So far with the ones we reviewed on the blog, we’ve been loving Isdin’s sunscreen. Would this one be different? Read on for a detailed Isdin Fusion Water Color Bronze Review.
My skin is medium dark tone, Fitzpatrick IV, with an extreme combination (prone to dry patches). I enjoy spending time in the sun, doing outdoor activities like running and hiking, although I don’t enjoy sunbathing per se. I prefer my sunscreens not sticky.
The Brand: Isdin
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 information on their site). Sunscreen also seems to be their biggest seller, and they have different types and skin focus.
Isdin Fusion Water Color SPF 50
Water-phased tinted sunscreen with ultra light texture, intense hydration and immediate absorption that guarantees a high protection against UV radiation to enjoy the sun during outdoor activities. Non comedogenic. Oil-free. Hipoallergenic, formulated to minimize the risk of allergy.
Official Isdin website
It sounds great on the description, like an easy going foundation / sunscreen you’d want to take on a holiday.
Color range
There are only 3 colors: Light, Medium, Bronze. The coverage is (supposedly) light, so it’s (supposedly) forgivable [but read on to the application part]. But what are the range? Their website mentioned they recommend this for Fitzpatrick I to IV (link here), so I guess my skin, which is a Fitzpatrick IV, would be the darkest one (bronze)
Ingredients
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 |
| Octisalate / Ethylhexyl Salicylate / Octyl Salicylate | chemical / organic | UVB (280-320 nm) with peak at 306 nm | not a strong filter, used with other filters to solubilize. |
| 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. |
| Polysilicone-15 / Parsol SLX | chemical / organic | UVB (290-320 nm), peak at 312 nm | Colorless to pale yellow liquid with nice and non-shiny finish. Can stabilize Avobenzone and work well with Ensulizole |
| 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 |
Full Ingredients List
For a full explanation of the ingredients, check out Incidecoder.
Isdin FusionWater Color Application
We stand by the 0.04 oz / a quarter teaspoon rule when reviewing a sunscreen, no matter what their product page is saying. Isdin recommends two finger-lengths, which in generous amount, equals to a quarter teaspoon. Check out our Sunscreen Cheat Sheet for more info.
So I took two finger-lengths of the product. I have small hands, so for this purpose I had a generous amount of the product there. Which actually turned out more than the recommended amount of 0.04 oz or a quarter teaspoon.
Applied to My Face
This was just a horrible color match for the full amount…
If only there are a color between medium and bronze, or if I would get both and mix them.
As a side note: Applied One Finger Length + Another Sunscreen Underneath
It evens out my skin tone without the heavy feeling of a foundation. I was wearing my trusty Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen underneath. Overall, It is a much better product than other tinted sunscreen I have tried so far (Heliocare 360 Gel-Oil Free and Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint)
Claim Check on Isdin Fusion Water Color SPF50
The claim check is based on my experience only, and it might not be the ultimate truth for everyone.
Natural coverage that hides imperfections and unifies skin tone.
Ok. It only looks natural on my skin tone when I applied the foundation amount (one finger length), but then it does unify skin tone. It can fully hide the imperfection when applied in the two finger length.
High UV protection SPF 50 tested in laboratory and under real high solar conditions.
I’m not one to test this claim, but there is a lab result of the sister product sans color, Isdin Fusion Water.
Ultralight texture of immediate absorption with no residue.
There was some residue when my skin failed to absorb the product (the last swipe of the 0.04 oz) but in general it works quite well.
Isdin Fusion Water Color Bronze Review
Face Routine
Toner and very light serum.
Piling
Never happened on my skin.
Feel on Skin
On the watery side, sinks in relatively quickly with a comfortable feeling on skin. Not drying nor greasy.
Scent
It said it has fragrance, but I only detect something really light with my nose (which I admit not very sensitive when it comes to fragrance)
Stings the Eyes / General Discomfort
None.
Comparison
There is not much to say about the textures, really. Isdin Fusion Water Color is this middle ground, pleasing texture you’d expect from a product like this. Some viscosity, not too watery, and not too creamy.
Even here you can already see that Isdin Fusion Water Color would be the best fit in terms of color match from these three.
Especially after blended.
And on my cheek. Still, it turned out to be too dark on my skin when applied two finger length. I guess the pigment adds up in a bronzey way?
Checklist & Rating
This is a great product for everyday use. Easy to apply, less issue with irritation, and fragrance is only light. The very much upside is you don’t need to use foundation on top of this one. Only issue is that it might not be an optimal sunscreen on its own unless the shade matches the skin tone perfectly.
Verdict
This is the best tinted sunscreen in the market in terms of texture, for sure. What I would like to see is a better shade range, because when I wear the recommended amount, I would need a perfect shade match. At the moment I’m wearing this on top of my regular sunscreen to strengthen the SPF coverage, and it’s perfect like that.
Availability & Price
Available at the drugstore and online, between €20-€25 for 50ml.
Please note that this post is not a sponsored post. We buy the products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
