I’m going on a family trip to the beach today, so a sunscreen post seemed pretty appropriate. While I really hate the idea of sunscreen, sometimes I prefer it to having huge blisters all over my face (which actually happened once). Here are a few sunscreens that I’ve tried in the past and my thoughts regarding them:
I can't say no to many things that boast being chemical-free.
Burt’s Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen SPF 30-
This stuff is fairly easy to rub in. It’s what I used to use on my body if I didn’t plan on getting in the water. I lost the bottle after using it only a few times, and I just discovered that my sister has been using my lost bottle.
Cosmetic Safety Database Hazard Score- 4
Ingredients: Active ingredient: titanium dioxide (8.58%)
Inactive Ingredients: water, cannabis sativa (hemp) seed oil, glycerin, stearic acid, fragrance, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, hydrated silica, sucrose distearate, calendula officinalis (calendula) flower extract, crataegus oxyacanthus (hawthorn) stem extract, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, hydrastis canadensis (golden seal) extract, symphtum officinale (comfrey) extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, alginic acid, acacia senegal gum, xanthan gum, beta carotene, sucrose stearate, lecithin, aluminium hydroxide, sodium borate, glucose, sodium chloride, canola oil, glucose oxidase, lactoperoxidase
This is the bottle and SPF that I have. Apparently the newly designed bottle has a higher SPF.
Alba Botanica Facial Sunblock SPF 30-
Cosmetic Safety Database Hazard Score- 3
This is my favorite natural sunscreen that I’ve ever used. It doesn’t clog my pores or cause breakouts, and it doesn’t make my face look ridiculously greasy. The bottle says that it’s for faces, but I tend to use it all over.
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 8.0 %, Titanium Dioxide 1.0 % Other Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (1), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (1), Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract (1), Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Isostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate. (1) Certified Organic
Nature's Gate doesn't play when it comes to water-resistance.
Nature’s Gate Aquablock SPF 50-
Cosmetic Safety Database Hazard Score- 3
My skin was white after putting this on, and no amount of rubbing in made it any better. It’s almost not worth it, but if I’m going to be getting in the water, then this is still my go-to sunscreen (since I have yet to find anything that has more staying power).
Active ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5, Octisalate 5%, Oxybenzone 2.5%Zinc Oxide10% Inactive ingredients: water, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower/leaf/stem extract, neopentyl glycol diethylhexanoate, polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, cetyl dimethicone, glycerin, propylheptyl caprylate, cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone, hexyl laurate, aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, echinacea angustifolia (coneflower) extract, equisetum arvense (horsetail) extract, rosa canina (rose hip) fruit extract, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel extract, cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, panthenol, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, tocopheryl acetate, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), hydrogenated castor oil, neopentyl glycol diisostearate, ceresin, magnesium sulfate, sodium chloride, triethoxycaprylylsilane, glyceryl undecylenate, ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol.
Filed under: health and beauty, natural products, physical well-being, skin care
Tags: alba botanica, beach, blisters, burt's bees, cosmetic safety database, greasy, nature's gate, SPF, sunburn, sunscreen, waterproof
