SkinCeuticals is promoting a new sunscreen product — SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 NEW. I always keep an eye on “mineral” sunscreen products that do not look like toothpaste. This sunscreen seems to meet the standards. After carefully analyzing its formula, I would say, for people with very oily skin that does not tolerate “chemical” sunscreens, this can be a choice. Otherwise, there are other better and cheaper sunscreen products.
SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 contains an interesting ingredient called artemia salina, which increases skin defenses and resistance to UV and heat stress, as is described. A study in France Artemia extract: Toward more extensive sun protection reports that an extract from the plankton artemia salina protects DNA from UV damage and decreases UV-induced inflammation, suggesting a way to help sunscreens protect skin from UV damage. This is also demonstrated in other studies. Artemia salina, therefore, is a real natural sunscreen. It is not reliable to use only artemia salina as sunscreen but it is definitely beneficial to add artemia salina to regular sunscreens.
In terms of UV filters and preservatives, this sunscreen is a winner. It only has zinc oxide and titanium dioxide UV filters, which means better toleration by sensitive skin and broad-spectrum protection. In addition, this sunscreen does not contain parabens. Adverse reactions to parabens are rare but some cases do have been observed by researchers. This sunscreen also has preservatives to keep the product stable but they are even less irritating than parabens.
The additional ingredients make this sunscreen more suitable for oily skin so that the product is non-greasy, absorbent and water-resistant. The formula truly gives this sunscreen sheer, mattifying texture, just as is claimed.
The cons of this sunscreen are lack of antioxidants and inclusion of skin irritants. It only has small amounts of vitamin E (tocopherol) and artemia extract (a plankton extract). This, though, is still not a big issue especially since products designed for sensitive skin do not necessarily have a lot of antioxidants. The part I am concerned about is that it has some skin irritants. According to The Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University, undecane and tridecane are skin irritants. Considering this, I do not think that this is a good sunscreen for sensitive skin.
Anyway, SkinCeuticals has brought to our attention, a promising ingredient — artemia extract. I look forward to trying new products with artemia extract but I will wait until I find some products that do not have skin irritants.
SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 ingredients:
Active ingredients:
Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide.
Other ingredients:
Water, isododecane, c-12-15 alkyl benzoate, undecane, triethylhexanoin, isohexadecane, nylon-12, caprylyl methicone, butyloctyl salicylate, phenethyl benoate, styrene/acrylates copolymer, silica, tridecane, dicaprylyl carbonate, dicaprylyl ether, talc, dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, aluminium stearate, pentylene glycol, peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, alumina, polyhydroxystearic acid, phenoxyethanol, magnesium sulfate, caprylyl glycol, peg-8 laurate, disteardimonium hectorite, tocopherol, propylene carbonate, artemia extract, benzoic acid, peg-9, D41547/1.
I agree. The micronized physical sunscreens are pretty sheer but after more than one year of trying different micronized physical sunscreens, I do feel some of them may cause acne on the face. One product I highly recommend is SkinMedica Environmental Defense Sunscreen SPF 30+. Absolutely no problem for me. I am just about to try Josie Maran Protect Daily Sun Protection Argan Oil Infused SPF 40+. Your comment is a great reminder to me. Thank you.
I recently purchased the sheer tinted version and it’s just an ok product. It is one of the very and I mean VERY few high broad spectrum SPF products that are all physical and doesn’t leave that white cast they are notorious for. It is also DEF for oily/combo skin types. IMO, there are better physical sunblock products out there, like Josie Maran’s Argan SPF 40+…..