2020 might be the year of largely staying indoors, but if your house gets any amount of sunshine in the rooms, you still need to use sunscreen. Brand loyalty is something that has gone out the window for the most part as we are all trying to make do with the limited products that are available near us. This is why I waivered from my original sunscreen choice and picked up the VLCC Sun Screen Gel in the SPF 30 and SPF 40 variants which were readily available at a nearby pharmacy. Here is my review of these sunscreens after trying them out over a number of weeks.
The Packaging
The VLCC Sun Screen Gels come in bright yellow and orange tubes with a flip cap. These tubes are quite travel-friendly and leakproof, which I like. The print on the tubes is a bit gaudy in my opinion and I would have preferred a more minimalistic design. The good thing is that the SPF value is printed in a large font and the complete ingredient list has been provided at the back. Overall the packaging is ok in terms of looks and good in terms of functionality.
The Formula
The VLCC Sun Screen Gels are hybrid sunscreens that contain both benzophenone and titanium dioxide. They also contain skin-soothing and brightening ingredients such as aloe, carrot, and grapefruit extracts along with moisturising ingredients such as fatty alcohols. The troubling ingredients are perfume (although it is the last ingredient on the list, the fragrance of these gels is quite strong) and silicones, which some people like to avoid but I personally do not mind. The VLCC Sunscreen Gel with SPF 30 is a translucent orange gel that is very light-weight and sinks into the skin with ease without leaving a white cast. The VLCC Sunscreen Gel with SPF 40 is slightly heavier and comes in the form of a white lotion that does sink into the skin well too but leaves behind a slight white cast.
My Verdict On The VLCC Sun Screen Gels
What I like about the VLCC Sun Screen Gels is the fact that they are quite light-weight while providing ample protection against UVA and UVB rays. I also like the fact that they contain some soothing and brightening ingredients, which will help those who do not follow an extensive skincare routine. However, the strong fragrance of these is a bit of a bummer for me and I feel that those with sensitive skin are quite likely to break out because of the perfume.
If you do not mind fragrance in your skincare products then I will recommend the SPF 30 variant, which is lighter and suitable for those who do not spend long hours under direct sunlight. It sinks beautifully into the skin and will suit even very oily skinned people while not being stripping even for those with dry skin. The price point of INR 320 for a 100gm tube is quite decent too. Personally, the only reason I won’t be repurchasing these is because of the fragrance, as my skin is becoming more and more sensitive to perfume as I am aging. If you have tried any VLCC Sun Screen Gel then do let me know what you think of them in the comments below!
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Mrinalini
Mrinalini is a beauty blogger with over 7 years of experience in reviewing skincare, makeup, and wellness products. Her professional experience in the biomedical space plus her keen interest in testing products spanning decades gives her the upper edge when it comes to reviewing new beauty products, particularly for oily, acne-prone, Indian skin.