Sunscreen Review: Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense Sunscreen SPF 30

I reviewed this by request because I was curious, knowing it is an extremely popular sunscreen. I think it is a very common misconception that sunscreens with lower SPF will have better cosmetic elegance than sunscreens with higher SPFs. 

Claims: Anti-oxidant, Anti-microbial and soothing properties

Ingredients: Algae extract, Sunflower Sprout extract, Grape Juice extract, Glycerine, Morula Oil, Aloe Leaf extract, Irish Moss, Astaxanthin-rich Algae extract, Sunflower Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Raspberry Seed Oil, Wheat Protein, Vitamin E, Glucosamine, Vitamin C and Mica.

Ratings: Broad Spectrum SPF 30 

Cost/Value: $34 (fl. oz) / relatively cheap/ reasonably sunscreen. 

It is 100% Physical Sunscreen. Its active ingredient is 20% Zinc Oxide.

It did NOT smell.

It did NOT sting my eyes.

It DOES leave a white cast on my skin. This sunscreen is so grainy, super white, patchy and weirdest of all is stringy. This is second ugliest sunscreen I have ever put in my face!

It DOES gather in my wrinkles.

It did NOT dry down in 20 minutes or less. It doesn't dry down to a dry touch finish, but it sets in about 25-30 minutes. It stays pretty sticky, heavy and easily transfers off throughout the day.

It did NOT look good under make-up. It looks horrible under make-up, because of that stringy, peeling, balling up weird texture this is so impossible to wear make-up over.

It DOES stick around throughout the day. Because it is a 20% Zinc Oxide sunscreen, its protecting you as long as it's on your face. 

It is NOT suitable to anyone. It is going to look thick, stringy and confusing on every single person that applies enough of it to actually get the SPF reading on the tube out of it.

Texture and Consistency: It has strangely grainy, super thick, super white texture. I tried to blend it out evenly. After 20 minutes, it is still thick, white, uneven, very opaque, and quite shiny thanks to that mica. It also doesn't correct easily.

I do not recommend this sunscreen. 

Sunscreen Review: Australian Gold Botanical SPF 50 Lotion

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. 

Sunscreen Review: Ishizawa Shigaisen Yohou Non Chemical UV Cream SPF 50+ PA++++

Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, Orange Oil, Aloe Leaf Extract, Grape Extract, Chamomile Extract, Barbados Cherry Extract, Mulberry Bark Extract, Skullcap Extract and Wandering Dew Extract. 

Ratings: SPF 50+ PA++++

Cost/Value: between $27-$34 on Ebay (40 grams) / average to pricey

It is 100% Physical Sunscreen. The active ingredients are Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Completely free of chemical sunscreen filters.

It did NOT sting my eyes.

It did NOT smell.

It DOES leaves a very strong white cast. If you apply a an appropriate amount, it can get patchy. You really need to wear make up over this.

It dries down in between 20-25 minutes, depending on how much you apply.

It DOES repeatedly pool in my undereye wrinkles, at least 2 or 3 times during the day. 

It changes the look of foundation. Any foundation that you put it under will look a full shade lighter and more powdery or matte than it normally would. It does not become more sheer throughout the day. However, once everything has applied and set, the finish doesn't change. It really sticks around throughout the day and your make-up really sticks to it. It helps my foundation lasts longer in good condition.

It is definitely present throughout the day.

I recommend this for sensitive skin (unless you know yourself to be reactive to Citrus Oils, in this case I would not recommend it). I would also recommend it to acne sufferers. Zinc has a natural calming effect on skin and anti-bacterial properties that will help fight your acne.