Natural Sunscreen Options

[#1]

I’m on the quest for a natural sunscreen for face and body (separate products are ok). I hate all the chemicals in the drugstore brands, and I’m looking for a specific SPF 30 which seems to be the magic number according to the ladies at the medspa. I’ve been looking at either the Philosophy Here Comes The Sun™ Age-Defense Water-Resistant SPF 30 UVA/UVB Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen or Lavanilla The Healthy Sun Screen SPF 30 Body Cream (they. I am acne prone with fair/light skin. There aren’t too many reviews out there yet on either, so I’d love some insight on both.

Thanks

[#2]

Hi,

I for sure agree with all the recommendations stated. If you are looking for all natural ingredients then those would all be great products to try. If you are mainly concerned about your sensitive skin and causing a reaction, then I'd go with any physical base sunscreen. These type of sunscreen lay topically on your skin. They only have ZINC and TITANIUM DIOXIDE. They are typicallty less iritating on your skin then chemical base if you are sensitive.

Also, there are moisturizers with SPF infused inside of it that are SPF 30 which will definitely help cut down the amount of products you put onto your face. This wil definitely help cause less irritation to your skin as well.

P.M. me if you would like more details.

Stay beautiful.

[#3]

Origins and Ole Henriksen are my 2 favorite natural brands with SPF15-30 products. Josie Maran is also natural with nice SPF but better for dry/combo skin than oily/combo. All 3 of those brands absorb well into my combo skin and while I'm not acne prone, they did not worsen my acne. Korres, Caudalie and Tarte are also natural but not known for good SPF. I'm not a big fan of Philosophy because their products are very chemical-y (Hope in a Jar feels great and work just as advertised, but smells like pepper and cheap plastic, uuugghh), so it's a hit or miss for people.

SPF 30 is indeed the magic number. Products with SPF30/35 or more tend to be more greasy or leave a white/ashey cast on certain skintones (unless it's an actual sunscreen). The amount of coverage you get drastically lessens after SPF 30, (SPF 15 = 92% SPF 30 = 97% SPF 40 = 97.5%), so unless you are super pale or is under blaring sun, SPF 30/35 is sufficient. Regardless of SPF level, it's only effective for 2-3 hrs so you need to reapply.

[#4]

Thanks Beautytester. I currently use Ole Henriksen Visable Truth Creme with SPF 15, and I love it but I'm concerned that the SPF is not high enough. I also don't want to apply thirty products before I even get to my makeup. More layers could equal more aggrivation to my skin. Thanks for the feedback ladies.

[#5]

I would recommend Origins' VitaZing be thrown into the mix. I have fair skin with pink undertones and it works well with my skin. I love how natural it is and it gives my skin a great glow. Just another product to think about

[#6]

LAVANILA is the more natural out of those two.  Philosophy is not a natural brand at all. If the ingredient base is what you are most concerned about, go with LAVANILA. 

http://www.sephora.com/the-healthy-sun-screen-spf-30-body-cream-P284206?skuId=1332873

As for how it works with acne prone skin, I am not too sure since but I find both the facial and body semi drying (dry skin here).  I tend to moisturize prior to using either product.

After a while, the body sunscreen does have a slight vanilla hint to it (not the sweet vanilla associated with vanilla scents/fragrances but more of the natural extract).  Sometimes chalky feeling (again the semi drying part).  Would not sleep in it either.

As far as the philosophy goes, I have had bad experiences with their skincare breaking me out like a teenager.  Body products dry out and make my skin itch.  In other words, not worth the risk to try it here.  However, if you have had more positive experiences, sample first. 

There are some other natural brands offered at places other than Sephora that may be worth checking out.  Consumer reports had a good article (on their official site) with some suggestions as well. 

Hope that helps. 

[#7]

I agree with ran8, I wouldn't consider the Philosophy sunscreen as a "natural" brand.  If you are concerned about the chemicals in sunscreen, then you may want to consisder a physical sunblock, I think Peter Thomas Roth has a good one.  But with that, you will need a seperate moisturizer.  Another option is a mineral sunscreen, like the Josie Maran SPF 40 which is also a moisturizer. Origins also makes natural sunscreens, but I think the SPF is 25, not 30.  I have fair, combination skin with breakouts and have tried both with no adverse effects.  Good luck!