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and we use SPF to inform the customer about UVB protection. But is SPF 15 better than SPF 50? Which one is better for me? I don't want to complicate everything so I'll simply say it this way. If you get tanned after 5 minutes and you want to use SPF 10 all we need to do is to simply calculation - SPF x time = time which you can spend without reapplying sunscreen. So 10 x 5 = 50 minutes but if you use SPF 50 then it's 50 x 5 = 250 minutes, still please reapply sunscreen after 2-3 hours. PA and PPD are two systems which brands use to let you know how good their product is in UVA protection. PPD stands for Persistent Pigment Darkening while PA is nothing else than Protection Grade of UVA. PA & PPD is used in K-beauty and J-Beauty, while Europe has UVA circle which doesn't say too much in my opinion - I'm used to PA & PPD systems.

Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++ - Packaging

I wrote that in Purito From Green Cleansing Oil review - I love the packaging! Boxes are made out of recycled paper, that's why the texture of the packaging and colour is bit different. It fits Purito's philosophy. According to the packaging, the tube is made out of plastic. I encourage you to check local sources to see if this type of packaging is recycled in your country. Sadly, I had an issue with the card, and I lost photos including the photo of the paper box.

Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++ - Scent

The most amazing this about Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++ is no scent. It doesn't have any heavy scent, I barely can feel anything and I'm happy because some products have heavy scents and I hate that a lot. When you work with skincare up to 10 hours per day or work with people then scents can be annoying. Sometimes I need them, but usually, I prefer when my sunscreen doesn't have any scent.

Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++ - Texture

The formula has a white colour, but the magic happens on the skin - it doesn't leave a white cast. It's not visible on the skin and it works well with makeup. The texture is lightweight, oily skin should like it.

Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++

Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++ - Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Centella Asiatica Extract(4315ppm), Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol

Water, Butylene Glycol and 1,2-Hexanediol - you probably know them, it's hard not to find them in products. They mostly work as solvents in skincare products. Butyloctyl Salicylate is nothing different, but this one works the best with sunscreens. It's not oily, and it works well with sunscreens making them more effective. Some sun-protecting ingredients need support like Avobenzone - usually, it goes together with Oxybenzone. Glycerin is another ingredient which is easy to find in skincare. It's a great moisturizer.

Purito decided to base Centella Green Level Unscented Sun on a new type of sunscreen agent. Under the name, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate hides Uvinul A Plus. This sunscreen is quite new and the US didn't approve it yet as a sunscreen. It doesn't mean that Uvinul A Plus is fully banned in the US, you can use it, but not as a sun-protecting ingredient. There's also another sun protecting ingredient - Ethylhexyl Triazone. This one is known as Uvinul T 150, and it's a stable sunscreen that protects your skin from UVB. Still, the situation is the same as with Uvinul A Plus, in some places this sunscreen is banned from use as a sunscreen, but it doesn't mean that it's a bad substance, it means that some countries need to keep up with ingredients.

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic emollient. In this formula, it can make sunscreen easier to spread on the skin, but it can also make it harder to remove which is good since sunscreens are usually getting removed from the skin by water or even our sweat. The next ingredient, Acrylates Copolymer helps with this problem as well. Silica is a thickener with a positive effect on oily skin, it makes it look less oily, but absorbing the sebum. Niacinamide is a miracle ingredient, it does lots of great work. Having problems with dark spots? Try Niacinamide! Acne? Niacinamide will be good for you too! Problems with skin barrier? Solve it with Niacinamide! Wrinkles? You might want to try Niacinamide as well. Sensitive skin might find Niacinamide bit problematic when it's mixed with Vitamin C or used in the same routine as Vitamin C, but I can't deny Niacinamide is a skincare treasure!

Dibutyl Adipate, Cetearyl Alcohol and Dicaprylyl Carbonate are emollients. Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Stearate and Sorbitan Olivate are emulsifiers. Glyceryl Stearate and Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate are a bit different since they mix the properties of both groups (I mean, I kinda decided to group the ingredients into emollients and emulsifiers).

Centella Asiatica Extract is an ingredient that stays in skincare trend. Lots of ingredients used in skincare have a long history of use in medicine. This ingredient isn't different because Centella is a part of Ayurveda, a traditional (or if you prefer - alternative) medicine used by people for ages. Nowadays we associate it with India. Centella is a herb mainly used in skincare for its healing properties. It speeds up the healing process, that's why acne-prone skin loves it. If you're pregnant or you plan pregnancy then try to find body care products with Centella Asiatica because it can have a positive meaning on skin elasticity as well as stretch marks. Purito decided to share the amount of Centella in their product, it's 4315ppm (parts per million).

Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid and Asiatic Acid should be well-known to you, they are so-called "CICA" ingredients. They all help with wound healing.

Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate is an antioxidant. Hopefully, we don't have to remember this name since we have another name for it - Tinogard TT. It works as a preservative, making sure that the product we use on our skin is safe and it won't oxidize. Adenosine is another cool ingredient. It speeds up the healing process and repairs the skin barrier. It's great for inflamed skin and it might have a positive effect on skin elasticity.

Hyaluronic Acid is a great moisturizer. Caprylyl Glycol has moisturizing properties as well, it's a helpful ingredient in the formula because it can boost the effectiveness of the preservatives. Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative and Tocopherol is nothing else than a form of Vitamin E, an antioxidant and moisturizer.

Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++

How does Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++ work?

Purito is my favourite sunscreen - period. Yes, I said that not because Purito decided to collaborate with me on this review, but because it was just like my friends said to me. A couple of my friends recommended to me Purito sunscreens before. My skin is a combo skin and it's quite sensitive. Thanks to Purito Sea Buckthorn Vital 70 Cream and Niacinamide Essence from a different brand (by the way, Purito also has a Niacinamide Essence) I figured out that my skin can't use Niacinamide with Vitamin C in the same routine. Application of this cream is quite easy, the texture changes colour from white to transparent on the skin - I tested this sunscreen on pale skin, I'm not sure how it'll work on darker skin, but even if it'll leave a bit of a film on the skin, it might just make your skin looking colder or bit lighter, still the sunscreen won't make a huge difference on the skin like mineral sunscreens. I love how lightweight this formula is and how I can apply it on my eyelids. Eyes are sensitive to the skin too and it is important to apply sunscreen onto your eyelids. I put a thin layer of this sunscreen near my eyes and it doesn't make me cry.

The formula works great with makeup. I tested it with cushions from Dear Dahlia, Pony Effects, G9Skin and Celefit. Usually, my problem with sunscreen is the fact that they roll on the skin - I didn't see such an effect with any of the cushions. I tested Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++ with Dr Jart+ Camo Drops (a product which you can probably only find in the US and EU, but it's like a makeup base with green pigment to balance the redness of the skin). Sunscreen always goes first, then Camo Drops and cushions - still it looked well. I didn't try to reapply the sunscreen because it's winter now and I wake up quite late so I didn't have any needs to use sunscreen every 2-3 hours. Still, I encourage you to reapply your sunscreen for better protection during the Spring and Summer (and early Autumn).

My skin had no allergic reactions to the product, my pores didn't feel clogged and the formula is not drying. I feel like it might be even a bit moisturizing. It leaves a delicate film on the skin which makes your skin soft in touch. There's nothing that makes me dissatisfied with this sunscreen. The product should be used in 12 months, but when you use sunscreen every day on your skin 6 months is probably the maximum time for the product until you end the entire tube.

Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ PA++++ vs Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++

I wouldn't be myself if I didn't compare ingredients in both Scented and Unscented versions of Purito chemical sunscreen. What we can find in Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ PA++++?

Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Silica, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin

Majority of the ingredients are the same but there are some differences in amounts. Instead of Glyceryl Stearate, Purito used Glyceryl Stearate SE in the scented formula. Is an emulsifier that can be bit comedogenic, but every skin reacts differently to the ingredients so Glyceryl Stearate SE might clog your pores but 100 other people might say that their skin likes Glyceryl Stearate SE. I said before that scented version contains essential oil. Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil is one of the most popular essential oils because it has antibacterial and relaxing properties. Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil is an oil with calming properties.

Purito Comfy Water Sun Block SPF50+ PA++++ vs Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++

Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Zinc Oxide, Silica, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearic Acid, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lauroyl Lysine, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/​C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Adenosine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/​Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Purito Comfy Water Sun Block SPF50+ PA++++ is a mineral sunscreen type, we are going to have here a bigger difference between both sunscreens than between chemical sunscreens. The main difference is in the sun-protecting ingredient. It couldn't look different - Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide go together because they are stronger together than alone. Zinc Oxide protects from UVB, UVA I and UVA II, Titanium Dioxide has similar properties, but it's not as effective with UVA I wavelengths. What's going on with UVA I and UVA II? UVA II has shorter wavelengths than UVA I but longer than UVB - 320-340 nm, while UVA I wavelengths are longer 340-400nm. Wavelengths above 400nm are considered as visible light. We can't see UV radiation, but we can see visible light - this type of light is used in skincare therapy, we usually go for red or blue light since they are the most effective lights available. I'm aware that this might be hard to understand, but it's all about UV penetration of the skin and choosing the best protection available. Our sunscreen has to protect us from UVB - and we know how well a sunscreen protects us from UVB by checking SPF - but UVA is also important and that's why we need PA system. In Europe the PA system doesn't exist, we use a different system which I hate.

Dipropylene Glycol is a solvent and Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a stabilizer. Next new ingredient is Stearic Acid, it's an emollient that helps the formula, but not every acne-prone skin likes it. Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil is an essential oil that gives a nice scent to the product but it can be photosensitizing - it's quite typical for essential oil. Do you know that parsley can be also sensitizing? That's why you shouldn't eat it before light therapy or during the summer. Lauroyl Lysine is a new ingredient for me, so I won't tell you a lot about it, but lots of ingredients here like Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer or Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/​Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer are used as thickeners and I guess it might have similar use.

There's one oil I like - Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil. It's an ideal oil for acne-prone skin due to its antibacterial properties.

I have mixed feelings about this product. It might be great, but I didn't test it so I do not know if the formula is lightweight or not. Usually, mineral sunscreens aren't as light as chemical ones.

Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++

Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++ - Price

Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++ costs $18.90 for 60 ml on Purito's official website. In my opinion is a great price for a product which you can apply near the eye. According to Purito, this sunscreen is a cruelty-free and vegan-friendly product with UVB & UVA protection and no essential oils or artificial fragrance that's why I highly recommend it and I'm sure I'll go back to it since it's the most affordable option I got and even if I would like to buy it from local seller - I'm able to find it quite easily. Purito is a brand which is sold in Europe, Russia and many countries around the world.

If the Scented or the Mineral versions of Purito sunscreen made you interested then you can get them in the same price ($18.90) from Purito's website.

Sunscreen is important not only during the summer, but I also encourage you to use it every day - especially if your skincare contains active ingredients or you enjoy treatments like microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Have you ever tried any Purito sunscreen?

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*** This post was made in collaboration with Puritoeven though it still shows my personal opinion on the topic and product**

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