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I wouldn’t get too hung up on spf ratings, because they only reflect UVB coverage, not UVA. I tend to look for a sunscreen with at least 5% zinc oxide, the more, the better. And you can’t beat MDSolarsciences with 17%. So I wouldn’t worry if it says spf 30 on the package–that’s only the UVB coverage.
Gina, do you find the mdsolarsciences hard to spread? I find it very hard to see where I’ve spread it. I can only tell by feeling my skin and seeing if it has a slippery feel. But even then, I’m not sure that area is covered because I can’t see it going on. Weird.
The other thing I hate about mineral sunscreens. By the end of the day, either powder foundation or tinted moisturizer applied over the top of them gets cakey and weird, like the zinc oxide particles have wandered into it. It looks totally wrong and terrible, and I can’t see that until I get home where the lighting is better than the bathroom at work. For me, the only thing that goes on and stays looking reasonable all day over mineral sunscreens is a true liquid foundation.
OK – at least the 5% zinc oxide gives me a minimum to look for.
And yes, that’s why lately I’ve been looking to the solarsciences in my drawer more and more – I trust and love the 17% for my face.Thanks for the reminder that SPF only addresses the UVB factor and not UVA – I never actually “connected” that in my mind – all the more reason to look for high zinc oxide content…since part (OK most) of the reason I wear sunscreen is to prevent as much photoaging as possible.I didn’t know there was a UVA rating in the works like the PA…that would be awesome (and long overdue).I don’t find the mdsolarsciences sunscreen hard to spread at all (I’m talking about the SPF 50 one – it’s the one I’ve been using lately)…but…I am generous with the application and there’s no doubt in my mind I’ve covered every inch of skin…
I don’t wear powder foundations (too dry “feeling” for me at this age – I want moisture in *everything*) and tinted moisturizers do nothing for me (same dislike I have for tinted sunscreens – staining and having the neck always somewhat whiter) – so I can’t attest to that…but in general I feel like it’s hard to find the perfect sunscreen much less sunscreen that looks good with foundation on top…One thing that happened to me the other day that was really unpleasant was I wore a mineral sunscreen that was supposed to be water resistant to 80 minutes to the gym and it was pooling and coming out of my pores halfway through my workout.
Thanks, Gina! See, the spf 50 one is white, so that could make it easier to see as you spread it than the tinted one, which just disappears into my skin. But I prefer it tinted because it gives me options for layering over it and also because I think it has less of a tendency to kind of leech into, or affect the color of, products I put over top of it than the white ones.
Also–take what I say with a grain of salt about 5% or more. That is just my take on what you need for reasonable UVA coverage. What I can say is that 17% is on the high end relative to products on the market that I’ve seen (and used).
Sarah – tomorrow I will make it a point to wear the SPF 30 one and get back to you on whether I find it hard to spread – I have both the tinted and untinted – I’ll try the tinted first since I know that’s the one you’re wearing most (actually not even sure you own the untinted one).
I never tried the tinted under a foundation – that may be an interesting thing to try especially because the SPF 50 shows white even through foundation – had never occurred to me to try that.OK thanks for pointing out the 5% is not based on any specific “scientific” thing – I really appreciate that – it gives me something to work with though. And yes 17% is awesome.Thanks, Gina. Curious to hear your take on the tinted one. Re: 5% Here is a link that backs me up, but not sure what their sources are. http://www.skincare-news.com/a-2286-Zinc_Oxide.aspx I’ve just generally felt that concentrations below 5% are too trivial, but not sure where I first heard that or if I made it up…
Also, here’s an article where they compare 3% avobenzone (a pretty standard concentration) to 5% zinc oxide. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20806994
And another link–but not sure what her sources are. http://www.drbaileyskincare.com/blog/how-to-pick-the-best-sunscreen/
And another one (again, unsure of source): http://www.frederickdermatology.com/know-broad-spectrum-sunscreen-right/OK – so…I used the tinted solarmdsciences yesterday – I had totally forgotten what it felt like and looked like.
Definitely harder to spread than the SPF 50 one – it doesn’t feel as “slippery” – it’s more liquidy so the consistency makes it not go as far…the consistency reminded me a little bit of the foundation I usually wear the Estee Lauder Double Wear – you have to work kind of fast. For reference, I only moisturized my face with CeraVe Baby Lotion and not with the SkinActives Every Lipid Serum I usually use (which is a blend of lipids that is somewhat oily/slippery. Just to not give it any help.So yes I had to be more conscientious that I was covering every spot.I am so glad I did this – I had forgotten just now *nice* the tinted one is – it is the most natural I’ve seen so far…plus hardly any white cast AT ALL…and a matte finish…reminded me why I like this brand – I feel like for the most part, they’ve nailed the finish and consistency. Not saying their sunscreens are perfect in every situation (the SPF 50 one can be greasy feeling especially under foundation) – but pretty damn good.I’m running low on all 3 and I will probably reorder them all, including the tinted one now! (thank to this conversation with you).
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