Review: Clinque City Block Sheer spf 25
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free skin care · Sun Jun 10, 2007 7:12 am

I bought this to use under my MMU and have been using it a week. It is the first and only Clinque product I have used! Ive always heard bad things about Clinque, but good things about the sunblocks, so I decided to give this one a chance.

Its a physical sunscreen-- Titanium Dioxide 7.30%, Zinc Oxide 6.9%. It's sort of thick out of the tube and has bronze tint to it that actually evens out my skin tone. I use this over my Dove sensitive essentials lotion; it goes on a little thick but disappears onto my skin. This stuff is fragrance free and formulated for sensitive skin, so I even dab it around my eyes with no adverse effect. My MMU goes on well over it, but I have to let it dry completely or else it feels tacky under my brush.

Over all, I quite like it! I wanted the spf 40 but they were out of stock on that one. THe 25 is adequate, though, I think, as I really don't spend a ton of time outside on a normal day.

Oh, and this has not caused one breakout. Smile

free skin care · Sun Jun 10, 2007 3:22 pm

I have used the spf 40 and I really liked it. I find it absorbed fast and the light tint give me just enough coverage for me. The only thing I dont like is the size - the tube is too small and runs out fast.

free skin care · Mon Jun 11, 2007 1:30 pm

I used this a couple years back, and just couldn't stand it. it felt really heavy on my face and had a funny chemical smell. no matter what I put underneath, the sunblock always balled up on my face.
I wonder if they changed the formula lately.

free skin care · Mon Jun 11, 2007 1:50 pm

hopemelody wrote:

I used this a couple years back, and just couldn't stand it. it felt really heavy on my face and had a funny chemical smell. no matter what I put underneath, the sunblock always balled up on my face.
I wonder if they changed the formula lately.

I used to use this too, and I didn't love how it felt all heavy, but I loved that it was a physical block that was non-chalky thanks to the tint. Then Juice Beauty happened, and I've switched to their SPF 30 Tinted Moisturizer, which I like MUCH better. It's only titanium dioxide and no zinc oxide, but it's similarly tinted and less greasy-feeling, in my opinion. But outside of Juice, I think this Clinique Super City stuff is one of hte best facial sunblock formulas out there (and I've tried a LOT!). Hope this helps!

free skin care · Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:19 pm

I got a sample size of the new sheer spf 25 and I really wanted to like it. It does have a slight tint. Very nice finish under my MMU. BUT something in this caused a reaction. My face felt hot once I got to work. I removed the sunscreen (and MMU) as soon as I could. I had a slight rash that took a couple of days to go away. I usually have no problems with sunscreens (I might not always like the finish or feel.) I think it might be the botanicals in the forumla.

On the other hand I have the Clinique spf 40 and like this for summer. It can be a bit drying so in the winter I usually wear my other favorite SS LRP Hydraphrase 30 UV.

The original Clinique Spf 25 has just titanium dioxide. It is being phrased out.

free skin care · Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:30 pm

Aha, autumn, that explains it! I could've sworn the Clinique formula was just titanium dioxide, so that explains the discrepancy.

Also, I'm going to post elsewhere about this too, but I forgot that Juice Beauty recently came out with a darker version of their tinted moisturizer, so I imagine that would help for darker complexions that got tired of the chalky look. I think Clinique came out with a tinted version too, right, but it was only SPF 15?

free skin care · Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:52 am

ginnielizz wrote:

hopemelody wrote:

I used this a couple years back, and just couldn't stand it. it felt really heavy on my face and had a funny chemical smell. no matter what I put underneath, the sunblock always balled up on my face.
I wonder if they changed the formula lately.

I used to use this too, and I didn't love how it felt all heavy, but I loved that it was a physical block that was non-chalky thanks to the tint. Then Juice Beauty happened, and I've switched to their SPF 30 Tinted Moisturizer, which I like MUCH better. It's only titanium dioxide and no zinc oxide, but it's similarly tinted and less greasy-feeling, in my opinion. But outside of Juice, I think this Clinique Super City stuff is one of hte best facial sunblock formulas out there (and I've tried a LOT!). Hope this helps!

I think this one I reviewed is a new formula. After I bought it I saw it featured in my Allure magazine under the "Editor's Favorites." This stuff is very non-greasy. It says it's supposed to wick away oil and sweat-- I don't know about that. But, it didn't make me any oilier than usual.

free skin care · Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:30 am

Wow, thanks Violetanne - now I may have to go check it out to see what the new formulation is like! An extra-bonus because this is the only Clinique item I regularly purchased in the past, and without it I never qualify for their tantalizing freebies with purchase offers, but now I may be back in the game! Wink

free skin care · Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:57 pm

ginnielizz wrote:

Wow, thanks Violetanne - now I may have to go check it out to see what the new formulation is like! An extra-bonus because this is the only Clinique item I regularly purchased in the past, and without it I never qualify for their tantalizing freebies with purchase offers, but now I may be back in the game! Wink

You're welcome!

Also, I just wanted to say I hope I didn't mislead anyone-- this stuff isn't a tinted moisturizer, it's just straight sunscreen. I use a moisturizer with no spf underneath it. Clinique does have tinted moisturizers but I didn't look into those. Beware, because they also have a line of chemical sunscreens and when they didn't have the City Block 40 they tried to get me into those instead. They're not City Block, though.

Smile

Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:25 am

i've been using CITY BLOCK (SPF 25)for about 3 years already..i think it's pretty good and feel too lazy to search for other stuff..

i always mix it with CHANEL double perfection fluide (SPF 15) and apply them together onto my face when i run out of time..

free skin care · Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:31 pm

I used to use this a few years ago and loved the fact that it was slightly tinted. It evened out my skin tone and made my skin glow, I got so many compliments about my skin then! I now use LRP but go back to the City Block when my skin is not looking too great (and need the tint).

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