Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 50 vs. DermaControl Oil Control Moisturizer SPF 30
Cetaphil is a brand trusted by many dermatologists. Mainly known for their sensitive skin cleansers, they have branched out into other skincare products. Last summer, I picked up Cetaphil’s new DermaControl Oil Control Moisturizer SPF 30 to try out. It was a winner even though I did not have high hopes because I find that chemical sunscreens can burn me with all of the exfoliating products I use to get rid of acne and dark marks on my face.
The majority of my sunscreens are mineral sunscreens, and I prefer asian mineral sunscreens, like Shiseido’s. However, mineral sunscreens have a tendency to leave me with a white cast, which I need to cover up with bronzer or foundation. This isn’t a problem in the fall or winter, but as it gets warmer and my skin starts producing extreme amounts of oil, it becomes problematic. I don’t like wearing heavy base products during the summer because it increases the chances of blocked pores, it feels physically uncomfortable, and excess sweat and oil can mess up my coverage. So I have to be vigilant as to what my face is doing. Who wants that? Chemical sunscreens that are truly clear or transparent fix this problem. It also makes it easier to reapply, after a quick cleansing wipe.
After the success of Cetaphil’s DermaControl sunscreen, I decided to pick up Cetaphil’s Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 50 because it had a higher SPF. This sunscreen is meant for all skintypes unlike the oily skin version, DermaControl. So, I was really surprised with two interesting findings: the Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 50 was NOT sheer and it STUNG.
whaaaaaaaa…..?!
The Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 50, had a slightly creamier feel, but when blended into skin it left me with a slight white cast, which required serious blending and some light powder to cover it. Not bad, but not exactly sheer either. This is primarily a chemical sunscreen, but it does have titanium dioxide, a mineral ingredient frequently used in mineral sunscreens, which can leave a white cast.
It also stung on application when I used my retinoids. I was using much stronger retinoids over the summer AND blitzing my skin with glycolic acids and salicylic acid, when I was regularly using the DermaControl sunscreen, but it NEVER ONCE stung my skin. The DermaControl sunscreen appeared to some buffers in it to counter any possible irritation. Not so with the Daily Facial Moisturizer. However, limiting use of my retinoids and glycolics did prevent the feeling of FIYAAAA on my face. Basically, it’s not a sunscreen I can use if I am using my regular and extra strength retinoids (Retina-A and Tazorac), but I can use it with Differin. So, it’s a ‘clear skin’ sunscreen.
Also, while the DermaControl sunscreen left me with a matte, non-shiny finish on my skin, the Daily Facial Moisturizer left me with a plastic shine. Not oily shine, plastic shine. In addition, unlike the DermaControl sunscreen, which did not easily sweat off, the Daily Facial Moisturizer does not stay put when I sweat (spinning, ok?). This will be a huge issue during the summer. What’s the point of a higher SPF if it’s melting off? Plus, I am one of those people whose sunscreen has a tendency to run into my eyes and sting!!! Yuuuuup…I’ve had to be that person dipping a napkin into a champagne glass of water to dab at my eye at an affinity group event because my eyes started STINGING and I could not escape. Keepin’ it CLASSY!
I will use up my tube of the Daily Facial Moisturizer. But it does have the cons I mentioned above. It’s a solid sunscreen for fall, winter, spring; if you are fairly light and if do not use sensitizing retinoids. But in warm temperatures, if you have any color to your skin and if you use retinoids, you may want to skip this if you want easy, non-burning and slap and go. A few extra steps counter this effect: buffering cream and some tinted coverage to remove the whiteness. So, its not a total loss.
After using up half the tube of the Daily Facial Moisturizer, I picked up another tube of the DermaControl sunscreen for when I run out! 
You can’t go wrong with a chemical sunscreen that is truly sheer, applies matte, does not sting, does not melt off the skin, offers moderate sun protection, and is under twenty bucks from a drugstore. (But remember, you can’t use the DermaControl on extreme high heat, high humidity days as I mentioned in my review of this product last year found here!).
Eventually, I will get around to comparing the DermaControl sunscreen to the other great dry-matte sunscreen from Peter Thomas Roth, which I like, as well, although it is more expensive.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer, SPF 50, 1.7 oz for $13.99
Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (7%), Oxybenzone 6%, Titanium Dioxide (5.7%), Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Stearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG 100 Stearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), Cyclopentasiloxane, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylparaben, Chlorphenesin, Cetyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10 30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Methylparaben, Xanthan Gum
Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Control Moisturizer SPF 30, 4.0 oz for $16.99
Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (7%), Water, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Silica, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sucrose Tristearate, Dimethiconol, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 61, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl
Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Panthenol, Triethanolamine, Allantoin, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Zinc Gluconate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium
EDTA, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine
