bronzed and confused

Without productaddict's advice, it could be a perpetual state... perpetually bronzed is one thing, but perpetually confused is another. out in the field (a sandy beach) this independence day weekend, we have slathered and sunned our way to suncare sanity. after some wise and not so wise investments, we have decided to break it down; the pure product facts. bear with us, it involves looking at something that somewhat resembles a chart (we apologize), and science project (we aplogize even more).

all sunscreens tested are 'broad spectrum' sunscreens containing 'avobenzone' (also called 'parsol 1789'), very effective in screening out UVA rays which cause long term aging effects. additional 'active' ingredients are listed accordingly. (octislalate and octocrylene both shield from harmful UVB rays, the latter being extra water resistant). here goes...


sisley sunleya spf 15
1.7oz $190 ($111.74oz)
avobenzone 2%
octisalate 5%
octinoxate 5%
oxybenzone 0%
octocrylene 0%
homosalate 0%

an ultra deluxe formulation based on the superluxury moisturizer concept. we totally fell for it (as have many others... this product is sold out at bergdorf's online. a field trip to fifth and fifty seventh had to be made) until we delved further into ingredient analysis.... other products below win the 'most active ingredient' contest. the product was luxurious and rich as promised, but to it's detriment on a very hot beach day which had productaddict fearing unnecessary breakouts.
sound investment: 1
does it turn back time?: 6
sensory satisfaction: 6
cool factor: 7
rate of addiction: 5


neutrogena ultra soft hydrating sunblock spf 45
6oz $20 ($3.33oz)
avobenzone 2%
octisalate 5%
octinoxate 7.5%
oxybenzone 3%
octocrylene 0%
homosalate 7%

this product is advertised as behaving as a 'body lotion'. partially true, it goes on an opaque bright white which takes a few minutes to blend in, and is slightly heavier than we would like. all good though, as it is packed full of active ingredients. one of the most sound suncare investments we have made, and will most likely make again.
sound investment: 10
does it turn back time?: 9
sensory satisfaction: 7
cool factor: 5
rate of addiction: 8.75


l'oreal ombrelle sport spray spf15
4oz approx $15 on ebay ($3.75oz)
(reviewed purely indulging in a south of france beach fantasy... this product is sold only in europe. one of the first broad spectrum products available.)
avobenzone 3%
octisalate 5%
octinoxate 0%
oxybenzone 0%
octocrylene 10%
homosalate 0%

if we could choose a sunscreen consistency, this would be it. ombrelle sprays on light and clear, is water resistant, and gives the skin a smooth, pretty shimmer. definitely the easiest to apply of all the products we tested. however, striving for full sun safety, we wish that a few more active ingredients were part of the cocktail.
sound investment: 10
does it turn back time?: 7
sensory satisfaction: 10
cool factor: 10
rate of addiction: 9.25


kiehls vital sun protection lotion spf 40
5oz $18.50 ($3.70oz)
avobenzone 3%
octisalate 5%
octinoxate 7.5%
oxybenzone 6%
octocrylene 10%
homosalate 0%

the most ingredient packed sunscreen we tested, which adds up to a sound suncare investment. best applied at home, not on a sandy beach towel, as blending the opaque white concoction is a bit of a project. we have to say, the product is a bit greasier than we prefer but our belief in science will have us reapplying.
sound investment: 10
does it turn back time?: 7
sensory satisfaction: 7
cool factor: 9
rate of addiction: 8.2

muji, take me away

Mr. productaddict says, 'real men soak'.

you cannes always get what you want

If it's the original st. tropez tan that you desire, a few luxurious applications bain de soleil gel will be your friend. created in france in the 1920's just post coco chanel's glamorization of a previosly gauche thing called a suntan, bain de soleil still, basically rules. whether one has applied this luxuriant gel in st. tropez or on a suburban rooftop, the result was the same.... a head turning, envy of the beach bronze. productaddict recommends bain de soleil be used in two different ways. first, as intended; a tanning product. (however, we must warn that to fully enjoy the benefits of bain de soleil one must have established a bit of a base tan prior to serious exposure. the spf factor is an old school spf of only 4. listen to your skin). second, as a midwinter trip to the tropics via scent. trust us. apply a healthy coat of bain de soleil in midwinter. report back on all compliments received. available at bain de soleil

hotel california

You know how it is.... your first poolside experience in months. slightly dis- appointing, the lack of color upon disrobing in the bright sun. yikes. productaddict knows it well.... and doesn't like it. spray on a faux orange glow? sorry. get a quick little sunburn? sorry. our solution.... sublime glow. we hastily made this purchase prior to taking off for the 323 while remembering the madness created by the jergens always sold out version. due to the less than fabulous packaging, and our not wanting to share the fact that our sublime glow was not achieved in an all natural manner we quietly smuggled this to our chaise lounge. then covertly applied, reapplied and reapplied again. results: by evening our legs were short skirt ready. not only with a super subtle tan, but a countour enhancing glow courtesy of micro mica particles (without that streaky orangey color that even the best sunless tanners leave behind). one little warning. the green tea inspired scent is quite powerful (parfum appears halfway down the ingredient list) but is not unpleasant, so best applied while not counting on wearing your favorite scent. enjoy the transformation. available at www.drugstore.com

costa brava

Not much science here, just pure decadence resulting in super soft, almost no need to moisturize post shower skin (even when sampled during the bleakest of winter months). however, what we loved the most about the whole plum plum experience was what was left behind... (not really a plum aroma. sorry, bliss chemists) but the sweet smell of sangria taking us back to a sultry afternoon with sand between our toes and the mediterranean within our peripheral vision. worth the trip. available at www.blissworld.com

dreamsicle

Lemon cream pie slathered all over your body after a shower. stop dreaming. open a jar of bigelow ultra moisturizing body cream and inhale deeply. producaddict has to say that even if the cream was not as an unbelievable quality moisturizer that it is, we would continue to apply palmfuls simply for the dreamy aroma. the aroma we describe is fully natural, no artificial fragrances have been added. we guess it's the 4.5% lemon extract (which also acts as a natural purifier, cleanser, astringent and preventor of skin discolorations) and the shea butter (miracle ingredient that it is, contains a high density of sapofiniable fatty acids which simply stated are essential in retaining moisture and elasticity in the skin. which is good.) as if that weren't enough, the vitamin c naturally contained in the lemon extract is a powerful antioxidant which helps maintain an even skin tone. productaddict cannot stop using this product. we also can say that this most appealing fragrance easily layers with whatever else one might be wearing. more on that later. available at www.bigelowchemists.com