A deep dive review of the Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun, including the controversy over its UVA filter. What you need to know.
If I were transported to some horrible, alternate dimension where I could only use three skincare products for the rest of my existence, sunscreen would absolutely be on that list. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t wear it every day, but I also don’t leave my house on a daily basis. Any time I set foot outside, regardless of the season, if the sun is up, my sunscreen is on.
This constant usage results in an everlasting need for another tube of sunscreen, and by proxy, I’ve tried quite my fair share of sunscreens. The Asian market definitely is head and shoulders above the American market in terms of both ingredients and cosmetic elegance when it comes to sunscreen, so it’s rare that one catches my attention enough to make me want to repurchase one because I find they’re all generally pretty affordable and nice to use.
I never really got on with Purito’s original Green Level sunscreen due to the lavender scent (I hate lavender). So when they listened to their customer base and announced they would be doing a fragrance-free version, I was unbelievably hyped. I snagged the Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun as soon as it was released, and two-and-a-half tubes later, I have some thoughts.
Price & packaging
Sixty MLs puts this sunscreen slightly ahead of the standard 50 ML sunscreen volume. It’s priced at $18, which makes it very much on the affordable side of the spectrum, in my opinion. The white, plastic packaging can pick up some scuffs, but it has a nice, smooth feel to it and it’s also pretty flat, which I found very convenient when I was taking this with me during weekend trips. I like the smooshy material of the tube because I can really squeeze out every last bit of sunscreen and cut the tube open for the last bits if I’m having an Edward Scissorhands moment.
Formulation & the UV filter controversy
The entire Purito Green Level line is focused on Centella asiatica (I did a whole article discussing the major components of centella and their various benefits), and when formulating the unscented version of their sunscreen, it appears that they also upped the amount of centella components in the sunscreen to boost its ability to do all the wonderful calming, healing, regenerating things that centella can do for the skin. Paired with niacinamide, which y’all should know and love by now, I’d say there are some solid skin beneficial ingredients in the mix.
There was a bit of controversy after the launch of the sunscreen concerning the UV filters used in this sunscreen, or more so the lack of multiple filters. You’re looking at Uvinul A Plus (diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate) and Uvinul T 150 (octyl triazone) as the filters, which are part of the newer generation of UV filters that make Asian sunscreens so great. Just because something has a greater number of filters in it doesn’t mean it’s automatically providing better protection. Take zinc oxide for example; it alone provides full spectrum UVA and UVB protection and doesn’t need any partners to help get the job done. Obviously every UV filter has its own shortcomings and level of protection, but my point is, just because there are only two filters doesn’t automatically make this sunscreen inadequate.
Uvinul A Plus protects the skin from UVA that can cause premature aging, while Uvinul T 150 safeguards against UVB, which is what contributes to sunburns and pigmentation. It seems that the use of just two UV filters made some people nervous online, particularly due to some unsubstantiated claims that Uvinul A Plus doesn’t provide enough coverage across the two types of UVA rays (UVA 1 and UVA 2).
I’ve dug my way through a few scientific studies regarding the efficacy of Uvinul A Plus, and frankly, this is one area where I simply don’t have the education or knowledge to fully understand what’s being communicated in these published papers. But according to Stephen of kindofstephen and Michelle of Labmuffin, a cosmetic formulator and a chemist, respectively, who have long blogged about skincare, Uvinul A Plus is enough to have you covered.
I can understand people being hesitant to blindly trust product claims made by a company, especially since some of them are truly getting out of hand these days with their marketing claims, but I think it’s important to keep in mind the strict governmental regulations surrounding sunscreen ratings. This isn’t some company claiming that their serum is going to reduce your wrinkles by 80% with just one use and using photos from a five-person study that they paid for. Sunscreen is considered a drug, and therefore the testing standards are extremely strict. If the tube says SPF 50 and PA++++, I feel confident in trusting that rating to indicate that I’m fully protected.
Performance & experience
This is one of the most cosmetically elegant sunscreens I’ve ever used. Period. The texture is a very light lotion that spreads pretty easily across the skin, and leaves absolutely no white cast whatsoever. It doesn’t leave any additional shine on the skin, but also doesn’t mattify it either; it has strangely unique way of maintaining the existing finish of your skin, if that makes sense. If you were dewy before applying, you’ll maintain that dewiness, and if your skin was matte before, it will remain matte. I’ve never experienced that in a sunscreen before, and it took me weeks to figure out that it was literally making no change to the finish of my skin.
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I saw a lot of comparisons between this and the Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence, and I will say that they’re extremely similar to one another, which makes sense as they’re manufactured by the same company. I found the Klairs UV Essence a bit more moisturizing than Purito and therefore added a bit of shine in a way that wasn’t necessarily greasy but definitely did make me a bit shiny during the height of summer.
I found that the Purito Unscented Sun wore well alone and under makeup, fills in nicely as a moisturizer for me, and lasted pretty well throughout the day, keeping that “sunscreen film” intact without feeling heavy or wearing off easily. It’s not meant to be water or sweat resistant, so you’ll definitely need to reapply if that becomes a factor, but I think it’s perfect for daily use. I definitely have enjoyed using this sunscreen and will continue to keep a tube around in my stash for my own peace of mind.
Have you tried the Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun? And what’s your take on the Uvinul A Plus controversy?
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