Be review this sunscreen, its good to remind ourselves of this…
What damages are we trying to protect against when we use sunscreens?
Sunscreens contain UV filters. I like the EU definition which is, ‘UV-filters’ means substances which are exclusively or mainly intended to protect the skin against certain UV radiation by absorbing, reflecting or scattering UV radiation
Happy Skin Days’ sunscreen test
I apply this very basic test to all sunscreens that I test on this blog.
1) Are harmful chemicals present?
The harmful chemicals that I look for are specifically BHT, Oxybenzone, Formaldehyde releasing preservatives and parabens. This sunscreen has none of these.
2) This product is at least a SPF 30
3) What are the UVA and UVB filters present in this product?
This product has two filters: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide
Both Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide have a long track record of safe use when topically applied. Both are photostable (do not breakdown in UV radiation) and are not absorbed into the skin. Even if de minimis penetration of (e.g.) Zinc Oxide occurs, there are no adverse health effects, given the high levels of endogenous Zinc already present in the body. While both Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are broadspectrum filters, Titanium Dioxide is the better UVB filter and Zinc Oxide is the better UVA filter
Aesthetics of the sunscreen
This sunscreen does take a few minutes to achieve a blended look, but once it settles down there is no whitecast whatsoever.
It is a closed and slightly medium textured sunscreen, which is fine because Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are not light ingredients.
The sunscreen does have a smell because its default smell would be chalky. Instead it smells a bit strange – like its meant to be unfragranced – but of course, not the case here. It would not prevent me buying it again.
Would I buy this again?
This sunscreen is a non-nano Zinc Oxide and non-nano Titanium Dioxide and because it is made in Belgium (part of the EU) it would have been required to identify any nano sizes ingredients on the label (as required by EU law).
I am not 100% convinced that there isn’t a micronized mechanism involved because the sunscreen leaves NO WHITECAST and is not tinted. I have yet to see many sunscreens do this and I have tested hundreds of sunscreens.
This is a good reef safe sunscreen and if I was going diving then for sure this would be my first choice.
I found this in an organic pharmacy so its clearly not readily available. It also cost me a lot at £30.
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