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Bellflower Sunscreens
Bellflower,  sunscreen

Bellflower Sunscreens

the products

A physical and chemical sunscreen to provide sun protection, moisture and anti-aging effects.
 
Bellflower Carrot Mild Sunscreen
 

Bellflower Watermelon Fresh Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++

The Bellflower Watermelon Fresh Sunscreen is a light and fresh chemical sun cream without white cast that moisturises via Watermelon and Centella Asiatica Extracts plus Sodium Hyaluronate. It’s very affordable, retailing for around USD$14 for the 50ml tube.
Bellflower Watermelon Fresh Sunscreen
 
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Niacinamide, Citrullus Vulgaris (Watermelon) Fruit Extract (11,700 ppm), Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Silica, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polyisobutene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, CI 77491, Sodium Hyaluronate
 
Bellflower Watermelon Fresh Sunscreen Ingredients
 
The CosDNA reports a safe, all green hazard rating for the watermelon sun cream.
 
Bellflower Watermelon Fresh Sunscreen CosDNA Report
To use, at the final stage of basic skincare, apply an appropriate amount and spread it evenly over the areas prone to UV exposure. The sunscreen has a shelf life of 3 years.
 
Bellflower Watermelon Fresh Sunscreen
 
Effective, highly photostable chemical filters give this sunscreen it’s protective qualities. Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate offers a strong defence against UVA damage while Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine protects against both UVA and UVB with minimal deterioration in the presence of UV light.
 
The hero ingredient, Watermelon Fruit Extract (11,700 ppm), is a solid antioxidant that also hydrates and softens. Together with Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) which is included to tighten pores, even tone, soften lines and generally strengthen, they revitalise lacklustre skin. Similarly, a good hit of Glycerin plus Sodium Hyaluronate ensure another aging defense is met, hydration.
 
Well known for it’s soothing and calming capability, Centella Asiatica Extract joins wrinkle care components Polymethyl Methacrylate and Adenosine. The former acts by filling lines, the latter by energizing the skin surface.
 


 
The packaging is both practical and cute! The plastic tube is sturdy, the flat bottom cap allowing the product to run to the opening for easy collection, right through to the last of the product. The cream is pale pink in colour, a little glossy and lightweight. It retains easy slip, applying without drag and has a barely noticeable medicinal scent that’s short lived. After a slight initial tackiness, a quick dry down leaves a moisturised matte finish that’s totally comfortable.
 
This applies easily. There’s no need to work it in or layer it to ensure the appropriate amount is used. It’s effortless. There’s no resultant white cast and no residue or pilling so it also plays really well with makeup. Reapplication through the day doesn’t feel heavy, suffocating or caky. It also removes well with an oil based cleanser at the end of the day. Sun protection in general provides a defense against aging. This product also includes wrinkle fighting ingredients to further enhance this function. However, their effectiveness is questionable and impossible to verify as a mere end user of the product.
 
In summary, I really enjoyed this sunscreen. It gave me great skin protection, applies well, keeps my skin comfortable and moisturised and is affordable.
 


 

Bellflower Carrot Mild Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++

The Bellflower Carrot Mild Sunscreen is a mild physical sun cream with Centella Asiatica, Carrot Root and Tomato Fruit Extracts for moisturizing and calming effects. It claims to also deliver brightening and wrinkle care. Similar to the watermelon one, it sells for an affordable USD$15.
Bellflower Carrot Mild Sunscreen
 

Water, Zinc Oxide, Propanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Methyl Trimethicone, C13-16 Isoparaffin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Magnesium Sulfate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Palmitic Acid, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearic Acid, CI 77492, Limonene, Butylene Glycol, Adenosine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, CI 77491, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Citronellol, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Geraniol, Tocopherol, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract (3.5 ppm), Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
 
Bellflower Carrot Mild Sunscreen Ingredients
 
Apart from essential oils, CosDNA returns a favourable hazard rating for the carrot sun cream.
 
Bellflower Carrot Mild Sunscreen CosDNA Report
To use, at the final stage of basic skincare, apply an appropriate amount and spread it evenly over the areas prone to UV exposure. The sunscreen has a shelf life of 3 years.
 
Bellflower Carrot Mild Sunscreen
 
Similar presentation as the watermelon version, the convenience and portability also apply in this case. The carrot version employs Zinc Oxide to ward off dangerous UVA and UVB rays. Zinc oxide is a photostable, broad-spectrum sunscreen which means it repels both UVA and UVB rays. To reach an optimum protection strength of 50+ PA++++, it needs to be represented at a significant concentration in the formula (thus it’s second only to water in the INCI). The larger the amount included, the more prominent the white cast. As such, it makes sense that the cream is tinted to reduce this whitening effect, the brand downgrading it to a “tone up” instead.
 
Worth noting for those that are opposed to silicones in skincare, or find they cause blemishes, there’s a good concentration in this cream to enhance texture and moisture retention. Positioned in the top quarter of ingredients is superstar, Niacinamide to enhance skin strength and tone. Carrot Extract is hydrating with antioxidant properties. Combined with Adenosine, this trio will help to resist the effects of aging and deliver the secondary benefits of brightening and anti-aging. Centella Asiatica Extract is the go-to Korean ingredient for soothing and calming inflamed, compromised or irritated skin. Rich in nourishing vitamins and minerals, Tomato Extract is purifying to the skin, helping to balance pH and regulate sebum. Note, the star ingredients are listed way down the INCI so, I’m not completely convinced their benefits can be realised.
 


 
Although this is touted suitable for sensitive skin, it’s worth patch testing with caution. There may be Centella, Tomato and Carrot Extracts to promote healing but there are also several essential oil elements (including citrus, sandalwood, tea tree and rose) in the formula with potential to irritate. Personally, my skin is pretty robust and handles essential oils well, especially at the final layer of my routine. The cream is a pale salmon colour. I’d like to think this is due to the carrot, but given this and tomato extracts are way down the INCI, I’m probably wrong. You see, a fairly good amount of iron oxide (CI 77492) is added which gives this sunscreen its pretty pastel appearance.
 
The glossy cream has a good weight to it but isn’t dense. The scent is slight and floral, dissipating with absorption which happens quite quickly. Slip is good. There’s no tugging or drag with this one although it’s not completely effortless as the cream begins to thin over the face. There is no stickiness or oiliness remaining after dry down which is pleasant. I apply it in a couple of thin layers as it’s easier to work it into the skin and this also helps to minimise the resultant white cast. I like the matte finish. Skin doesn’t feel dry but I didn’t find it overly moisturising either, although in Bellflower’s defense, this isn’t a product claim. It’s simply comfortable.
 
With respect to the promises of brightening, wrinkle care and sun protection, well, we’ll just have to take Bellflower’s word for the SPF/PA rating and give it full marks for achieving a high broad spectrum product. Regarding brightening, I would suggest the tone up effect of this cream is responsible for delivering this property but rather than brightening, I would define it as whitening/lightening. The white cast is manageable on my fair to medium skin tone and if I apply it in thin layers, it’s almost negligible so that’s a great outcome for a physical sunscreen. However, darker tones would definitely see a blatant change in complexion. Anti-aging, well this isn’t something I would be prepared to confirm or deny as these sort of claims are impossible to verify over the short term. There are certainly some nice ingredients to address this skin concern, however, I rely on serums to deliver these sort of benefits more convincingly.
 

the conclusion

Both these sunscreens are very good! I think the watermelon one is more universal since it works well for all skin tones. They’re well formulated, comfortable on the skin, offer excellent sun protection, work well with makeup, layer and remove easily and are nicely affordable.
Bellflower Sunscreens
 

the summary

Pros Cons
Gentle formulae Only available online for Australians
No residue, greasiness or oiliness Carrot leaves a light white cast/tone up
Both offer high sun protection
Hygienic, travel friendly packaging
Very affordable
Suitable for all skin types

Bellflower Sunscreens
 

the references

Bellflower website
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate INCI Decoder
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine INCI Decoder
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) Truth In Aging
Sodium Hyaluronate Truth In Aging

 


 

the disclaimer

Please read in context with my disclaimer.
 
This product was provided to me free of charge by Wishtrend without obligation for review. This post only includes my honest opinion and experience of this product and is in no way influenced by Wishtrend, I’m From or any of their representatives.
 


 

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