PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA’S CHOICE CALM BARRIER PROTECT MINERAL SUNSCREEN SPF 30 - How do I choose sunscreen for sensitive skin? Is mineral sunscreen better for sensitive skin?
PAULA’S CHOICE CALM BARRIER PROTECT MINERAL SUNSCREEN SPF 30
I love discovering new facial sunscreens that I actually enjoy wearing. When they’re good, I look forward to applying them at the end of my AM skincare routine.
One of those is the Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 Sunscreen – which I discovered last summer. It’s one of the best sunscreen fluids I’ve come across. It’s perfect for oily skin – and all skins on a hot summer day.
It was one of my summer 2023 go-to sunscreens, along with CeraVe’s Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30 for Face and Body.
You can catch my detailed product reviews of each on the blog in my top picks of the best sunscreens for face here.
Both are light, milky fluids that glide on and leave no film. Of course, that’s a sign that they’re chemical sunscreens. Chemical UV filters are absorbed by the skin; mineral filters sit on top of the skin, reflecting UV light away from the skin to prevent photodamage.
Mineral filters are also better for sensitive skin. Looking for the best facial sunscreen for sensitive skin? Well this summer, Paula’s Choice introduced just that with the Paula’s Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30. Under the Calm collection, it’s a lightweight gel-cream with a cocktail of mineral UV filters and soothing actives to address sensitivity and redness. My detailed review is just below.
BEST SUNSCREENS FOR FACE
Of course, I don’t just wear sunscreen in the summer. I wear sunscreen every day of the year – even on cloudy, seemingly sunless days. My philosophy is that even when you can’t see the sun, the sun can see you. The sun’s UV rays will reach your skin, right through a window.
I was in LA last month to see long-time friends, several going back to my college days. And while they’re all cool, educated, interesting people and I love each of them deeply, they all had one glaring flaw: visible photoaging. That is, aged, damaged skin resulting from unprotected sun exposure.
It is carefree and sunny in LA, after all. But it saddened me to see that level of photoaging. Deep, embedded dark spots. Splotchy, uneven complexions. Fine lines and deeper wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. Sagging skin on the lower face and neck.
And all of it preventable. I did try, though. When one friend asked for skincare product recommendations, I suggested a favorite sunscreen. Twice. His response: “Stop with that sunscreen. Omg. Tell me what other products. Besides sunscreen. Moisturizer.”
All I can do is try…
THIS SUNSCREEN IS LIT! SEE IT IN ACTION FOR YOURSELF…
Before I get into my detailed Paula’s Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 product review just below, I wanted to explore some of the most frequently asked questions about sunscreen for sensitive skin and the technology behind the new Paula’s Choice calming sunscreen for redness and sensitivity.
1. What is the best sunscreen for sensitive skin?
The best sunscreen for sensitive skin is always a mineral sunscreen made with mineral UV filters like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. If your skin is sensitive, it is far more likely to be irritated by a chemical sunscreen.
In addition to those two common mineral UV filters, a well-formulated sunscreen for sensitive skin may contain soothing botanicals and emollients that help comfort skin and prevent irritation. And, of course, it should not contain fragrance or alcohol – both of which are certain to sensitize your skin.
Among the best mineral sunscreens for sensitive skin are the Pavise Dynamic Age Defense SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen, the Supergoop! Mineral Sheerscreen and the new Paula’s Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 – which I review just below.
I’m also a fan of the EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 Sunscreen, though it’s a hybrid of mineral and chemical filters. The La Roche-Posay Anthelios HA Mineral Sunscreen is also a solid option.
Explore my picks of the best sunscreens for face on the blog here.
Sources: Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC: Top 9 Sunscreens For Sensitive Skin; The New York Times: The Best Sunscreen
2. How do I choose sunscreen for sensitive skin?
How you choose sunscreen for sensitive skin comes down to a process of elimination. Because mineral sunscreens are better for sensitive and sensitized skin, eliminate all chemical sunscreens – or hybrids that contain both mineral and chemical filters.
When you’re looking at a range of mineral sunscreens, eliminate any which contain drying alcohols, fragrance and fragrant plant oils, or essences. Many of the best facial sunscreens from popular brands like EltaMD and La Roche-Posay contain alcohol and fragrance.
According to the experts on the Paula’s Choice research team, “Fragrant ingredients are often used to mask the natural smell of sunscreen actives, but that’s bad news for all skin types, especially very sensitive skin. Fragrance ingredients impart their scent through a volatile reaction, which almost always causes a sensitizing reaction on skin (whether or not you can see it, it’s happening). In fact, research has established that fragrance in skincare products is among the most common cause of negative skin reactions.”
Among the best mineral sunscreens for sensitive skin are the Pavise Dynamic Age Defense SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen, the Supergoop! Mineral Sheerscreen and the new Paula’s Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 – which I review just below.
Explore my picks of the best sunscreens for face on the blog here.
Sources: Skin Cancer Foundation: How to Choose the Best Sunscreen for Your Skin; Paula’s Choice: Your Guide to The Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin
3. Is mineral sunscreen better for sensitive skin?
Yes, mineral sunscreen is better for sensitive skin. Unlike chemical filters, mineral sunscreens do not absorb into the skin; they remain on the skin’s surface, meaning there’s less chance for irritation or sensitivity. In fact, mineral sunscreens are most often recommended by dermatologists for patients with sensitive skin.
While there are dozens of very well-formulated facial sunscreens made with chemical UV filters, the mineral filters Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are generally better tolerated by sensitive skins.
According to the experts on the Paula’s Choice research team, “Mineral sunscreens list titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide as their only active ingredients. Both are incredibly gentle ingredients known to be well suited for sensitive skin. They absorb into the very surface layers of skin where they deflect, scatter, and absorb the sun’s harmful rays.”
Explore my picks of the best sunscreens for face on the blog here.
Sources: MD Solar Sciences: Is Mineral Sunscreen Better?; Paula’s Choice: Your Guide to The Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin
4. What is Allantoin in skin care?
Allantoin in skin care is one of the best ingredients for soothing skin and calming irritation. While it is a byproduct of uric acid, found naturally in the skin, the Allantoin that is used in skincare products is most often produced synthetically.
According to the Paula’s Choice research team, Allantoin “serves as an effective soothing agent and has moisturizing properties, giving it value especially in products designed to treat sensitive or compromised skin. It can also help mitigate skin’s response to stronger active ingredients and is often included in formulas to help buffer any potential adverse effects.”
Allantoin is often found in facial moisturizers for sensitive skin and soothing serums for redness and irritation.
Explore my picks of the best sunscreens for face on the blog here.
Sources: WebMD: Allantoin Cream - Uses, Side Effects, and More; Healthline: Allantoin for Skin: A Must-Have Ingredient for Your Skin Care Routine?; Paula’s Choice: Allantoin
5. Product Review
Believe it or not, there was a time not so long ago that Paula’s Choice was not my choice for facial sunscreens. I just didn’t care much for the brand’s offerings. The textures were weird. All that changed last summer when I discovered what is now my fave summer sunscreen – the Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 Sunscreen.
The Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid is exactly what it sounds like: a light, milky fluid. It’s in the class of iconic sunscreen milks popular in J-beauty and K-beauty. The Skin Aqua Super Moisture UV Milk SPF 50+ is, of course, the OG of J-beauty sunscreens – and Paula’s Choice clearly had a similar texture in mind.
Catch my product reviews of both sunscreen fluids in my picks of the best sunscreens for face here.
So, my expectations have now been set high for any Paula’s Choice sunscreen. This summer, the brand introduced Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 under its Calm skincare range for sensitive skin.
PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA'S CHOICE YOUTH-EXTENDING DAILY HYDRATING FLUID SPF 50
Mineral sunscreens are universally accepted as better for sensitive and irritated skin. In fact, if you have sensitive skin, the first thing you should do when choosing a sunscreen is eliminate all SPF options made with chemical UV filters like Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate and Octocrylene. (BTW, those are the chemical filters found in my favorite Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 Sunscreen!)
That includes hybrid sunscreens that contain both chemical and mineral UV filters. Look for a products that have the word “mineral” in the title and contain Zinc Oxide. You may also find a blend of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
And, if it’s a tinted sunscreen, you’ll see Iron Oxides in the INCI – the mineral that gives a facial sunscreen its tint to optimize blendability on a broader range of skin tones.
The new Paula’s Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is a light, untainted gel-lotion that contains 3.60% Zinc Oxide and 5.25% Titanium Dioxide – and nary a chemical UV filter in sight!
Sure, the formula’s two mineral filters are great for sensitive skin, but they’re not enough on their own. The rest of a mineral sunscreen formula’s ingredients matter just as much.
The Paula’s Choice calming sunscreen for sensitive skin contains numerous skin soothers, including Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract and prebiotics to “help soothe, hydrate and support skin’s barrier and microbiome.”
Of course, being a Paula’s Choice formula, there are no sensitizing actives like denatured alcohol, fragrant plant oils or synthetic fragrances.
The Paula’s Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is a solid option for all skin types, but especially those who worry about their facial sunscreen causing irritation, redness or some other form of skin sensitivity. It’s super hydrating and super gentle, with a weightless feel on the skin – and no white, greasy film.
Paula’s Choice nailed it again with this one.
6. Pros & Cons
What I like about it: The Paula’s Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is a near-perfect sunscreen for sensitive skin. TBH I can’t imagine what could even improve upon it. It’s the ideal blend of mineral UV filters and other skin-soothing actives. If you have an aversion to wearing sunscreen because they always seem to irritate your skin, this one is for you.
What I don’t like about it: I wouldn’t change a thing.
Who it’s for: All skin types, especially sensitive skin.
SHOP THE BLOG: Want to try it for yourself? Purchase the Paula’s Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 for $39 here.
FIND OUT WHICH SERUM PERFORMED BETTER – AND BY HOW MUCH!
The Ingredient List of the Paula’s Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30:
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 5.25%, Zinc Oxide 3.60%; Inactive Ingredients: Water (Aqua/Eau), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Glycerin, Polyester-8, Aluminum Stearate, C15-19 Alkane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Silica, Trehalose, Inulin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Alumina, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Diheptyl Succinate, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium Citrate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Glyceryl Oleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate
IS IT REALLY A SCAM?
Find out on my TikTok channel.
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
THE BEST NIACINAMIDE SERUMS FOR CLOGGED PORES AND A BRIGHTER COMPLEXION
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF
SKINCARE HACKS: GLYCOLIC ACID IS THE NATURAL DEODORANT THAT WORKS!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF
MY FAVORITE HUMECTANT SERUMS FROM PAULA'S CHOICE, THE INKEY LIST, GHOST DEMOCRACY AND MORE
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
COOL CLEAN FACIAL SUNSCREENS TO KEEP US SAFE AND SMILING IN THE SUN!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
THE OPULUS BEAUTY LABS RETINOL SYSTEM – THE COOLEST RETINOL INNOVATION I’VE EVER SEEN
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF
MY WINTER SKIN SAVIOR: SKINFIX BARRIER+ LIPID REPLENISHING SKINCARE
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
A COMPLETE K-BEAUTY ROUTINE WITH THE BEST FACIAL SKINCARE FROM PURITO, COSRX, MISSHA & MORE!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
THE YEAR’S BEST VITAMIN C SERUMS WITH PAULA'S CHOICE, SUNDAY RILEY, THE INKEY LIST AND MORE!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF
A SELFCARE SUNDAY NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART – WITH THE PAULA’S CHOICE 25% AHA PEEL!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
