The Bioderma Photoderm MAX Cream is a chemical (organic) sunscreen. It has an SPF of 50+ and PPD 42. PPD stands for Persistent Pigment Darkening – measures the UVA protection factor. UVA penetrate more deeply into the skin and can cause premature aging. The UVA protection in this suncreen is really high which is superb for preventing wrinkles and protecting your skin from sun damage!

Application

Apply after your skincare and before makeup. Do not apply oils or heavy moisturizers that form a film on top of the skin before sunscreen because it needs to adhere well to the skin and oils will make it move around and not apply evenly. Thus decreasing protection.

Texture

It has a fluid creamy texture and glides really well on the skin. Dries down fast (or I’d rather say adheres fast) so you need to apply it quickly and avoid overblending it because it can ball up.
Leaves a slight white cast (probably due to Tinosorb M). I have fair skin so for me it just makes my skin look a bit more even toned and brighter but not in a weird way.

Scent

It does not contain any parfume so it just smells like usual sunscreen.

Bioderma Photoderm MAX Cream SPF50+ 40ml

Performance

This sunscreen is made for normal and dry skin types, but I didn’t notice that it was in a cream form when I purchased it. Anyway I kept it and I’ve been using it daily since then and here’s what I think of it:

Whether the sunscreen will look very greasy or slightly shiny, it depends on what skincare products you’re using under the sunscreen.
There were a few times that I was looking like a grease ball because I used skincare that was too rich for my skin. Other times I applied products that were lighter in consistency and some were oil controlling so the sunscreen definitely looked better. This is one crucial thing to keep in mind.

Generally, upon application it does leave a very slight white cast but looks shiny and feels a bit sticky. The white cast and stickiness usually go away after 20-30 minutes. I like dewy complexion but I feel like this is more on the greasy side than dewy so I don’t always like how it stays on my skin.

But I have a very simple trick to fix it which works for me: Blotting paper!
Ideally you should do this 20 min after sunscreen application. Take a blotting paper and very gently lay it on the skin and pat lightly. Do not use a wiping motion or drag it across the face.
On days I use bb cream/cushion I use blotting paper as a last step.

It is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. It did not break me out or irritate my skin in any way.

Ingredients

Active ingredients / Filters: Octocrylene (UVB/ Shortwave UVA), Tinosorb M (UVA/UVB) , Avobenzone (UVA), Tinosorb S (UVA/UVB), Bisoctrizole (UVA/UVB)

Contains newer superior filters that are photostable. Does not contain perfume or parabens.

Aqua/water/eau, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Octocrylene, Methylene Bis-benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol [nano], Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cyclopentasiloxane, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Ectoin, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, C20-22 Alcohols, Decyl Glucoside, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/ Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin. [bi543]


Final Verdict

Pros

  • Very high UVB & UVA protection.
  • Spreads and glides easily on the skin.
  • Soft finish.
  • Suitable for sensitive skin.
  • Absorbs very well for dry skin types.

Cons

  • Looks very dewy upon application and takes a while to absorb (for oily skin).
  • Depending on the skincare products you’ve used may become more greasy.
  • Slight white cast.

Despite not being very suitable for my skin type due to the fact that it looks shiny, I do like this sunscreen. It did not irritate my sensitive skin and offers great broad spectrum protection! However, if you like to apply foundation over sunscreen I feel like it may be a little too much. Darker skin tones should be aware of the slight white cast. And in general, I think it will be more suitable for dry skin types. I might try the Aquafluide version in the future and see how it’ll perform compared to this one.


Have you tried this sunscreen before? What are your thoughts?
Please share them in the comments!