sunscreen Archives * Style Chicks

Skincare: Herbal Choice Mari SPF-15 Day Cream

August 26, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Herbal Choice Mari SPF-15 Day Cream

If you are even a sporadic Style Chicks reader, you know how strongly we feel about the daily use of sunscreen, 365 days a year, rain or shine.

I have become increasingly concerned about chemicals in sunscreens being absorbed transdermally into my system. A lot of chemicals such as oxybenzone are readily absorbed into your body and have been shown to cause allergic reactions in some people and cause toxicity. Synthetic fragrances and dyes can also get into your system, and can cause topical reactions as well. Trading sun protection for a rash or toxic chemicals in your system doesn’t sound appealing, does it?

That is why I like Herbal Choice Mari SPF-15 Day Cream. It is oxybenzone and octinoxate free. It is also free of chemicals and nano-particles, which can penetrate the skin and get into the system. It is also free from petroleum based ingredients. And from the Herbal Choice website, all the other things it is free of: “free from synthetic fragrances or dyes. Free from gluten, dairy, soy, corn, no GMO. Free from phthalates, parabens, preservatives. Free from beeswax, insects or animal ingredients”. And it is also Cruelty-free, vegan and vegetarian. Covers all the bases, doesn’t it?

While it comes in tinted shades (like a tinted moisturizer or a light BB cream), I selected the transparent shade. It does leave a bit of a white film. However, I’m finding of late that if you apply a sunscreen that leaves a white tint, then foundation is truer on my skin. I’m quite fair and have a cool skin tone, so consider one of the tinted shades if you aren’t quite as pale as I am.

So, the big question is, if it doesn’t protect the skin via chemicals, then how does it actually work? It contains Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, a well-known sun shield. It is a full-spectrum sunscreen, so you are protected from both UVA and UVB rays. It also has lovely skincare ingredients such as organic olive oil, organic lemongrass, organic lavender, and organic sage.

It has a delicate lemongrass scent that dissipates on the skin. The formula itself is incredibly emollient and makes my skin feel smooth and supple. It comes in a lovely purple glass jar to protect the formula, and it is quite pretty on its own.

I’m very happy to have found a sunscreen that not only protects and nourishes my skin but is also free of so many dangerous ingredients! I often hear absorption of chemicals as a reason women don’t choose to wear sunscreen, but there are alternatives, and this is a great sunscreen that won’t harm your body and is great for your skin! It also comes in an SPF 30, which is recommended by many dermatologists.

Find this great sunscreen at Nature’s Brands.

I received this product for testing and review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and I’ll do my best to answer it!

Majestic Pure Clear Body SPF 30+ Sunscreen

June 14, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Sunscreen is a fundamental component in any beauty arsenal to both protect the skin from burning but to also reduce premature aging and the production of sunspots and the eroding of collagen, which gives the face an older, duller look. Despite the importance of sunscreen for younger looking skin, many women don’t consistently use sunscreen because it leaves the skin too greasy feeling to apply makeup, and some prefer not to use the kinds of chemicals found in many sunscreens especially on the delicate facial skin. There are various reports about sunscreen chemicals can seep into the skin and absorb into the body. Some parents want to use only natural sunscreens on their children. For these reasons, I was excited to try Majestic Pure 30+ SPF Sunscreen, a 100% natural broad spectrum water resistant sunscreen for face and body.

I was intrigued by the concept of an all-natural sunscreen, not knowing that some oils were in fact, natural sunscreens. Some of these ingredients are Grape Seed Oil, Sunflower Oil, Organic Honey, and Coconut, all of which have natural sunscreen properties and the Palm Oil and Sea Salt support and enhance these properties

Grape Seed Oil is a non-greasy oil that serves as a natural sunscreen and has outstanding nourishing, anti-aging and moisturizing properties. Grape Seed Oil contains proanthocyanidins which are potent antioxidants that diminish the sun’s damaging effects and lessen the free radical damage. Grape Seed Oil in a sunscreen is also beneficial for reducing age spots, sunburn, and wrinkles.

Sunflower Oil Its nutritious composition makes it one of the healthiest oils for consumption as well as application on the skin and the hair. The main component of sunflower oil is linoleic acid. Its other components include oleic acid and palmitic acid. In addition to these, it contains lecithin, carotenoids, tocopherols and appreciable quantities of vitamins

Sea Salt can help mitigate the effect of sunburn and soothe skin and for the body is a natural deodorant.

Coconut Oil has an SPF value which is magnified by the other oils.

APPLICATION AND RESULTS

The consistency is creamy; I imagine this is what a thickened version of Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion would feel like on the skin. The scent is very mild, a light aroma of Palm Oil and a tiny bit of Coconut, but it is not sweet smelling. It applies smoothly upon contact with the skin and goes on evenly. It is very emollient and seems like a hand cream but melts quickly and does not feel sticky or thick on the skin. There is a very light sheen to the skin so that it could be worn without makeup and the skin would have a nice light deflection glow. I like the subtle glow it leaves on my arms and legs, my skin looks soft, dewy and toned.

Makeup did apply evenly over the sunscreen, but it was necessary to allow a good 15 minutes for the sunscreen to sink in before foundation application to not have my foundation melt away too quickly. On the body, I only wait a few minutes before putting on my clothes because it does dry down well.

I found I did not need to re-apply during the day, and while it is water resistant, the bottle recommends reapplying it after various outdoor activities such as swimming or towel drying.

CONCLUSION: Nice texture and scent, not greasy, soothing to the skin with no irritation. It is nice to have peace of mind that I can protect my skin and not be exposed to excessive chemicals.

Find it at Amazon.com.

Majestic Pure Clear Body SPF 30+ Sunscreen

I received this item for testing and unbiased review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and I’ll do my best to answer it!

Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit is Back!

April 28, 2011 · Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year – the Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit is back at Sephora.com! This is a great way to try out several new sunscreens before you buy a great one to last you through the summer months (of course, you’ve been wearing sunscreen all year long…right??????). And it’s only $25!

Here’s the rundown:

Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit (a $147 Value) for $25

What it is: A limited edition kit with 11 sun care products, one deluxe-sized sample, and a bonus beach tote.

What it is formulated to do: Sephora and The Skin Cancer Foundation are proud to present the fifth edition of the Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit ($147 Value) Sun Safety Kit. One of Sephora’s most popular sets, this year’s mix includes past favorites and new products that we can’t resist. The bonus tote bag is both travel- and beach-friendly. You’ll also get a Sun Safety Tip Card. It’s everything you need for sun-safe fun this summer.

This Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit contains:

– 0.03 oz Bare Escentuals bareMinerals SPF 25 Mineral Veil
– 0.5 oz Boscia Oil-free Daily Hydration SPF 15
– 0.5 oz DDF Mattifying Oil Control SPF 15
– 0.7 oz Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30
– 0.5 oz Ole Henriksen Fresh Lips SPF 15
– 0.5 oz Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Defense Moisture Lotion SPF 30
– 0.4 oz Philosophy Hope Oil Free SPF 30
– 0.23 oz Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 60 PA +++
– 0.25 oz Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF 15 With Dermaxyl Complex
– 0.33 oz Supergoop! Everyday SPF 30+
– 0.4 oz Supergoop! SPF 30 Sunscreen Swipe with Zinc for Sensitive Skin
– 0.5 oz TanTowel Plus Self-Tan Towelette For Face & Body
– Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Mini Flawless Application Brush
– Beach Tote

What else you need to know:
100 percent of the net profits from this kit will benefit The Skin Cancer Foundation. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer found in the United States and is also one of the most preventable. Help others become aware of this growing problem while defending yourself against the sun’s harmful rays.

Get a Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit

New Product: Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion SPF 30

March 7, 2011 · Leave a Comment

If you’ve been to StyleChicks before, you know I never leave the house without sunscreen. Given the fact that my skin tone is pretty much best described as “see-through”, it’s a bit of a necessity. And if I can find a high-SPF sunscreen that provides anti-aging benefits, I’m thrilled.

Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion SPF 30

So I eagerly tried out Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion SPF 30. As I mentioned in my review of Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Hydrabalance Foaming Cleanser, I have been a loyal fan of the Kinerase line for many years now, and I love how Kinetin, the star ingredient in the Kinerase and Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase lines, soothes my skin, as well as how bright and perky my skin looks after using it. So if you added a SPF to a great Kinetin-containing lotion? Perfect!

Now, when I first started using the original Kinerase line, the last thing on my 20-something mind was wrinkles. And thanks to great skin products and prescription retinols, my skin is still pretty smooth for my age. But…wrinkles and how to prevent them from getting worse does cross my mind now, especially when my skin is dry. Kinetin improves the skin’s ability to skin cells to stay healthy without irritation, and soothes skin while it works. In addition, Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion contains Symrepair 2%, which increases the skin’s ability to maintain moisture, and QuenchT 2%, which also soothes the skin.

Of course, texture and performance are key in choosing both a sunscreen and a daily lotion. Previous to Wrinkle Repair I had been using La Roche Posay’s Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid for Face, which as the name implies, is an ultra light liquid, and it absorbs really quickly. Wrinkle Repair is a cream, but it absorbs just as fast and leaves a smooth, hydrated, semi-matte finish. My skin looks dewy and plumped immediately without a hint of greasiness – it simply looks young. Makeup sits on top of the skin beautifully with Wrinkle Repair on, and since the formula is pretty light, I can use a serum underneath and still not get sticky or greasy. I love the very subtle citrus scent which dissipates when the lotion absorbs. It’s simply a great sunscreen and wrinkle-fighting lotion rolled into one.

I plan on buying this product in the future. In the days I’ve been testing it out, I’ve had a few circumstances of being in rooms with extremely dry, forced heat that would typically leave my skin parched, but the moisture in my skin held up with Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion. I’m thrilled!

The directions say to use a dime sized amount, which will more than cover your face – I tend to stick with using a nickel sized amount just out of habit, but be sure to use at least a dime sized amount.

Find Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Wrinkle Repair Daily Lotion SPF 30 at Walgreens for $27.99.