October 13, 2015

Choosing the Right Sun Protection- Part 2

Dominique Thoughts sun protection, Sunscreen

Sunplay Sunscreen and Biore Sunscreen

From sunscreens which I’ve chosen for the kids I’m moving on to reviewing sunscreens which I have selected for myself.

In the previous part of this post I examined the sunscreens – Babyganics, Coola Organic Sports Mineral Sunscreen and Mary Kay’s Sun Care Sunscreen.

In this post I will be sharing my findings on the remaining sunscreens which I’ve have tested – Sunplay Clear Water SPF 50+, Coola Face Spf 30 and Biore UV Perfect Milk SPF 50

Sunplay Sunscreen

I picked this sunscreen out while shopping at Watson as it came in a small pocket size bottle which made it easy to bring around in my handbag. I like the fact that it had a water light texture and is easily absorbed into the skin upon application.

The Sun Play Sunscreen is the first ” hybrid” sunscreen that I have come across as it has both Mineral and Chemicial UV Filters present . Zinc Oxide ( Mineral ) and Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, (Chemical ) are found in the product.

Ingredients: (As listed in Codna.com ) Cyclopentasiloxane,C12-15 alkyl benzoate , Zinc Oxide, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Triethylhexanoin, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Glycerin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Lauryl PEG/PPG 18/ 18 methicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Methylparaben, Fragrance, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lotus Japonicus Symbiosome Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, water.

What is alarming about the product is that Methylparaben is found inside.

Studies have shown that parabens can affect your body much like estrogens, which can lead to diminished muscle mass, extra fat storage, and male gynecomastia (breast growth). Other studies have also linked parabens to breast cancer, as researchers found traces of parabens in every sample of tissue taken from 20 different breast tumors.

The EPA has linked methyl parabens in particular to metabolic, developmental, hormonal, and neurological disorders, as well as various cancer.

Conclusion = Not suitable as parabens are present.

Other brands which have parabens

Nivea Sun Kids Spray SPF 50+
Banana Boat Kids SPF50 Sunscreen Lotion
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting UV Cream SPF 30
Bioderma Spot SPF 50+
Loreal Uv Perfect Even Complexion Spf 50

The Coola and Babyorganic sunscreens

Coola Face Sunscreen

I found this sunscreen easy to apply and love the scent.

Active Ingredients : Titanium Dioxide 3.2% ,Zinc Oxide 1.8%

Inactive Ingredients: Aluminum hydroxide, butyrospermum parkii (organic shea butter), cucumis sativus (organic cucumber) fruit extract, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone crosspolymer, glycerin (organic), hydrogen dimethicone, isopropyl myristate, linum usitatissimum (organic linseed) seed oil, oenothera biennis (organic evening primrose) oil, plankton extract, polyamide-5, polysilicone-11, propylene carbonate, rosa canina (organic rose hip) fruit oil, silica silylate, stearalkonium hectorite.

My findings.

This is a great product. However it can only last the most 40 minutes so it will have to be reapplied more frequently. I’m wondering why it can’t last 80 mins too like the Coola Sports Sunscreen. I guess that I have to research more to find out the answer to this question.

Kao Boire UV Perfect Milk

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Zinc Oxide, Alcohol, Water (Aqua), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Lauryl Methacrylate/Sodium Methacrylate Crosspolymer Polymethylsilsequioxane, Glycerin, Talc, Methicone, Polysillicone-9, PEG-12 Dimethicone PEG-3 Dimethicone, Aluminuim Hydroxide, Fragrance (Parfum), Silica, Phenoxyethanol CI 77492, CI 77891

My findings

The Biore Sunscreen was easy to apply and absorbed easily into the skin. The main grouse with it was it’s strong smell due to the alcohol inside. I also am quite skeptical about the amount of plastic within the product. Sillicone based ingredients can cause pores to clog and certainly not what I would like to see happening to my face.

Even though the products do not have any harmful ingredients I will give it a pass as it has too much plastics inside for my liking.

It is really important to know what goes into the sunscreen that you apply. To be able to do so is to understand what goes into the composition of each sunscreen by studying the list of ingredients religiously.

With conflicting information circulating around on the dangers of Oxybenzone I have decided that it would be best to error on the side of caution and use products which do not include it in their ingredient list.

Another factor which I will take into consideration is that the product is also paraben free as those too are harmful to health.

What are your considerations when you decide on which Sun protection for your family?

If you’ve miss it

Part 1 of -Choosing the Right Sun Protection.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are based on my personal findings. I am a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant. If you are interested in testing out or purchasing any Mary Kay products you can contact me.

October 11, 2015

Choosing the Right Sun Protection Part 1

Dominique Parenting and Kids, Recommendations Suncare, Sunscreen

The kids and me enjoying a swim

Living in tropical Singapore the kids and I get many opportunities to have fun at the pool. I’ve been taking them swimming since they were 8 months old and all of them love the water.

Since we are in the pool so often it is very important all of us apply sunscreen before entering the water to ensure that we are adequately protected from the harmful rays of the sun.

With so many different types and brands in the market. Which sunscreen is then is the most suitable one for me and the kids?

There are two main different types of sunscreen- Mineral and Chemical. There are both benefits and disadvantages to each type and preferences may differ depending on your concerns and opinions.

There have been many conflicting reports supporting both types of sunscreen and it is still best to based your choice on your own discretion.

Mineral Based sunscreens I tested

The Coola and Babyganics sunscreen

Chemical Sunscreen I tried

Mary Kay Sunscreens

Sunplay and Biore Sunscreen

I tested out a variety of sunscreens for myself and the kids. We tried both Mineral and Chemical based sunscreens to see which type was more suitable for use.

The kids have a different requirement from me in choosing a suitable sunscreen as they needed one that was water resistant as they go swimming weekly.

Choosing sunscreen- My checklist

Water resistant sunscreens which were tested out

These 3 sunscreens are among the more popular sunscreens based on the various reviews that I’ve read and recommendations from my friends.

Here are my findings on the 3 different brands of sunscreen above.

Babyganics Sunscreen

I liked the fact that this sunscreen was made of Zinc Oxide which is a safe mineral for use. However upon further investigation it contained bad ingredients which could be harmful for the kids in the long run.

This sunscreen contained these ingredients.

Active ingredients : Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 5.0%, Zinc oxide 11.7%

Inactive ingredients: Water, glyceryl stearate, cyclopentasiloxane, caprylic/capric triglyceride, propanediol, stearyl/octadodecyl citrate crosspolymer, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, glycerin, dimethicone crosspolymer, tocopheryl acetate, solanum lycopersicum (tomato) seed oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) seed oil, nigella sativa (black cumin) seed oil, rubus idaeus (red raspberry) seed oil, sodium stearoyl glutamate, beeswax, lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 methicone, triethoxycaprylylsilane, xanthan gum, ethylhexylglycerin, disodium EDTA, potassium sorbate, phenoxyethanol.

polysorbate 60: Commonly used in fragrance, this emulsifying and solubilizing agent is one of several varieties of polysorbates, which some experts claim are reproductive toxins.

phenoxyethanol: A preservative found in nearly every type of cosmetic and various cleaning products. Proven organ system toxin in animals (even at low doses), and suspected to be carcinogenic. Some studies say that it can be harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin and that it can cause reproductive damage. (Read about the different studies on it here)

Conclusion = Unsuitable for the kids just considering the ingredients list.

My findings

Being a mineral based sunscreen it formed a thick white paste which was difficult to apply. The ingredients inside the tube also separated easily and many times water came out upon squeezing instead of the white paste even though I’ve shook the tube a few times before squeezing it.

What the kids say

They find applying it very cumbersome and it seems to peel off even before they hit the pool making it’s usefulness in sun protection questionable.

Coola Sport Mineral Sunscren Spf 30

Active ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 4.8% Zinc Oxide 3.1%

Inactive ingredients : Aleurites moluccana seed oil (organic kukui), aloe barbadensis leaf (organic), aluminum, arnica montana (organic) flower extract, bentonite, caprylhydroxamic acid, caprylyl glycol, citrus aurantium dulcis (organic orange) fruit water, citrus aurantium dulcis (organic orange) peel oil, citrus limon (lemon) peel oil, citrus reticulata (tangerine) peel oil, citrus nucifera (organic coconut) oil, glycerin (organic), hydrogenated methyl abietate, hydrolyzed wheat protein / PVP crosspolymer, jojoba esters, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, mimosa tenuiflora bark extract, persea gratissima (organic avocado) oil, prunus armeniaca (organic apricot) kernel oil, cathamus tinctorius (safflower) olesomes, sodium chloride, sodium gluconate, sodium hydroxide, tocopherol, triethoxycaprylylsilane, water, xanthan gum.

There are no known carcinogens in this list and it certainly is safer as compared to the Babyganics sunscreen listed above.

My findings

I loved the texture and light fragrance of the product. However it still left a white sheen after application which the kids didn’t like. It also felt sticky to the touch. The good thing is that it can last up to 80 mins which is more then sufficient for the hour long swimming lesson that the kids go for weekly.

Mary Kay Sun Care Sunscreen

Ingredient list:

Ingredients

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Oxybenzone 5%. Other Ingredients: Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Ammonium Hydroxide, Behenyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Cyclamen Aldehyde, Dicetyl Phosphate, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ethyl Linalool, Ethylene Brassylate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol, Methyl Trimethicone, Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal, PEG-100 Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylisohexanol, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sorbic Acid, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-6, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Water, Xanthan Gum

My findings

I find this product easy to apply and I love the scent of it. The kids too find this chemical sunscreen the easiest to apply compared to the 2 other mineral sunscreens.

The questionable ingredient in this product is Oxybenzone 5%. and Phenoxyethanol. There are conflicting reports about Oxybenzone a as a controversial chemical that is used in a lot of sunscreens and skincare products because of its ability to absorb and dissipate UV light. While the chemical is effective, some studies suggest that when it gets absorbed into the body, it can trigger harsh reactions. Oxybenzone has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption and cell damage. It can also absorb through the skin into the bloodstream, affecting hormone levels as according to reports stated in EWG. FDA however have approved it for use since in the products if the percentage is less then 6%.

Other products/brands which have Oxybenzone

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid
La Roche-PosayAnthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Clinique Sun Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen Body Cream
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50

( Read about sunscreen safety here )

In the 2nd part of this post I will be comparing the how the other sunscreens – SUNPLAY, Biore UV , Mary Kay Sun Protector , Coola Face and Mary Kay TimeWise Day solution.