PRODUCT REVIEW: MDSOLARSCIENCES MINERAL TINTED SUNSCREEN STICK SPF 30 - BEST MINERAL SUNSCREEN FOR EYES
MDSOLARSCIENCES | MINERAL TINTED SUNSCREEN STICK SPF 30
This review was originally part of my blog article titled, New Sunscreens I'm Crushing on for Fall - Best Mineral Sunscreens for Face from Farmacy, Purito and More! You can still catch the full piece here.
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One of the mistakes we all make is to apply sunscreen to our faces in the morning and not think about sun protection again until the following day. The truth is, most sunscreens are absorbed, evaporate, rub off or get watered down by sweat throughout the day. By midday, there may not be much protection left — and if there is, it’s unlikely to be uniform, meaning some areas of your face remain protected while others are exposed. For the eye area, that can be particularly disastrous.
So, a handy sunscreen product that’s easily carried around and can be reapplied midday as a touch-up is certainly welcome. And the MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Stick SPF 30 is exactly what you need to assure you’ve got ample sun protection at 2 p.m. — much like you did at 8 a.m.
I first reviewed the MDSolarSciences brand last summer in my piece titled, Brands I Love: MD Solar Sciences Doctor-Developed Facial Sunscreen Products, available here.
MDSolarSciences was founded by dermatologic oncologist Dr. Robert J. Friedman.
The brand’s sunscreen products are top-rated by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) — with four formulas receiving the coveted rating of “1”. Among the four is the brand’s workhorse and a personal favorite, the Mineral Crème SPF 50.
The Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Stick is a superb formula with what the brand refers to as a “universally flattering light tint that easily applies to your skin and is perfect for on-the-go use.” It seems so much darker in the tube than it actually appears on the skin. In fact, it blends in nicely and doesn’t (miraculously!) look like makeup when I’ve got it on. How that can be true is lost on me. But it’s gratifying.
What’s the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens?
For some real insights, there’s an excellent article by the Paula’s Choice Research Team titled, Mineral vs. Synthetic Sunscreen Ingredients available here. In the piece, the experts explain the differences and benefits between mineral and chemical sunscreens — and even dispel a myth or two:
“The two types of sunscreen ingredients are mineral and synthetic [chemical], and both are equally protective. Further reassuring is that each can be included in formulas created for every skin type. For example, if you have normal to oily skin, there are weightless, non-greasy options; if you have normal to dry skin, it’s possible to find skin-smoothing, hydrating SPF products.
What’s the Difference Between Mineral and Synthetic Sunscreen Ingredients?
The differences aren’t about which type is more effective; rather, it comes down to personal preference and how sensitive your skin is—mineral sunscreens are considered the most gentle options.
Mineral sunscreens: There are only two mineral sunscreen ingredients: titanium dioxideand zinc oxide. They work in skin's uppermost layers to both absorb and, to a lesser extent, deflect and scatter the sun’s harmful rays. These mineral ingredients are sometimes referred to as physical sunscreens or physical blockers, although that’s not a factual representation of how they work.
Synthetic sunscreens: There are over 30 synthetic sunscreen ingredients, all of which absorb into the top layers of skin, where they work similar to mineral sunscreens: by scattering and deflecting the sun’s harmful rays, and by converting UV rays into heat and “deactivating” them. (Don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing.) Common synthetic sunscreen ingredients include oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, and avobenzone. These are sometimes labeled “chemical sunscreens,” which is both misleading and false. All skin care ingredients, even water, are chemicals.
The formula contains a blend of mineral sun filters with Titanium Dioxide (8.25%) and Zinc Dioxide (6%). It’s a simple sunscreen touch-up, an uncomplicated formula that feels really comfortable on the skin. And, it makes a great sunscreen for the eye area!
SHOP THE BLOG: For a limited time, enjoy 20% off all MDSolarSciences suncare and skin care. Code: SKINCARMA20. Purchase the MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Stick SPF 30 for $15.20 (reg. $19) here.
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The Ingredient List of the Laneige Eye Sleeping Mask:
MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Stick SPF
Active: Titanium Dioxide 8.25% Zinc Dioxide 6%.
Inactive: Polyethylene, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Petrolatum, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Behenyl Olivate, Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone, Glyceryl Isostearate, Octyldodecanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Stearic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid. May Contain: Iron Oxides (C.I. 77491, Iron Oxides (C.I. 77494, Iron Oxides (C.I. 77499).
