Happy Skin Days’ sunscreen test
My view: based on the above sunscreen test, give it a miss.
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)
2a) 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. Any sunscreen must protect against BOTH UVA and UVB damage.
2b) The special case of absent UVA filters
This product has no UVA filter. It has one UVA/UVB filter – Oxybenzone and three UVB filters as follows: Octinoxate, Octisalate and Homosalate.
Even in the best case scenario, where I assume the maximum concentrations permitted by law of each filter (taking into account the order on the ingredient label), so something like this:
10% Octinoxate, 10% Homosalate, 5% Octisalate and 4% Oxybenzone,
and I run sunscreen simulations, it is not possible for this combination of UVB filters to provide anything but the tiniest amount of UVA protection.
It is highly unlikely, that this product would be permitted for sale in the EU because of its lack of UVA protection.
Closing remarks
I don’t wish to say anything further on this product, because it is a waste of space and money. I would stress that the labelling it has such as “sweat proof,” and 8-hour “broad spectrum” protection are meaningless. As consumers we should be vigilante against such exaggerated claims!
That’s it from me. Drop me a line at email@happyskindays.com and I’d be happy to receive your comments and questions.
See also: Top 5 sunscreen recommendations, Do You Understand The Gibberish On Sunscreen Labels? Myths About Sun-Protection, Guide to buying sunscreen: the UVA cut
Notes: INCI name of filters
- UVA Filter: None
- UVB Filter:
- Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (or Octinoxate)
- Homosalate
- Ethylhexyl Salicylate (or Octisalate)
- UVA/UVB Filter:
- Benzophenone-3 (or Oxybenzone)