Name: High Protection Cream SPF 30
Brand: Avene
Size: 50ml
Price: €17,00
From the packaging:
Rich in Eau Thermale d’Avene, which has soothing properties, the High Protection Cream SPF30 is designed for the sensitive and dry face skin. Therefore, it is rich, invisible and not greasy, it applies easily and absorbs rapidly. It ensures a broad spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays.
What I liked:
- protects from both UVA and UVB rays
- easy to spread
- suitable for those with very dry skin
- the packaging
What I didn’t like:
- rich texture is very greasy and takes ages to absorb
- unless you have very dry skin, this will feel like a sticky mess on your face
- leaves a white cast on skin
Let me start by telling you that I never meant to buy this sunscreen. For one thing, this is designed for dry skin while mine is combination. So, why did I buy it? Well, a series of unfortunate coincidences: my bottle of Aveeno sunscreen had almost run out and I didn’t have time to go to the pharmacy to get another one, so my mum who had to go buy some eye drops for my gran offered to get it for me. Well, she must have misunderstood the name of the brand because she came home with Avene High Protection Cream SPF30.
Not wanting it to go to waste (we have awful return policies here in Italy), I tried it on anyway. But as it turns out, unless you have seriously dry and dehydrated skin, this white cream is completely unwearable! The texture is very thick and so greasy! Usually I can put up with sunscreens that are slightly greasy if they keep me well protected from the sun as I feel like the inconvenience is worth it, but this is the greasiest thing I have ever come across!
Even if I apply the thinnest layer on my face (which by the way isn’t enough to protect your skin against the sun, especially not in the hot summer months), my skin feels like a greasy and sticky mess for the rest of the day and I can’t wait to wash it all off my face. And that’s why, even though I usually wait a month before reviewing sunscreens and skincare products, I had to stop using this after a week. It was just unbearable! Oh, and it leaves a white cast on skin, but mine is already so pale it’s not really a problem for me.
It’s such a shame about the greasy texture cos the sunscreen is well formulated and offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, thus preventing sunburn and premature aging. The main ingredients are Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (or Octinoxate), a sunscreen agent that protects against UVB rays and sunburn, Bis-ethylexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine and Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (what a mouthful, huh?), both of which can be included in sunscreens products in Europe to absorb both UVA and UVB rays. In much lower concentrations, Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, two physical blockers that protect against both UVA and UVB rays as well, are present too.
Thanks to all these ingredients, in the week I used this (it was in the summer so this review is long overdue, sorry!), my skin was well-protected and I didn’t sunburn or anything. Its performance is excellent, apart from the horrible texture. I’ve also heard people complain that this sunscreen caused them to breakout, but that didn’t happen to me. Although that could be because I didn’t use this product long enough!
Available at: pharmacies
Summary
I gave Avene High Protection Cream SPF 30 a 3 rating because this sunscreen promises to offer broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, sunburn and the other damaging effects of the sun, and it actually delivers. Unfortunately, it also promises to have an invisible, not-greasy texture that absorbs rapidly and that’s where it miserably fails. The consistency is so thick and greasy that it makes your face a sticky mess for the entire day! And it never seems to absorb! I’d only recommend it to those with seriously dry skin as such a rich texture may benefit them. Anyone else, avoid!
Rating: 3/5
Disclaimer: the item was purchased by me for both personal and review purposes. The review is based on my own personal and honest experience with the product. For more information, please see my disclaimer.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I tested the avene sunscreen as well – I wouldn’t have a problem with the white cast, but: I asked Avene on their website contact if I could wear make up over it and they said NO, it would weaken its performance in UVA and UVB protection!
Lisi, that sounds weird to me. Most people wear makeup on top of sunscreen and I’ve never heard that by doing so the protection they offer is weakened. Did they explain why that is? I actually did wear makeup over it but that just made my face even greasier so I stopped.
Yikes it sounds disgusting! LOL! I haaaaaaate greasy stuff with a passion!! Even the Cleanance version, which is supposed to be for acne prone skin, is greasy and sticky! I want to try La Roche Posay Anthelios next, a couple of girls have told me on my blog that it’s super light and it not greasy or sticky at all !!!
http://www.laroche-posay.co.uk/product-treatments/Anthelios/Anthelios-XL-SPF-50-Extreme-Fluid-p764.aspx
Stavroula Plag´s last [type] ..Random Tip of the Day 04112010
Stavroula, it is horrible! Those with oily skin needs to stay far, far, far away from it!
I’ve heard positive things about La Rochay Posay Anthelios but haven’t tried it because it contains Alcohol Denat. Sadly most sunscreens do as alcohol makes the consistency really light and not greasy but it can also be irritating and drying. I guess the perfect sunscreen hasn’t been invented yet but if one has really oily skin then using a product with alcohol may be worth it.
Well I know I should be wearing sunscreen, but I stay away from cream sunscreens, because they make my skin super oily and sticky! In the city I can rely on my trustworthy Physicians Formula SPF50 Bronzer, but I can’t wear powder at the beach LOL! So, I’m thinking about getting the Anthelios one!
xxx
Stavroula Plag´s last [type] ..Random Tip of the Day 04112010
I don’t think alcohol is a great ingredient for skin, but wearing sunscreen is essential and it’s so hard for those with oily skin to find one that won’t make skin feel even more greasy! So, in that case, I think wearing sunscreen with alcohol is better than nothing at all. I do wish they came up with another way to make such a lightweight texture without having to use alcohol though.
It’s not good, but what can I do? :/ I hope they come up with a formula that doesn’t contain alcohol!
Stavroula Plag´s last [type] ..Random Tip of the Day 04112010
At the end of the day, I think that sun rays damage skin a lot more than alcohol so if you find a good sunscreen for you, use it. But I wish cosmetic chemists listen to our prayers and find something that’s as good as alcohol at making the texture so thin. It’s so unfair that there don’t seem to be better alternatives for those with oily skin as so many people have it.
Yep you’re right!!!
Actually I’ll ask my pharmacist for a sample of the Anthelios sunscreen over the next few days, so in case he has one I’ll let you know how it works! 
Stavroula Plag´s last [type] ..First Impressions – Rimmel Lasting Finish Mineral Enriched Foundation in 200 Soft Beige
That’s a very good idea. Yes, please do share what you think of it. I hope it works well for you.
I’ll propably visit my local pharmacy tomorrow, so let’s hope they’ll have a sample of Anthelios!
Stavroula Plag´s last [type] ..First Impressions – Rimmel Lasting Finish Mineral Enriched Foundation in 200 Soft Beige
I’ll kp my fingers crossed for you.
I had the same problem, but instead of the SPF 30 I used the SPF 50, plus the smell of the cream is too strong for my tastes, I would like to try La Roche Posey Anthelios too I read good reviews about it.
Giorgia, it’s a shame to hear that the other products in this range still have the same problem. They do should something about the texture cos unless one has really dehydrated skin, it’s just unwearable! I heard La Roche Posey Anthelios works well too but I don’t really like products with alcohol that much.
: ( My skin is too sensible.. I think that I’ll have to stay away from it. Thank you for the information!
you’re welcome.
Yeah, I wouldn’t be able to use it. It’s not that my skin is particularly oily or anything, but it doesn’t react well to super greasy stuff. It’s like it never absorbs or something. Too bad about this one.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Face of the Day- The Jury Duty That Never Was
Trisha, this sunscren never absorbs, it’s a nightmare. I have an oily t-zone but my cheeks are normal to dry and it felt so greasy and uncomfortable! It’s a shame really cos it provides broad spectrum protection.