Let me tell you, I don’t think I have ever been this dedicated when testing a product. But I can’t help it, this new L’Oreal BB Cream with SPF 50 really piqued my curiosity with its promises! For starter, let me just quote the writings on the package, verbatim.
Now, UV protection enters a new era! Discover the new UV Perfect BB Max: maximal protection, maximal care, maximal correction*. Get maximal satisfaction.
Maximal protection*: The formula provides your skin with the maximal UV perfect protection. Thanks to the high photostability of the patented Meroxyl SX/XL filtering system, skin is 12H** protected against UVB/UVA. Brown spots, skin darkening, and premature ageing are prevented.
Anti-pollution active ingredients: enriched in Detoxyl to inhibit pollutants fixation in the skin.
Anti-free radical barrier: with Anti-oxydant Complex and Active Cell, to shield cell’s DNA, elastin and collagen fibers against free radicals.
Maximal care*: Thanks to the powerful skincare actives, the formula hydrates skin all day long for a plumpy smoother skin
Maximal correction*: Enriched with the breakthrough Color Equalizer Technology, an innovative pigments complex that desaturates skin discoloration, yellowish, brown and reddish. The formula instantly covers and corrects skin imperfections and brightens skin complexion. Skin look even and brightened.
10 in 1: results approved by 100% of women***
Formula is protective; Skin looks fairer; Blemishes including pores are visible reduced; Wrinkles & fine lines are less visible; Dark spots are visibly faded out: Skin tones looks more uniform; Skin is less dull; Skin tone looks natural; Skin looks younger; Skin feels comfortables.
Notes: * of L’Oreal Paris UV PERFECT, ** instrumental test, *** in-use test, 4 weeks, 41 female.
My first reaction after reading the packaging carefully, including the notes on disclaimer (those asterisks on the description), was to laugh out loud. What’s so funny, you ask? Statistically speaking, I find it odd that a huge makeup company like L’Oreal did in-use tests only on 41 female subjects. It is such a small number of sample and therefore will be less likely to represent the true effects of this BB Cream to the majority of L’Oreal customers. However, I feel that the company was honest enough because they dare to put such an unusual number of subjects (why 41? Why not even numbers like 50, or even 100?) on the packaging, which will likely to alert cautious customers to take their claims with a grain of salt.
Since this product promises the moon, the star and the sun in one plastic tube, I decided to do a little experiment to find out whether this BB Cream really can deliver its promises. I used this cream for 4 weeks, noting changes (or no changes) on my skin after usage, and holding my judgement until the 4 weeks mark has passed. I had documented the condition of my skin after 1, 2, and 3 weeks of usage (pardon me, I forgot to take the pre-L’oreal BB Cream picture).
As you can see, at the beginning my skin was spotty with blemishes and sunspots. After 2 weeks of usage (on the third week), I notice that the blemishes on my cheek were less pronounced, even though I got another new acne scars near my chin. On the last photo, the blemishes were improved compared to the previous week photo, although the sunspots on the tip of my nose (not pictured) did not change significantly. I did not notice change in overall skin color (i.e skin looks fairer), and since I only have minimum problem with wrinkles and deep line, I also did not notice significant improvement in those areas.
Meanwhile, this is how it looks on my skin. I find that the color was too light for my NC 30 skin, and it cast white shadow due to its high SPF content. After a while (about 15 minutes or so), the color will set and become less white-y, but still visibly lighter than my actual skin color. The coverage was minimum, which may work for those lucky ladies with clear skin, but I still need my usual amount of concealer to cover my blemishes.
Now, after I give this product a fair chance of 4 weeks in-use trial, let’s see how it fares compared to its promises:
Maximal protection: Through internet, I learn that Meroxyl XS and XL are photostable UVA filter, which means they don’t disintegrate under sunlight like other commonly used sun filter, Avobenzone. Photostability is an important property of Meroxyl since it maintains the stability of sun protection, hence diminishing the needs for reapplication. Meroxyl will then be combined with other sun-filtering ingredients, which together will provide protection for both UVA/UVB. A somewhat controversial ingredient, the use of Meroxyl in US marketed L’Oreal sunscreen products was approved by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) only in 2006, while it has been approved to be used in Europe since 1993. I really love the comprehensive sun-protection provided by this BB cream, which means that I don’t have to use any more sunscreen under foundation/BB cream.
Maximum care: I find that this BB Cream is not drying, and also not oily. My experience with L’Oreal sunscreen many years ago left me with dreadful memory of oily face and round of acne, but I think this BB Cream is suitable even for someone with oily skin.
Maximum correction: I think this is the area that need more improvement. Although my blemishes are somewhat reduced, but there were no changes with my sun spots. This cream has low coverage, which is not enough to cover and correct my skin imperfection.
All things considered, I think L’oreal UV Perfect BB Max SPF 50+ is a great product for people in tropical country like us. However, there is one major issue that may prevent me from buying this product: it comes only in one color which happen to be way too light for me. I wish there will be more colors in near future. Shout out to cosmetic producers in Indonesia: most of us do not have very fair skin. We are sawo matang! So please, provide us with colors darker than ivory or porcelain, thank you very much!
L’oreal UV Perfect BB Max SPF 50+ is available at department stores for IDR 180,000.
