Review: Annmarie Gianni's Sun Love

Annmarie Gianni recently sent me a product called "Sun Love," which appeared to be a sunscreen. After testing it, however, I discovered that this creamy, zinc-based sunscreen is more like a tinted moisturizer that offers sun protection. So just how does Sun Love perform?

Pros:

• Yummy chocolate-lavender scent
• Gentle, zinc-based sunscreen
• Includes several organic or wildcrafted ingredients
• Lightweight, tinted formula
• No "sunscreen smell"

Review: Coola Face SPF 20 Mineral Sunscreen Unscented Moisturizer

Mineral sunscreens tend to include either titanium dioxide and zinc, or zinc only. What if you're zinc sensitive? Coola makes a Face SPF 20 Unscented Mineral Sunscreen with titanium dioxide only.

Pros:

• No "sunscreen smell"
• Water resistant (40 minutes)
• Contains organic ingredients
• Lovely packaging
• Moisturizing formula
  

Cons:

• A bit of an investment

Summary:
This sunscreen is very easy to apply. It comes in a fun aqua blue tube and absorbs quickly, leaving little scent behind. It provides broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection and it a moisturizing formula. The active ingredient is titanium dioxide only, which is a plus for those who are zinc sensitive. The ingreidents are fairly gentle, as this product rates a low to moderate 3 on the EWG Skin Deep database. It comes in a lovely box and there is a great website that lists other bonuses like bring TSA friendly and recycle friendly. While it is more expensive than other sunscreen moisturizers, it is a high-quality formula that is particularly unique in that it doesn't contain zinc. If you're zinc sensitive and looking for a sunscreen, check out this one from Coola.

Also available on Amazon.com.

Product Ratings (out of 5)

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Performance
Presentation
Purity
Value

Disclosure notice: This product was sent to me free of charge by the manufacturer for review. No additional compensation was accepted and the opinions are my own. Please verify any claims with the manufacturer, especially if you have any allergies or concerns.

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Review: Josie Maran Argan Oil Daily Moisturizer SPF 40+

I've been on the hunt for a new sunscreen moisturizer. Due to the insufferably hot Texas summer, I haven't spent much time outside, but when I do, even to run errands, I like to have some SPF on my face. Since I don't go through facial sunscreens as fast as body lotions, I was willing to take a chance on something a little more expensive: Josie Maran's Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40+.

Pros:

• Absorbs quickly
• Broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection
• Light, fruity fragrance that dissipates quickly
• Contains organic ingredients
• A little goes a long way
  

Cons:

• Pricey per ounce

Summary:
I was really surprised at how light this moisturizer felt on my skin. It was non-greasy, despite having argan oil as one of the top ingredients. There is a lovely fruity scent that is very light and dissipates quickly, so it won't conflict with your other scents or perfumes. I only needed a tiny amount to cover my face, so the $14 "to go" size will actually last me quite a while (perhaps even through the season). This was great to see, as I often have to throw out large bottles of sunscreen that I can't use up before the expiration date. However, if you plan to use a lot of it, the full size is $54, which is pretty pricey. If you like this moisturizer, I recommend limiting the use to your face if you're on a budget. This product rated a low 2 on EWG's Skin Deep database. It is one of the easiest sunscreen moisturizers to use and felt great on my skin.

Also available on Amazon.com.

Product Ratings (out of 5)

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Performance
Presentation
Purity
Value

Disclosure notice: This product was purchased by the reviewer. No additional compensation was accepted for this review and the opinions are my own. Please verify any claims with the manufacturer, especially if you have any allergies or concerns.

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Review: Suntegrity 5 in 1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen

5 in 1 Samples

Do you ever wish you could speed things up in the morning? Are you tired of applying layer after layer - moisturizer, sunscreen, primer - before you even start on your foundation? Suntegrity knows your pain, and they designed a 5 in 1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen to help.

Pros:

• Multi-tasking product
• Very gentle formula
• Available in five shades
• Non-greasy
• Convenient one-step product
• Contains organic ingredients
  

Cons:

• Moderately priced ($45 for 1.7 oz)

The 5 in 1 Dark shade is truly dark

Summary:
I tested the Fair shade of this tinted sunscreen, which was a good match for me. It has a yellow tone to it, so I had doubts initially (as I tend to be cool to neutral). However, it looked great when applied and had a subtle balancing effect to redness on my skin. The tint is subtle and the cream spreads smoothly, though I had to use a little more than I expected. The finish was non greasy but left my face a little shiny, so I recommend applying a finishing powder or matte foundation if you want a matte look.

On its own, this has sheer coverage, but it pairs well with lighter mineral foundations. It works well as a primer, and it prolonged the life of my mineral foundations for about 6-8 hours. It comes in five different shades, and the dark was actually dark, which was good to see. The coverage is sheer enough that the match doesn't have to be exact, but the company does offer samples so you can test it out before purchasing a full-sized product. If you don't like any of the colors, they do offer a similar non-tinted 3 in 1 product. Both the 3 in 1 and the 5 in 1 products are $45 for 1.7 oz, which may seem a little expensive. However, given that it serves as a sunscreen, moisturizer, and primer, it seems fairly reasonable, especially if you were buying multiple products in a similar price range.

This product rates a low 1 on the EWG Skin Deep database, which is very gentle. If you're looking for a way to simplify your morning routine while still getting in SPF and a primer, this is a great option.

Also available on Amazon.com.

Product Ratings (out of 5)

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Performance
Presentation
Purity
Value

Disclosure notice: This product was sent to me free of charge by the manufacturer for review. No additional compensation was accepted and the opinions are my own. Please verify any claims with the manufacturer, especially if you have any allergies or concerns.

Did you enjoy this post? If so, why not sign up for our email list and get posts by email? Or if that's not your style, stay in the loop with an occasional newsletter instead.