L'Oreal • Solar Expertise Active Anti-Wrinkle & Brown Spot Matte Fluid Protection SPF50+ • Sunscreen

Where To Buy?

*TOP REVIEWER* Walko on 11/2/2012 10:02:00 AM more reviews by Walko

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Other   Eyes: Brown    

I used this a few years back and I really loved it. Over the last few years I've done quite a lot of research into skin care ingredients what's irritating etc, and was horrified to discover this is FULL of denatured alcohol. I wouldn't go near this now.Yes it's ok as a sunscreen, but it's like robbing peter to pay paul. Protect your skin from the sun with spf , but ruin it with alcohol and the amount of alcohol this contains is irritating to say the least.There are far better sunscreens out there without the added irritants.

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TwiPixie on 6/18/2012 12:14:00 PM more reviews by TwiPixie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

First of all I am not exactly if this is the right place because mine is SPF30, but it's the only one I found and the only one sold where I live.
I have quite a few brown spots from a previous sunburn and I won't leave the house without sunscreen, I've been using La Roche Posay Anthelios Fluid Extreme 50+ for years now but I thought this would give me less of a white cast and a matte finish. It didn't.
The white cast part it really solved - this isn't totally white and you do not look like a ghost after using it. But I found it quite sticky, less shiny than LRP but very stiky. I would put up with it if it wasn't for the bumps.
Everytime I use it I get home with tiny red bumps, no acne, just bumps. I think I may be alergic so sunscreens but if you're not you should try it, the promisses are really good.

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*TOP REVIEWER* LookingGood85 on 12/15/2011 3:46:00 PM more reviews by LookingGood85

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Kinky, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

YES YES YES! I would certainly buy this over and over! I wanted a high SPF for my holiday to spain (im in UK) this year (last may). I wanted something light and none greasy from my combo, acne prone skin. While this left a sheen on my face and was SLIGHTLY greasy, it was amazing, in that NO spots appeared in the 7 days i used it :D I will be repurchasing next year for my next hol!

PS I bought this at 50% off in TK Maxx!

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curlykat on 7/13/2010 4:24:00 PM more reviews by curlykat

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This is a very good sunscreen and one of my favorites! I've written other reviews of other sunscreen products on MUA but they are all older reviews and no longer relevant. For the past year I've used this and I absolutely LOVE it. I have pale, somewhat olive & combination skin and I mix this with whatever liquid foundation I'm using at the time and it's PERFECT! For the summer it works great with tinted moisturizer because the tinted version SS has excellent coverage anyway and a really nice color to it so I find the added foundation just gives your complexion that little extra little kick. If you have outstanding skin, I can imagine you wouldn’t even need foundation.

The SS coverage is excellent and I really notice if I ever forget to put it on. Say if I run out with my toddler and I'm outside longer than I planned to be my face will certainly get red (I'm in the US in the South).

I have family send it to me in the US since it's hard to buy here. For the price, quality, coverage, tinted version & product elegance it's definitely my HG and I couldn't be without it! If I could change one thing it would be to make the consistency less runny but it's not a biggie and certainly not enough to remove a lippie for. Check this out definitely!

Edit: I've since found a product that I like more (La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF50+ Tinted Cream 50ml) but on the whole the L'Oreal Expertise is still a very close 2nd and one I would use in a heartbeat.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

gymfox on 11/11/2009 5:27:00 AM more reviews by gymfox

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Dark   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is a great sunscreen. Does not leave skin greasy and no white cast showing. Dries to a matte finish and the price is not bad either for a high spf sunblock. Would definitely rebuy.

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Pumi on 11/11/2009 4:19:00 AM more reviews by Pumi

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Hi,

This sunscreen is so far the best one that I've used. It is excellent for oily skin as it does not leave my face greasy at all unlike other sunscreens. It dries pretty fast to a matte finish and it's easy to apply make-up after that. No greasy- feeling, no breakout and works like a primer. I don't use any moisturiser before or after this sunscreen as I have very oily skin but this works like a charm with or without make-up. Definitely a must buy for oily skins. Pricewise it is cheaper than other brands. The only negative point is it's strong fragrance. Would love if it would come in a fragrance-free version.

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gingery on 8/3/2009 2:42:00 PM more reviews by gingery

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I picked this up on the weekend based on the reviews here and so far I'm not disappointed. This is definitely matte - it dries almost instantly and did a good job of controlling my oil with only a slight touch-up of powder needed mid-day. It goes on a bit white to begin with but disappears almost instantly and didn't sting at all on application. It did ball-up a bit when I first put it on, but that might have been the aloe I had on underneath. My concealer and mineral powder went on fine over-top. I don't have overly sensitive skin, but I do get the occasional break-out, so I'll update if I see any.

I bought this for an upcoming trip to Mexico. I live in London, so generally don't need 50 SPF protection, but I may just keep wearing this since I so far I like it better than the 25 SPF Clinique Sheer that I've been using (I like that product, but I prefer the matte finish of the L'Oreal.) I also bought the tinted version of this since they had a 2 for 1 deal on at Superdrug. When I try that one, I'll add the review for it as well under the separate listing.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

juadlu on 7/22/2009 4:28:00 PM more reviews by juadlu

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

i can't rave about this enough.After years of either having an oil slick on my face or pigment from not being able to use enough of an spf due to richness,i have finally found the solution! This is my third summer using this product,.I can pile loads of it on and it leaves my skin feeling velvety,it truely is 100% non greasy.Make-up goes on easily after too.
Although it says for fair skin-i have an olive/medium complexion and in the summer suffer with pigment which darkens quickly,so it's great to know at last there is a facial SPF that i can apply enough of without looking an oily mess!!
I have never reacted or had any breakouts from using this high SPF and i use it daily from May through to the end of September.
A wonder product which deserved it Marie Claire Prix d'excellance award!

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maiana on 7/2/2009 12:06:00 PM more reviews by maiana

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This is the only facial sunscreen I've EVER used which doesn't turn me into a frying pan! And I've tried lots of sunscreens, Avene, Polysianes, Clarins....... Rave rave rave! Also has super protection from both UVA and UVB rays, whenever I used other L'Oreal sunscreens I never even got a tan which for me is good, means they work great. I don't much like L'Oreal cause they test on animals and I never buy L'Oreal products, but I do love their sunscreens.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* blondchick12 on 4/26/2009 12:25:00 PM more reviews by blondchick12

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

So far so good, it has only been a week so I am praying for no breakouts. I originally bought this in the tinted version and I loved the texture and finish and the tint left me with zero white cast which was create. Except the tint was a tad too dark for my pale skin, but still a natural tint color just too dark. I decided to purchase the untinted version and now i mix a little of each together and perfecto! Really does leave a nice matte finish and has a much higher ppd then you normally will find with such a elegant s/s. I only wish they sold this in the U.S. so I wouldn't have to order off ebay and pay shipping...but even so it is still half what I have been paying for sofina and such = )
EDIT: Now that I have been using this for a little longer I am slighly less in love. I really wish it was fragrance free and it does not have quite as nice finish as my sofina as it feels a little sticky/shinier (not greasy) and heavier. Nevertheless I get no whitecast and so far I don't believe this is breaking me we will see. From what I have read the PPD of this s/s is significantly better than sofina so I am going to keep trying to make this workfor me.

5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

lovepigeon on 4/15/2009 3:40:00 PM more reviews by lovepigeon

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

UPDATE: This completely blocked my pores and made my break out. At the end of a day wearing it I could see lots of little white bumps all over my face where the SS had plugged up my pores. I have not reduced my rating as I seem to get this problem with all SSs and if you don't break out from them then I think this is a good product.

I am very pleased with this SS, it really does give a matte finish and absorbs quickly. I have found it better than more expensive SS that I have tried (eg clinique) as it does not make me look white or greasy. I haven't found it leaves a noticeable white cast, maybe it slightly whitens my complexion but in a good way (skin colour looks better with my hair that way).
The only problems I have found is if I put it around my eye area it stings them and makes them irritated and red and also I get a chemical taste in my mouth from putting it around my mouth. I have had this problem with other SSs but as I am otherwise pleased with this I will simply try to find a special eye area SS.
I am hoping that using this everyday will allow my freckles to fade aswell as preventing wrinkles and sunburn.
I will update after using this for longer to comment on whether my freckles have faded.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

caspermca on 4/2/2009 7:51:00 AM more reviews by caspermca

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Love this sunscreen with or without makeup, best I've found. I wear it over moisturiser (and on makeup days, under foundation). Tiny bit shiny but hardly at all, not greasy. Slight white tint that fades within a few minutes of application. Slight fragrance but I don't mind it. Very good protection, tested it under the harsh Australian Summer sun and it works like a charm.

5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Faster on 11/18/2008 1:57:00 PM more reviews by Faster

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

I will review this in relation to my skin type - for reference i have dry skin prone to flaking and very dry patches around my nose/mouth/eyes - my skin is easily affected by cold weather/dry heat.I am also very VERY pale & wear SPF 50 daily, all year round.I was interested to try this sun screen as it got such great reviews here & when i found it for about 12Euros i snapped it up. It is very watery/runny but upon application soaks in quickly leaving a slight white cast that goes once it fully absorbs - for me, as a person with dry skin i found it comfortable to wear but not as moisturising as i would prefer my SS to be - but this is not the products fault, its just down to my skintype.Once fully dry the SS does leave a great matte finish & i find it protects my skin. I had no problem with balling but i found it settled a little in fine lines on my face (i wore use it with no moisturiser underneath) but it does have a fantastic finish & the matte finish is a revelation in the world of facial sunscreens!


Now, onto the under-makeup situation, i wear SS daily but i wear liquid foundation almost daily too so my SS needs to work with my skintype & my liquid foundation. Others who reviewed this found it to be a great primer-like SS, for me as a person with dry skin, i found it to be a little too "grabby" for my liquid foundation - i find that i do need something a little more emollient to be the base for my MU so that my ever-thirsty skin doesnt soak it up right away & leave my face totally dry.But then again this is *not* the products fault - its just down to my skin type & i cannot fault the product for my skintype!

So all in all this is a great product, for me - its great to wear alone on non-makeup days & i also like to use it on my neck as its not sticky or greasy.Its a breath of fresh air in the world of facial sunscreens!

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Ashley88 on 10/9/2008 9:17:00 AM more reviews by Ashley88

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

An exceptional sunscreen and has replaced my sofina

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SandyMc on 8/14/2008 7:24:00 PM more reviews by SandyMc

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I thought it's time I review this. I've been using this 3-4 weeks. I absolutely love it. It's absolutely the first high SPF, PPD suscreen I've really loved. It contains both mexoryl XL and SX. I think the PPD is about 19-20. The texture to me is similar to shiseido lotion. It's liquidy. It may have a whitening effect for someone who has dark skin, I have pale skin and it sinks in and turns perfectly matte probably in less than a minute. It feels like the type of texture that stays on well, but it doesn't dry out my skin, it actually feels kind moisturizing, yet perfectly matte. I can put a tiny bit of powder over it and it just gives my skin a flawless finish. No breakouts yet, so I would think if it was going to break me out, it would have already. It does have a fragrance, but to me it's not strong and as I hate that typical suscreen smell, I'd rather have this. It seems to not be hard to remove either, although I also use a toner after I wash my face. I'm really excited about this. I got this in a swap from a very generous swapper and was so excited, I already ordered and received another bottle.

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* perrier on 6/30/2008 12:29:00 PM more reviews by perrier

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Protection is great - ppd is 19, and the texture is very good - matt right when applied, and then the finish 'softens' a bit a few hours later. Probally the most matt texture i have found in a high protection sunscreen. (I just apply power in the morning once and am good to go all day), perfect size for the handbag, and even though there is a fragrance it dissapears within minutes.

I've been using Lancome Soleil DNA Guard 50 SPF fluid (UK version), and this is very similar, though not quite as moisturising (which is good as I have oily skin), and less than 1/2 the price!

I don't use moisturiser underneath, so I can't comment on how it layers with other products - but this is a great sunscreen for everyday wear.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* triotrio on 4/22/2008 7:26:00 AM more reviews by triotrio

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I have the untinted version but I'm very impressed that they *have* a tinted version. I was looking for a SPF 50 for the summer and this was a buy-one-get-one-free offer which is normal in Boots so that was that. I'm bloody impressed though. It's not at all greasy, but rather has a watery consistency that practically dries on contact. It's matte and not too white on the skin. Hasn't given me spots or anything like that. Unlike previous posters I don't have to wait 15 mins before applying make up but then I don't use a moisteriser underneath, just a serum. So maybe that affects it. I can put on makeup immediately and find it an excellent "primer". I once when staying at a friends, had to borrow their moisturiser and it was a very heavy cream - I put this over it about 15 mins later and it balled up terribly. So it does not like heavy moisterisers. But then I don't either that much, so hey! Don't mind the fragrance - it's not too strong. So yeah, a definate keeper for me.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Gimferrer on 4/6/2008 10:04:00 AM more reviews by Gimferrer

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Olive   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

PROS:

Lovely texture
Feels like a Primer ( silicones on it )
No greassy or white cast left
Cheap £ 12.00 for 2 ( 50 ml). bottle
Good daily protection (PPD20)
Cosmetically elegant
No water resistant ( easy to cleanse afterwards)
I will buy it again


CONS:

No Sunscreen is perfect not even this one, but the best I have found
Has fragance
Slitly shiny (but not over the top), I mix it with the Tint Version.
Balls up a little in my neck.
Having to wait 15 minutes to fully absorb to apple MU.

,.......................

Sunscreens I have tried; Avene SPF40, Avene SPF50, Avene SPF20, ISDIN Ultra, ISDIN Extreme, ISDIN SPF65, Roc Minesol SPF 50, Garnier Spray SPF40 for Kids, Thanlgo SPF50.


My Skin Type: Baumann DRPW


...........................


EDITED: I am very cross, I had to discotinue this b/c broke me out, One SS that offert a great protection with a decent PPD and a great base for Make Up, after looking into SS this broke me out. I am well depressed !


Grrrr * throws a massive tantrum *

8 out of 11 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* mskilicious on 4/1/2008 3:32:00 PM more reviews by mskilicious

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

**Update** This breaks me out :(

In case there's any confusion, this review is for the *untinted* version of the Solar Expertise Tinted Matte Fluid SPF50+ (Gimferrer's review).

I'm fair and cool toned so I was worried the Tinted version would be too warm/dark for me, so I opted for the Untinted. It's basically the same as the Tinted in terms of SPF and UVA star rating, but it's a white fluid. It would be ok to mix the 2 to dilute the colour, but the untinted works fine for me so I'm sticking with it.

I'm very happy with this sunscreen. It applies nicely, sets quickly, is relatively easy to apply makeup over, and for the UK at least has a good SPF (50+) and PPD (20). It contains both Mexoryl-SX and XL and Tinosorb.

I actually use this basically in the same way I'd use a primer (except I use much more of this and leave it to set for 15 mins before applying mu!) and for that it also does a great job. It fills in my large-ish pores and seems to help my mu last longer. I have experienced .limited problems with it balling up or coming off when applying fdtn over the top, as long as I've left it 15+ mins to set.

The only downside for some may be the fragrance, which is quite strong on application but fades completely after about an hour. I have not broken out or experienced clogged pores using this product.

I've experienced no sensitivity using this around the eyes, however it does tend to get in my brows and then it balls up if I touch them. So I now use the Ambre Solaire kids stick SPF50+ around the eye contour instead.

It cost me £12 for 2 (buy one get one free at Boots). Normal price is £12 per unit (50ml). I expect to stock up before the offer ends.

This is a very light textured fluid that spreads easily and does not leave a white cast. It dries to an absolutely transparent and matte(ish) finish - not what I'd call 100% matte, but very natural. After trying a few different sunscreens that have been hard to apply mu over, or dried streaky and/or greasy-looking, I don't think I'd dare to stray again. (Except possibly to use the SPF20 version next winter).

From the box:
Water Resistant, Non-Comedogenic, Does Not Clog Pores
Shake Well Before Use

Ingreds - copied from the box so pls forgive typos!
Aqua, Cyclopentasiloxane, Octocrylene, Alcohol Denat, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Nylon-12, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Silica, Propylene Glycol, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Terephthalyidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Triethanolamine, Methylparaben, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopherol, Pentasodium Ethylenediamine Tetramethylene Phosphonate, Poloxamer 407, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Ethylparaben, Dodecene, Propylparaben, Limonene, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Calcium Pantetheine Sulfonate, Linalool, Parfum.

Me: fair, cool toned, normal-dry skin, occasional (hormonal) breakouts, not particularly sensitive.

12 out of 14 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No