Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen

Product Information

You've heard it time and time again: Daily application of sunscreen is non-negotiable and that goes for all skin tones. The problem is too many sunscreens don't exactly work for darker skin tones. Yes, we all know it too well: you apply sunscreen only to look in the mirror to find that odd, white-ish gray film all over because the formula wasn't made to blend into melanin-rich skin. And the truth is, this shouldn't be the case. An unfortunate effect of this problem is that people with brown skin tend to just skip sunscreen altogether, but according to experts that's a big no-no. Squalane helps to replenish the skin’s lipid barrier, which is composed of corneocytes (dead skin cells) held together by mixtures of lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, squalene, etc.), according to a publication in the journal Dermatoendocrinology . Squalene is the biochemical precursor to cholesterol and the whole family of steroid hormones in the human body. It’s produced by the oil glands in the skin, and plays an important role in skin lubrication and protection.

Mineral sunscreens sit on the surface of your skin, physically reflecting and scattering "a wide range of UV wavelengths," as New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, explained to Allure. These wavelengths include UVB rays, which are responsible for sunburns, and UVA rays, which cause longer-term issues like hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and skin cancer. Another bonus of mineral formulas: They're photostable and don't have to be reapplied as frequently as chemical sunscreens. Reef Repair Reef Safe Sunscreen SPF 30+ might not look like the highest quality SPF on the market, but inside the tube you’ll find a lighter-weight reef-safe sunscreen that feels considerably better than most of its competitors. “The consistency is really smooth — it spreads easily compared to other reef-safe sunscreens I've tried and absorbs almost immediately without a white cast [anywhere in sight],” our tester says. The first main difference is that while TiO2 gives a nice broad spectrum protection, Zinc Oxide has an even nicerand even broader spectrum protection. It protects against UVB, UVA II, and UVA I almost uniformly, and is considered to be the broadestrange sunscreen available today. Most drugstore sunscreens contain a combination of chemicals that provide reasonable UVA and UVB protection. While using these products is definitely better than not using anything, here’s the rub: these are chemicals our bodies absorb. Fortunately, they are well-studied and labeled by the FDA as non-toxic. And, despite the reports, they do not cause cancer and have not been shown to cause hormone disruption in humans.

Customer reviews

If you're feeling like right now is the perfect time to really look into what ingredients you're putting on your body, you're in good company with the FDA. The Food and Drug Administration is proposing major chances to sunscreen regulations, sharing that the only SPF active ingredients that are officially recognized as safe and effective are those found in mineral sun protection: zinc oxide and titanium oxide. Apply Biossance Sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure. It can be layered over a moisturizer or used in place of your moisturizer. It also works well underneath makeup. Where to Buy Biossance Sunscreen? If that statement rings true for you, it's time to consider a physical sunscreen with non-chemical shields. They reduce the risk of irritation to practically zero, due to "organic, inert, and hypoallergenic" formulas, Dr. Mudgil explains. Incidentally, sunscreens that don't contain chemical protectants are generally healthier for coral reefs. (In fact, Hawaii banned the sale of products with chemical filters oxybenzone and octinoxate altogether.) However, take the term "reef-safe" with a grain of salt, as it's not regulated. A strong, intact barrier is important to keep moisture in and keep things like allergens, bacteria, and irritants out. When the barrier is weakened, these intruders can pass through the top layer of skin, causing damage that ultimately leads to common skin conditions such as acne, rashes, sensitive skin, and even signs of aging.

While oxybenzone and octinoxate are popular chemical sunscreen ingredients, they’ve been shown to cause coral bleaching which can obliterate reefs. “When we apply sunscreens containing these ingredients and then swim in waters where there is coral, the sunscreen gets into the water and poisons the coral,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sumayah Jamal, of Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC. Wearing sunscreens without either oxybenzone or octinoxate can help mitigate the problem and help coral reefs thrive.Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen has a very thin texture — so much so that it’s quite runny and takes pretty much zero effort to squeeze out of the tube. The consistency, while a potential leaking/mess hazard, is what makes this sunscreen absorb so well into skin. Even when our tester used a tablespoon of the SPF (instead of the recommended teaspoon), she found that there was no white cast. “I’m very impressed with its ability to absorb into my skin,” she admits. But did you know that, if you’re someone who likes to spend a lot of time in and near the water, the type of sunscreen you use is important, too. The reason? The chemicals in your SPF can rinse off and affect the ecosystems where you swim. That’s why Hawaii became the first state in the US to ban the sale of sunscreen containing the coral-harming chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate in 2018. Since then, reef-safe sunscreens have become more and more popular, with seemingly endless brands entering the space. One more thing: While the SPF isn’t marketed as being water resistant, we found that when splashed with water, it doesn’t run. Still, per the American Academy of Dermatology’s Sunscreen guidelines, it’s best to reapply after taking a dip to ensure you’re fully protected for hours to come. With so many amazing attributes, it was difficult to determine a con for this sunscreen — but alas, it isn’t noncomedogenic, so there is a small possibility that it can clog pores even though it feels nearly weightless.

Celebrating its core ingredient and bottling a bank of nourishing properties, the super-popular 100% Squalane Oil is a heaven-sent hydrating essential that can be used with all skin types. This ultra-moisturising formula encourages the natural cell renewal processes within your skin while sealing in essential hydration for lasting softness. The finish is dewy. Due to the oil content this Biossance sunscreen does leave a shiny, dewy finish. White Cast Historically, squalane has been obtained from shark livers. But as you can imagine, this is not sustainable or eco-friendly. Lastly, as far as full-body SPFs go, this one has a more subtle scent. Though, it’s citrusy, so it may not be for everyone.Skin-nourishing ingredients like sea moss, squalane, and other hydrating oils come together in this ultra-light body oil with a transfer-free texture and SPF 30 protection. Does your idea of the perfect vacation center around days spent at the beach, sprawled out on an extra-large towel with a good book, only to get up and take a dip every few hours to cool off? Or perhaps you like to take a more active approach, spending the majority of your time on a board, in the surf, or snorkeling below the surface. Whatever the case may be, we assume that sunscreen is part of your beachside beauty routine. After all, over the past few years, people everywhere are finally beginning to understand that sunscreen is essential. Chemical sunscreens can be irritating and allergenic for some folks," explains Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD a board-certified dermatologist and medical director of Mudgil Dermatology in New York City. Some folks, according to board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama, is a whopping "25 percent of all people," he told Allure.