Bioderma Photoderm Max Aqua Fluide SPF 50 Review

Have you noticed I tend to stick to SPF 30? I rarely go higher – for a reason…

As a rule, the higher the SPF, the greaser the texture gets. I don’t about you, but I don’t feel like going through my day with 3 inches of grease on my skin. Yuck!

But when the temperatures hit 30ºC, SPF 30 isn’t gonna cut it for me. I’m so pale, the sun fries me red if I dare spend more than 20 min under its burning rays. I had to go higher…

That’s when I met Bioderma Photoderm Max SPF 50+ Aquafluid. It has one of the most lightweight textures I’ve ever come across and no white cast. How does it do it?

Key Ingredients In Photoderm Max SPF 50+

UV Filters To Provide Broad Spectrum Protection

Bioderma Photoderm MAX SPF 50+ Aquafluid uses a combo of old and new generation chemical UV filters to provide broad spectrum protection:

• Octocrylene: An UVB filter that helps avobenzone last longer, coat the skin better and make the sunscreen water-resistant.
• Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol: A.k.a. Tinosorb M, an hybrid filter that absorbs, reflects and scatters both UVA and UVB rays. It’s stable and helps protects other UV filters from degradation, too.
• Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane: A.k.a. avobenzone, an UVA filter that’s very unstable (i.e. stops working quickly when exposed to light) on its own. It’s absorbed by the body (and expelled quickly through urine), so it’s not recommended during pregnancy.
• Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine: A.k.a. Tinosorb S,  it offers excellent protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

I’m a huge fan of Tinosorb M and S. They’re new chemical UV filters that provide stable protection without irritating sensitive skin. Alas, they’re still banned in the US (the FDA is taking its sweet time to approve them – ah bureaucracy!).

Related: What Are The Best UV Filters?

Glycerin To Hydrate Skin

Glycerin always manages to slither its way into every skincare products. Bioderma Photoderm Max SPF 50+ Aquafluid is no exception.

What does it do here? It hydrates skin.

Glycerin is a humectant. That’s a fancy way of saying it draws moisture from the air into the skin, helping it to keep it softer, suppler and glower for longer.

Related: The Complete Guide To Humectants: What They Are And Why You Need Them In Your Skincare Routine

Let’s Put It To The Test: Personal Use & Opinion

Bioderma Photoderm MAX SPF 50+ Aquafluid is almost as fluid as water. The white lotion is a bit on the runny side, sinks in quickly and dries down to a satin finish. It’s by no means shiny, but if you prefer a matte look, just dust some powder on top.

As the texture is so light, you can easily slather on 1/4 of a teaspoon (the recommended amount for the face) without turning your skin into a greasy, white mess. It’s easy to reapply on the go, too.

My friend Andrew of The Skin Saviour mentioned it leaves a very light white cast on the skin – yes, even though it’s a chemical sunscreen and there’s no zinc oxide in sight!

I personally didn’t notice it, but then my skin is so pale, the whiteness just blends in. Heck, even zinc oxide rarely makes me look white. But if you have a darker complexion or are tanned, this may be a small issue for you.

I wore this sunscreen on some of the hottest days of the summer – yes, we had a proper summer in London this year. I’m happy to report, the scorching sun didn’t burn my skin or leave too much of a tan behind.

If you have oily skin or just want to up your sun protection without dealing with the greasy factor, you’ll fall in love with this sunscreen, too.

Available at: £13.50 at Escentual, Feel Unique and Look Fantastic

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Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Octocrylene, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Nano), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polymethylsilsequioxane, Methylpropanediol, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Decyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Mannitol, Xylitol, Sodium Hydroxide, Cellulose Gum, Rhamnose, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Ectoin, Tocopherol. [BI 642]

Have you tried Bioderma Photoderm Max SPF 50+ Aquafluid? Share your thoughts in the comments below.