REVIEW: Boots Soltan Once Face Moisturising Suncare Cream SPF30 (50ml)

Should've probably put something there for scale. This comfortably fits in your hand.

Name: Once Face Moisturising Suncare Cream SPF30 by Boots.

QUICK REVIEW: Probably better suited to pale dry skin. Greasy, white cast and sits on top of my skin. The search for my perfect sunscreen continues.

In-depth review after the jump:



 Price: £11.00 at Boots. Purchased instore during a half off offer, so paid £5.50. One bottle contains 50ml of product.

Ingredients List: Aqua, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Octocrylene, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene glycol, Tridecyl salicylate, Isononyl isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, C18-36 acid glycol ester, Adipic acid/diglycol crosspolymer, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (nano), Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Titanium dioxide, Phenoxyethanol, Diethylhexyl butamido triazone, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Mica, Decyl glucoside, Parfum, Tocopheryl acetate, Methylparaben, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Polysorbate 20, Ethylparaben, Glycerin, Triethyl citrate, Sodium benzoate, T-butyl alcohol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Propylene glycol, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Panax ginseng extract, Manganese oxide, Xanthan gum, CI 77891

Just look at that white cast

 Oh Soltan. How I really want to love you. You and your easy to understand UVA rating, your excellent 5***** UVA rating, your regular offers and your easy availability. Everytime I shop for a face sunscreen, I fall prey to the fantasy that I might find a holy grail among your range. And everytime, the dreamt marriage ends with a broken promise, disappointment and the long slog to finishing a product that just hates your skin.

The packaging is a small squeezy tube with a firm clasp. There's no danger of the cap coming open in your bag, and its small size means its a great bottle to pop in your bag and bring with you anywhere. A combo (physical and chemical) sunscreen that doesn't burn my eyes, depending on your skin type it's also moisturising enough to also act as your daytime moisturiser if you have normal skin.

No need to highlight with this amount of shine.

However, using the recommended amount of sunscreen for my face (1/4 to 1/2 of a teaspoon for the face) makes my skin greasy, shiny and my skin does not absorb it fully. Patting it, rubbing it in, and applying in sections only help marginally and I'm still left with a greasy mess that sits on top of my skin. The only way I get it to work is by using a one ply tissue and gently patting it on to absorb the excess product sitting on my skin after leaving it to dry and ain't nobody got time for that (also I'm probably risking not getting the advertised SPF from the tissue picking up product). It reduces the shine and cuts through the grease, but my skin at best just becomes tacky. The white cast remains a problem.

The only way I can get it to behave somewhat is by waiting ten minutes after applying, then patting a thin tissue to get the excess product off. To get rid of the shine and white cast, I then have to apply a pressed powder in my skin shade, but the powder doesn't blend easily with the greasiness. A massive hassle that is not worth it.

Verdict: Will not repurchase. Works terribly for my skin, and it's definitely making it harder for me to regularly use sunscreen. You will probably have better luck if you are pale with dry skin.