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: 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 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen and Primer

My dermatologist recommends wearing at least SPF 30 daily. It may seem easy to get this from a foundation with SPF, but what if you're allergic to common sunscreens, such as titanium dioxide? Or perhaps your beloved foundation doesn't come with SPF. Consider the Suntegrity Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen and Primer, which allows you to prime, moisturize, and add sunscreen in one easy step.

Pros:

• Gentle ingredients
• Light, non-greasy finish
• 3-in-1: moisturizer, sunscreen, and primer
• Pleasant citrus scent
• Non-tinted
• Vegan and gluten-free

Cons:

• Can leave a slight white finish if you apply too much

Summary:
This 3-in-1 product is very moisturizing and also quite gentle, rating a low 1 on the EWG Skin Deep database. It's also a vegan and gluten-free formula, which is a plus. (Note: It is not produced in a gluten-free facility.) As a primer, I found that it helped with powder foundations, but didn't provide all-day wear; it was more 6-8 hours of wear. Depending on your foundation, this could be longer or shorter. Due to the moisture-rich formula of this product, I recommend using it with drier foundations (powders or possible cream to powders). Worn on its own, it left a slight sheen on my combination skin, so a sheer finishing powder would also pair well. At $45, this 3-in-1 is fairly expensive, but the value is pretty good, considering how you'd have to layer other products to get a similar performance. I love how the company also offer sample packets so you can try it out before making the investment in a full size. If you're looking for a convenient moisturizing primer with sunscreen, this is a nice, gentle 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.

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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.