Lotus Herbals UV Screen Matte Gel SPF 50 PA+++

Happy Skin Days sunscreen test

In deciding whether or not to use a product I apply the following very basic sunscreen test

1) Harmful chemicals present

The first set of harmful chemical present are parabens, which are cheap and effective preservatives. They are also estrogen mimickers and if you are thinking PCOS, then you are not the only one. The second harmful chemical is Oxybenzone, a UVA and UVB filter. This is also a hormonal disruptor and a known skin allergen. (For more information, see Chemicals to Avoid – Parabens., Chemicals To Avoid – Benzophenone-3)

Harmful chemicals – Methylisothiazolinone

In addition to the normal cohort of Oxybenzone and Parabens, this product contains a preservative – Methylisothiazolinone (MI) that no-one should be using in leave-on products.

MI is banned in the European Union (EU) in products, such as sunscreen as its a contact allergen. The EU reached this decision after finding sufficient data in a bunch of European countries that showed not only was MI a contact allergen but also the number of incidences of contact allergy to MI were increasing. In the US, the status of MI is under review but in 2013, the American Contact Dermatitis Society named in as “Allergen of the Year.”

See this Should you avoid products with Methylisothiazolinone? for more information.

3) UVA and UVB filters

Both UVA and UVB have both been implicated in skin cancer and photo-aging and we want filters to protect against both types of damage.

UVA and UVB filters protect against the damage caused by UVA and UVB respectively. UVB/UVA filters combine the function of UVA and UVB filters.

Filters in this product are:

• This product has MBBT as the 2nd ingredient. This is a new style filter that undoubtedly provides superior UVA protection as well as UVB protection. The UVA protection is supported by Avobenzone, which is stabilised by MBBT.
• The UVB protection comes from Ensulizole (3rd ingredient) which is a weak UVB filter. Its supported in this role by Galaxy Sunbeat.

Out of all the Lotus Herbal sunscreens I have seen thus far. I am satisfied this would provide the labelled SPF and PA rating.

To remind you, the PA rating system is as follows:

KEY: Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (MBBT), Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid (Ensulizole), Butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone) and Methoxycinnamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine (Galaxy Sunbeat)

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Source: Data from product itself

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