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L’Oreal Revitalift UV Cream with Mexoryl, SPF 15

I was quite happy to see the new L’Oreal sunscreen, L’Oreal Dermo-Expertise Revitalift UV, Daily Moisturizing Cream with Sunscreen, because I have been waiting for a sunscreen with Mexoryl to become easily available at the drugstores.

With that said, I do have a little quibble with L’Oreal’s advertising. They have been portraying the sunscreen as “just approved” by the FDA and “finally available.” Well, guess what? It was approved over a year ago and has been available in the United States for some time in my favorite sunblock, Lancome UV Expert, and in La Roche-Posay Anthelios, both of which happen to be a L’Oreal companies. Sketchy advertising honestly bugs me and this is good stuff that doesn’t need the exaggerated newness factor.

OK, so now that I got my little advertising rant out of the way, I do recommend this sunscreen. With the help of Mexoryl as an ingredient, it provides full spectrum protection. It is moisturizing and absorbs well, but unlike its predecessors, it is pretty easy to find in any local drugstore. Further, it is a bit cheaper than the others.

I still prefer the Lancome branded version because it includes a physical blocker as well as Mexoryl. When I reported on the sunscreen database, one of the concerns I found about Mexoryl was that like many chemical blockers, it is not entirely stable in sunlight. So I tend to like a physical blocker mixed with my chemical blockers. Since the Lancome version has that, it is my first choice. But it is nice to see yet another, and a bit more accessible, alternative.

Comparison Shop for Sunscreens

By Carleenp Posted in Sunscreens | 2 Comments

Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen

I recently came across the following video accredited to Baz Luhrmann, who happens to be a favorite writer and director of mine. It is rather remarkable.

Even more interesting is the history behind it. Derived from what is commonly referred to as the “wear sunscreen speech” by Mary Schmich, the video puts the speech to music. From the wiki entry:

Mary Schmich “Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young” was published in the Chicago Tribune as a column on June 1, 1997. In her introduction to the column, she described it as the commencement address she would give if she were asked to give one.

The column soon became the subject of an urban legend, in which it was alleged to be an MIT commencement speech given by author Kurt Vonnegut in that same year (in truth, MIT’s commencement speaker that year was Kofi Annan). Despite a follow-up article by Mary Schmich on August 3, 1997, in which she referred to the “lawless swamp of cyberspace’ that had made her and Kurt Vonnegut to be “one”, by the year of 1999 the falsely attributed story was widespread.

When the column was later turned into a song, Schmich’s “wish” came true when Zagreb’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing started to play the song Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) at every graduation ceremony.

The poem-like piece has drawn frequent comparison to the Max Ehrmann poem Desiderata, which was also the subject of an urban legend misattribution.

“Wear Sunscreen” was set to music, renamed “Baz Luhrmann Presents: Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen): The Sunscreen Song (Class of ‘99)” or in short “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” and released on an album by Australian film director Baz Luhrmann.

The video is quite inspirational. Initially, I viewed it looking for things to write on sunscreen. I was left with something to present containing words of wisdom for life’s endeavors.

You can view the video below, it is a bit long, but well worth your time.

By Carleenp Posted in Beauty Tech, Misc., Sunscreens, Video | 1 Comment

DermaQuest ZinClear Sunblock SPF 30

DermaQuest ZinClear SPF 30 is a full spectrum sunblock, providing physical blocking with zinc oxide.

Something that stood out on this one for me was that it was quicker absorbing than some of my other favorite sunscreens. It also provides some moisture without being too heavy or greasy.

Finally, there is no left over white tint, so I suppose the zinc oxide is likely micronized.

I liked this sunscreen and easily recommend it for those who want some light moisture and a physical blocker in their sunscreen.

Shop for Dermaquest products

By Carleenp Posted in Sunscreens | 2 Comments

Lancome UV Expert SPF 20 Sunscreen With Mexoryl SX

A Sunscreen that I had long wanted to give a try is Lancome UV Expert SPF 20 with Mexoryl SX. I finally got around to doing so!

Mexoryl (chemical name ecamsule) is the first new sunscreen approved by the FDA since 1988. It helps cover short UVA rays, which can account for a good amount of skin damage, yet are not generally covered by other chemical sun filters. When combined with other sunscreens, it can provide a product with full spectrum protection. Mexoryl is claimed to be very photo stable as well, although I have seen mixed reports on that. Essentially, I don’t trust it to be as protective as a good physical blocker such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, so I recommend reapplication after an hour or two despite some claims to the contrary. Lancome’s UV Expert combines Mexoryl with other chemical filters and titanium dioxide. Thus, it contains both chemical filters and a physical blocker. Together the product provides full spectrum protection that lasts over a decent amount of time.

I really like the feel of UV Expert. It is lightly moisturizing, but not overly so, and does not feel greasy in any manner. It also spreads very well, so a little goes a long way. I found that I use about half the amount of UV Expert compared to the the amount I use of various drugstore brands. The sunscreen has no unpleasant scents and does not leave any sort of white tint behind.

Lancome UV Expert has become my sunscreen of choice for day to day wear. When I plan to be outside for a lengthy period of time, I still go for something with a greater percentage of physical blockers. But for my daily drive to work, or when out running errands, UV Expert is perfect.

Shop for Lancome UV Expert SPF 20 with Mexoryl

By Carleenp Posted in Sunscreens | 1 Comment

Colorescience Sunscreen: Full Spectum Protection in a Powder Form

Sunscreen week continues at Beauty and Fashion Tech. Earlier in the week I looked at a few of the top products in the Sunscreen database. Today I cover a sunblock that is not in the database, but that I absolutely love. It is also a bit different. It is a powder.

I just love Colorescience Almost Clear and Colorscience Perfectly Clear. These powder sunscreens come in small tubes with a built in brush. Open the tube, push up the brush, and rub lightly on the skin to apply a micronized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide powder sunblock.

The Colorescience products are unique, easy to use, and easy to carry. The best part is that they make reapplying sunscreen over makeup incredibly easy. This has always been an issue for me. I like to reapply sunscreen for the drive home from work, but I don’t want to apply cream over makeup. Now I don’t have to because I can apply powder instead. The tube fits perfectly in my purse, and after a quick application, off I go. I question whether a powder sunscreen is as effective as a cream, but for layering over makeup, the Colorscience products are perfect.

As for the shades, I find that the all clear really is clear. The almost clear is barely noticeable to me and does not seem to have enough pigment to act as any sort of makeup. I tend to use them interchangeably.

One item of note: Colorescience contains bismuth, which can cause itching in some people. So unfortunately if you have problems with bismuth, this product will likely not be for you. However, there are a number of pure mineral makeup products out there that also contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide that may be worth looking into.

Colorscience is a bit expensive, although I think it is well worth the price. If you want to try it cheaper, there is also a Colorscience Sample Shaker available.

Shop for ColorScience Sunscreen and Cosmetics

By Carleenp Posted in Face Products, Sunscreens | 5 Comments

Fallene Total Block Cotz SPF 58 and Total Block SPF 60

Today’s installment in sunscreen week looks at Total Block Cotz SPF 58, a water resistant sunscreen that is number 17 in the Environmental Working Group Sunscreen Database. Total Block Cotz, containing titanium dioxide and zinc ozide, is comfortable to wear and fragrance free. As with the other products I have reported on this week, there was a minimal white tint that absorbed quickly. Total Block Cotz has additional ingredients to make it water resistant, which I felt made it feel a little heavy. But otherwise, it is a quality product that is particularly good for when water resistence is needed.

A couple of other Total Block products worth noting are Total Block SPF 60 Clear and Total Block SPF 60 Tinted. Both are oil free products and are rated at number 43 in the database. These products also contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as physical blockers. I have found that the clear form leaves a bit more white tint than other products, but that it covers fine with makeup. Unfortunately, it also feels a bit heavy and chalky. The one that I really love is the tinted version. That comes with dark and white tints to add to create a custom color. It is not at all sheer though. Instead, the resulting makeup gives quite heavy coverage. It is fairly popular with people who have melasma or heavy hyperpigmentation and who want a combination full spectrum sunscreen and heavy coverage makeup.

I linked to the Amazon.com pages, which generally are a bit cheaper. The Total block products are also available at Derma Doctor

Comparison Shop for Sunscreens

By Carleenp Posted in Sunscreens | No Comments

Slate Article on Measuring SPF

Slate has an interesting article up: How Do They Measure SPF?

Check it out!

Update: The part about re-applying a 2 SPF after 20 minutes in the article is incorrect. It really should state that after 20 minutes with an SPF 2, time is up. Get out of the sun.