Why Aesop’s new facial lotion is perfect for women who skip sunscreen

I confess: I’m guilty of skipping sunscreen in my morning routine.

I know, I know – beauty blasphemy, right? After all, I live in an equatorial climate with temperatures averaging 30degrees Celsius and the sun boring down my back on the daily. But hear me out.

It partly has to do with complacency. Having dusky skin, I’m guilty of the misconception that deeper complexions just don’t need that much sun protection. Another reason why I tend to skip sunscreen is the texture and white-cast most of them leave behind. Yes, even the “cult sunscreens” that everyone seems to swear by. I have combination skin, and layering thick (and often sticky) sunscreen just has my skin looking like a hot, ashy mess. Which is why finding that holy grail sun protection is something I’ve sort of given up on.

And then I tried the new Aesop Protection Lotion SPF30. And it’s safe to say this: I can definitely foresee it becoming a permanent fixture in my beauty routine.

Double Duty: A 2-in-1 Moisturiser and Sunscreen

A formulation that was three years in the making by the folks in Aesop’s R&D laboratories, it’s essentially a moisturiser infused with antioxidants, offering broad protection against UVA and UVB rays.

The hydrator contains Green Tea and Tocopherol (Vitamin E), which deliver potent antioxidant benefits that minimise the damage daily exposure to pollutants and sun exposure our skin faces in an urban city like Singapore.

The formulation also contains skin-soothing Panthenol, which works together with deeply nourishing (yet lightweight) emollients Coco-Caprylate and Squalane to calm, hydrate and soften skin. Squalane, in particular, has been a buzzworthy skincare ingredient touted for having remarkable skin-replenishing fatty acids and antioxidants.

I know what you’re thinking: a 2-in-1 moisturiser with SPF isn’t new. And yes, it’s not. But this new Aesop lotion wins brownie points in our books not just for its potent protective, anti-aging, and skin-loving ingredients, but also its texture and finish that makes it ideal for daily wear. Sun protection and skin-loving ingredients in a bottle? We’re sold.

What’s the Best Way to Use It?

The experts at Aesop recommends massaging the lotion generously from your forehead to neck area at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. Because your SPF protection fades through the day, reapplication is advised every two hours.

But of course, if you wear makeup daily, they recommend a nifty tip to reapply your SPF: simply pat on a light BB cushion with SPF across your surface. Not only does it give you a mid-day makeup touch-up, rest assured your skin is protected from the harmful sun rays around the clock.

The Aesop Protective Facial Lotion SPF30 (SGD80) is available at Aesop Signature Stores, select department store counters and at aesop.com from 4 June 2018.

Sarah Khan

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