My Ultra Violette Fave Fluid review: this one seemingly has it all – modern filters, high UVA protection, a super light texture. But – does it hold up when I tested it during various weather conditions, with and without makeup, and during various outings (I went to a wine fair wearing it!)?
The Brand
Launched in 2019 by two female founders, packaged alluringly, already sold at Sephora and SpaceNK, a revenue of 2.5 Mio in 2020 (during a pandemic). (Both have worked together at Australian beauty retailer Mecca.) Sunscreen has become mainstream, or, as the two Ultra Violette founders call it, “selfcare”. Their product portfolio includes face and body sunscreen, lip balm with SPF and a tinted foundation-sunscreen hybrid.
More Ultra Violette:
Here’s what the brand wants to do:
SPF which politely considers your other skincare and makeup products, feels comfortable enough to wear daily, and contains skin-sweetening ingredients. (…)
Ultra Violette
Australian made, slayed and TGA approved, they won’t pill, ball or shine. And they come with a bonus dose of powerful native antioxidants that fight free radical damage.
Ultra Violette SKINSCREEN™ are made to slot right into your daily morning ritual. After moisturiser and before foundation.
Ultra Violette Fave Fluid review: Description
An ultralight, fragrance-free SKINSCREEN™ that delivers a soft natural finish and the highest SPF50+ protection without leaving the skin feeling heavy or sticky. Vi put on her lab coat to develop our thinnest SPF consistency yet, coupled with next-gen UV filters and an impressive gang of skin-loving ingredients that work to reduce pigmentation and brighten your skin.
Ultra Violette
What it is
A very liquid sunscreen with high UVA and UVB protection that gets its lightness from alcohol that is absolutely untraceable – I can’t either smell nor feel it.
Ingredients
Aqua/Purified Water/Eau, Isoamyl Laurate, Alcohol Denat, Polyester-8, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Bemotrizinol), Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Propanediol, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Octyl Triazone (Ethylhexyl Triazone), Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Niacinamide (Nicotinamide) (Vitamin B3), Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract (Hydrolysed Adansonia Digitata Leaf Polysaccharides), Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Rice Amino Acids, Proline, Arginine, Coco-Glucoside, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydroxystearic Acid
Ultra Violette
Notable ingredients
Niacinamide. Slow clap. I told you: it’s absolutely everywhere. That’s good – and not that good.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is a Vitamin C derivative, stable and effective.
Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates is a Vitamin E derivative and a good antioxidant. I always think proclaiming proudly that your formula is full of antioxidants and then including three isn’t really all that, but whatever. That’s definitely not only an Ultra Violette character trait.
There’s alcohol denat., but no fragrance.
Filters
| Sunscreen Filter | Type | Spectrum | Remarks |
| Tinosorb S / Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine | chemical / organic | broad-spectrum (UVA & UVB, 280-400 nm, peak at 310-345 nm) | very photostable, available everywhere but the US |
| 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. |
| Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane / Avobenzone | chemical / organic | full UVA protection | not photostable |
| Ethylhexyl Triazone / Uvinul T 150 | chemical / organic | photostable UVB filter | oil soluble, odorless & colorless powder, available everywhere except the US & Canada |
UVA protection: 40 (confirmed on IG)
Sustainability
Not really any extra sustainable features. They don’t use palm oil, some SPFs are vegan, but claim their products are reef safe (there’s a lot of misinformation floating around about that).
Application
I tried the Fave Fluid under various weather (from hot to cold-ish, humid to rather dry) and skin conditions (normal to dry) AND with different routines. (Later more on the different conditions.)
The fluid is very liquid (on-par with Isdin’s and Vichy’s), and sinks in very quickly. I’d never know this includes alcohol denat. quite high on the inci list. It neither stings my skin nor smells of alcohol. To measure the right amount, I’ve to use my little 1/4 TSP scoop every time, because the formula is too liquid for anything else.
Here’s the thing: I’ve tried a lot of products underneath, and no matter what, every single one makes it pill after a few hours. The worst offenders are gel-like products, gel-like toners and serums with hyaluronic acids. For me, it works better when I use a more substantial base, but then, the finish gets very, very shiny. During colder days, I absolutely needed a more substantial base, because my skin started to feel parched underneath it. During hot and humid days, a simple toner is fine.
Finish
While the Fave Fluid sinks in quickly and is only very slightly tacky, it does leave a high-shine finish. That actually gets worse during the day, especially when it’s hot. When I start to sweat or my skin’s oils come through, that’s when the formula starts to pill on me.
It’s not my fave, but the finish actually makes it a great makeup base, like a grippy primer.
Makeup Application
This is where the Fave Fluid truly shines. No matter what, the Fave Fluid is an awesome makeup base. I can layer whatever I want over it, and it’ll work. It’s a great city sunscreen that way.
Comparison
From all the super liquid sunscreen formulas, this has the finish I like not maybe the least, but the second to last, maybe. (The last spot definitely takes Isdin.) Vichy I like better, even for the fragrance, because the finish is a tiny bit more satin and skin-like. What I found the Fave Fluid close to is actually the LRP UVMune, although that one, of course, has the better filters and even higher UVA protection. If you’re in the US, though, and can’t easily buy the LRP, this might be an alternative. Also, it’s surprisingly cost-effective, given that it comes in a 75ml bottle!
Checklist
Ultra Violette Fave Fluid review: Rating
It’s a misconception that a very liquid formula actually will be lightweight. I do find Eucerin’s Oil Control Dry Touch SPF is actually more lightweight in texture and finish, although it’s a cream and not a thin serum-like consistency like the Fave Fluid. The Fave Fluid I can feel on my skin, while the Eucerin is truly traceless.
Still, the Fave Fluid has a lot of things going on in its favour: the filters and UVA protection, the price and bottle size, its performance under makeup and its relatively gentle formulation, even though the high content of alcohol.
Still I praise it with only faint praise, because I absolutely hate pilling, and am not a fan of the finish. You might fare differently, but I tried all of my possible bases and wasn’t successful in stopping the pilling.
Availability & Price
75ml are around 45€. Check Sephora, Cult Beauty or Niche Beauty for deals!
Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy 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.
