As part of my now defunct 40 day road test I have been using this moisturiser/sunscreen regularly. Some of you may see this as just a moisturiser: I disagree as it carries “Broad Spectrum SPF 30” which means I look at it as a sunscreen.
When we use sunscreen, what type of damage are we aiming to protect against?
UV filters contained in sunscreens should protect against the damaging effects of both UVA and UVB radiation:
Happy Skin Days’ sunscreen test
I apply this very basic test to all sunscreens that I test on this blog.
Note: the harmful chemicals that I look for are specifically BHT, Oxybenzone, Formaldehyde releasing preservatives and parabens (and none of these are present in this product).
The product is at least an SPF 30 and contains filters, but it is just not for me: this is less to do with the sunscreen and more to do with the condition of my skin and the climate I live in. See my closing remarks below.
3) What UVA and UVB sunscreen filters are present?
Because this is made in the USA, there is a requirement for this sunscreen to declare all its active UV filters. It contains: Titanium Dioxide at 5.25% and Zinc Oxide at 6.12%.
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.
How does the sunscreen blend in?
The product blends in with ZERO whitecast. Also, it is not heavy on the skin and nor does it smelly chalky or unpleasant.
Closing remarks
This is a perfectly good mineral sunscreen which is just not for me for two reasons:
- Although the product blends in extremely well, my skin is oily after a few hours. It is a very moisturising sunscreen, which is unusual for a mineral sunscreen. However, I do reapply sunscreen at least once or twice a day and it is impossible to reapply this sunscreen because it just looks as if I have applied a thin film of vegetable oil. Unfortunately for me, the “Glow”=”Oil”
- This carries the “Broadspectrum” label in the USA, which means it has to pass a critical absorbance test and therefore, does provide some protection against UVA. Honestly, if I was spending time indoors and the solar UVI were I lived was low (say 4), then I would be fine using this sunscreen. But the solar UVI where I live is HIGH and I spend all day next to the world’s brightest window. When I go outside, the sunlight is so intense I can feel myself burn. This sunscreen is simply not built for such extremities.
See also My Top 5 sunscreen recommendations
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