Our Product Review - Sunscreen

Sunscreen - Body
Sunscreen - Face
Self-Tanning Lotion

Sunscreen - Body

Brand Name: Aubrey Organics
Product Name: Natural SUN SPF 25 UVA/UVB Green Tea Protective Sunscreen ideal for Children
Cost: about $10.00 for 118 ml
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Health Food Stores
Tester: Patti
Rating (out of 5): 4

Comments: Comments: My family used this product on a winter sun holiday where we slathered it on our white bodies many times a day. My oldest son, a teenager, complained about how it did not soak in right away and left a white film. Within minutes this disappeared, but not quick enough for him. It did protect the kids from the sunburn in both the pool and ocean. This product is recommended on The Green Guide Smart Shopper's Sun Block Card and by Dr. Mercola, a natural health advocate.

Active Ingredients INCI:Padimate O (PABA Ester), Titanium Dioxide.
Inactive Ingredients INCI: Aqua, cetyl alcohol (coconut fatty alcohol), Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba butter), alcohol denat., Helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil*, Camellia japonica (camellia) oil, lecithin, glycerin, Epilobium angustifolium (willowherb) extract, Butyrospermum parkii (shea butter)*, aloe barbadensis (aloe) leaf juice*, Camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf*, glyceryl linoleate and glyceryl linolenate (vitamin F), silica, Citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), Glycine soja (soybean) oil, Daucus carota sativa (carrot) root extract, beta-carotene, Jasminum officinale (jasmine) oil, Tanacetum annuum (Morrocan blue camomile) oil*.
*Certified organic

Brand Name: Aubrey Organics
Product Name: Natural SUN SPF 25 UVA/UVB Sunscreen Ideal for Active Lifestyles
Cost: about $10.00 for 118 ml
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Health Food Stores
Tester: Patti
Rating (out of 5): 4
Comments: This was also a product we used on a winter sun holiday. See above review. Recommended by Dr. Mercola, a natural health advocate.

Active Ingredients INCI: Padimate O (PABA Ester), Titanium Dioxide.
Inactive Ingredients INCI: Aqua, cetyl alcohol (coconut fatty alcohol), Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba butter), alcohol denat., Helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil*, Camellia japonica (camellia) oil, lecithin, glycerin, Epilobium angustifolium (willowherb) extract, Butyrospermum parkii (shea butter)*, Aloe barbadensis (aloe) leaf juice*, Camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf*, glyceryl linoleate and glyceryl linolenate (vitamin F), silica, Citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), Glycine soja (soybean) oil, Daucus carota sativa (carrot) root extract, beta-carotene, Jasminum officinale (jasmine) oil.
*Certified organic

Brand Name: Dr. Hauschka Skin Care
Product Name: Sunscreen Lotion SPF 15>
Cost: about $25.95 for 3.4 fl. Oz.
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Health Food Stores
Tester: Patti
Rating (out of 5): 4
Comments: I bought this product because I have been using other Dr. Hauschka products. It also has UVA and UVB protection and is very water resistant (good for when at a pool and your in and out all day). I mainly used this on my face and it goes on smooth, soaks in so does not leave any white residue, and is not greasy (expect for the days where its so hot and muggy that everything is greasy!) I plugged this sunscreen into the Skin Deep product safety database and although it was not there, a similar Dr. H sunscreen was and its rating was moderate; Will I still use it?... I will finish off this bottle and continue to look for a product that provides UVA and UVB protection, that has a better Skin Deep rating, and that I like to use on my face.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Alcohol, Jojoba (Buxus Chinensis) Oil, Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea) Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Quince (Pyrus Cydonia) Seed Extract, Shea (Butyrospermum Parkii) Butter, Sweet Almond (Prunus Dulcis) Oil, Horse Chestnut (Aesculus Hippocastanum) Bark Extract, Sucrose Distearate, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Copolymer, Lecithin, Avocado (Persea Gratissima) Extract, Fragrance/Parfum (essential oil), Linalool, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, Farnesol, Benzyl Benzoate, Oryzanol, Hectorite, Xanthan Gum, Candelilla Wax (Candelilla Cera), Esculin, Propolis Wax (Propolis Cera), Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide

Brand Name: Alba Botanica
Product Name: SUN Kids Sunscreen SPF 30+ Water Resistant
Cost: about $12 for 4 fl. oz.
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Health Food Stores
Tester: Shannon
Rating (out of 5): 4
Comments: This is a great product. It's 100% vegetarian ingredients, was not tested on animals, and is paraben-free. I applied this to my three-year-old's sensitive skin after a horrible breakout from a highly recommended popular sunscreen, and it did the trick: no rashes, good protection from the sun, and it's not greasy either. For more information, check out AlbaBotanica.com.

This is not the cleanest sunscreen, as it contains some Ingredients to Avoid, but the harsh sunscreen specific chemicals like Avobenzone, Benzophenome, Octinoxate and PABA have been left out.

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%), Oxybenzone (6%), Homosalate (5%), Octisalate (5%), Avobenzone (3%)

Inactive Ingredients: Water Purified, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Isopropyl Palmitate, VP Eicosene Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Certified Organic), Cetyl Phosphate, Steareth 21, Lavandula Officinalis (Lavender) Flower (Certified Organic), Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extracts, Steareth 2, Carbomer, Vegetable Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Green Tea - Certified Organic), Tocopherol (Vitamin e), Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Botanical Fragrance (Parfum)

Brand Name: SUN (made by Avalon Natural Products)
Product Name: Lavender sunscreen SPF 30
Cost: about $12 for 4 fl. oz.
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Health Food Stores
Tester: Shannon
Rating (out of 5): 4
Comments: I loved the kid's product so much for my son, that I bought this one for myself, and enjoy it as well. I also have sensitive skin, but this feels great on my skin. Also made from 100% vegetarian ingredients, it's not tested on animals, and is paraben-free. For more information, see AlbaBotanica.com.

Active Ingredients: Octocrylene 10.0%, Octinoxate 7.5%, Oxybenzone 6.0%, Octisalate 5.0%
Ingredients:Purified water, isopropyl palmitate, glyceryl stearate SE, steareth-2, dimethicone, trimethylsiloxysilicate, glyceryl stearate, certified organic lavandula officinalis (lavender) flower extract, certified organic aloe barbadensis leaf juice, tocopherol (vitamin E), stearic acid, methyl glyceth-20, certified organic chamomilla recutita (chamomile) flower and ginkgo biloba leaf extracts, vegetable glycerin, carbomer, certified organic echinacea purpurea leaf and achillea millefolium (yarrow) extracts, cetyl phosphate, allantoin, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate and botanical fragrance (parfum).

Brand Name: Mexitan
Product Name: All Natural Sunscreen Lotion - SPF-30
Cost: $23.00 for 8 floz/236 ml
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Lilou Organics
Tester: Patti and Sam
Rating (out of 5): 4.5
Comments: This sunscreen got a real workout on our first summer like weekend - it was hot and the sun was strong. My teenage son grabbed this bottle on his way out to a weekend long athletic event and here is my interview with him about his product review.
Did you use this sunscreen? "uh ... yea".
Did you like it? "uh ...yea".
Did you get sunburn? "uh ... yea"
Really? "uh ... yea - on my face but I didn't use any sunscreen there".
What did you think? "uh ... I liked it ... but it didn't rub in completely"
Would you use it again? "uh ... yea".
There you have it - mom likes that it does not contain harsh chemicals and that aforementioned teenager will use it "uh ... again"

Ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, deionized water, sunflower oil, lecithin, coconut oil, gylcerin, xanthan gum, green tea extract, jojoba oil, tocopherol acetate (vitamin e), retinyl palmitate (vitamin a), shea butter, eucaplyptus oil

Brand Name: Mexitan
Product Name: All Natural Sunscreen Lotion - SPF-15
Cost: $19.00 for 8 floz/236 ml
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Lilou Organics
Tester: Tamey and Family
Rating (out of 5): 4.5
Comments:I have used this sunscreen on the whole family for the last few weeks. There are two things I really like about it does not contain chemicals, and it protects our skin from bums when we are out in the sun. It also has a nice light scent - OK that's three things! The only complaint I would have is that it does not go on as smoothly as some others I have tried.

Brand Name: Pure Daily Essentials
Product Name: Sunscreen - Lavender
Cost: $14.95 for 7 ml / 2.5 oz
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Pure Daily Essentials
Tester: Patti
Rating (out of 5): 3.5
Comments:This sunscreen gets high rating for using clean ingredients - only 7 of them! - and is produced in small batch's from a local British Columbia manufacturer. This product is not a physical sunblock as it does not contain titanium dioxide, zinc oxide - but uses the natural UV blocking properties of shea butter, coconut oil, and avocado and cocoa butter for protection. The essential oils give a nice smell, especially when it heats up. I like the applicator - it comes in a container like a stick deodorant - which makes it easy to spread on your skin without a mess. It is a good addition to my summer sun products but I would use a product with a blocker (i.e. the white stuff) for those long beach or soccer field days when sun exposure is strong. At this point, the product does not have a SPF rating.

Ingredients: beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, avocado butter, cocoa butter, essential oils of lavender & carrot seed oil.

Sunscreen Face

Brand Name: Juice Beauty
Product Name: Sheer Moisturizer SPF 30
Cost: $34.00 for 60ml
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Health Food Stores
Tester: Patti
Rating (out of 5): 4
Comments: On a recent trip south, where my face was exposed to intense sun for the first time in 6 months, I decide to use a specific sunscreen for my face. I choose Juice Beauty, as it was recommended by the owner of Lilou Organics and... I found it a nice compliment to my day moisturizer. I would apply the sunscreen moisturizer on in the morning - it rubbed on with a tint of "white/lavender" colour but soaked into skin within a few seconds. I was able to apply undereye conceal cream overtop and with a dab of lip-gloss - I was ready for the beach. I re-applied 1-2 times throughout the day. I never burned - which I can't say for a few other parts of my body - and my skin did not break out from too much product in my pores. Still got some colour on face for that sunkissed look!

Active Ingredients: titanium dioxide.
Ingredients:organic juices of pyrus malus (apple) juice, vitis vinifera (white grape) juice, punica granatum (pomegranate) juice & aloe barbadensis leaf juice, organic cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract, organic camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract, organic cera alba (beeswax), octyl palmitate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl glucoside, organic plant oils of helianthus annuus (sunflower), persea gratissima (avocado) & simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), sodium pca, sodium hyaluronate, retinyl palmitate (vitamin A), phospholipids, panthenol (vitamin B5), ascorbyl palmitate (vitamin C), xanthan gum, tetrasodium edta, phenoxyethanol, citrus aurantium (petitgrain), cinnamomum camphora (ho wood) & citrus reticulata (mandarin) pure essential oils.

Brand Name: Lavera
Product Name: Anti-Aging Sun Milk SPF 20
Cost: $$29.95 for 150 ml
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Pure + Simple, natural health food stores
Tester: Patti
Rating (out of 5): 4.5
Comments: I like to use a separate sunscreen for my face and this particular sunscreen promised to provide "anti-aging" protection too. Sign me up! Actually using any sunscreen that blocks UVA rays will provide anti-aging protection but this product uses an array of skin soothing essential and plants-based and aloe vera for added moisturizing. I just wonder what the "caffeine" ingredient is doing in there? The product has an uneven consistency - it appears the oils coagulate away form the crème base - but applies smoothly. My face was a light "white" for a few minutes until it soaked in. Smells good. Will keep this product in my bag for protection during my outside adventures.

Ingredients: * = certified organic Water, Glycine Soja Oil*, Grain Alcohol*, Glycerin, Caprylic Triglyceride, Lysolecithin, Olive Oil*, Sunflower Seed Oil*, Jojoba Oil*, Almond Oil*, Cellulose, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Glyceryl Sterate Citrate, Caffeine, Xanthan Gum, Bio-Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, Hydrogenated, Lecithin, Sheabutter*, Ruscus Extract, Aloe Vera Gel*, Calendula Extract*, Hamamelis Water*, Lecithin, Vitamin E, Rose Water*, Stearic Acid, Rapeseed SterolsBetaglucan, Alumina, Vitamin C.Natural Essential Oils: Citral, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Citronellol, Limonene, LinaloolNatural Minerals: Coated Titanium DioxideIngredient listing above is in accordance to CTFA standards. On product packaging, both CTFA and INCI ingredient listings are available

Self-Tanning Lotion

Brand Name: Lavera
Product Name: Self-Tanning Lotion
Cost: $29.95 for 150 ml
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: ?: Pure + Simple, natural health food stores
Tester: Patti
Rating (out of 5): 4.5
Comments: I decided to try a self tanner for a couple of reasons. First, a lot of people asked us about them and second I was blinded by my white legs in white shorts and thought that this is a good time and good excuse for “an experiment”. I applied the self tanning product to 1 leg – top to bottom for 2 days. What happened? Well I did NOT turn orange as I feared and I definitely had a tanned leg. Subsequent days the tan-look faded and that is when the ‘errors of my application” were noticed. I have dark ankles and white feet and darker front of my legs than the back. I don’t think I would use this product regularly - as I don’t know what multiple applications would look like - but for an event or an outfit that bare places not typically getting sun than I’d give it a try. Caution – I did not use on my torso or back – where my skin is even whiter than my legs and my ability to apply evenly more unlikely.

How does it work? Conventional fake tans use a chemical DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) and synthetic colours to produce a yellow-based tan. This product uses natural derivate of palm-oil/rapeseed oil that when combined with Erythrulose (obtained from wheat) reacts with the amino acids present in our epidermis layer of skin to produce more melanin, which 'tans' the skin without the use of the sun. I sorta get it.

The Green Guide recommends this self-tanner.

Ingredients: Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil *, Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Dihydroxyaceton, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate, Erythrulose, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil *, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Rosa Damascena Flower Water *, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Water *, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Fragrance (Parfum)**, Citral**, Coumarin**. Geraniol**, Citronellol**, Limonene**, Linalool** * ingredients from certified organic agriculture ** natural essential oils BDIH certified, ph-value: 3,5-4,0 oil in water emulsion, vegan, Oeko-Test "good"