****An update (10 August 2020)*****
I received this product a few days ago. It is as I predicted: tinted to compensate for the white chalkiness of the Zinc Oxide. It is an odd mousy brown colour (I can live with that).
It completely blends into my skin with no trace of greyness or chalkiness. It feels like a tight primer on my skin.
However, as I have said in my blog below, it smells. Zinc Oxide smells and given that this sunscreen has no added fragrance, I am surprised that the product does not stink. Many American sunscreens with high %s of Zinc Oxide absolutely reek.
I have been wearing this product for 3 days continuously and I am not used to the smell. That’s just me – all my products have fragrance.
This product did not dry out my skin and for GBP 14.99 it offers great value for money.
Finally, I did not try this under a foundation or a face mask. I don’t apply sunscreen around the area covered by my face mask, which is a thick cloth covering (and therefore acts as protection against UV radiation).
Obligatory photos of the product…
after photo - blends in 4 August 2020 blog post
This is the latest sunscreen to arrive at cultbeauty. Its a mineral sunscreen that contains only one sunscreen filter: 22% (non-nano) Zinc Oxide and its cheap as chips (GBP 15 for 50ml).
If you are asking yourself, why don’t I see more Zinc Oxide formulas on the UK high street?
Well, its because the UK (still benefitting from the EU) has formidably advanced sunscreen filters that are not present in the USA.
The USA operates an archaic sunscreen model and mineral sunscreens – those containing Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide – are far more popular than the UK.
“Popular” maybe a stretch, as I estimate less than 10% of the adult sunscreen market in the USA comprises of mineral sunscreens. (Read these blogs to understand the European advantage over American sunscreens, The Sunscreen reboot: why you should read the Ingredient label of sunscreens).
In the UK, I have only ever encountered REN SPF 30 sunscreen with 22% Zinc Oxide, which is pricey (GBP 32 for 50ml) but an excellent sunscreen.
Back to basics
Its vital that sunscreens contain “UV filters” that protect our skin by absorbing, reflecting or scattering UVA and UVB rays, as both rays have been definitively linked to photoaging and skin cancer.
The harmful effects of over-exposure to UVA and UVB are:
Happy Skin Days’ sunscreen test
I apply the following test in suggesting products to use.
This is an SPF 30 product, and Zinc Oxide is the only filter it contains. It doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals that I look for (parabens, Oxybenzone, BHT) and there is no reason to not use this product.
Let’s talk about Zinc Oxide, the sunscreen filter
(see also Zinc Oxide 101, a detailed blog on Zinc Oxide).
The short version about Zinc Oxide is:
- If you are an American, it is a “Broadspectrum” filter that provides protection against both UVA and UVB damages, although it is a better UVB filter.
- Its very photostable (does not breakdown in UV radiation) and unlike old school filters (e.g.) Avobenzone, it does not breakdown as soon as it comes out of the tube.
- Unreactive with the skin and just sits on the skin. In the extremely unlikely event that tiny amounts are absorbed into the skin, it breaks down into Zinc and Oxygen ions, both of which are naturally present in the body.
- It is completely fine to use on children (see this Guide to buying sunscreen for kids)
- Does it provide superior UVA protection as other chemical sunscreens do? No and happy to explain this.
Drawbacks
The major drawback of Zinc Oxide is at about 20%+, it is extremely chalky: it does leave a whitecast and it smells. Sunscreens deal with this by having nano Zinc Oxide to deal with the whitecast. The Inkey List are not going down this route and according to cultbeauty, there is no “whitecast” as there is a “tint” to counter this. This product is also unfragranced and given the level of Zinc Oxide, it may smell.
Please note that Zinc Oxide formulas can be drying. I have not had this issue with Zinc Oxide formulas. In the past, I have used SunBum’s mineral sunscreen (20% Zinc Oxide) and REN’s mineral sunscreen (22% Zinc Oxide) and had no such problems. (REN is more expensive at GBP 32 for 50ml, but without doubt has better ingredients).
Available for sale at cultbeauty.co.uk or the product’s own website.
Closing remarks
This is not designed to be a fancy sunscreen product – and at GBP 14.99 – you shouldn’t expect it to be. You should also expect the product to smell. I’m waiting on my product and if the Inkey List say there is no visible white cast, then based on their track record, I believe them. For the moment, this is a buy for me. If that changes, I will revise this blog.
Who am I?
I am an independent blogger and I am not paid or affiliated by anyone or anything. I write about skincare, shopping and importantly, feminism. I pay for my products and this allows me the freedom to write with complete honesty. If you’d prefer other sales based influencers then that’s ok. I love them too, but that’s not who I am or want to be. Thank you for your time.
See also:
4 thoughts on “THE INKEY LIST SPF 30 Daily Sunscreen”
How can this be a review when you’ve not even received the product???!!
Hi Amanda, I think you have raised a very valid point and I thank you for your time. Please allow me to respond to your comment. The long answer is (i) I am an independent blogger and I pay for absolutely everything I review on this blog. My blog is a word-of-mouth blog. I don’t advertise at all and if you are not looking for my blog, you won’t know it exists (ii) In America, the land of Zinc Oxide, there are so many 21.6% Zinc Oxide formulations: products have the same ingredient label and the same sensory experience on application. The pricing varies because of the brand name. At about 22%, cheaper brands such as Coppertone just produce toothpaste like sunscreen because there is too much Zinc Oxide. There is a fine balance. (iii) Zinc Oxide formulations at 20%+ have only 3 issues from a formulation perspective – reducing the white cast (which is usually done by adding a tint or using nano-Zinc Oxide), ensuring the product does not stink (hence essential oils or fragrance) and ensuring the product is moisturising enough (hence use of (e.g,) aloe vera). Based on my use of over ten, 20%-22% Zinc Oxide formulas and understanding their ingredient label, I should be able to predict what the Inkey List product should be like on application (iv) I am studying for 2 diplomas – Organic Skincare formulation and Cosmetic Science – so I hope that gives me a bit more credibility in your eyes.
Why don’t you just get the product and give an accurate review?I want to try it and i find so few actual reviews of it.
Thank you. As I have written in my post I have order it but I don’t live in the EU and I am experiencing delays in receiving shipments owing to a global pandemic. I believe experience and knowledge are usually a very good predictor of skincare products. I am sorry this post does not match your standards of review.