Avene Very High Protection Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50+ is a sunscreen with newer chemical sunscreen filters, including TriAsorB™. This sunscreen is very moisturizing; however, it does contain fragrance and a red dye. Read the detailed review on this Avene fluid sunscreen below (including pictures).
Recently Avene came out with several sunscreens with Triasorb. Avene Very High Protection Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50+ is one such product, and since it’s for normal to combination skin, I thought it may be perfect for my skin.
TriAsorB is a new sunscreen filter that can not only protect our skin from UVA and UVB rays but also from high-energy visible light. Visible light can lead to several skin problems like premature aging, worsening of melasma, redness, and so on.
Avene Intense Protect SPF 50+ was the first sunscreen by the brand with Triasorb, however, it did not fit well with my skin.
The brand
Avene sunscreens never let you down when it comes to reliable sun protection. Over the years, I have tried different formulations of the brand. Every time they reformulate a sunscreen, they make it even better by using new more stable UV filters.
Note: Avene also has another sunscreen with a similar name – Avene fluid sunscreen SPF 50+, with Tinosorb M. I am not sure if it’s discontinued or not, but before you buy Avene fluid sunscreen SPF 50+ make sure to see the packaging to look for mention of HEVL – high energy visible light or check the ingredient list and see if it has Triasorb. It will be listed as “Phenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine”.
Claims
What the brand says:
” The SPF 50+ Fluid offers ultra-broad spectrum daily sun protection. It’s ideal for normal sensitive to combination skin on the face. Its light texture allows absorption in 3 seconds* and leaves an invisible finish on the skin. The SPF 50+ Fluid leaves an imperceptible, non-shiny finish on the skin when applied and is an excellent base for everyday make-up. The formula is also water resistant.
This new sun care product incorporates TriAsorB ™, a new ultra-broad spectrum sun filter that protects against UV rays and beyond with protection from skin-ageing HEV blue light, up to 450 nm.
Benefits
• PHOTOPROTECTIVE: photostable UVB-UVA filters that combat the harmful effects of the sun’s rays.
• ANTIOXIDANT: helps to protect cells against free radicals.
• WATER-RESISTANT: protects the skin from the harmful effects of the sun even when swimming.
• DRY TOUCH: leaves an invisible, non-sticky finish on the skin and penetrates in 3 seconds*.
• NO WHITE FILM: for a natural complexion and invisible protection every day. Use as a day cream.”
Video review
Ingredients
Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua). C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate. Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate. Ethylhexyl Triazone. Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch (Oryza Sativa Starch). Phenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine. Water (Aqua). Glycerin. Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine. Potassium Cetyl Phosphate. Glyceryl Stearate. Stearyl Alcohol. Tapioca Starch. Vp/Eicosene Copolymer. Benzoic Acid. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. Caprylyl Glycol. Fragrance (Parfum). Glyceryl Behenate. Glyceryl Dibehenate. Ppg-1-Peg-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether. Red 33 (Ci 17200). Tocopheryl Glucoside. Tribehenin. Xanthan Gum
Free of
It is free of alcohol, silicones, and essential oils.
Sunscreen/UV filters
- Uvinul A Plus (DHHB, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate): It can protect from both UVA 1 and UVA 2 rays.
- Uvinul T 150 (Octyltriazone, Ethylhexyl Triazone): Photostable UVB filter.
- Tinosorb S (Bemotrizinol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine): This is a great broad-spectrum sunscreen that can protect from UVB, UVA1, and UVA2 rays.
- TriAsorB™ (Phenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine): A new sunscreen filter that can protect from UVB, UVA1, UVA2, and high energy visible light (HEVL) up to 450 nm. This is the first sunscreen filter that can provide protection from high-energy visible light.
If you are interested in reading more about Triasorb, you can see this study (Phenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine (TriAsorB), a new sun filter protecting the skin against both UVB + UVA and blue light radiations).
Looking at the chart and the sunscreen filters, this sunscreen can give solid protection from UVA1, UVA2, UVB, and visible light up to 450 nm. The high energy visible light (HEVL) extends from 400 to 500 nm.
The protection Triasorb offers decreases after 450 nm. As of now, the other ingredient that may provide protection beyond 450 nm is iron oxides.
So, if you want you can supplement this sunscreen by adding a layer of tinted SPF or add a foundation or tinted product with iron oxides. Adding an antioxidant serum may also be beneficial.
Other notable ingredients
- Avene thermal spring water: The brand is well known for the healing properties of its thermal spring water. In addition, several studies have also shown that thermal spring water can benefit the skin in several ways.
- Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch (Oryza Sativa Starch) and Tapioca Starch: These can give a mattifying and softening effect to the skin.
- Red 33 (Ci 17200): This is a synthetic dye which probably gives it a light beige color. If you are allergic to dyes, make sure to patch test or just skip this sunscreen.
- Parfum: This product is NOT fragrance-free. I didn’t have any reaction to this product however make sure to patch test if you have sensitive skin.
UV protection
It is SPF 50+, which is the measure of protection from UVB rays. It has a UVA circle seal which means that the product meets the European recommendation for sunscreen to offer a UVA protection factor equivalent to at least a third of their SPF. (For example here, 50/3 is 16.7 and since it is SPF 50+, UVA protection factor is more than 16.7, usually its ~20 for SPF 50+ sunscreen)
Water resistance
It is labeled as a water-resistant formulation.
Packaging
This Avene fluid sunscreen comes in a tube packaging of 50 ml. As per Avene ”Its new eco-designed bottle is lighter in plastic, recyclable, and contains 64% recycled plastic (excluding the cap)”.
Texture
This sunscreen is light beige in color with a lotion-like texture. But it is not a thin watery lotion but rather an emollient (very moisturizing) lotion. As compared to Avene Intense Protect SPF 50+ sunscreen, this is somewhat less emollient.
Application
I usually used a measuring spoon when I used this Avene sunscreen. I applied it in two layers and I think by doing that you can get the best finish. It takes a little while to rub it in but it eventually absorbs. On my skin, it didn’t absorb in 3 seconds as the brand claims.
The finish is better than Avene Intense Protect SPF 50+. You can still feel the layer of sunscreen but it doesn’t feel that suffocating. It does leave a very faint white cast with the first application of the day (picture below). I didn’t need a moisturizer under this sunscreen.
The smell reminds me of baby products. It dissipates fast and doesn’t linger on for long.
- Does it burn my skin? It did not irritate my skin (I have rosacea).
- Does it feel heavy? You can feel a layer of sunscreen when you touch your face but otherwise, it doesn’t trap heat.
- Does it feel sticky? It may transfer to anything that comes in contact with your skin.
- White cast? Slight white cast with the first application.
- Eye stinging? It didn’t sting my eyes. Thanks to all the new UV filters.
- Does it dry out my skin? Nope, no drying out of the skin. Though it has a very light color to it, it did not settle in fine lines or enhance my texture/dry patches. It feels very moisturizing.
Reapplication
On reapplication, the white cast was more obvious (pictured above) on my skin tone (Fitzpatrick skin type III). However, if you have a lighter skin tone, you may not have any white cast. Also with reapplication, it starts looking more shiny and oily.
Removal
As compared to Avene Intense Protect SPF 50+, this fluid sunscreen comes off easily with my water-based cleansers. I have used this for over a month now and it hasn’t broken me out or made my rosacea worse.
Performance
The finish of Avene fluid sunscreen is better than Avene Intense Protect SPF 50+, less oily and heavy. It performs well as well. I didn’t get any redness from sun exposure wearing this, nor does it make my skin flush. The added benefit is that it protects the skin from high-energy visible light aka blue light.
I think this will be best for normal to dry skin types. If you have extremely sensitive skin, make sure to test it on a small area (fragrance in this may or may not be problematic for some).
Value for money
The price will vary according to where you buy it. You can get the 50 ml tube anywhere from $14 and up. This is more pricey than Avene Intense Protect SPF 50+ (which was 150 ml around the same price).
Pros and cons
Pros
- New-generation sunscreen filters
- Triasorb to protect from high energy visible light
- Moisturizing formula
- Water Resistant
Cons
- Can be shiny for oily skin types
- White cast on reapplication
- Contains fragrance and dye
Will I buy it again
Probably not. I did not like the finish of this sunscreen on my face.
Where to buy
Check for price and availability:
Alternatives
There are several new sunscreens with Triasorb in the sun range by Avene and I have not tried them all. The other two that I have tried are:
- Avene Cleanance tinted sunscreen SPF 50+: This is a tinted sunscreen with triasorb which can provide powerful protection against high-energy visible light. The tint of this is not universal. Read my full review of Avene Cleanance tinted sun cream SPF 50+ here.
- Avene Intense Protect SPF 50+ sunscreen: This is a Triasorb-containing sunscreen, best suited for drier skin types. It is free of fragrance and contains only new-generation sunscreen filters. It can be a great option for sensitive skin. Read my full review of Avene Intense Protect SPF 50+ here.
Summary and score
Avene Very High Protection Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50+ is a sunscreen with new-generation sunscreen filters. This has a new innovative filter, TriAsorB which can protect our skin from UVA, UVB rays, and high-energy visible light up to 450 nm.
Review rating: 4.1/5
Disclaimer: The ingredient list/ price is subject to change over time, so make sure you check them before buying any product.