ADVERTISEMENT INFO: THIS BLOG POST CONTAINS GIFTED ITEMS (PR) AND USES AFFILIATE LINKS. I RECEIVED NO MONEY TO WRITE IT. PLEASE READ DISCLAIMER.
I have a winter coat, winter bedding, winter boots and of course a winter sunscreen! I mean, you wouldn’t think of wearing your sandals out in the snow either.
This post is not going to be about the question whether or not you need a sunscreen in winter – my answer is yes and that should not surprise anyone that has been following my blog any amount of time – no, this post is going to be about which sunscreen I will be using this winter and why.
The original blogpost was written days before the Purito Sunscreen Controversy came to light, which is why it might seem a little … inconsistent at times. I contemplated trashing this one and writing a new review altogether, but then I figured it might be interesting for you to read both – what I thought before and after certain things came to light,
My sunscreen preferences
My skin type is combination oily and prone to acne, so for most of the year something lightweight is what I am looking for. But once the cold creeps in, I want two things:
- A hydrating formula, ideally rich enough to replace the need of using a separate moisturizer
- A non-irritating formula, as the cold and Tretinoin can make my skin sensitive at times
What I also want at any time of the year are good filters and an SPF of 50, which, as you will see later on, is kind of where this review takes a downward turn.
I actually received the Purito Centella Unscented Sunscreen along with the Toner (Review here) and Serum of the same line back in summer, but I knew right away that it would rather be a winter hero for me, as it is on the richer and more hydrating side.
What the Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sunscreen claims
This is an unscented version of the Safe Sun designed for those who are sensitive to fragrance and essential oils. This sunscreen protects the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. It effectively soothes the skin by using concentrated super Centella with a high level of Madecassoside. It has a smooth and clear application that keeps your skin looking fresh all day and wears beautifully underneath makeup. This sunscreen is for everyday wear, it is less likely to cause eye-stinging or skin irritation.
Facts about the Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sunscreen
Price and size
For obvious reasons, the sunscreen is currently not available for sale and will probably not be until it is reformulated. Should you want to purchase the formula (which I would not understand, but you do you!), there is still stock on eBay for around 18 € for 60 ml.
Texture and scent
As the product is fragrance and essential oil-free, there is no pleasant perfume to talk about, but at the same time it is lacking the typical sunscreen scent many of us associate with summer holidays. It is indeed scent-free in the best possible way.
The texture has no resemblance to sunscreen either – again, not complaining, but feels like a very hydrating, yet lightweight moisturizer.
How to use the Purito Centella Unscented Sunscreen
As it is a sunscreen, it is supposed to be used in the mornings – unless you are afraid of getting a moon burn, that is. It is also meant to be the last step in your routine before makeup and if your skin is similar to mine, you can skip the moisturizer beforehand – this will be enough.
Purito Centella Unscented Sunscreen Ingredients
sii|h 0 0, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate 
sunsc, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene emo|vc 2 1, Acrylates Copolymer vc, Silica vc, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Niacinamide cci|sb|aacne|h, Dibutyl Adipate emo|solv, Ethylhexyl Triazone sunsc, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate emu, Cetearyl Olivate emu, Cetearyl Alcohol emo|vc|emu|surf 1 2, Dicaprylyl Carbonate emo, Sorbitan Olivate emu, Glyceryl Stearate emo|emu 0 1–2, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate emo|emu, Sorbitan Stearate emu 1 0, Centella Asiatica Extract(4315Ppm) so|aox|h, Madecassoside aox|so, Asiaticoside aox|perf, Madecassic Acid , Asiatic Acid , Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate aox|pres, Disodium EDTA chel|vc, Adenosine cci, Hyaluronic Acid sii|h, Caprylyl Glycol h|emo, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Tocopherol aox 0–3 0–3Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
When we look at the ingredient list, the most important things are of course the filters used – it is a sunscreen after all. You will find Uvinul A plus, which has great stability and offers UVA protection as well as Uvinul T 150, which is again very stable and offers UVB protection. On top of that you will get humectants, Niacinamide and Centella Asiatica, both as extract as well as extra Madecassoside, so you have protection, hydration, antioxidants and a brightening and soothing component.
The problem with the Purito Centella Unscented Sunscreen
The filters, or more so the concentration of filters, is also where the problem occurs: To summarize: Judit, the founder of the amazing website InciDecoder, was surprised by the low concentrations used, sent the sunscreen in for testing at different labs and got back a SPF result from around 19 instead of the claimed 50+. This caused a huge uproar, and rightly so. Thinking you use an SPF of 50 and instead only getting an SPF of 19 is not a minor issue.
Going forward Purito addressed the issue, sent their formula in for extra testing and stopped the distribution until there is more data. And until this data is available, I will not be able to give this sunscreen my sign of approval.
Is this a statement on Korean sunscreens or the brand as a whole? Absolutely not! These problems have occurred in the past with different brands from different countries and are usually based in lab failure rather than caused by malevolent brands.
I think the way Purito handles the situation so far is transparent and I am willing to give them and their product the benefit of a doubt, but until then will use this sunscreen for when I am mostly indoors in winter rather than for hiking trips in high UV areas.
How does it compare to my other favorite sunscreens?
You might remember from my blog post on the best sunscreens for oily and acne prone skin that I use the La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid for outdoor activities and summer beach days, and this is not going to change – it comes in a waterproof version and I feel best protected when I use it, despite it being less comfortable to wear.
The Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence is still my number one to top up over makeup (Need tips for doing that? Read here) and for sweltering hot summer days when I know I won’t be outside – nothing beats how lightweight it feels upon application.
Puritos offer comes closest to the klairs Soft Airy UV Essence – very hydrating, amazing filters and a little bit too rich for my combination/oily skin in the heat. klairs uses essential oils though, something many have pointed out as a flaw in the formula, but while I am personally not bothered by that, Purito is a great alternative for those that want to avoid that. dear klairs is currently not available as well, as the company has sent their formula in for independent testing – they do use the same filters (although I have no information on the concentration) and allegedly the same lab.
The skin types I recommend it to
Due to the strong hydrating component and the dewy finish that comes with it, I think the Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sunscreen is best suited for those with normal to dry or more mature skin. Oily skin will probably find it too rich, especially in the summer, and my combination skin gets best along with it in the cold as well.
Will I repurchase?
For obvious reasons not.
