MY SUMMER EMPTIES 2021: THE INKEY LIST CAFFEINE EYE CREAM, SUPERGOOP! DAILY DOSE VITAMIN C + SPF 40 SUNSCREEN SERUM AND MORE
You probably know that I’m what’s referred to as a migraineur. A migraineur is someone who “suffers from” migraines.
I prefer not to use the term suffer — and try like hell to avoid it whenever possible. Migraines, and particularly, chronic migraine — defined as “having at least 15 headache days a month” — is already dark and depressing enough.
As a linguist and a writer, I know the power of language and I use it to my benefit whenever possible. So, I don’t suffer from migraines; I manage migraines.
The same goes for the term headache. One of the most challenging part of being a migraineur is getting the people in your life — your friends, loved ones and even co-workers — to fully understand the extent of what you’re dealing with. For me, I want and need the people around me to understand what I’m managing. And what I’m managing is not a “headache” — far from it.
When you refer to migraines as headaches, you frame it in the experience of everyone who’s ever had a headache. Most people who deal with the occasional headache will tell you it’s not that big a deal. They pop some sort of over-the-counter pain medication like Tylenol, Advil or paracetamol and, well, the pain goes away. That’s not what a migraine feels like. Not anywhere close to it.
Migraines are best described as a multi-sensory pain experience. Since pain threshold varies, migraineurs are accustomed to defining their pain level on a scale of one to ten. And, as you may be aware, there are multiple sensory effects of a migraine — most commonly these include light and sound sensitivity, eye pain, and buzzing in the ears. (As I write this, I have a mild migraine and there’s a buzzing sound in my right ear.)
Given the very real and notable differences between the conditions of migraine and headache, I was quite taken aback on Tuesday when, during my appointment with my neurologist, the intern referred to my migraines as “headaches.” In preparing for my consultation with my neurologist, Dr. Grant, he wanted to know how my headaches had been since my last visit.
I was visibly chagrined. This misuse of language by someone who should know better really caught me off guard. But I thought, he’s an intern and this is a teachable moment. I took it upon myself to do just that.
ATTENTION FELLOW MIGRAINEURS!
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“Hey. Hold on just a second,” I said. “I want you to be cognizant of the language you use when speaking about migraines. One of the greatest challenges all migraineurs have is getting the people around us to understand that what we deal with isn’t ‘just a headache.’ So please refer to them as migraines going forward.”
He seemed thrown off at first. Then, he realized that I was completely right and agreed to do just that going forward. In fact, when Dr. Grant joined us, he caught her up on my experience during the three months between visits, and never once used the term headache.
So, if you have a migraineur in your life, be aware that what he or she is managing isn’t just a headache. That tiny bit of understanding makes all the difference…
The Cefaly neurostimulator has freed me from all acute migraine medications.
The skincare stuff starts here.
Of the 52 or so blog articles I write a year, the ones I look forward to the most are the four annual pieces I write about my product empties. Simply, I love reflecting back on my skincare journey over the prior three months on the products I’ve emptied. I last explored products I loved so much I finished them up in the beginning of June in an article titled, My Spring Empties: Paula's Choice C15 Vitamin C Super Booster, Farmacy Green Defense Sunscreen, Josie Maran Pineapple Enzyme Cleanser and More. You can still catch the article here.
My collection of My Spring 2021 Empties included some of my favorite skincare products, indulging three regular go-to’s. Among them are NIOD’s Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist, the Balm Labs Clear Balm Serum Hydrator and the Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster — one of the best Vitamin C serums on the planet.
MY SPRING EMPTIES: PAULA'S CHOICE C15 VITAMIN C BOOSTER, FARMACY GREEN DEFENSE & MORE
This time around, my empties include two products from brands that are new to me in 2021. Notably, Kat’s Burki Goji Essence is a real contender for the this year’s Skincarma Product of the Year. It’s quite simply my favorite daily Lactic Acid treatment. Sometimes I use it twice a day, I love it that much. Over the course of the last six months, I’ve gone through three bottles of it. I’m excited to share more about it below!
Another key skincare find this year is the Herbal Face Food The Serum. It’s one of those rare, unique finds that I classify as alien technology. There’s simply nothing else like it on Earth so I question how it even came about in the first place.
The third in my collection of summer empties is The Inkey List’s Caffeine Eye Serum. While it’s not my go-to de-puffing treatment (The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG actually takes that prize!), it is a wonderfully light, effective and well-formulated daily eye cream.
PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY CAFFEINE SOLUTION 5% + EGCG – THE BEST EYE CREAM FOR PUFFINESS
Rounding out this quarter’s five empties are two of the best sunscreens for face, the Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum PA+++ and Ghost Democracy’s Invisible Lightweight Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 33. If you’re looking for a new facial sunscreen, these are two excellent options.
So let’s take a look back at five of the products that I finished over the course of summer 2021, revisit what I said about them initially, admit whether or not I miss them — and if I’m feeling the #fomo…
Kat Burki | Goji Essence
What I said about it: Over the last few weeks I’ve been immersing myself in this wonderful, mysterious skincare brand, Kat Burki.
I have had my eye on Kat Burki’s namesake brand for some time now. But, curiously, I hadn’t had the opportunity to try out any of the celebrity nutritionist’s products until the beginning of this year.
I gotta say wow.
It’s rare that I discover a brand that I like this much. Sure, I come across products I like (even love!) often. But with every one of Kat Burki’s products, the experience is pure skincare joy for me, every time. There’s just so much nourishing, pro-skin health goodness in the formulas. And she nails it with the textures, too.
While I’ve enjoyed it all, I gotta say there’s nothing like Kat Burki’s Goji Essence — one of my favorite product discoveries of 2021. I’ve read it’s Kat’s personal fave and I can understand why. There’s just something about it that makes my skin come alive. (Psst…I take a deep dive into Goji Essence just below.)
I’ve also been smitten by the Kat Burki Vital Hydration Blast, featured in my #selfcaresunday video on my YouTube channel a couple of weeks ago. If you missed it, you can still catch it here for your own #selfcaresunday session this coming weekend!
I’m not even close to exaggerating when I say that Kat’s Vital Hydration Blast is one of the most luxurious, skin-pampering moisture masks I’ve ever tried. I can’t get enough of it and have often left it on for hours on end. The longer, the better.
The Vital Hydration Blast is a rich, creamy blend of Kat’s proprietary KB5 antioxidant complex — combined with multiple non-fragrant plant oils and extracts, botanical Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, ceramides, peptides and more. Seriously, it’s next-level clean luxury skincare and the perfect #selfcaresunday treat.
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CHILLIN ON SELFCARE SUNDAY WITH KAT BURKI AND THIS BOMB HYDRATING MASK!
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Oh em gee. If you’ve never used a skincare product that feels like life on your skin, you haven’t lived. This stuff is lit.
The Kat Burki Goji Essence is a remarkable fermented acid toner that lights up my skin on contact. I always know when I’ve used it because I’ll catch myself glowing hours later in the bathroom mirror. What is it about this essence that feels so exceptional on my skin, though?
I suspect it starts with Kat’s nutrient-dense KB5 antioxidant complex. But don’t quote me.
The brand’s signature blend of five nutrient-dense botanical extracts (Arnica Flower Water, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Lavender Flower Water, Calendula Flower Water and Chamomile Flower Water) just does something exceptional on the skin.
I don’t know what. But I bet Kat does! It’s her personal go-to product for a reason.
The Goji Essence’s oomph is powered by 5% Lactic Acid, plant cell extracts, the plumping Matrixyl-3000 peptide complex and, of course, power-antioxidant Goji Berry Extract, from which the product derives its name. No joke, it really feels like liquid skin health in a bottle — and a heavy green glass one at that!
Here’s how the brand describes Kat’s favorite product from her namesake range:
“Kat Burki’s personal go-to anti-aging product, this powerful essence is a triple threat of super foods, super acids and super peptides. Combined, these impeccable ingredients create a formula that gently exfoliates, helps moderate the skin renewal cycle and creates the powerful blurring effect that peptides and Lactic Acids are known for.”
What Is Lactic Acid and What Does Lactic Acid Do for the Skin?
Lactic Acid is my favorite of the range of alpha hydroxy acids. My skin seems to love it often and at any concentration. That’s not something I can say about it’s more powerful AHA partner in crime, Glycolic Acid.
But what makes it so uniquely effective? There’s a great piece on the benefits of Lactic Acid written by the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team titled, Lactic Acid for Skin. You can catch the full article here.
Lactic acid is a skin care ingredient that quickly delivers numerous benefits when applied in a well-formulated exfoliating product. When used in a pH-correct formula (whether designed to be left on skin or in a high-strength peel that’s rinsed after several minutes), lactic acid works by gently breaking the bonds that hold dead, dry skin cells to the surface.
If you’re using a rinse-off peel with lactic acid, do so once weekly or every other week. Apply the peel to cleansed skin, leave on for the designated amount of time, rinse, and follow with the rest of your skincare routine.
These dead cells shed on their own when we’re young, but sun damage, aging, and certain skin issues can slow or even stop this process, leading to a buildup of dead skin that creates a dull, older-looking complexion. Regular use of an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) like lactic acid can turn this around.
As with other acids, research shows lactic acid’s ability to exfoliate effectively depends on the product’s acid concentration, with amounts between 5-12% having reliably impressive results.
BRANDS I LOVE: KAT BURKI SKINCARE BASED ON NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE - BEST BRIGHTENING FACE CREAM
Funny thing, I love using Kat Burki’s Goji Essence so much (and so often!) that I get scared my skin will become sensitized when I do. But it never does. There are times when I’ve even double-dipped — using it once right after cleansing and then again 20 minutes later for no explicable reason whatsoever. I just want to.
I honestly can’t get enough of it. You have to try Kat’s Goji Essence for yourself to believe it.
The Best Brightening Serums
What I think now: The Kat Burki Goji Essence has found a place in my daily skincare routines more quickly than anything in recent memory. There are many products that are easily replaceable in a routine (Vitamin C serums come to mind) — but there’s nothing like Kat’s Goji Essence. In fact, I very often use in twice a day — both AM and PM. I can think of only one other product I can say that about — the Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster. That’s a big deal.
#fomo level: I haven’t been without it a day since I first discovered it! But I’m already getting a little panicky about an upcoming trip to California where I won’t have it with me. The #fomo will be through the roof…
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Kat Burki Goji Essence for $170 here.
NEW VITAMIN C SERUMS I’M CRUSHING ON FROM WANDER BEAUTY, GLOSSIER, KAT BURKI AND MORE - BEST VITAMIN C SERUMS
Herbal Face Food | The Serum I
What I said about it: Of the two Herbal Face Food serums, the brand’s The Serum I is “level one” in the routine and considered the opening act of the skin repair regimen. It’s the daily go-to serum and I’ve used it morning and evening as either the last step of my routine or just before a heavier moisturizer or facial oil.
Consisting of 25 of what the brand characterizes as “the world’s most powerful botanicals including the top 5 rarest, most expensive plant concentrates on the planet,” Herbal Face Food’s The Serum I feels like life on your face. It’s as if the plants hibernating in the bottle come alive again on your skin.
I imagine that’s what alien technology is supposed to do!
BRANDS I’M INTO: HERBAL FACE FOOD – BEST NATURAL ANTI-AGING SERUM, BEST ORGANIC FACE SERUM
Upon application, you become immediately aware that something weirdly invigorating is occurring on the surface of your skin. As I mentioned, it’s not an off-putting burning sensation; it’s more of an intense sensation — a bizarre intensity I’ve never experienced before. It’s as if your skin is being jolted back to life.
The potent blend of plant-derived enzymes and antioxidants are activated as they are absorbed into the skin’s surface layers. Within 10 minutes, that initial jarring intensity recedes, though there’s a discernible underlying sensation for about an hour afterwards.
At no time does my skin ever become red or appear irritated — as is my experience with essential oils.
In fact, there is only a single fragrant plant oil in the formula, about mid-way down the 25-ingredient-deep INCI. Within about two hours, my complexion seems to become more reflective and alive. I look and feel refreshed.
Herbal Face Food describes The Serum I concoction this way: “Our powerful, potent serum is packed with Anti-Oxidants and Anti-aging phytonutrients that heal your skin at the cellular level and address the top signs of aging in 3 days or less (no kidding). Start with Serum I and power your way up through the Serum Series.”
I’ve really put the stuff to the test, wanting to assure myself that what my skin was reacting to wasn’t just irritation from fragrant plant oils. Though given the fact that there is but a lone plant oil in the formula in the form of Cananga Odorata Leaf Oil (aka Ylang Ylang), I was pretty confident something else was indeed going on.
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What Is Organic Skincare and Is Organic Skin Care Better?
I think about this often. Should I only be eating organic fruits and vegetables? The answer to that seems obvious. Yes, when given the choice, opt for organic. But what about skincare? Is there a real benefit to organic products and ingredients? I found an insightful piece that takes a deep-dive into all-things-organic in Elle magazine titled, Everything You Need To Know About Organic Skincare According To May Lindstrom.
Excerpts from the piece:
Organic skincare - it's always been on our 'if we were being better people' to do list we've never quite got around to. But, if we're going by the theory that organic produce is better for our diets, surely organic skincare is just as beneficial for our complexions? Or is it
Clearing up the confusion is natural beauty expert, brand founder and proud owner of the best skin we've ever encountered in real life, May Lindstrom.
What are the benefits of organic skincare?
“Just like with food, organically grown ingredients often have higher nutrient levels, and are missing chemical residues that can irritate skin or potentially cause long term harm in the body.
“Your skin absorbs whatever you put on it, so I follow the same philosophy for skincare as I would in my diet. There is simply no place for pesticides or unnecessary synthetics. It's not about being an "organic" brand as much as it is creating the highest possible quality skin treats that I am capable of.”
So I applied it to my face right after I shaved!
On my freshly shaven skin, I experienced the same unusual lively sensation as I have on the rest of my face whenever using it. No irritation, no burning, no redness. Just that invigorating jolt.
The Serum I formula is a healthy blend of numerous antioxidant botanicals with nary a drop of water in the INCI. The first ingredient, in fact, is common Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, proven to effectively soothe and nourish the skin. Notably, the entire top ten consists of one botanical extract after another. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that before. The first ten ingredients are all plant extracts! And the texture is a reflection of that. It’s super lightweight, with a slightly pulpy consistency.
Herbal Face Food says that The Serum I is suitable for even sensitive skin types. While I sometimes experience sensitivity on my forehead, I wouldn’t characterize my skin as sensitive. That said, I haven’t experienced any signs of irritation or sensitivity on my forehead or anywhere else for that matter. Just healthy, refreshed skin that appears to come alive!
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PRODUCT REVIEW: HERBAL FACE FOOD THE CURE X – BEST NATURAL SPOT TREATMENT, BEST ORGANIC FACE SERUM
What I think now: With its extra-ordinary, otherworldly blend of potent botanical extracts, Herbal Face Food’s The Serum I is one of the most intriguing and unusual products I’ve come across this year. If you have the opportunity to try it, you should.
#fomo level: The #fomo is very real on nights when I’m testing out something else and have to refrain from using it. Gosh, I really love this stuff!
SHOP THE BLOG: For a limited time, save 20% off Herbal Face Food with code SKINCARMA20. Enter the code to purchase the Herbal Face Food The Serum I (30mL) for $104 (reg. $130) here.
The Inkey List | Caffeine Eye Serum
What I said about it: I gotta admit, sometimes I don’t use a separate eye cream. That sounds scandalous, doesn’t it? I just don’t believe that my eye area needs anything different than the skin on the rest of my face. Or yours.
What the eye area needs is hydration, moisture, antioxidants, sunscreen, maybe even amino acid proteins. From time to time, I do want to treat puffiness and even pretend to treat dark circles, which are essentially untreatable in any real way. Get sleep, drink water. If those don’t help, use a concealer.
Inkey’s Caffeine Eye Serum has a nice, light, and silky consistency that my skin soaks right up in the morning, making it easy to layer. It’s not an overly complicated or very innovative formula — it’s just a straight up solid formula for puffiness in the eye area.
Is Caffeine Good for Puffy Eyes and How Do You Depuff Under Your Eyes?
Whether or not caffeine has a significant effect on puffiness is up in the air. It does possess a proven antioxidant benefits, though. That said, there are many effective ways to depuff the under-eye isn addition to an eye cream formulated with caffeine or caffeine-rich coffee bean extract. A quick Google search came up with this list:
Apply a cold compress. A cold compress can help reduce swelling. ...
Apply cucumber slices or tea bags. ...
Gently tap or massage the area to stimulate blood flow. ...
Apply witch hazel. ...
Use an eye roller. ...
Apply a chilled face cream or serum.
As to whether caffeine is the best cure for puffiness, I went straight to the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team. Here’s what they have to say:
“Caffeine is the chief stimulant in beverages such as coffee and tea. It’s often included in skincare products with claims that it will improve the look of cellulite or puffy eyes. Unfortunately, research into caffeine’s effects in this regard are mixed. Caffeine’s popularity in products related to cellulite is due to its distant relationship to aminophylline (an ingredient once thought to improve the look of cellulite), which is a modified form of theophylline, and caffeine contains theophylline.
Applied to skin, caffeine may have soothing and antioxidant properties, especially when skin is exposed to UV light. It can penetrate skin and has a constricting effect, which can help improve the look of redness but also may be sensitizing.
When it comes to puffy eyes, there is no research indicating caffeine can have any benefit; in fact, research has shown caffeine has an inhibitory action on a key protein in skin that helps it look younger. Truly, it’s a mix of pros and cons for skin, though lower amounts (less than 1%) in skincare products probably don’t present much, if any, risk.”
As the name suggests, Inkey’s Caffeine Eye Serum contains Caffeine to help alleviate puffiness. Caffeine in skincare is even more reliable as an antioxidant. Even better antioxidants in the formula include Soybean Extract and, interestingly, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract.
According to the Paula’s experts, the plant’s bark “has one study showing it’s a more effective antioxidant than ascorbic acid (vitamin C).”
In addition, Inkey added the Matrixyl 3000 Peptide molecule to help support collagen production. You can’t go wrong with this one. In fact, I wish every person who’s ever purchased La Mer’s $235 The Eye Concentrate could be sent one of these with an accompanying dunce cap.
BRANDS I LOVE : THE INKEY LIST AFFORDABLE SKINCARE - BEST ANTI-AGING SERUMS, BEST ANTI-AGING MOISTURIZERS
What I think now: The Inkey List’s Caffeine Eye Serum made for the perfect lightweight eye cream over the summer. While The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is my go-to de-puffing treatment each morning, it doesn’t negate the fact that this one is an excellent option for addressing most eye area concerns.
#fomo level: Moderate. It’s just that it’s not a go-to, so I’m not sure I have a need for it outside of the warmer summer months. #realtalk
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Serum for $9.99 here.
The Best Sunscreens for Eyes
Supergoop! | Ultra Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum PA+++
What I said about it: I have a super personal relationship with skin care products. There’s this one indicator that I’m sensitive to when it comes to whether or not I like a product during my initial experience with it. Make that two indicators. Do I believe the formula is pro-skin health and do I like using it.
The new Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum PA+++ had me intrigued from the start. As I said when I offered a glimpse of it on #skincarmasaturday two weeks ago, there’s nothing particularly innovative about a sunscreen formulated with Vitamin C.
But there is something quite special and perhaps innovative about Supergoop’s Daily Dose sunscreen serum.
What sets the Supergoop! Daily Dose apart?
It’s the whole package! The milky serum texture. The cute round bottle that fits in the palm of your hand. The fact that it’s infused with 10% Vitamin C in the form of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid. And the way it transforms on the skin. It’s quite otherworldly and makes me feel like it’s right outta J-Beauty.
SURPRISINGLY LIGHT SUNSCREENS FOR A HOT SUMMER DAY FROM GLOSSIER, SUPERGOOP! AND ZITSTICKA
But I think the most important thing about it is that it’s such a pleasure to use. How often would you say that about a sunscreen?
Supergoop’s motto is “Every Single Day,” implying that you should use sunscreen no matter what’s going on outside. Whether it’s a cloudy day, a rainy day, the dead of winter. You gotta wear sunscreen…Every. Single. Day.
What Does PA Mean in Sunscreen and What Is the Difference between SPF and PA?
There’s an excellent piece from the Paula’s Choice Research Team titled, What Does the PA+ Sunscreen Symbol Mean? on the brand’s website here.
The SPF rating on a sunscreen bottle stands for Sun Protection Factor, a measurement of how long you can stay outside during the day and be protected from the sun’s burn-causing UVB rays (assuming you’re applying sunscreen the right way). UVA rays are present, too; this is where the PA+ rating system comes into play.
Some sunscreens include PA+ rating on their products. The letters “PA” followed by plus signs (PA+, PA++, PA+++, and PA++++) on a label are a rating system developed in Japan to represent how much UVA protection the product offers.
The sun’s UVA rays do not cause sunburn; rather, they cause skin to turn brown. UVA rays are known as the sun’s silent killers because you don’t feel them affecting skin. Despite the lack of pain associated with UVA rays, they penetrate deeply into skin, causing a somewhat different type of damage than UVB rays.
This is what each PA rating means:
PA+ = Some UVA protection.
PA++ = Moderate UVA protection.
PA+++ = High UVA protection.
PA++++ = Extremely High UVA protection.
And Daily Dose is so dope, you kinda really want to. I’ve loved, loved, loved apply Daily Dose every morning for the last two weeks.
The silky serum transforms on the skin to give you what appears to be a radiant veil that lasts for hours. The only drawback? It’s formulated with four chemical sun filters, nary a mineral sunscreen in sight. But somehow I still can’t resist getting my Daily Dose.
PRODUCT REVIEW: SUPERGOOP! BRIGHT-EYED 100% MINERAL EYE CREAM SPF 40 – BEST SUNCSREEN FOR THE EYE AREA
What I think now: The Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum PA+++ was one of my most delightful finds of the summer and one of my favorite skincare products on a hot summer day. It still surprises me how bright and healthy my skin looks on the days I kick off with this stuff.
#fomo level: Definitely up there and so far I haven’t been without it. In fact, there’s one in back stock just in case.
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum PA+++ for $46 here.
The Best Sunscreens for Face
Ghost Democracy | Invisible Lightweight Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 33
What I said about it: I first reviewed the clean indie brand Ghost Democracy early this year on my blog soon after the brand launched with a big, clean beauty splash!
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I think the brand’s Lightbulb Vitamin C Serum is one of my all-time favorites — and the benchmark for what I want from an oil-based Vitamin C treatment. High Vitamin C content, replenishing non-fragrant plant oils, soothing actives — and a clean, toxin-free formula. The stuff is, as I said, “nirvana in a bottle.”
So, I was super excited when Ghost Democracy introduced a clean mineral sunscreen last month.
The Ghost Democracy Invisible Lightweight Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 33 has been my go-to daily sunscreen off and on over the last two weeks or so. I’ve been juggling between this one and two others — and have looked forward to the Ghost Democracy sunscreen most.
It’s gonna be the perfect daily sunscreen during the chilly fall months. Why is that? Because it’s got just the right texture – not too light, not too thick. That’s what I want in my transitional skincare as the hot AF summer months cool down here in NYC.
What’s the Difference between Mineral and Chemical Sunscreens?
There’s an excellent article by the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team titled, Mineral vs. Synthetic Sunscreen Ingredients available in the brand’s website here.
The two types of sunscreen ingredients are mineral and synthetic, 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.
Like all of Ghost Democracy’s formulas, it’s free of any toxic substances including drying alcohol, fragrance and fragrant plant oils. Instead, Ghost Democracy infused it with lots of goodness, the kind of stuff skin loves. Like 4.0% Niacinamide to clear out pores. And antioxidants like Artichoke Leaf Extract and Turmeric Extract that protects skin from environmental damage and works with the Niacinamide to brighten the complexion.
Of course, what counts most is the 20.0% Zinc Oxide and the fact that Invisible Lightweight sunscreen is indeed invisible! As with most mineral sunscreens, it takes a minute to settle into the skin. But once it does, you’re good to go.
It works well for all skin types in my estimation. If you’re oily, you can actually use just this. It doesn’t contain any plant oils but does contain Caprylic/capric triglyceride — a derivative of coconut oil and glycerin that’s both emollient replenishing without being excessively oily on the skin.
And at just over $30, it doesn’t get much better!
BRANDS I LOVE: GHOST DEMOCRACY INTRIGUINGLY CLEAN SKINCARE WITH A TWIST — BEST CLEAN FACE CREAM
What I think now: I love Ghost Democracy and their innovative, affordable skincare. The Ghost Democracy Invisible Lightweight Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 33 is certainly one of the best mineral sunscreens for face. If you’re in the market for a lightweight, comfortable, pro-skin health mineral sunscreen that leaves no discernible white cast, this is it.
#fomo level: I actually do miss it. So yeah, the #fomo is real, real af!
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Ghost Democracy Invisible Lightweight Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 33 for $33 here.
That’s it, guys! I hope you enjoyed my look back at my summer product empties. I encourage you to look into each of them to enhance the pro-skin health benefits of your own daily skincare routine. Especially the two sunscreens…
See you next week!
💟 Carmine @skincarma
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SKINCARE HACKS: GLYCOLIC ACID IS THE NATURAL DEODORANT THAT WORKS!
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COOL CLEAN FACIAL SUNSCREENS TO KEEP US SAFE AND SMILING IN THE SUN!
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THE YEAR’S BEST VITAMIN C SERUMS WITH PAULA'S CHOICE, SUNDAY RILEY, THE INKEY LIST AND MORE!
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THE BEST HYALURONIC ACID SERUMS FROM PAULA'S CHOICE, THE INKEY LIST, GHOST DEMOCRACY & MORE
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A SELFCARE SUNDAY NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART – WITH THE PAULA’S CHOICE 25% AHA PEEL!
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MY 2021 VITAMIN C PICKS + THE BEST VITAMIN C SERUMS TO BRIGHTEN UP THE COMPLEXION!
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The Ingredient List of the Kat Burki Goji Essence:
KB5™ Complex (Arnica Montana (Arnica), Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), Calendula Officinalis (Calendula), Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile)), Goji Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Globularia Cordifolia Callus Culture Extract (Plant Stem Cells), Silk Protein Amino Acid Blend (Sodium Pca, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Lecithin, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine), Matrixyl-3000 (Glycerin, Water, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate-20, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Green Tea), Ubiquinone (Coq10), Sodium Lactate (Lactic Acid), Bursera Linaloe Wood Oil (Linaloe), Citrus Aurantium Flower Oil (Orange), Citrus Aurantium Leaf Oil (Orange), Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil (Mandarin Orange), Caprylyl Glucoside (Plantasol), Natural Fragrance, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene.
The Ingredient List of the Herbal Face Food The Serum I:
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Helichrysum Stoechas Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustipolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Origanum Vulgaris Flower Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Leaf/Cell Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Vetiveria Zizanioides Root Extract, Cananga Odorata Leaf Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract, Santalum Album Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Citrus Nobilis, Citrus Medica Limonum Leaf Peal Stem, Cymbopogon Flexuosus Leaf Oil, Boswellia Carterii, Croton Lechleri, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Ormenis Mixta, Rose Damenscena, Leptospermum Scoparium Leaf Extract, Callitris Intratropica, Vanilla Planifolia Bean Extract.
The Ingredient List of The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Serum:
sii|h 0 0, Dicaprylyl Carbonate emo, Propanediol solv|h, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate emu, Cetyl Alcohol emo|emu|vc|surf 2 2, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer vc, Jojoba Esters so|emo|h, Glyceryl Dibehenate emo, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract 
, Squalane sii|emo 0 1, Caffeine aox|perf, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax emu, Phospholipids sii|emo, Tribehenin emo, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Xanthan Gum vc, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Extract, Polysorbate 60 emu|surf, Disodium EDTA chel, Glyceryl Behenate emo|emu, Glycolipids, Butylene Glycol h|solv|vc 0 1, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols emo, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate amic|pres, Hyaluronic Acid sii|h, Carbomer vc 0 1, Darutoside, Polysorbate 20 emu|surf 0 0, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 cci, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 cci, Phenoxyethanol presThe Ingredient List of the Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum PA+++:
sunsc, Homosalate (9%) sunsc, Octisalate (5%) sunsc 0 0, Octocrylene (6%) sunsc aox|sb, C13-15 Alkane solv|emo, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate emu, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate emu, Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer h, Niacinamide cci|sb|aacne|h, Phenethyl Benzoate emo|perf, Polyester-25, Silica vc, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract aox|sb, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract perf, Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate h, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract so|h, Glyceryl Caprylate pres, Disteardimonium Hectorite vc, Xanthan Gum vc, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate emu, Magnesium Sulfate vc, Sodium Chloride vc, Citric Acid buff, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate chel, Sodium Citrate chel|buff, Pentylene Glycol solv|h, Propanediol solv|h, Caprylyl Glycol h|emo, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Chlorphenesin pres|amicThe Ingredient List of the Ghost Democracy Invisible Lightweight Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 33:
cci|sb|aacne|h, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract aox|so|sb|perf, Polyhydroxystearic Acid emu, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Panthenol so|h 0 0, Tocopheryl Acetate aox 0 0, Sucrose Palmitate emo|emu|surf, Mg Stearate+ col|h 0 1, Glyceryl Stearate emo|emu 0 1-2, Tocopheryl Acetate aox 0 0, Xanthan Gum vc, Citric Acid buff, Saccharide Isomerate h, Sucrose Laurate emo|emu|surf, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate emu|surf, Benzyl Alcohol pres|perf|solv|vc, Dehydroacetic Acid pres, Sodium Phytate chel
