Review: Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

I’m still searching for a mineral sunscreen. Here’s another one I’m going to review today. It’s the Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50. I’m pushing for a mineral-based sunscreen. Ever since I stopped using chemical-based sunscreens, my headaches disappeared. I noticed some acne moving up to the surface when I stopped using the chemical-based sunscreen I was using too. I was using La Roche Posay SPF 100. I loved the protection it gave my skin. I also loved how it moisturized my skin. But I had to stop using it. I couldn’t use it as my daily sunscreen any longer. I haven’t been using it lately either. It’s pretty much out of sight right now.

Here’s more on Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50…

• Broad spectrum SPF 50
• Protects against UVA and UVB rays
• Water resistance (80 minutes)
• Organic
• BPA free
• Non-Aerosol & Biodegradable
• Reef Safe
• Non-Toxic
• PABA-free
• Paraben-free
• Phthalates-free
• Oxybenzone-free
• Avobenzone-free
• Petroleum-free
• No animal by-products
• No animal testing
• Dermatologist tested

The ingredients in Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 caught my eye. They are…

Purifed Water, Caprylic /capric Triglyceride, Polyglycery-4, Isosterate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Methyl, Abietate (Pine Wood Resin), Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salt), Caprylhdroxamic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Ribes Rubrum (Currant) Fruit, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Hyalurounic Acid (Plant Based), Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit)

The ingredients look pretty natural, but I had some doubts about the oils that it contain. Still, I tried out the sunscreen anyway. The texture of the sunscreen was very nice at first. It’s soft, smooth, and glides over the skin easily. The sunscreen absorbs softly and gently without tugging the delicate skin. There is a white cast, but on my skin, it vanished decently. It’s probably the least white-casted zinc oxide sunscreen I’ve used so far. I didn’t have problems with it. I thought this sunscreen was more moisturizing than drying, even though it contains 23.4% zinc oxide. That’s what it says on the bottle. On their website, it says 20% zinc oxide. Hmmm! The amount of zinc oxide is high, which is a good thing.

I noticed that my skin texture improved after using it a few times. I was very ecstatic about the results. Unfortunately, I can’t use this sunscreen often. I have noticed that it irritated my skin a little bit. I noticed some clogged pores when used too often. I didn’t even bother re-applying because it felt like it just sat on top of my skin. It felt like it left a film on my skin. The sunscreen does contain oils in it. I suspect that may be the issue. My skin dislike oils. The type of acne I developed from this sunscreen were closed comedones and hard sebum within the pores. It’s another type of acne that is annoying and difficult to get rid of. I’m glad I stopped using it on time. I’m glad I didn’t re-apply the sunscreen throughout the day, lol. That would’ve trapped more sebum and cause more acne issues.

I’m not using Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 on my facial skin anymore. I love that it contains at least 20% zinc oxide. It also says the zinc oxide is non-nano on their website. Since it clogs my pores, I can’t use it on my face. I find it a bit irritating using it on the skin around my eyes as well. It has a citrus scent that is pretty irritating. I’m just over this sunscreen. I’ll use the rest on my body. Just not my face. Well! I hope this review was helpful!

Review: Vanicream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

If you missed out on my thoughts on Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 and Vanicream Mineral Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 <<<

I did an update on Vanicream Mineral Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 <<<

On to the next mineral sunscreen I tried…

It’s the Vanicream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+!

• Non-nano zinc oxide
• Prevents sunburn, protects from UVA and UVB rays
• Broad spectrum SPF 50+
• Decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun
• Water resistant (80 minutes)
• Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
• Dye-free
• Fragrance-free
• Lanolin-free
• Paraben-free
• Formaldehyde-free
• Botanical Extract-free
• Non-greasy
• Gluten-free

I was very excited to try Vanicream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+, since it provides higher sun protection. The sunscreen felt lightweight on the skin. It contains only 12% zinc oxide. Hmmm! Yes, it does contain Butyloctyl Salicylate. This ingredient is second on the ingredient list. So, it’s not a true mineral sunscreen. It’s a hybrid. Ugh! Not this crap again! I glanced at the ingredient list before purchasing. I was going to make peace with this ingredient if the product worked out. It had so many good reviews that I couldn’t pass up trying it!

Once again, it’s lightweight on the skin. It’s not a thick zinc-based sunscreen. It’s very light and smooths over the skin nicely. It does leave a bit of a white cast on my skin. If you have deeper, richer complexion, it may leave your skin with a very white cast. I’m pretty pale. I thought this sunscreen made my skin too white. It was unnatural-looking. I didn’t like it. The texture was nice, but it had some flaws as mentioned.

The sunscreen left my skin looking very shiny. Not glowly. Extremely shiny. How am I supposed to re-apply if it makes my skin look awful, lol. So after a day of using Vanicream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+, it gave my the worse type of acne. And that is, cystic acne. So much for the non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) claim! Yeah, it didn’t work on my acne-prone skin. This sunscreen is pore-clogging from my own experience. I immediately rinsed it off and stopped using it. If you have acne-prone skin, do a patch test first. It was pore-clogging on my skin.

Here’s to another Vanicream sunscreen product that didn’t work on my skin. First it was Vanicream Mineral Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30. Now it’s Vanicream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+. This is what happened. It’s time to move on…

Update: Vanicream Mineral Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

It hasn’t been too long since I reviewed Vanicream Mineral Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30. But I’m ready to do another update on this product. 

I was hoping that Vanicream Mineral Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 would be my main moisturizer and sunscreen for mornings, but it didn’t work out like I thought it would. It’s moisturizing and provides SPF 30 with 19.5% zinc oxide. I love that it’s a true mineral sunscreen. That’s exactly what I was looking for! When applied to the skin, the sunscreen feels sticky and heavy. It’s moisturizing, but it left my skin looking very shiny. The more product I applied, my skin looked even more shiny. It wasn’t a pleasant look. I don’t want to walk around with an extremely shiny face.

That’s not the reason why I stopped using it. I would’ve kept using it even though it was shiny on my skin. The reason why I stopped using it was because it irritated my skin and caused breakouts. The sunscreen clogged my pores. It’s labeled as non-comedogenic, but it wasn’t on my skin. It’s way too thick on the skin and messed up my skin. I ended up with some breakouts and redness out of the blue. I didn’t think it was the sunscreen because I wanted it to work. I kept using it until I finally convinced myself that the new breakouts, redness, and skin irritation was from the sunscreen. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out.

Vanicream Mineral Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 didn’t work on my skin. I have a ton of product left that I can use…I guess…in my dry areas such as my eye area and neck. But I’m never using it on my facial skin ever again. The ingredients are nice in this product. Check out the ingredients right here:

purified water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, isopentyldiol, squalane, glycerin, coco-caprylate/caprate, bis-octyldodecyl dimer dilinoleate/propanediol copolymer, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, polyhydroxystearic acid, cetearyl alcohol, sucrose stearate, ceramide EOP, ceramide NG, ceramide NP, ceramide AS, ceramide AP, carnosine, phytosterols, hydrogenated lecithin, dimethicone, triethoxycaprylylsilane, polyacrylate crosspolymer-11, caprylyl glycol, 1,2-hexanediol

The formulation wasn’t compatible with my skin type. I love the moisture that it provided my skin. With my skin type (oily skin that’s acne-prone), it wasn’t happening. This sunscreen would probably work better on someone that doesn’t experience breakouts and have dry skin. I won’t purchase this sunscreen again. Very disappointed this time around. 

Review: CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

I finished using CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum. It lasted about 7-8 months. Just a guess. I’ve been using it on and off for a while. More on this product….

• Defends the skin against free radicals
• Antioxidant
• Skin brightening
• Improves the appearance of fine lines, dark circles, and uneven skin tone
• Contains 10% vitamin c (L-ascorbic acid)
• Visibly brighten complexion
• Soft, radiant, and healthy-looking skin
• Contains 3 essential ceramides to restore protective skin barrier
• Hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 for hydration
• MVE Technology for controlled release for all day hydration
• For all skin types
• For sensitive skin
• Protective packaging to prevent oxidation
• Non-comedogenic
• Paraben-free
• Fragrance-free

I was very excited about this vitamin c serum since it contains 10% L-ascorbic acid, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. After skimming the ingredient list, I noticed that it contains ingredients that are not suitable for my skin type. I didn’t use it on my face for that reason. I ended up using it on my neck and chest area only. Here are my thoughts on the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum!

My Experience with CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum:

Texture & Application

As mentioned before, I didn’t use this vitamin c product on my face. The product contains denatured alcohol and isopropyl myristate. These ingredients are not compatible with my skin. Denatured alcohol dries my skin out and irritates it. Isopropyl myristate clogs my pores from my own personal experience. I debated whether to use the serum on my face or not. When I first purchased it, I was looking for a vitamin c serum that I could incorporate into my skincare routine. In the end, I decided not to. The idea floated in my mind for a bit. I wanted to make the right decision. I didn’t want to suffer from breakouts. So my experience using the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum is on my body (neck and chest area).

The texture of the vitamin c serum is soft and smooth. It blends into the skin nicely and absorbs quickly. It’s very moisturizing. It didn’t leave my skin red, irritated, or dry. But, that’s just on my neck and chest skin. It could be different if I used it on my face, which is more sensitive compared to the skin on my neck and chest area. I really liked the texture and consistency of this product. It was very easy to use. Just dispense the product out of the tube and seal it with the cap. My skin didn’t turn orange using this serum either. It’s been a very nice experience using this vitamin c serum. I wish I could use it on my face. That will only happen if they remove the ingredients I mentioned.

It’s moisturizing!

Even though this vitamin c serum contains denatured alcohol, it’s moisturizing. My skin didn’t dry out or become irritated. I’m not going to test it on my face though. I wish I could, but it’s not going to happen.

Breakouts?

Same with breakouts, I didn’t see any breakouts on my neck or chest. But I don’t break out on my neck or chest often or at all. Once again, I would love to try it out on my face if it didn’t contain denatured alcohol and isopropyl myristate. Isopropyl myristate is at the end of the ingredient list, but I don’t want to bother with it and cause clogged pores. All products I have used in the past that contain isopropyl myristate ended up clogging my pores.

Results…

It’s difficult to tell if the vitamin c serum is doing anything for my neck and chest area. I guess it looks a little brighter and smoother. I can’t tell, haha. I enjoy using it. That’s all that really matters. I’ve had no issues like redness, itchiness, or any other signs of irritation. It’s a nice antioxidant product that’s moisturizing.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t use this product on my face, but my experience using it on my neck and chest area has been positive. It’s a nice moisturizing vitamin c product (10%) to incorporate in a skin care routine. I love that it contains 3 essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid. I wish CeraVe would reformulate the vitamin c serum and remove the 2 ingredients my skin dislikes (denatured alcohol and isopropyl myristate). Since I can’t use this vitamin c serum on my face, I most likely won’t purchase it again.

Review: Sun Bum Face Mist, Aveeno Protect & Hydrate, Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sunscreens

I tried out some new sunscreens! They are…

• Sun Bum Face Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
• Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Face Lotion SPF 60
• Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Translucent Sunscreen Powder Brush SPF 30

Here are my thoughts!

Sun Bum Face Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45:

Sun Bum Face Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 comes in a 3.4 fl. oz. (100 mL) spray bottle. The packaging is really cute. It’s a pale yellow color. It’s a nice color that I can look at, ha. The sunscreen is a face mist, but on the packaging, it says to spray liberally into the palm and apply evenly to the face and neck 15 minutes before sun exposure. Once again, it’s supposed to be a face mist, but it states to use it another way. I didn’t use it as a face mist, by the way. I sprayed it into my palm and applied it to my facial skin. I’m not a fan of spraying products on my face. The application would be uneven and a waste of product. Yeah, it defeats the purpose of a face mist, but whatever.

When I applied the sunscreen to my face, it smelled like bananas, felt really greasy, and ruined my makeup application. It smeared all over my face. I wasn’t happy about that, but I gave it a go anyway. I can’t tell if it protected my skin in a day of use on my face, but I noticed breakouts after using it once. It gave me pimples on my chin and jawline. I’m pretty sure it’s this sunscreen because it was the only new product I introduced. So, Sun Bum Face Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 didn’t work for me. I used the rest of the sunscreen on my body instead. Since it contains alcohol denatured in it, the product sinks nicely into the skin. I loved that aspect of the product when used on the body. My face didn’t like it at all.

I was able to finish this sunscreen product within a month of using it on my body. It absorbs so well. But I won’t repurchase it because it is too costly for a sunscreen spray. I just don’t think it’s worth the money. It was nice to try, though.

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Face Lotion SPF 60:

I’ve been eyeing Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Face Lotion SPF 60 for some time. I finally picked it up this summer. This is another sunscreen product that contains alcohol denatured. That is one of the reasons why I hesitated to purchase this product. My experience using sunscreen products with alcohol denatured (for my face) has been mainly misses. They don’t seem to agree with my skin. But here I am, giving Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Face Lotion SPF 60 a try.

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Face Lotion SPF 60 comes in a 2.0 fl. oz. (60 mL) bottle. It is a sunscreen lotion. I love the texture of this lotion. It absorbs into the skin well and doesn’t leave it feeling sticky. Pretty sure it’s the alcohol that’s doing that. My oily skin really loved this sunscreen. It just sunk right into my skin without leaving it all messy like a bunch of other sunscreen products. Loved it! But not so fast! Unfortunately, my skin started breaking out after one day of use. Thankfully, I caught the breakouts on time! Yep, breakouts. This sunscreen made me break out. And yes, another sunscreen that contains alcohol denatured that clogged my pores.

This is another sunscreen that truly works well on my body. Just not my face. The smell of the product is pretty bad, too. It smells like plastic to me. I guess I finally killed my curiosity about this product. I won’t purchase again.

Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Translucent Sunscreen Powder Brush SPF 30:

I’ve been meaning to purchase Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Translucent Sunscreen Powder Brush SPF 30. I needed a face powder that would decrease the shine on my face. I’ve been walking around with an ultra-shiny face all summer, lol. So, I finally picked up a face powder. Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Translucent Sunscreen Powder Brush SPF 30 is a loose face powder that comes in a retractable bottle with a brush. The brush feels really soft on the skin. The packaging of the product is terrible. Do not twist open any caps on the bottle, or you’ll risk the powder spilling!! I can’t imagine tossing this product into my bag. The cap may loosen from movements and will get everywhere. I was disappointed in the type of packaging when I first received it. Fortunately, I was able to catch the powder from spilling everywhere. Just a heads up!

The ingredients in this product are fairly straightforward. The sunscreen active is Zinc Oxide (24.5%). Here’s the ingredient list if you’re interested:

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 24.5%

Inactive ingredients: Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Fragrance, Sea Salt, Ceramide Np, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract, Plumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Iron Oxides.

The powder is fragranced, which I didn’t like so much. It’s pretty intense. If you are sensitive to fragrance or powerful scents in general, this may not work for you. Once again, I didn’t like it at all. Since it’s a loose powder, it can really get in the air, and you know what happens next. I had to transfer the powder into one of my powder containers to prevent spilling any of the product. The packaging is just plain terrible. Applying the powder was relatively simple. I would take a brush, tap the excess powder off, and lightly brush it onto my skin. The powder has amazing staying powder. It doesn’t budge. I tried applying concealer on top of the powder because I do light touch-ups sometimes. It didn’t work. I couldn’t even blend my concealer in. Not even a little bit of concealer. I’m amazed at the staying powder!!

The finish of the powder is light and smooth while absorbing excess powder. I really liked how it made my skin look! But, sadly, I experienced breakouts from this powder. It reminded me of those mineral makeup days. Those powders also irritated my skin and gave me acne. I had the same experience with Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Translucent Sunscreen Powder Brush SPF 30. I stopped using it on my face and am attempting to finish the rest of it. I won’t purchase it again. Another product I was curious about that didn’t work on my skin.

That’s my review of some of the summer sunscreens I’ve tried. I hope this was helpful! 🙂