Just the other day I took a leisurely stroll through the park and I could smell some blossoming jasmine. It's beginning to look a lot like spring here in Queensland in Australia! Warmer weather got me start to think about poolside party and bikinis (hands up who just said YAY?). Sunshine means a whole LIFE to me, but it also means that I have to get smart to be sun-safe when it comes to topping up on Vitamin D ( I've shared my SPF, 'Stay Pretty Forever' sun-smart tips I swear by here).
Being a green beauty warrior, of course I ditched the chemical sunscreen that I used to love and opted for mineral sunscreens with natural ingredients.
So what exactly is chemical sunscreen?Most chemical sunscreens contain oxybenzone that can behave like estrogen in the body aka endocrine disruptor - yikes! The other common ingredient retinyl palmitate may speed the development of skin tumors when exposed to sun, which is very ironic in fact ( sourced from the Environmental Working Group website here).
And how about mineral sunscreens?Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, don't contain all the iffy chemicals that you struggle to pronounce. The active ingredients are typically zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They provide non-chemical protection from UVA and UVB rays, and are designed to sit on top of the skin and reflect rays.
Now we have a clear green beauty winner here!
To help you pack your beach bags, we'll be reviewing a few natural mineral sunscreens in the coming months - all to help you make better-informed purchase decisions. First up, we road-tested Eco Tan Coconut Sunscreen. Guess what - we might have hit the jackpot right there!
Eco Tan Natural Coconut Sunscreen (Untinted)
♥ Active ingredient: Zinc Oxide
♥ All ingredients are accepted by Wholefoods Market Premium Body Care Guidelines
♥ Contain naturally nourishing oils including grapeseed oil, shea butter, jojoba seed oil and rosehip oil
♥ No synthetic fragrance, oxybezone and parabens
♥ Cruelty free
♥ Comply with the Australian/ New Zealand standard for sunscreens
My Verdict:
This hydrating and nourishing formula feels like a treat to my skin!
Frist of all, the intensive smell of coconut cream got me hooked instantly. It's not hard to imagine that you're sitting by the pool in a Bali resort with a glass of piña colada in hand! The pleasant scent which isn't too overpowering lingers on for a while.
The consistency is velvety thick in solid white colour. It spreads incredibly easily on my face while I rub it in thanks to the nourishing power of essential oils in the formula. It glides on effortlessly which I adore. It also makes my skin look subtly illuminated and nourished - so many wins here!
The solid white colour does look quite intimidating at the first glance. I'm definitely not keen for those sunscreens that leave a creepy ghost white finish on my face! I spend around 30 seconds rubbing it in my entire face. I read about how mineral sunscreen doesn't get absorbed into the skin and actually works on the surface to reflect sunrays. You do actually feel a little bit pasty that with this sunscreen. It does leave a slight mineral glow on my skin, however, it's nothing like a creepy ghost white. I usually spritz some rosewater on my face after applying it to give it a more natural look.
And here's the ultimate test. I applied it on my husband's face. There's something going on about men and sunscreens. They seem to think they don't need them because fine lines don't bother them as much. And most men hate layering sticky and greasy products on their skin anyway. With this Eco Tan one, my husband absolutely thinks it's the best he's used so far. It spreads easily and doesn't give him that cricket player look with thick white paste, and those were exactly what he's looking for.
At $29.95 for 150ml, it might seem to sit on the pricey side. But a little goes a very long way. I also love the convenience of packing one product that can be used for both face and body in my beach bags. This is especially important when packing for tropical holidays overseas as every kilo counts. I'll definitely be repurchasing.
Beeswax is used in the formula so unfortunately this isn't vegan-friendly.
Other bits you need to know:♥ Broad spectrum with UVA/UVB protection
♥ 3 hours water resistant
♥ Perfect for face and body
♥ Apply liberally onto clean, dry skin and rub in evenly 20 minutes prior to sun exposure
♥ Apply enough to give a visible layer before rubbing in. Reapply every 1-2 hours and also after swimming.
The team over at Beautiful Because has kindly sent over this product for our reviews. Beautiful Because stocks a great range of eco beauty products and publishes an eco beauty guide so make sure you hop on over to check it out! We'll also host a GIVEAWAY next week for your chance to win this Eco Tan sunscreen so make sure you hit subscribe & follow on Facebook - missing out is simply not cool!
So tell me fellow green beauty junkies, have you ditched chemical sunscreens? If not, what has held your back? What brands of mineral sunscreens have your road-tested and loved? Start a conversion with us in the comments below.
Until next time. Stay beautiful inside and out!
P.S. Make sure you sign up to our mailing list HERE to be among the first to know about our monthly toxin-free beauty giveaway!
