A plethora of sunblock and sunscreen products that I have tried to search for not only effective protection against UV rays but also more than that upon my skin, such as flawless complexion, silky texture or pores blurring. Some are good and some are bad. This time, I want to talk about L’Occitane – Reine Blanche illuminating UV shield SPF 50, a sunblock product of a France cosmetic and skincare brand, L’Occitane En Provence.
Product Overview
The product works as an illuminating UV shield, told in its name in order to provide effective prevention from destructive UV rays as well as external aggression. Besides, it brings about bonus effects with more even skin tone and improved translucency and clarity of the facial skin. The packaging design is not bad at all. It looks small and handy, coming in a lovely and shiny glass bottle with a pump.
My Experience
To my personal experience, I gotta give a sad result for it. It’s sort of creamy with a strong floral scent and a shimmer effect. My sensitive and oily skin type can’t stand for it. I have troubles with excess sebum and a noticeably overwhelming glow after a few hours of applying, although it’s described as containing salicylic acid.
Theoretically, salicylic acid, known as Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), is a substance that functions similar to astringent for oily and acne-prone skins to control excess sebum. Then, It makes my foundation messed up and smudged so I won’t say it’s an ideal makeup base, comparable to other sunblock lines. Besides, the cream is easily clumped and stuck in the pump so it’s really wasteful to get rid of that part before applying.
You can find it with a budget of roughly US$45 on the L’Occitane homepage. It’s pricey though.
Pricey
I think the price is too much for its’ true value. Of course, I expect a better experience with a cheaper payment. Then, I’ll give it 6 out of 10.
Ok, it doesn’t work for me; but it doesn’t mean it won’t for you. If you’ve used it, I’d love to know your thoughts. If you have the same opinions as mine, I’m happy to hear you out. If not, I gotta check perhaps, I did use it in inappropriate ways. All of your supports are worthy. Thanks for joining me!
Full Ingredient List
Product Ingredient Safety Breakdown (EWG Rating Ratings)
CIR Findings Breakdown
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  | Water (Aqua) (Solvent) | |
|  | Diisopropyl Sebacate (Solvent, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Plasticizer) | |
 | | Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (UV Absorber, UV Filter) |  UV Protection |
 | | Titanium Dioxide (Cosmetic Colorant, Opacifying, Sunscreen Agent, UV Absorber) | UV Protection  Good for Sensitive Skin |
| | Glycerin (Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent) |  Good for Dry Skin |
| | Xanthan Gum (Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Binding Agent, Binding, Surfactant -Emulsifying Agent, Gel Forming) | |
 | | Parfum (Fragrance) (Masking, Perfuming, Deodorant) | |
| | Cetearyl Alcohol (Emollient, Viscosity Controlling, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Emulsifying, Opacifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasingagent – Aqueous) |  Comedogenic Rating (2) |
| | Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter) | UV Protection |
| | Pentylene Glycol (Solvent, Skin Conditioning) | |
| | Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid (UV Absorber, UV Filter) | UV Protection |
| | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Emollient, Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Solvent) | |
| | Ethylhexyl Triazone (UV Absorber, UV Filter) | UV Protection |
| | Polymethyl Methacrylate (Film Forming) | |
| | Cyclomethicone (Solvent, Emollient, Humectant, Viscosity Controlling, Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning) |  Comedogenic Rating (1)  Silicone |
| | Morus Alba Root Extract (Bleaching, Skin Conditioning) |  Brightening |
| | Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract (Skin Conditioning) | |
| | Polyhydroxystearic Acid (Emulsifying, Suspending Agent – Nonsurfactant) | |
| | Stearic Acid (Fragrance, Sufactant, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking, Refatting) |  Bad for Oily Skin  Fungal Acne Trigger  Comedogenic Rating (3) |
|  | Polysorbate 60 (Surfactant, Emulsifying) | Fungal Acne Trigger |
| | Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) (Skin Conditioning, Antioxidant) |  Anti-Aging |
| | Butylene Glycol (Solvent, Skin Conditioning, Masking, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Controlling, Viscositydecreasing Agent) | Good for Dry Skin Comedogenic Rating (1) |
| | Sorbitan Isostearate (Emulsifying, Surfactant) | Fungal Acne Trigger Comedogenic Rating (2) |
| | Dimethiconol (Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Antifoaming Agent, Moisturising) | Silicone |
 | | Benzyl Salicylate (Fragrance, UV Absorber, Masking) |  Allergens |
| | Coco-glucoside (Cleansing, Foaming, Surfactant) | |
| | Potassium Cetyl Phosphate (Emulsifying, Surfactant) | |
| | Alumina (Abrasive, Absorbent, Anticaking Agent, Bulking Agent, Opacifying, Viscosity Controlling) | |
| | Geraniol (Fragrance, Masking, Tonic) | Allergens |
 | | Limonene (Solvent, Perfuming, Deodorant) | Allergens |
 | | Citronellol (Masking, Fragrance) | Allergens |
| | Linalool (Fragrance, Deodorant, Masking) | Allergens |
| | Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) (Skin Conditioning, Antioxidant) | Anti-Aging |
 | | Salicylic Acid (Skin Conditioning, Masking, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Antidandruff Agent, Antiacne Agent, Denaturant, Preservative, Exfoliant, Keratolytic, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover) |  Bad for Sensitive Skin  Good for Oily Skin  Acne-Fighting |
| | Chlorphenesin (Antimicrobial, Cosmetic Biocide, Preservative) | |
| | Phenoxyethanol (Fragrance, Preservative) | |
| | Ethylhexylglycerin (Skin Conditioning, Deodorant) | |
| | Disodium EDTA (Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling) | |
| | Aminomethyl Propanol (pH Adjuster, Buffering Agent) | |
| | Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (Viscosity Controlling, Emulsion Stabilising) | |
| | Corn Starch Modified (Absorbent, Film Forming, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling) | |
| | Sodium Laureth Sulfate (Absorbent, Film Forming, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling) | Bad for Oily Skin Comedogenic Rating (3)  Sulfate |
I like products that are no smell and paraben free. Good review will know what to look for so as not to use it. Living in Florida I have to make sure I have a good sunscreen as it is needed every day of the year.
It’s really great that you enjoy our post. I think organic products, like Tata Harper and Juice Beauty are suitable for your need without harmful chemicals. Thank you so much for let us know your thought.
I have oily skin too so I’m glad you gave an honest review of it – doesn’t seem like a product I should spend money on. What do you recommend instead?
You can use oil-free suncreen that provide a lightweight coverage and won’t put any extra oil to your skin. If your skin is extremely oil, you should use products that contains BHA. It’s an organic acid to remove excessive sebum. You can check out Dermalogica Oil-Free Matte SPF30 or Shiseido Urban Environment SPF42 Oil-Free Protector.
Thank you so much for let me know your thoughts. Hope you can find suitable one.
Sounds like an awesome product. Thanks for sharing will have to check that out :)
Yup! Love to hear your thoughts. I hope it’ll be work for you.
Thanks for this honest review. It seems too pricey for mediocre results. As always, I appreciate you open and honest reviews.
Thank you so much for your support! We’ll try to have more honest and interesting reviews.
Living in a country like Australia, the sun and UV rays are particularly harsh here. So a rating of 50 is considered to be very good. Even though it didn’t really suit you, it might be worth me having a try.
I used to live in Australia, have to admit the sunlight is really severe there. The high SPF is necessary. Try it! Hope it suit you, just be careful in summer. Thank you so much for your ideas!
I have heard so many things about L’occitane but my skin is so fuzzy that i stick with products without fragrance or paraben or other preservatives.
I think you should use natural, organic products that would bring about soothing sensation to your skin. Thank you for let me hear you out.
I’ve not used this, but I am impressed with the high SPF content. Too bad it didn’t work for you. Sounds like an otherwise decent product.
If you have extremely dry skin, it might work on you. Just try! Thank you so much for let me know your thoughts!