Clinique City Block Sheer SPF25
From www.clinique.com:
Sheer, broad-spectrum UVA/UVB daily sunscreen. Lightweight formula helps wick away perspiration and absorb excess oil. Perfect alone or as an invisible makeup primer. No chemical sunscreens. Appropriate for eye area and sensitive skins.
Skin Types: All
My Skin Type:
Actually very oily, but surpressed with BHA exfoliator. Results in generally ranging from very dry to normal/combo skin. Generally dehydrated, very sensitive, and acne prone.
Packaging:
Practical plastic tube with screw top. Flip top may be more practical though.
Texture:
Hmm. Not thin lotion, but not too thick.
Sun Protection Level:
Clinique City Block Sheer SPF25 Protection Spectrum
Utilizing pure mineral filters, this sunscreen provides broad spectrum protection, but usually Micronized Zinc Oxide leaves a gap in the higher portion of UVA, which I seem to be sensitive about (my skin darkens in a heartbeat). Heard that it’s not always the case for every micronized zinc though, but I’m just putting extra caution here. Generally speaking, the broadness is acceptable for occasional uses, or on lazy weekends at home.
The larger problem lies in the protection level of this sunscreen. In its Japanese website, Clinique claims that this sunscreen is PA+ only. Now THAT is troublesome for me….as it implies low UVA protection. PPD <4, if I’m not mistaken. Now THAT’s very low for me 
My General Review:
This sunscreen reminds me a lot of Acnes UV Tint SPF30/PA++. It’s beige tinted, which makes my skin rather muddy. It’s pure mineral filter. Both of them are rather cakey on me, but Clinique is slightly better.
It’s a real shame that this product only provides PA+ UVA rating. Slight cakeyness aside (which I can handle when I’m using it at home with no makeup), it’s slightly sticky yes, but it’s non-greasy. It’s loaded with anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant (Gentian, Bisabolol), wound healing (Pantethine) and generous amounts of antioxidants (Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Barley, Rosemary, Linoleic Acid).
So for now I won’t repurchase. For at home use, I’m forced to opt for other light sunscreen with higher UVA protection. And always wear antioxidants serum underneath.
What Else You Need To Know:
Clinique offers several other sunscreens. In the City Block line, there’s a SPF40 version with mixed filters. It’s PA++. There’s also a sunscreen in the Derma White range, with SPF40 and PA+++.
Other than those products, Clinique has launch newer facial sunscreen line: Sun SPF30 and Sun SPF50. Both are PA+++. I’ve heard raves about the SPF30 though, so maybe I’ll try it next 
Application:
- Apply to clean skin after using your 3-Step Skin Care System.
- Using fingertips, smooth evenly over cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. Blend.
- Follow with foundation, if desired.
- Remove with your favourite Clinique makeup remover.
I need to add that you’ll need to apply this liberally. Do your skin a favor and follow the FDA’s recommendation. Any SPF needs to be applied thickly.
Price:
Not too bad for a high end product, it’s US.50 for 40ml. I don’t remember the price in IDR, since I *very* rarely shop for Clinique in Indonesia. The prices are jacked way too much. I tend to CPed Clinique from my bf or brother when they have the chance to pass by a DFS
Availability:
Easily available in Clinique counters across the nation.
Ingredients:
Active: Titanium Dioxide (7.3%), Zinc Oxide (6.9%)
Other: Water, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Steareth-2, Stearyl Heptanoate, Aluminum Stearate, Silica, Lecithin, Gentiana Lutea (Gentian) Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Betula Alba (Birch) Bark Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Tristearate, Linoleic Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Caprylyl Methicone, Sorbitol, Sodium Rna, Phospholipids, Peg-40 Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytantriol, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cellulose, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Stearyl Dimethicone, Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Pantethine, Bisabolol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Ceteth-2, Peg/Ppg-18/18 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Steareth-20, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Sodium Stearate, Nylon-12, Citric Acid, Nylon-6, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Edta, Bht, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.
Overall Rating:
3 out of 5. Rather cakey (tipical for a mineral sunscreen for me), beige tint is not really suitable for my (very) fair skin. And UVA protection is too low for my taste. However, it’s loaded with beneficial ingredients like anti-inflammatory agents, wound healing, and lots of antioxidants.
*This review will be cross posted in www.makeupalley.com under username Crescent_Shadow.
