Sep 18

Sep 18 PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY MINERAL UV FILTERS SPF 30 WITH ANTIOXIDANTS - THE BEST MINERAL SUNSCREEN

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THE ORDINARY | MINERAL UV FILTERS SPF 30 WITH ANTIOXIDANTS

This review was originally part of my blog article titled, Skincarma Approved: The Best Facial Sunscreen Products. You can still catch the full piece here.

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When this first came out last summer, I had been eagerly anticipating the launch of The Ordinary’s Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants for more than a year. It had been rumored and I remember the day it was announced. I went crazy and bought 6 tubes of it. Who’s that enthusiastic about a sunscreen? Me, me and me!

What I loved about it is that I knew it would be a great formula and knew that it would be inexpensive, making a terrific sunscreen product accessible to more people than ever. I was right about that.

At just under $10 on The Ordinary’s website, you can’t go wrong.

The Mineral UV Filters formula is everything I imagined it would be, with a few surprises thrown in that seriously step up the formula’s obvious efficacy.

If it were just an effective enough sunscreen and antioxidant blend, I’d have been satisfied. But the Deciem chemists achieved that no white cast mandatory without the use of scary nanoparticles.

How? Well, they claim that “instead, a refined dispersion of micronized ZnO and TiO2 in flexible, high-volatility, non-comedogenic silicones allows the formulations to remain extremely lightweight by optimizing the amount of the blocking agents.”

As David in Schitt’s Creek would say, “I don’t know what that means!” I just know that it blends perfectly well into my skin, though I’ve heard others share that it doesn’t blend as well for them. At $9.70, it’s worth a try. If it doesn’t blend well enough for you, pay it forward and give it to a friend, a sibling, your mother.

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 incredibly robust blend of hydrators, humectants, amino acids, moisturizers — and real skin soothers make this a next-level product that goes beyond just being a sunscreen. It’s an excellent pro-health skincare product! The Ordinary formula contains something the brand describes as a Bio-Active Antioxidant Network: “a potent combination that helps protect skin from environmental stressors, visibly protects the body’s biological membranes, and supports the skin’s natural response to UV exposure.”

But I think the most interesting ingredient in the formula is Isochrysis Galbana Extract — an extract obtained from microalgae that has powerful soothing action to alleviate redness and sensitivity.

SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase The Ordinary Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants for $9.70 here.

BUY THE ORDINARY MINERAL UV FILTERS SPF 30 WITH ANTIOXIDANTS