As I spent some of this winter in Indonesia, I need full on sunscreen all year round. FYI, even in January, Jakarta could have a UV Index of 11 on a sunny day. It’s also an ultimate test of stickiness for sunscreen: it’s humid, and I sweat a lot. Would this body sunscreen be better than other ones I’ve tried? Read on for ISDIN Gel Cream SPF 50+ review!
Other body sunscreens we’ve reviewed on the blog:
- Garnier Ambre Solaire Eco-Design SPF50 Review
- Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hydrating Body & Hand Skinscreen SPF50 Review
The Brand
Isdin is a 40-year-old Spanish brand, and its Fusion Water sunscreen popped up on more and more skincare sites I read regularly. Their products are available in pharmacies around the world (more infor on their site). Sunscreen seems to be their biggest seller, and they have many types at that.
Isdin Gel Cream SPF 50+ : What is it?
The Isdin Gel Cream is a body sunscreen in gel form that hydrates as a cream and provides the refreshing feeling as it was a gel.
The benefits mentioned on the official product page:
- Hydrates like a cream and absorbs rapidly like a gel
- Provides a pleasant, refreshing feeling, leaving a silky, shine-free finish.
- Water resistant
Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Alcohol Denat, Octocrylene, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dibutyl Adipate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tromethamine, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol [Nano], Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Polyacrylamide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Carbomer, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum (Fragrance), Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Retinyl Palmitate, Laureth-7, BHT, Linalool, Propylene Glycol, Ci 77491 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Tocopherol, Ci 77492 (Iron Oxides)
Hover the mouse / tap over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
Sunscreen Filters
| Sunscreen Filter | Type | Spectrum | Remarks |
| Octocrylene | chemical / organic | UVB & UVA II with peak at 304 nm | quite photostable (loses 10% protection in 95 mins), used to stabilize other filters (eg Avobenzone), often used to improve water resistance of products. |
| Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane / Avobenzone | chemical / organic | full UVA protection | not photostable |
| Tinosorb S / Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine | chemical / organic | broad-spectrum (UVA & UVB, 280-400 nm, peak at 310-345 nm) | very photostable, available elsewhere but the US |
| Tinosorb M / Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Nano) | chemical / organic | broad-spectrum (UVA & UVB, 280-400 nm, peak at 305 nm & 360 nm) | highly photostable, not available in the US, can help stabilize other filters (eg Octinoxate) |
| Ensulizole / Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid | chemical / organic | strong UVB protection (280-320nm) range with its peak protection at 306 nm | Not oil but water soluble, ideal to create light, oily skin compatible formula. Fairly photostable and can be used to protect other less stable UV filters (eg. avobenzone). Approved worldwide and can be used up to 4% in the US and up to 8% in the EU. |
Application & Finish
It looks like a cream but applies like a gel. It sinks quickly on the skin, leaves an oily-like film, but it doesn’t feel sticky at all. Give and take, this must be because of the high alcohol content (it’s number two on the ingredients list). It has a refreshing scent to it as well, which makes it very pleasant to wear on a hot and sunny day.
It doesn’t feel as moisturizing as the Garnier Ambre Solaire body one, but it is moisturizing enough that I wouldn’t feel the need to put on other products. Plus, with sunscreen, the more you feel you can put on, the better it is, right?
Absolutely no white cast here!
Comparison
From the look and feel, this is the best body sunscreen for me right now. It feels lighter on the skin than Garnier Ambre Solaire Eco-Design Pack SPF50, better fragranced than both Garnier and Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hydrating Body & Hand SPF50.
The price point is still palatable at around €22 / 250ml at local pharmacies (you can definitely find a deal somewhere else cheaper too).
Isdin Gel Cream SPF 50+ Review: Verdict
Rating
It is, quite simply put, a solid body sunscreen. One I would love to keep repurchasing (fingers crossed Isdin wouldn’t change their formulation this year).
Have you tried this body sunscreen? Is it on your list?
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy the product ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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