Claims: Eco-conscious, Hypo-Allergenic, Anti-Oxidant Rich, Water-resistant (80 minutes) and UVA/UVB Protection
Ingredients: Shea Butter, Eucalyprus Leaf Extract, Red Algae Extract, Kakadu Plum Extract, Vitamin E and Squalene
Ratings: SPF 50
Cost/Value: $15 or $16 (5 oz) / Cheap price for a high quality mineral sunscreen
It is 100% Physical Sunscreen. Its active ingredients are 4% Titanium Dioxide and 4% Zinc Oxide.
It DOES smell like Cocoa butter. It advertised having a "Citrus Oasis Fragrance", which did not smell like any citrus fruits to me! It does have an artificial perfumey type smell. Fragrance is halfway down the ingredients list, which is rather high. If you are sensitive to fragrance, that could be a cause for concern.
It did NOT sting my eyes.
It did NOT settle under my eye wrinkles. It actually looks really beautiful all around the eyes.
It DOES leaves an extremely strong white cast on my skin. Despite having a strong white cast, this is possibly the smoothest, most even, least greasy finish I have encountered. It is not patchy at all, and gives you enough time to blend it and smooth it out perfectly evenly. This does what a lot of texture correcting primers should do, as long as you don't mind a strong white cast.
It DOES dry down within 20 minutes. It dries down into a firm, smooth finish that doesn't peel or flake when lightly agitated. It is difficult to disturb and I love that about it.
It DOES sit well under make up. I love this undermake up for 2 reasons:
1. The firm barrier that I just mentioned. The way it sets gives me enough confidence to use foundation brushes. The finish of this sunscreen is thick enough and stiff enough that it can accept very light circular buffing motions.
2. The impenetrable barrier between your skin and the outside world helps makeup last longer. It actually has a little bit of mattifying effect on foundation without drying it out, as natural oils are sort of contained throughout the day. Wearing this sunscreen can prolong the wear time of some of my foundations by as much as four or five hours before they require a little powder touch up.
It DOES wear well throughout the day. This is even appropriate for exercising outdoors because it so water-resistant, and because it forms such a strong barrier. The downside of being so enduring is that it takes a bit of elbow grease and an oil cleanser to remove. A traditional cleanser, even if you wash your face twice, is not going to take care of this.
This is best suited for normal to oily skin types. Because it forms thats barrier, prevents those oils coming through and can really be of help to somebody with combination or oily skin. It would work fine on dry skin, I just think it is a bit heavy on skin that is dry, fragile and sensitive or inflamed.
Because of its thick texture, even though the main UV filters are mineral, you really dont have to shake it up. It is a thick opaque cream. When you spread it into a nice even sunscreen film, there is a strong white cast. After 20 minutes, it is matte with a strong white cast.
At the end of the day, I would definitely recommend this sunscreen.
