Sunscreen advice: burnout replacement
June 30, 2014 12:38 PM Subscribe
My favorite sunscreen (BurnOut) has been reformulated and I need a replacement.
Thanks to HotToddy's great sunscreen question from 2010 and virago's recommendation of BurnOut, I finally found the holy grail of sunscreens. But now BurnOut has been reformulated and is no longer good. What's a good replacement that passes the HotToddy test of sunscreen that:
1) Uses physical sunscreens, not chemical.
2) Is unscented.
3) Is mattifying.
4) Won't make my ridiculously sensitive, acne-prone skin break out.
5) Won't make me look super pale (a little whitening is ok).
6) Does actually screen the sun.
Thanks to HotToddy's great sunscreen question from 2010 and virago's recommendation of BurnOut, I finally found the holy grail of sunscreens. But now BurnOut has been reformulated and is no longer good. What's a good replacement that passes the HotToddy test of sunscreen that:
1) Uses physical sunscreens, not chemical.
2) Is unscented.
3) Is mattifying.
4) Won't make my ridiculously sensitive, acne-prone skin break out.
5) Won't make me look super pale (a little whitening is ok).
6) Does actually screen the sun.
http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/. Dig through their list to group sunscreens by "moisturizing" or "beach and sport" and show only mineral based sun screens. I tend to pick up simple drugstore brand ones with zinc.
posted by Buttons Bellbottom at 12:49 PM on June 30, 2014
posted by Buttons Bellbottom at 12:49 PM on June 30, 2014
I think Neutrogena Pure & Free meets all your requirements. I actually find it a bit too drying/mattifying, but I do have dry skin. There is a slight white cast, but not too bad.
I've also heard really good things about Skinceuticals Physical Fusion, but haven't tried it myself.
posted by insectosaurus at 12:51 PM on June 30, 2014
I've also heard really good things about Skinceuticals Physical Fusion, but haven't tried it myself.
posted by insectosaurus at 12:51 PM on June 30, 2014
Ah, insectosaurus just reminded me - I have also used the Skinceuticals Physical Fusion and it's nice but it makes my face feel less matte than the La Roche Posay. That's good in the winter when I need a little more hydration but it's too much this time of year for me, and my skin isn't super oily to begin with. I think they're on equal footing in terms of quality of ingredients and suitability for sensitive skin, so it's worth trying if you can get your hands on some samples of both.
posted by joan_holloway at 12:59 PM on June 30, 2014
posted by joan_holloway at 12:59 PM on June 30, 2014
We swear by KINeSYS sunscreen for many of the reasons you list.
(On edit, there are other choices of this brand listed below this crazy listing for $2600 -- it's good stuff, but not that good.)
posted by mamabear at 4:27 PM on June 30, 2014
(On edit, there are other choices of this brand listed below this crazy listing for $2600 -- it's good stuff, but not that good.)
posted by mamabear at 4:27 PM on June 30, 2014
I'm also a pale person left bereft by BurnOut, but I've been pretty happy with Derma E's new Antioxidant Oil-free SPF 30 Sunscreen for Face. It's 12% non-nano zinc oxide. Water-based, so you have to blend quickly. It doesn't sink in as well as BurnOut, so I have to rub it in a bit more.
It's also more $$$, too. $20 for 2 oz. But there's a cheaper version for the body. Same formula, except it also has safflower oil. If you can handle the oil, you get 4 oz for $20.
Good luck!
posted by virago at 5:10 PM on June 30, 2014
It's also more $$$, too. $20 for 2 oz. But there's a cheaper version for the body. Same formula, except it also has safflower oil. If you can handle the oil, you get 4 oz for $20.
Good luck!
posted by virago at 5:10 PM on June 30, 2014
Best answer: COTZ has a variety fitting your criterion. Amazon stocks them:
http://www.amazon.com/Cotz-Sensitive-SPF-Sunscreen-3-5oz/dp/B004VK5ON8/
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_hpc?ie=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=Fallene&node=3760901
My wife likes this brand a lot, she's chemically sensitive. I hope this helps.
posted by mdrosen at 5:12 PM on June 30, 2014
http://www.amazon.com/Cotz-Sensitive-SPF-Sunscreen-3-5oz/dp/B004VK5ON8/
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_hpc?ie=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=Fallene&node=3760901
My wife likes this brand a lot, she's chemically sensitive. I hope this helps.
posted by mdrosen at 5:12 PM on June 30, 2014
I'm here to third La Roche Posay. I use it every single day. I have sensitive skin (one time I watched my skin get all welt-y within minutes of putting on a drugstore sunscreen) and its never caused a rash, never caused acne. And, I don't burn anymore. I'm more careful in general than I was when I was younger, but I happily credit this stuff for keeping me safe.
posted by GilvearSt at 6:32 PM on June 30, 2014
posted by GilvearSt at 6:32 PM on June 30, 2014
The only sunscreen we've found that doesn't trigger the eczema on my toddler's cheeks is neutrogena pure and free, mentioned above.
posted by kestrel251 at 8:17 PM on June 30, 2014
posted by kestrel251 at 8:17 PM on June 30, 2014
I started using Badger sunscreen this year and I love it. It meets all your requirements. I got on to it because of this article Which then lead me to the Environmental Working Group site which lists all the sunscreens and rates them. Badger is at the top of the list.
posted by sadtomato at 7:51 AM on July 1, 2014
posted by sadtomato at 7:51 AM on July 1, 2014
Have you tried Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47? (link)
I have sensitive, acne-prone skin and this sunblock is great. Reading through the product reviews, not everyone agrees, but it's worth a try in my opinion. Buy it from Sephora or another store with a generous return policy.
posted by JenMarie at 1:31 PM on July 1, 2014
I have sensitive, acne-prone skin and this sunblock is great. Reading through the product reviews, not everyone agrees, but it's worth a try in my opinion. Buy it from Sephora or another store with a generous return policy.
posted by JenMarie at 1:31 PM on July 1, 2014
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It's starting to be sold at Target at some drugstores, but I buy mine directly from the La Roche Posay website because they are generous with samples of other products, and it's overall a really great line.
posted by joan_holloway at 12:46 PM on June 30, 2014 [7 favorites]