Quick Summary:
Date Tested: 02/11/2022
In this review, I test the Loreal SPF30 Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector. This particular sunscreen formulation uses a chemical approach to blocking UV rays and incorporates four active ingredients. The active ingredients of Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 5%, Octisalate 5%, and Octocrylene 7% are a typical formulation used by other sunscreen brands which provide solid UV protection. If the products delivery method and stabilizing formulation is correct, the listed proportions of the active chemical blockers used should provide high UV blocking ability.
Testing this particular cream does in fact show that Loreal did get the formulation correct and have put out an effective product. I don’t really like the “Youth code” phrase, but they know marketing better than me I suppose. Despite my misgiving, the Loreal Dark Spot Corrector was able to block 91.15% of the UV Index, 91.40% of UVA, and 86.80% of UVB irradiance. Overall, solid numbers for an SPF30 sunscreen.
Loreal Broad Spectrum SPF30 Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector day cream ingredients
Active ingredients: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: AVOBENZONE 3% • HOMOSALATE 5% • OCTISALATE 5% • OCTOCRYLENE 7%
Inactive Ingredients:
WATER • GLYCERIN • ISOHEXADECANE • DIMETHICONE • PROPYLENE GLYCOL • HYDROXYETHYLPIPERAZINE ETHANE SULFONIC ACID • POLYACRYLAMIDE • DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER • BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE • INULIN LAURYL CARBAMATE • C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN • ETHYLHEXYL • HYDROXYSTEARATE • PHENOXYETHANOL • FRAGRANCE • CAPRYLYL GLYCOL • STEARYL ALCOHOL • SORBIC ACID • LAURETH-7 • XANTHAN GUM • TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE • CASTANEA SATIVA (CHESTNUT) SEED EXTRACT • GLYCERYL STEARATE • BEHENYL ALCOHOL • LIMONENE • GLYCERYL STEARATE CITRATE • DISODIUM ETHYLENE DICOCAMIDE PEG-15 DISULFATE • OXOTHIAZOLIDINECARBOXYLIC ACID • CITRAL
Manufacturers Website: www.lorealparisusa.com
Loreal Youth Code characteristics at a glance:
- Broad Spectrum (has an SPF30 but no specific UVA rating)
- Organic (chemical) sunscreen classification
- Says it will fade dark spots within 4 weeks 🙂
- Day Moisturizer
- Viscosity is just right for a face cream. Doesn’t leave much, if any residue/greasy feel (I’ve tried this one!).
Prepared slide ready for testing
I’ve actually applied this sunscreen to a microscope slide multiple times as I kept forgetting to take pictures prior to testing. During each time I did so, the slide looks pretty much as shown.
It is a consistently spreading cream which has a nice even dispersion. I think the spreading and viscosity is just right for a sunscreen used on the face.
Below are the results from 2 hours of testing in my UV testing station.
Loreal Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Youth Code UV blocking test results
Ultraviolet light quick reference:
UVA: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 315nm – 400nm. The “Aging UV light” – Causes wrinkles.
UVB: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 280nm – 315nm. The “Bad UV light” – Causes skin cancer.
UVI: The global sun UV index. The more a sunscreen can reduce the level of UVI, the better.
Loreal Youth Code SPF 30 test results:
Ultraviolet sensor readings:
| Before Sunscreen | After Sunscreen | % UV Blocked | |
| TEMP | 78.975 | 78.52 | |
| UVA | 24033 | 2065.75 | 91.40% |
| UVB | 1222 | 161.25 | 86.80% |
| UVI | 14.13 | 1.25 | 91.15% |
Want to know more about how I test sunscreen? Head here to read about the details.
Testing notes:
The Loreal Broad Spectrum SPF30 Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector used as a whole face sunscreen works well given that it has just an SPF30 rating. In fact, since this is the sunscreen my wife uses on a daily basis I also just use it too. It feels good on the skin and doesn’t really cause me any issues with sticky residue nor does it have a greasy feel to it. After two weeks of using it, my wife even mentioned my facial complexion looked more even. Cool I guess (but probably would be the case with any protective sunscreen).
The best part about this sunscreen is the level of sun protection it offers is strong while also still feeling pretty good on the skin. It doesn’t provide as high a level of UV protection as the Aveeno Positively Mineral sunscreen (which is an SPF50), but since my wife likes this, we’ll keep on using it till we run out. Overall, I like it.
Want to try the Loreal Broad Spectrum SPF30 Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector sunscreen?
Strong UV protection while feeling pretty good on the skin. I do recommend this sunscreen for daily use. It is one of the few I have personally used and don’t mind using. There are other factors to weigh when choosing a sunscreen, but given the decent level of protection offered for UVA and UVB (slightly less), its a good tradeoff.
Recommended.
Disclosure: the Amazon link shown is the only affiliate link I am sharing on this post. I will earn a commission if you click on the amazon listed product link and place an order (at no cost to you). I do not collect any personally identifying information. Every little bit helps to keep this site up and running, I do appreciate it!
One thought on “L’oreal Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector SPF30 review”