VMV Hypoallergenics Armada Sport 70
A higher SPF number doesn't necessarily mean considerably better protection against the sun. SPF 30, for example, blocks 97% while SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays (the sun's rays that cause sunburn) already. A sunblock with SPF70 or 130 surely has more protection, but it is negligible and not enough to block 100% of the sun's UVB and UVA rays.*
So yes, that should set the record straight about SPF numbers. Most experts would recommend an SPF30-50 for daily use. A higher SPF number may mean a bit more protection, but the formula of the sunblock usually suffers. It's whiter, thicker, thus making it harder to wear without looking like someone hit you with a flour sack.
Not the VMV Hypoallergenics Armada Sport 70 though. I've had this sunscreen product for months now and I can say that it's pretty good! It's SPF70 but the cream, while thick, feels like a gel. It doesn't look white at all, so you don't have to blend much to get an invisible finish. All this for a full-spectrum sunblock.
To use: Apply on face body and skin, carefully avoiding membranous areas of eyes and nostrils. For best results, apply 30 to 60 minutes prior to sun exposure, especially before highly active sports. We make great sunscreens but our greater love in skin: when outdoors, reapply every 2 hours. Practice sun avoidance, platricularly from 10am to 4pm.
Basically, it's a thicker and more heavy-duty version of the VMV Hypoallergenics Armada Face Cover 30. While the Armada Face Cover is recommended only for normal indoor/outdoor use, the Armada Sport 70 is really designed for extreme outdoor use. If you're into sports and tend to be exposed to the sun for long tracts of time, then the Armada Sport 70 is for you.
It's ideal for vacationers who tour and swim on the beach, as well. This sunscreen is water-resistant so it really sticks on skin. Basically, if there's any special circumstance that you need to be out in the sun, the Armada Sport 70 should cover it.
Looks like cream but feels like a gel
Overall, this is a great sunscreen that I love to use whenever I plan to be in the sun for long. Especially when it's extra hot, the kind of sunlight that really pierces your skin! You know what I mean if you live in the Philippines.
Anyway, the Armada Sport doesn't make me feel sticky, which is novel for a sunscreen lotion with this high SPF. I guess the only downside is it's quite expensive at $40 (roughly P1,700). If you don't mind the price, go for it!
Tried this yet? Do you think it's a good investment?
*According to VMV: SPF 15 already protects against 94% of the sun (SPF 30 up to 97%). But protection factors are based on testing done with roughly a shot glass of sunscreen applied on exposed skin. With improper application (more common in real life), you're getting less of an SPF (studies have shown as low as half the claimed value and even less). A lot gets rubbed off, too. This is one of the main reasons we offer higher SPFs and PFAs (protection factor against UVA) at VMV: risk management. This helps ensure that you're getting adequate protection even if your application isn't perfect.
