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Any skincare enthusiast worth their salt knows that sunscreen is one of the most important steps in our skincare routine. In fact, for those who don’t want the hassle of a multi-step skincare routine, cleanser, moisturiser and, yes, SPF, are all you really need.

However, the search for a holy grail sunscreen isn’t an easy one. A good sunscreen must provide broad spectrum UV protection against both UVA and UVB to prevent premature signs of ageing such as wrinkles and sun spots, as well as other sun damages such as sunburns or skin cancer.

Besides good UV protection, an ideal sunscreen should also be formulated to suit our skin types and be able to withstand the type of climate we live in.

That’s why we were so excited about the launch of the newest sunscreen in the market – the L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh sunscreen, which claims to have a 100% oil-free, lightweight, non-sticky formula, besides broad spectrum protection of SPF50/PA++++.

Sounds too good to be true? You’re about to find out, as we’re putting this sunscreen through three objective tests to see if it’s as good as it claims to be!

About L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh

Loreal Uv Perfect Matte Fresh1

The L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh is part of the L’Oréal UV Perfect sunscreen range. With a 100% oil-free, lightweight formula, the sunscreen absorbs quickly without feeling sticky or greasy on the skin.

It also contains mattifying Kaolin Clay to absorb excess sebum and keep oily skin in check. Say goodbye to non-stop blotting off excess oil throughout the day, and say hello to effortlessly shine-free face!

On top of its great texture, the L’Oreal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh is heavy duty when it comes to the sun protection department. Offering broad spectrum high UV protection of SPF50/PA++++, it is able to protect your skin from up to 98% daily UVA and UVB – that’s a lot!

While some sunscreens lose part of their efficacy in harsh environments such as high temperatures and humidity, you don’t have to worry about that with the L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh, which has been tested in conditions of up to 45°C and 80% humidity. Its anti-pollution formula will also protect your skin against dust and harmful chemicals.

While all these sound amazing on paper, there’s only one way to find out if the product really lives up to all these promises: putting them to objective tests!

L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh review: the oil blotter test

To test the L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh’s claim of 100% oil-free formula, we put a dollop of it on a sheet of oil blotting paper and left it for three hours. We also did the same for three other popular sunscreens of similar textures to see if the L’Oreal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh would be able to beat out its competition.

L'oreal Uv Perfect Matte Fresh Oil Blotting Test

Four different sunscreens on oil blotting paper- before and after six hours

To our pleasant surprise, the L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh did stand up to its claims of having a 100% oil-free formula. As you can see from the picture, after three hours, the L’Oreal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh didn’t release any oil, while the others three did to varying degrees.

L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh review: the confetti test

Loreal Uv Perfect Matte Fresh Confetti

Stickiness is one of the most common pet peeves people have about their sunscreen. The confetti test, where we apply the sunscreen before pressing our hand in a pile of confetti will reveal which sunscreen has the least sticky finish.

Loreal Uv Perfect Matte Fresh Confetti Test

Again, the L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh came out on top, having the least amount of confetti stuck on the hand, which shows that it absorbs quickly into the skin and doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue. This means that it delivers an absolutely comfortable sensation, which will certainly encourage any user to wear their sunscreen daily!

L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh review: UV camera test

At the end of the day, the point of a sunscreen is to protect you from sun damage. That’s why we have used a UV camera to reveal the level of protection against UV rays the L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh can provide to the skin, against a popular competitor.

L'oreal Uv Perfect Matte & Fresh Uv Cam

This was perhaps the most shocking result. The competitor sunscreen turned out to provide weaker protection against UV rays, while the L’Oreal UV Perfect Matte & Fresh sunscreen completely blocked out the UV rays, proving its superior sun protection compared to other sunscreens on the market.

L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh review: a writer’s experience

I had been using my usual sunscreen for six years now. It provides good enough sun protection, doesn’t break me out and layer well under my makeup. The only complaint I have is that the texture is rather oily and makes my face feel greasy by mid day.

That’s why the L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh was quite the game-changer for me.

Processed With Rni Films. Preset 'agfa Optima 200'

True to its claim of 100% oil-free formula, my face feels less oily and my makeup looks better at the end of the day compared to when I was using my regular sunscreen. I reckon it’s the Kaolin Clay in the formula that helps absorb the excess oil, which tends to cause makeup to melt off my face within hours.

I also love how it doesn’t clog my pores and cause any breakout. Having oily skin, this has always been my concern when trying out new products, and thankfully, this sunscreen is formulated especially for those with oily and combination skin so there’s less of a risk of pore clogging and breakout!

Another small detail that I particularly appreciate is the small-size bottle. It’s so convenient to carry around and reapply throughout the day without taking up too much space in my bag.

All in all, I was thoroughly impressed with the L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh, and would recommend it to anyone, especially those with oily or combination skin.

The L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Matte & Fresh is exclusively available at Watsons. It retails for SGD20.90 (30ml).

Other products in the L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect range include: Super Aqua Essence (to hydrate, for dry to normal skin), Anti-Dullness (to brighten and correct, for dull skin), Even Complexion (to correct and even, for dull skin), all exclusively available at Watsons Singapore.

This article is brought to you by L’Oreal Paris.