Skin Smiths Daily Defence Compact

Where I got it

I picked this up at my local Caci Clinic in Botany Junction for $59 and I get 10% discount for SkinSmiths products so this came down to $53.10. I don’t think you can get SkinSmiths products anywhere else, it seems to be exclusive to Caci Clinic. I have only tried their Micro-needling device previously and have not tried their skincare before. So this time I picked up this SPF compact as well as a Skin Healing Gel which I have a separate review on.

What I got

This is the Skin Smiths Daily Defence Compact (15g). Get the full protection of a sunscreen with a beautiful weightless finish.  The soft sponge allows for smudge free application leaving your makeup intact.  It’s your skin-saving top-up solution. Refills available for purchase. 

Ingredients: Aqua, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Zinc Oxide, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris (Trimethylsiloxy) silylethyl Dimethicone, Silica, Niacinamide, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Diatomaceous Earth, Sodium Chloride, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Ethyl Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glyceryl Caprylate, Stearic Acid, Allantoin, Lauroyl Lysine, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane.

How I find it

I have been looking for a top-up sunscreen product for a while now and usually they come in powder compact or loose powder form and there aren’t many to choose from. I always apply at least SPF30 in the moring and I seldom expose myself in the sun for long periods of time. I sit about 3m away from a tinted and blinded window so I feel fairly protected. However, I still want to be able to reapply sunscreen or top-up my sunscreen during the day if I will be going for a walk before I pick up the kids, etc. I used to just apply my liquid sunscreen on top of my makeup but that just ruins my makeup underneath and I generally don’t want to apply liquid over all that makeup, grime and dirt I have accumulated during the day.

When I came across this, I was quite interested. It isn’t quite liquid, but it is a cushion compact. It is great on-the-go and it is absolutely mess-free and easy to use. I highly doubt that this is as full-protection as applying a fresh layer of sunscreen, but this is as good as I can do during the day. It’s better than nothing I guess. The cushion is stark white, sunscreen white I would say. This is a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide so it does give a sheer white cast on the skin, but since it applies quite sheer, it shouldn’t make you too ghost-like.

Overall

I really enjoy using this compact because it isn’t oily or greasy. It applies smoothly and does minimal disruptions to my existing makeup. No doubt, a loose power or pressed powder will provide more of a matte finish or touch-up effect, but this compact provides hydration to the skin and makes my face look less cakey. I love the texture and how lightweight it is, but even with a top-up using this compact, I still will not be staying out in the sun for a long time because I am almost certain that it will not provide the full SPF50 because I am not using enough on my face to provide a good coverage.

Anyway, I will be repurchasing the refill when I run out and this is just great for putting it in your bag, in your car or in the office for a touch-up before you head out again so that you are somewhat protected.