Mentholatum SUNPLAY Super Block SPF 50+ PA++++

10 Reviews

1. 

   boredPonie8

   Reply

   A solid product in terms of wear, finish, and protection, but I agree with others who have had issues with this. Physical sunblocks are just not for me; they are just too hard to remove. Within a week, my skin invariably becomes dull, congested, bumpy. I have no interest in adopting a more vigorous daily cleansing regimen involving scrubbing or brushing. My 40+ sensitive combo skin is happy with my 2-step cleansing-oil/foaming routine. I cast my lot with the new generation of chemical sunscreens, avoiding oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate (or any palmitates in daytime products). There are several lightweight formulas I am currently testing that seem promising (La Roche Posay, Supergoop).

2. 

   anxiousIguana4

   Reply

   I think this could be a good product for those who are ok with zinc oxide as a physical sunscreen however this ingredient seems to be the consistent culprit of my breakouts. Even though I double cleanse with an oil and foam cleanser, after using this I broke out in painful large red bumps all over my jaw, and to a lesser extent my forehead and temples, which left dark scars that I’m still in the process of getting rid of. I was persistent in continuing with the product because I believed it provided superior sun protection and helped to control my oily skin. I did need to wear a moisturiser underneath because it wasn’t hydrating enough but neither was it excessively drying compared to other Japanese sunscreens that include alcohol. Whether alone or on top of moisturiser it did sit on top of the skin and left a slightly tacky, white cast finish that remained throughout the day.

3. 

   lazyMuesli3

   Reply

   I recently tried a series of sunscreens because for whatever reason, the Vichy that I’ve been using for the past 15 years suddenly is making me break out. I still haven’t found the holy grail sunblock yet but this Sunplay SPF50 is pretty close to it.

   It’s very liquid and goes on clear. Easy to spread, takes like 30 seconds to dry and becomes matte, not shiny. I have dry skin and I don’t find it extra drying, unlike the Biore sunscreens (those suck all the moisture out like a skeleton). I still have to layer a moisturizer first before putting this Sunplay SPF50 on but that’s just the nature of my skin. Just dry. People with oily skin may want to try the Biore ones instead.

   The negative thing about Sunplay is that I can’t buy it locally so I have to import from overseas and it takes close to 2 months to get here. Whenever I buy, I stock up 6 at a time. Price is very reasonable.

4. 

   fondBoa7

   Reply

   This is a fantastic sunscreen. I only use PA++++ sunscreen for the high UVA protection (translates to PPD 16+), and after using European formulations for years, I just got tired of the inelegant formulations (super shiny, tends to ball up, use of titanium dioxide as the physical component causes a blue-white tint that doesn’t happen with zinc oxide) and started trying out the Japanese formulations. I have tried quite a few, and like many of them. As a note, though, I’ve found that the milks are the ones that provide the best protection in real life, so after experimentation, I don’t deal with the gel/essence sunscreens anymore. I also find the milks high in zinc-oxide to be soothing and imperfection-blurring in a way that the gels/essences don’t.

   This is what I use when my skin is feeling sensitive or drier than usual, as it doesn’t have alcohol. it’s a cushiony milk (thicker than the super-runny Biore sunscreen milks), and dries to a soft-matte finish (not powdery-matte like the Biore milks). I am medium-fair, and this does not leave a white cast on me. I’ve experienced no tanning/burning, even when in the hot sun for hours, while using this, and it’s also prevented freckling.

   I’d recommend this for anyone who wants high protection in an elegant formulation, and has normal/dry normal/combination skin. (Oilies will want to try the Biore milks, which I also often use – fantastic matte finishes and equally good protection).

5. 

   obsessedPlover6

   Reply

   This is the BEST alcohol free, sweat-resistant, maximum tan prevention, non-drying SPF 50 Sunblock I have found (and I have tried many!) for my dry to very dry skin. The price is very reasonable as well ($9 on ebay & $6 on rakuten – for 1 oz)

   The texture is a little milky (at first) but just wait a few minutes and this will dry down to a semi-matte finish. Although I have DRY skin, I can’t stand a shiny greasy face after applying sunscreen so this fits the bill. If I wear bb cream or cushion BB on top, this sunscreen makes a beautiful base.

   Other alcohol-free sunblock SPF 50 I tried (but was too drying):
   *Hada-Labo UV Whitening Emulsion SPF 50 PA+++ : stripped my skin a bit (too drying) and also left a more shiny finish than the Sunplay SPF 50

   Past sunscreens I have tried (I do NOT like Western sunscreen as they are ALL too heavy/filmy/greasy for me):
   *Leaves a slick shiny film on my face: DHC’s Suncut Q10 SPF 30, Clarins UV 40, C. Dior Pure Snow UV 50 , La Roche- Posay Anthelios XL 50 (SUPER heavy & oily), Natura Bisse
   *Stung my face: Ocean Potion SPF45, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 45
   * Skinceuticals Daily Sun Defense (good for oily skin?): Sucked the moisture/life out of my face:
   *Shiseido: Effective SPF but too scented, too drying, a little heavy
   * Biore UV Moist Face Milk SPF 50 PA+++: water-resistant but has alcohol – too drying but ok when I was 45 – 47
   *Solanoveil Perfect Milk Water proof SPF 50 PA++++ (Japanese) – sounds amazing (waterproof, has red anti-agers like resveratol, rosehip oil, ligonberry juice) however this left my Dry skin DRIER and more tan (ouch). Maybe I will use this on my neck.
   *Nivea Waterproof UV Milk SPF 50 PA++++ – (made in Japan): too drying! probably great for normal skin

   I am 49 yrs old, Korean, with dry skin since my mid 40s (but had combo/oily skin before). People who work in skincare (dermatologists, plastic surgeon nurses, aestheticians, sales people at Bergdorf, Barneys, Saks) think I’m 28-34 so I try to take care of my skin.

6. 

   decimalTuna5

   Reply

   I’m conflicted about this sunscreen. It’s the first Asian sunscreen that I’ve tried because I made sure to find the best one that I could since I knew it was going to take forever to ship. I chose this sunscreen because my 3 biggest qualifications were a rating of ++++, for it to have no alcohol, and for it to be both sweat resistant (because my skin is so freaking oily) and water resistant. This sunscreen fit that bill.

   It has a runny tendency which is common in Asian sunscreens. It spreads around easily and dries quickly. It DOES leave a slight white cast. I am already pale skinned so it didn’t bother me but if you have darker skin I would maybe avoid this.

   The biggest issue for me was that it broke me out whenever I wore it and my skin doesn’t usually break out so easily. It’s also a very small bottle (which I know is common for Asian sunscreens) and frankly the time I waited for it to ship here and the amount that I paid just wasn’t worth it. If you apply the right amount of sunscreen everyday then this bottle could easily be used up in 3-4 weeks. I’ve decided to stick to Western sunscreens for the convenience and will be looking at some Neutrogena sunscreens for daily use.

   I’d recommend this sunscreen for those with pale (because of the whitecast), sensitive, non-acne prone skin.

7. 

   sadAntelope2

   Reply

   Really great alcohol-free sunscreen. It works nicely with my hydrating CC cushion on top as well.

8. 

   emptyDoves4

   Reply

   I’d been using Shiseido’s Hada Senka SPF 50 PA+++ without problems for a year, but I wanted to try a higher PA sunscreen. This one came up often enough on the skinboard for me to buy a bottle off Amazon. I hoped this would become my new sunscreen, but it was a disappointment.
   The sunscreen is a white liquid, and similar in consistency to Hada Senka when it’s straight out of the bottle. The similarity ends there. Whereas 1/4 tsp of Hada Senka dries clear and matte on my olive skin, the same amount of this product left my face distinctly white with a slight sheen. Even after rubbing in the product, my skin was noticeably and unnaturally white. The texture was uncomfortable for me as well. I could feel it sitting on my skin.
   Bottomline: This sunscreen will leave a white cast if you are not already light-skinned. I don’t wear foundation, so I can’t give a makeup reference point for my skin color, but I’m definitely light-medium on the skin color spectrum with yellow undertones. The white cast may be worth it for the extra PA if you wear foundation and can conceal the whiteness. I can’t speak for whether it will clog acne-prone skin, which I am blessed to have, but I did wash it off after a two hour trip to run errands (yes, I got a few looks), and will update my review if it breaks me out (I am currently clear-skinned).

9. 

   needfulJerky5

   Reply

   Have only used this for 2 days but wanted to add ingredients in case anyone needs them. This fluid SS feels great on and isn’t greasy or drying. I was out in the midday sun today and wore this by itself. No pinkness at all and my face didn’t feel dehydrated as it usually does after being in the sun. Hopefully it will continue to agree with my skin.

   Cyclopentasiloxane,, water,, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate,, zinc oxide,, triethylhexanoin,, diglycerin,, titanium dioxide,, methyl methacrylate crosspolymer,, trimethylsiloxysilicate,, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate,, sodium hyaluronate,, tocopheryl acetate,, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate,, dipotassium glycyrrhizate,, lauryl PEG-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone,, hydrate silica,, hydrogen dimethicone,, polyglyceryl-2 triisostearate,, 1,2 hexanediol,, aluminum hydroxide,, panthenol,, vinyl dimthicone/lauryl dimethicone crosspolymer,, disodium EDTA.

10. 

    dreadfulTruffle6

    Reply

    FINALLY! Great UVA coverage and cosmetic elegance. This is even less serum-y/drier finish than the skin aqua uv moisture milk. Definitely an everyday sunscreen. Minimal sheen but not from being greasy.