Photoderm Max SPF50+ Spray

10 Reviews

1. 

   resolvedOryx4

   Reply

   I started looking around for an economical solution of an equivalent or better sunscreen than Biore’s UV Rich Watery Essence. I use those bottles extremely quickly since the bottles are small and I wear sunscreen everyday on my face, neck, chest, and hands (rest of the body is covered by clothing). I wore this for the first time this week over several days. I have not had breakouts or acne. But, I can’t say this is cosmetically elegant – especially when compared to Biore. This doesn’t dry down matte. This is shiny and leaves my skin super oily the entire day. If I touch my fingers to my face, my fingers come back oily. I don’t like that at all. Fibers and hairs get stuck to my face and it causes itching. Ugh. On the plus side, my skin isn’t pilling or breaking out, and I’m not burning or getting freckles. So for sun protection, I would say this is excellent. For everyday use with minimal/moderate sun exposure, it definitely needs a setting powder on top (if you’re not going to be outside all day and reapplying) because it is not elegant at all. For heavy wear, this is easy to reapply. This feels less oily on my body than it does on my face. I’m taking off a lippie because I don’t love how this formula wears on my face without powder, but I like this formula enough to repurchase because I feel like I’m being protected and the price is right for the amount. For me, that’s truly what I’m looking for in a sunscreen. Everything else is a lovely bonus (and the extra lippie that would make it perfect).

2. 

   spiritedPlover9

   Reply

   This is some of the best sun protection you can get, and it did make my skin softer for the few weeks I used it…but this has given me blackheads everywhere. Honestly, I’m pretty devastated. I also have two cysts on my forehead. Blackheads are stubborn, and I’m not sure I’ll ever fully recover. Sounds dramatic, I know, but I’m fully serious. This is the only new product I’ve used, I’ve been using this for 2+ weeks…I’ve had small break outs here and there, but when I woke up to two cysts on my forehead (which I never get) I knew something in my routine was not working for my skin. Upon closer inspection I noticed blackheads on my forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin.

   If Cerave PM broke you out, you have coconut oil sensitivities, or are sensitive to Capric Triglycerides…Do not put this on your face.

3. 

   obsessedGelding2

   Reply

   First, a note on the ingredients (skip this if you just want the review):

   The reason I am writing this is because I noticed some discrepancies when researching the ingredients in this sunscreen (something all acne-prones should do!) and I thought maybe my realization would be helpful to others.

   There seems to be two different versions on the market, both of which are 50+, and different websites will give you different ingredient lists. The one I am testing was purchased from the seller Apothekary on Amazon (not affiliated) and the ingredients are at the bottom of this review. It is in an orange, 400 ml bottle, with an expiration date of 07/2016 and a PPD of 33. In doing some research I noticed that the ingredients on my bottle are different than most of the ingredients listed from other sources (like here on the ingredient portion of the MUA review and on the English version of the Bioderma website). The website in English states that their version is “for Europe” and lists a PPD of 35, and as I said, the bottle I own lists a PPD of 33 and different ingredients. With some searching I was able to find that my bottle matches the ingredients listed on the French website.

   I do not know why there are two different versions, but there are some difference that might help in your choice as to purchase this ss or not, and if so, which version. One of the big differences is that the ‘French version’ is lacking the alcohol denat which many find drying, but includes cyclopentasiloxane, which has the potential to be a clog/acne trigger.

   Ingredients from the French website:

   AQUA/WATER/EAU, DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE, OCTOCRYLENE, METHYLENE BIS-BENZOTRIAZOLYL TETRAMETHYLBUTYLPHENOL, BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, ECTOIN, MANNITOL, XYLITOL, RHAMNOSE, FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES, LAMINARIA OCHROLEUCA EXTRACT, DECYL GLUCOSIDE, C20-22 ALKYL PHOSPHATE, C20-22 ALCOHOLS, XANTHAN GUM, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, CITRIC ACID, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CELLULOSE GUM, DISODIUM EDTA. [BI518]

   Ingredients from the English website:

   WATER (AQUA), DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE, OCTOCRYLENE, METHYLENE BIS- BENZOTRIAZOLYL TETRAMETHYLBUTYLPHENOL, BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, ALCOHOL DENAT., BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE, HYDROXYPROPYL DIMETHICONE BEHENATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, ECTOIN, MANNITOL, XYLITOL, RHAMNOSE, FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES, LAMINARIA OCHROLEUCA EXTRACT, DECYL GLUCOSIDE, C20-22 ALKYL PHOSPHATE, C20-22 ALCOHOLS, XANTHAN GUM, DISODIUM EDTA, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, CITRIC ACID, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN.

   Sources:

   French website:

   English website:

   Review:

   I LOVE this sunscreen. It is by far the most cosmetically elegant European sunscreen I have used. It is easy to get the full 1/4 teaspoon on (which I measured to be 2 FULL sprays) and it drys down quickly to be the lightest feeling and most matte sunscreen I have used in a while. The finish is not quiet matte, but almost satiny, and it looks lovely under makeup. I like the finish so much that I have actually used it to sheer out my foundation (Revlon Colorstay Whipped), and I don’t feel the need to wear much powder at all – only a little in the t-zone. I have pale, normal, yet very clog-prone skin – this ss doesn’t leave a white cast on me and is the ideal texture to be slightly moisturizing while not being oily or greasy at all. I also like that this doesn’t slide around my face in hot weather, as some of the heavier sunscreens will (annoyingly) do.

   Unfortunately, I am pretty sure this is clogging my extremely clog-prone skin, but I love it so much that I am giving it a little more time to be sure. I will update soon and I won’t retract from the rating as I feel this would be a great product for someone who is less clog-prone than I am.

   5/18/2014 Edit: I do think this is clogging my skin, so I am returning it. As I stated above, I am extremely clog-prone and am sensitive to many common ingredients, but if you are not like me, I still highly recommend this sunscreen for it’s high level of protection and lovely (especially for a European, high PPD sunscreen) finish.

   I realize this is a long review but I hope someone finds it helpful! 🙂

4. 

   needfulLizard5

   Reply

   My first Bioderma sunscreen was the Photoderm Max Lait. I liked that and repurchased it, but I also bought a bottle of this because it’s such a good deal (I bought them from leguidesante.com, splitting the crazy-high shipping costs with my equally-pale sister). I have decided that I actually prefer the spray because it feels less tacky/sticky on my skin, which is naturally oily but also gets dry in spots. It also rubs in just a little bit easier. I don’t notice any white cast on my skin, and foundation and concealer apply really well on top of it. I do have to powder it, but that’s nothing new for me because I always use powder to set my makeup anyway, and I either blot my face or powder again at lunchtime. This doesn’t exacerbate the dry patches of skin I have either. I will say that it stings if I touch my eyes too soon after putting this on, but I wore it while snorkeling and didn’t have any issues. I think I’ve finally ended my search for the perfect (or at least as close as possible) sunscreen.

5. 

   lovesickHeron2

   Reply

   I’ve only tried a couple European brands for ss. I used to hate Bioderma for its hideously greasy and tacky (albeit blotting for numerous times with tissue papers and powder) ultra-fluide formula (tinted).

   After a few months failing to find another high-protective and comfortable ss, I figured it’s time to give Bioderma another shot. I picked the light spray this time.

   I was quite highly disappointed on first attempt. It was still shiny and tacky, plus there was noticeable whitecast. It didn’t go away even after I powdered my face.

   So the next day, I tried to wait longer (like 20-mins) before putting anything on my face. The whitecast dissipates quite a lot, although still noticeable on my medium skin. My sister said my face looked “purple”. I blot my face (don’t flame me! it’s the only thing I can make my face looks presentable) lightly with a paper towel or an oil film and my face is ready for anything I’m going to put on my face.
   It grabs onto powders and it makes it looks like I put on a nice foundation. It somewhat functions as primer as well as it keeps my makeup from sliding off my face, although it doesn’t help with the oil.

   For my babysister, whose skin is fairer than mine, she loves it a lot and foregoes any base makeup daily to campus. It’s initially tacky and shiny, too, on her. But she usually lets it dries off herself on her way to campus. And according to her, it makes her skin looks smooth that her friends are asking.

   It’s quite hydrating and moisturizing for my combo-oily dehydrated skin (my skin is usually flake-guaranteed at the office) but also wears comfortable and feels really light. It feels and looks even better if I have to spend my time outside (not in an AC-ed environment).

   It’s already quite economical for a high quality sunscreen formula, even with crazy marked-up price outside Europe. Can you imagine if I only have to pay half the price I have to pay here.

   The 200ml bottle is pretty comfortable, too. I just need to find a dark pump bottle for business trips as I usually only bring cabin luggage.

   I still have to attest its power under scorching hot sun for hours. But until now for daily use, it really keeps my chemically exfoliated skin protected. No darkening of freckles or spots, which is good.
   So far I’m a happy camper.

   I will only repurchase this to use on my body because it does have great protection but it leaves too much whitecast for my skintone. I also can’t use this outside summer on my face due to cyclopentasiloxane that aggravates my SD.

6. 

   adoringRelish6

   Reply

   Please think twice applying this on your face and around your eyes. The Bioderna website says that this is suitable for face and body.

   Well, it stung/irritated my eyes so badly that I had to rinse it off and after an hour of wear my face felt stretched and there were little dehydrated lines around my cheeks.Never had those dehydration lines before with any product ever!

   It is very whitening and shiney and I am a NW 05/10 so you can imagine that I really looked like Caspars shiney dehydrated sister.. .

   The next day I sprayed it on one arm. No irritation but my arm was like a TL light.

   I also tried Bioderma’s fluid (wrote a review) and Ultra fluid. I’ve found them greasy, (Ultra fluide a little less but still) irritating/stung eyes, shiney, very whitening, and not adhering to skin.

   I’m living in The Netherlands so not a hot and humid climate here except for a couple of weeks in summer. I have normal/combi skin and just need a little moisture. Skin is a little drier in winter.

   I’ll stick to L’oreal Solar Experise Kids Lotion or Milk and their fluids that I have used for many, many years. Almost, if not, they are the same or better as La Roche Posay sunscreens except cheaper. Same company, mostly a “marketing thing” difference!

   Biore Aqua riche essence SPF 50 (japanese ss) is also very nice for combination skin. Feels like nothing on your skin.

   Bye Bye Bioderma, NEVER again…

7. 

   guiltyTuna3

   Reply

   This is the BEST high protection sunscreen for body I have found. It sinks into skin nicely, the broad range protection is EXCELLENT. You know how poor sunscreens will make you just not burn, while good sunscreen will remove the actual discomfort of being exposed to harsh sun for longer periods of time? This sunscreen is like wearing a second layer of clothes, shading your skin. And its the BEST for high impact activity in the sun. I went hiking in Sicily for 3 weeks with this, sweat was dripping from my body, but this stayed put. I got up at 7am, put this on my entire body (having experienced sunburns through clothes before) and only had to reapply to exposed skin one time during the day (apart from my face, where I use another bioderma sunscreen). No other sunscreen is that good, either the protection fades after an hour or it simply melts off. And it doesn’t leave a white cast. It makes skin a little shinier, but no whiteness.

   All this performance usually means the product has some nasty chemicals and will make your eyes or skin itch, but this feels just like good old gentle baby lotion to put on. No stinging whatsoever. I am really impressed.

   One thing: those expecting a mist from this spray may be disappointed, it’s not a spayable sunscreen per se, it’s more like a very runny lotion, it comes out in little squirts.

   The bottle has a nifty locking function, you simply block the pump, and it works brilliantly. I had this in my pack and had no leaks.

   In France you can get this 400 ml bottle for around 15-20 euros and it’s a steal for the price.

8. 

   insecureTortoise8

   Reply

   I do like this stuff:

   PROS:

   1. cosmetically elegant in that it sinks into my skin w/in a few minutes (my body, not using on face, see below).

   2. love the spray bottle!! Also, the locking mechanism is brilliant. I have uploaded a CORRECT pic since the other ones are not accurate.

   3. very little smell.

   4. not greasy, but not sticky either. I spray into my hand and then rub – its kinda runny, but less than say Biore UV or Sofina.

   5. PPD = 35 – O YEAH!!!! 🙂

   6. The spray bottle – LOVE IT + love the locking mechanism – very intelligent design

   CONS:

   1. kinda expensive ($40 for 400 ml on amazon.com – sold by pharmundi),

   2. contains avobenzone = I can’t use on my face due to the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide in my MMU (which totally sucks becuz I think this stuff would ROCK on my face under MMU)

   PROS/CONS OF EFFECTIVENESS
   very effective SS IF NOT spending the day in water. I recently spent several hours outdoors at a youth soccer event = got VERY little color. This past weekend, spent 5 hours boating/swimming = definitely got color (I re-applied several times during the 5 hours, but I don’t want to have to feel like I need to reapply every 30 minutes.) I did get a slight burn/redness on my chest (you can also definitely see my swimsuit strap marks.

   BOTTOM LINE: If I’m going to be spending the day outdoors on dry land, I will continue to use this (in spite of the expense) However, swimming/boating, or other water activities = will not use and will continue to search for a more waterproof SS.

   Took off 1 lippie (1/2 for expense and 1/2 for not being more water resistant)

9. 

   cheerfulCur3

   Reply

   I bought this because it was the most cost effective Bioderma Product (approximately $55 for 400 mL compared to $35 for 100 mL/40 mL of Photoderm MAX Lait/Fluide). It comes out of the spray bottle as a liquid, almost like how water comes out of a bottle when put on the concentrated nozzle, which means a puddle will be on your skin, and you have to rub it in, but I prefer that than accidentally inhaling my sunscreens (ouch). On my arms, it leaves no shine or white cast, and I have medium dark skin with hair, so that is a good start. But on my face, it is at first really drying, but then normalizes during the winter months. It does have a white sheen to it, but it is tolerable. Overall, a worthy purchase and really good for a beach day out. Might possibly switch to Photoderm Sensitive SPF 50+/ UVA 40 for the face because it contains no alcohol, no parabens, and a good helping of anti-oxidants and other goodies, but this will always stay as my Body sunscreen.

10. 

    cruelMeerkat1

    Reply

    I am loving this sunscreen so far. No reaction whatsoever for me which is miraculous because most high PPD sunscreen breaks me out or very unpleasant to use. This sunscreen contains Tinasorb, similar to Avene sunscreen and I love that it provides broad spectrum UVA protection along with a PPD of 35. The texture is between a cream and a normal sunscreen fluid so you can easily guess that the spray works more like a pump than a aerosol. This does leave a shiny finish but a few blots with a blotting paper turns it from a shine to a dewy finish. This is the best sunscreen i have ever used. Though, like all organic sunscreen it irritates the eyes so I made sure not to get any into my eyes by avoiding any contact with them.