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I admit, when I first heard the Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 + claimed to help with “wrinkle management”, I instantly imagined a little man showing up with an Excel spreadsheet and a five year plan. Weird thought? Maybe! But wouldn’t you want to have a plan for that?
Sorry to disappoint, there was no man with a plan, but instead there were 10000 ppm Cica-Complex and the rumor online that it was comparable to my current favorite, the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF 50 +. But is that true?
And if you want more sunscreen recommendations for people with dry and dehydrated skin (or oily skins in winter), here are five suggestions
What the Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+ claims
Triple functioning sun cream with UV protection, brightening and wrinkle management
Facts about the Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+
Prize and size
One tube contains 50 ml and is available for 19,99 $ on the website here. The product is vegan.
Texture and smell
When you look closely, the cream has a slightly yellow color, barely noticeable, and it has a fresh, floral scent. Not herbal like I had expected due to the Cica, but sweeter. It is lightweight and spreads easily, feeling like a lotion rather than a cream.
How to use the Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+
As always, you need to use a decent amount – I like to go by the two fingers for the face rule – and apply liberally all over your face as last step in your morning skincare routine. I had no issues with it stinging my eyes, so I was able to take it right around them, and did also not experience white cast which, admittedly, isn’t much of a problem for pale me anyway.
It was easy to spread and quick to absorb with absolutely no tackiness and no problems with reapplication during the day. (More info: Five ways to reapply sunscreen over makeup)
For my personal taste it is a little on the dewy side, but nothing a little powder wouldn’t fix.
Ingredients of the Mary & May Cica Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+
sunsc, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone sunsc, Niacinamide 
cci|sb|aacne|h, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol sunsc, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate emo, Butylene Glycol h|solv 0 1, Caprylyl Methicone emo, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone sunsc, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract so|aox|h, Centella Asiatica Extract so|aox|h, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Pentylene Glycol solv|h, Behenyl Alcohol emo|vc, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate vc, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate emu, Decyl Glucoside surf, Tromethamine buff, Carbomer vc 0 1, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate emu|surf, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer vc, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 vc, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Adenosine cci, Xanthan Gum vc, Saccharomyces Ferment , T-Butyl Alcohol perf|solv, Tocopherol aox 0–3 0–3, Asiaticoside aox|perf, Madecassoside aox|so, Betaine h, Inositol h, Madecassic Acid , Asiatic Acid Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
Let’s look at the filters first: There is Uvinul A plus for UVA protection, Uvinul T 150 for UVB protection and Tinosorb S and Uvasorb HEB, protecting against both, which should give good broad spectrum protection. (More info: Chemical, mineral and physical filters explained and How is UVA protection measured?)
The you have Niacinamide with it’s benefits, Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate for hydration and of course the Centella Asiatica Extract, 10.000 ppm to be exact, as well as Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid and Madecassoside. (More info: The benefits of Niacinamide in skincare explained and The benefits of Centella Asiatica in skincare explained)
To help with soothing, there is also Adenosine and fermented ingredients. (More info: The benefits of fermented ingredients in skincare explained)
For the scent, you’ll have added fragrance. (More info: Is fragrance bad for your skin?)
Does it live up to its claims?
Well.
As I said, no wrinkle manager appeared, so I am a little disappointed here and will have to assume that the wrinkle management refers to the protective effect any sunscreen will have on the formation of new wrinkles. It will offer UV protection and has Niacinamide and Centella Asiatica that aim to brighten, so yes, I think it does.
How does it compare to…
… the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF 50 + PA++++
As I said in the beginning, I read online that one was a dupe for the other, but I don’t fully agree. I guess it depends on how close you want the products you call dupe to be – both are hydrating and cosmetically elegant sunscreens that use modern organic filters. Beauty of Joseon has more different filters (which tells us nothing about the quality of the protection) and instead of Centella Asiatica has Green Tea Extract and Rice Extract in the formula. (More info: The benefits of Green Tea Extract in skincare explained)
In terms of texture I find Beauty of Joseon to be a little more lightweight, but both are quite dewy in finish. Overall they are cousins, not sisters if you ask me, and Beauty of Joseon still is my favorite.
You can find my full review of the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF 50 + here
Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend it to?
For me this is a great one for winter and early spring when my skin craves hydration, but not superior to my current favorite, so I will probably not repurchase. I think it is best suited for dry or dehydrated skin.
Shop this and other sunscreens for dry and dehydrated skin
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