Monday, April 13, 2009

Clinique Superdefense SPF 25 Age Defense Moisturizer - Dry Combination



Today's review is on the Clinque Superdefense SPF 25 Age Defense Moisturizer for Dry Combination skin types. It comes in a plastic tub as pictured and costs $42.50 for 1.7 oz.

Other than cleansing oil, sunscreen is a basic staple in my skincare routine. I am very paranoid about getting premature wrinkles...I definitely expect myself to be wrinkle free until at least the age of 35! That's a little over a decade away though...yikes! Gotta max out on my youth now...

Anyway, normally I wouldn't bother to review a sunscreen with SPF as low as this one unless it had some positive characteristic(s) that I would never have expected from a sunscreen. BUT, if you notice the labeling, Clinique doesn't call this product a sunscreen--it's a "moisturizer." Thus, this product probably shouldn't be used in place of your normal sunscreen, and I wouldn't consider it effective against UVA/UVB rays at all. However, if used in conjunction with your sunscreen, especially if you have dry to normal-dry skin, this product will help your skin fight pollution, toxins, and stress, since sunscreen normally doesn't have added skincare benefits in it.

My skin has been flakey and dry lately, so I have absolutely fallen in love with this moisturizer. I use it under my Clinique Derma White Super City Block SPF 40 ++ sunscreen, and over any serums I may apply that day. The Derma White Super City Block is matte, so it has a drying effect on my skin and any flakey patches are emphasized. The Superdefense Moisturizer helps to soothe and reduce that, without making my face oily or greasy. I don't like wearing too many layers of product on my face, especially during the day, so I don't know how foundation would stay on top of a Superdefense + Sunscreen combination--unless you have drier skin, you should probably stay away from that. The Superdefense moisturizer has a texture between a lotion and a light cream, and it goes on almost like a moisture-mousse onto the skin. It feels so cooling and refreshing, and if you wait a couple minutes, the sunscreen dries to a semi-matte finish, so your skin feels hydrated, but not like an oil slick. Though I'm going through a dry skin stage right now, I will continue to use this on my cheeks and eyes during the summer simply because it feels so nice and hydrating, yet light.

The only thing I dislike about this product is the smell. Clinique's products are all supposed to be unscented but this smells really funky. I don't quite know how to describe it...it doesn't smell like anything else I've ever encountered.

However, I would definitely give this product a shot if you have drier skin and need help looking for a day moisturizer that is hydrating, yet not oily or greasy. I would not recommend this product to those with oily skin. Also, one word of advice: never mix your sunscreens together. If you use this, always apply your regular sunscreen as a separate layer on top, when the Clinique Superdefense has dried, or you risk lowering the potency of your regular SPF.

So, overall: this product is for you if you have drier skin and desire to layer sunscreen. But I would not use this alone; the SPF protection doesn't seem sufficient.


Active Ingredients: octinoxate 7.40%, avobenzone 3.00%, oxybenzone 2.00%.

Ingredients: water (aqua purificata) purified, dimethicone, butylene, glycol, isononyl isononanoate, silica, glycerin, polyglyceryl-2 triisostearate, polysilicone-11, laminaria saccharina extract, triticum vulgare (wheat bran) extract, olea europaea (olive) fruit extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract, sea whip extract, adenosine phosphate, trehalose, disodium nadh, creatine, sodium rna, caffeine, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, sodium dna, phytosphingosine, linoleic acid, cholesterol, ferulic acid, ascorbyl tocopheryl maleate, sodium hyaluronate, aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate, tocopheryl acetate, sucrose,micrococcus lysate, astrocaryum murumuru butter, lauryldimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed soy protein, lecithin, tridecyl trimellitate, hexylene glycol, ethylhexyl stearate, ethylhexyl pamitate, propylene glycol dicaprate, chamomilla recutita (matricaria), zerolite, maltodextrin, c1-8 alkyl tetrahydroxycyclohexanoate, caprylyl glycol, polyethylene, hydroxyethylcellulose, xanthan gum, sodium chloride, pvp, laureth-4, laureth-23, polysorbate 20, ammunium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, tromethamine, disodium edta, chlorphenesin, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben.

12 comments:

Tina { Luphia Loves... } said...

this sounds good, great for the day with the spf25!

Devan said...

I just tried the new Riversol skincare line by dermatologist Dr. Jason Rivers. I had to write in to tell you that I have never used a product line before that makes my skin feel so soft and hydrated! My makeup instructor uses it in her film kit as well for his line is developed for all skin types. It’s super easy to use and the price point is so great for a professional product line! Their Facebook page is where I found them under RIversol and received my free samples within days. Check them out, you’ll be happy you did!

Anonymous said...

Is Devan Giselle being paid to write all these good comments about Riversol? I used Riversol and I am a physician myself, and it didn't smell good at all, and was very heavy and greasy on my face. It even caused me to break out!! There are way better skincare lines out there, especially some great South African and European ones that are on the brink of being released in Canada! I also love the whole Labatoire Remede Line but you can only get it in the States!

Anonymous said...

HI, I was wondering, where did you find the ingredient list of this product? I looked for it on the company's official website but couldn't find it! thanks!

Rachel said...

Anonymous: I probably did some intense research before I found the ingredients!

Anonymous said...

I had a severe reaction to this cream and would not recommend it at all. I have normal skin that is not even sensitive.
I did look for the ingreedients list on Clinque's website but could not find them so thanks for providing them. I now have to undergo patch testing to find out what ingreedient caused this. I would not use Clinique again.

Maho Lucil said...

When choosing an eye cream, it is best to choose the one with SPF to keep you protected when you are exposed under the sun.

Age of Defense said...

Can it be used on any type of skin...I am looking for a good anti-wrinkle cream

Anonymous said...

There's no such product as Clinique Derma White Super City Block SPF 40.

There is simply Clinique Super City Block SPF 40.

Rachel said...

Age of Defense: It's light enough to be used with any type of skin.

Anonymous: Yes, Clinique did make a Derma White Super City Block, but I guess they've discontinued it completely. I still have an unopened backup in my stash, you can probably find it if you search other online retailers.

anti-aging cream said...

I am 20 years old but I am deathly afraid of getting wrinkles so I have been using anti-aging cream ever since I was about 15 years old. Morning and night I cleanse, tone and moisturize.

Anonymous said...

The list of ingredients is on the sticker that is located on the bottom of the pot.

Octisalate 5.0%, Oxybenzone 5.0% and Avobenzone 3.0%

Cheers:-)

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