As someone who’s dealt with acne in one form or another throughout my adult life, I’ve grown deeply skeptical of anti-blemish products. My skin constantly moves along a spectrum between breaking out and recovering from breakouts and no product, in my experience, truly solves the issue at its core.
At this point, the goal is simple: find products that don’t make things worse. As long as my skin stays relatively balanced, that’s a win. But some product categories are harder than others to get right, and SPF is definitely one of them.
Despite being an absolute non-negotiable, sunscreens can be a nightmare, particularly for acne-prone skin. Formulas are often thick and sticky, sting your eyes like hell, or completely refuse to sit under makeup, any of which is enough to make you want to skip it altogether.
47 Skin has recently launched its daily SPF30, which contains the same Silver Chitoderm™ formula as its other products. I wore it every day for a month to see whether an SPF could actually go beyond just sun protection. But first, if you’ve never heard of 47 Skin before, here’s a quick intro:
The 47 Skin blemish serum everyone talks about
If you’ve ever searched for blemish solutions, chances are you’ve come across 47 Skin. Their Anti-Blemish & Scar Repair Serum has had its fair share of viral moments, with rave reviews praising its ability to calm red spots and smooth post-breakout texture.
I haven’t used it myself, but its popularity is hard to ignore. Made in Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh is one of many high-profile fans who have raved about this product online. Adding to the celebrity endorsements is a wall of glowing reviews and thousands of impressive before-and-after photos on the brand’s website.
Page after page shows photos of real skin in real stages of healing. For anyone who’s dealt with acne, breakouts or blemishes, photos are more convincing than any statistic. But of course, 47 Skin has the numbers, too. In a survey they conducted, 92% of users reported fewer blemishes, 90% saw scars fade, and 94% said they’d repurchase the product.
The Silver Chitoderm™ technology
Silver Chitoderm™ is 47 Skin’s patented skincare technology that’s present in all of its products, including the viral serum and the new SPF.
It combines silver, known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and Chitoderm™, a muco-adhesive polymer derived from shellfish (chitosan). This combination allows silver to bind directly to bacteria on the skin, where it kills up to 99.99% of acne-causing microbes while also supporting skin renewal.
Aside from fighting breakouts, Silver Chitoderm™ also promotes healing, reduces pigmentation and scarring, and helps boost collagen and hyaluronic acid production. Overall, what you get is clearer, calmer, and more even-toned skin.
47 Skin’s new daily SPF 30: texture and feel
47 Skin’s latest product, a daily SPF 30, is enriched with the same Silver Chitoderm™ technology as the rest of the range.
The formula itself is featherlight, with a texture that feels more like a moisturiser than a traditional sunscreen. It absorbs quickly without leaving any stickiness or that velvety slip some SPFs have. It also sits well under makeup – and that’s coming from someone who rarely uses primer.
I’ve been using this SPF consistently for almost a month. When I first started wearing it, my skin was in its usual state: breakouts, blemishes, and some lingering scarring (as you can see in the photos below).
For the first couple of weeks, I didn’t really think about it. It didn’t irritate my skin, trigger any new breakouts, or mess with my makeup. Now, nearly four weeks in, it felt like the right time to check in. I’m only halfway through the bottle, so there’s every chance the results will continue to develop. That said, even at this stage, it’s been long enough to notice a real difference.
One month in… here are the results
Happily (and in a rare turn, considering how little faith I usually have in acne-friendly skincare), my red marks have softened.
No, I don’t have a brand new face (and it’s important to say that, no matter how effective 47 Skin is, acne is still a medical condition that isn’t solved by skincare alone). But my skin’s texture is more even and clear.
At £31.50 for 50ml, the price isn’t the cheapest, but it’s also not outrageous for what it delivers. Realistically, there’s not much point choosing this SPF over a £10 version unless you have sensitive, breakout-prone skin. But if you do, you might find, like I did, that it’s worth nudging your budget a little.
Feeling good in your skin is priceless year-round. But in summer especially, the last thing you want is to layer on full-coverage foundation like you’re icing a cake. Your skin deserves to breathe a little!
Personally, I’d commit to this SPF here and now, in skin health and hormonal chaos, till death do us part. And I’d happily clear my shelf of all the random SPFs that work – just not as well as this one.