About a month ago, I felt it was time to buy new mineral sunscreens for summer.
I wanted some sunscreens with only Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide, no chemical filters whatsoever. Good spreadibility and lack of white cast would be an added bonus.
Nothing too demanding, right?
Wrong.
It’s one thing not to have a lot of sunscreen options with exclusively mineral filters. That’s my own preference and thus my own problem if I need to do some research to find the perfect ones.
What I wasn’t prepared for is how difficult and annoying that “research” would become.
What I thought would be an 1 hour at max at my usual online retailers, turned out to be an at least 6-hours long digital misery with a lot of fuck you-s thrown around.
Because in 2017, at the height of online shopping, some brands and retailers don’t feel like putting up their ingredients lists on their websites.
I was just surprised at first. Then, as the time passed, I became infuriated.
So much for transparency.
To be fair, a lot of brands and websites do great. Sephora, Beautybay.com, and countless others are able to provide a detailed ingredient list.
The big brands, like Chanel, Estee Lauder or Dior? Massive fail.
Take a look at this $490 serum. Almost 500 dollars and we only get bullshit key ingredients marketing. We don’t even know what’s actually in the product.
Shall I make a trip to the nearest department store every single time I’d like to do some online shopping and write down the ingredient lists in order to be informed?
It’s even worse with sunscreens, as they fall into the category of non-prescription drugs. That means that package labeling requirements are even stricter, like they must separate the active and non-active ingredients on the labels.
Here? Here? And here? Nothing.
In order to be able to make informed choices, I had to hunt down a website that had the entire ingredient list of the product, copy that and check them in the Cos DNA list (btw, incredibly valuable website).
I’m pretty sure this shouldn’t be a normal way. If it’s not regulated, then the authorities should step up and realize it’s the 21st century and labeling rules should be adapted to that.
Or here’s another thought: brands could also step up and fucking tell customers what they’re selling for a change.
This whole little experience just reinforced my feelings of how important it is to ignore the marketing bullshit, research, and do everything in our capabilities to make informed choices.
End of rant (for now).
As for the sunscreens I bought and tested in the last couple of weeks. I’d recommend each one of them, but probably for different occasions.
Jason Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF30
Pros
+ Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide 14.5%, Titanium dioxide 2.0%
+ Broad Spectrum
+ Have a glossary on their website on the function and details of ingredients
Cons
+ Quite thick, difficult to spread on body
Best for
The face. Easy to apply on face, leaves a nice, sheer finish, good under makeup. Also, major bonus points for their informative website! I will definitely try more products from them.
bareMinerals Prep Step™ Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Shield Daily Prep Lotion
Pros
+ Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide 23.8% Titanium dioxide 4.1%
+ Broad Spectrum
+ Awesome primer
+ Very easily spreadable, quite light and runny
Cons
+ Might be too much for oily skin
+ Takes a little time to absorb
Best for
Normal and dry skin. This is the best facial sunscreen I’ve found. Really works well under makeup.
Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion For Body
Pros
+ Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide 3.2% Titanium dioxide 2.0 %
+ Broad Spectrum
+ Oil-free and fragrance-free
+ Consistency is light-weight, runny/creamy
Cons
+ Lower active ingredient % than the others
+ Leaves a little white cast
+ Horrible website, no information whatsoever on ingredients. Please tell this at Clinique counters whenever you can.
Best for
Body on an average sunny day. I included this because it’s easy to use, spreads well (which is rare for mineral sunscreens), and is fragrance free. Probably wouldn’t rely on this only on a beach vacation, but good for everyday city use.
Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish SPF 50+PA+++
Pros
+ Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide
+ Broad Spectrum
+ Consistency is light-weight, runny. Absorbs easily, leaves a really nice finish
Cons
+ Haven’t been able to find the exact % of active ingredients. I guess the Korean regulations must be different from those of the EU or US.
+ Not fragrance-free. The scent is quite distinct, citrusy. It’s pleasant, but might be too much for sensitive skin
Best for
Face and body. Really easy to use and leaves a nice finish. You can buy it here.
Overall, I’m only half satisfied with my sunscreen quest. I feel like I’m good with the facial ones, but I still would like to find a body sunscreen with a high % of active ingredients that is also easy to use.
Please, if you can, save me another 10 hours of research and let me know what your favourite mineral sunscreens are! xx
