PRODUCT REVIEW: WANDER BEAUTY PACK UP & GLOW PRIMING SPF 40 MINERAL SUNSCREEN - BEST TINTED SUNSCREEN, BEST PRIMER WITH SPF
WANDER BEAUTY | PACK UP & GLOW PRIMING SPF 40 MINERAL SUNSCREEN
I haven’t been one to use much makeup or even hybrid skincare-makeup products like a tinted moisturizer, concealer or BB cream. I guess I prefer a natural, bare-faced glow powered by lots of Niacinamide!
The one exception is my favorite tinted sunscreen specifically formulated for the eye area — the SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50.
With its mineral sun filters and thick, putty-like texture that stays in place, it’s probably the best sunscreen for eyes on the market and a real unsung hero for crow’s feet.
Over the years, I’ve been through dozens of tubes of the Physical Eye UV Defense and while I have several SPF eye products, it’s been my consistent go-to.
If a brand puts sunscreen in a product, my interest immediately goes up! I can honestly say that while I do take exceptional care of my skin (and don’t look anywhere near my age), I have to credit my early use of a daily facial sunscreen for my skin’s youthful qualities: plumpness, smoothness and relatively few lines and wrinkles.
So, while I wouldn’t normally be intrigued by a primer, I was really interested in trying out Wander Beauty’s new Pack Up & Glow Priming Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Mineral Sunscreen. Its promise to illuminate the complexion and SPF 40 protection caught my attention. I’m honored to be among the first to try it out!
I’m a big fan of the Wander Beauty brand. My faves include those iconic Baggage Claim Eye Masks, the B.O.M. Voyage Cleansing Balm and Wander Beauty’s Do Not Disturb Overnight Repair Concentrate. There are very few Retinol treatments that I can say are a pleasure to use — let alone as much of a pleasure to use as Do Not Disturb happens to be. It’s been one of my favorite Retinol creams for a while now.
PRODUCT REVIEW: WANDER BEAUTY DO NOT DISTURB OVERNIGHT REPAIR CONCENTRATE - BEST RETINOL FACE CREAM
As I said in my initial product review of the Wander Beauty Do Not Disturb Overnight Repair Concentrate, it’s a whole sensorial experience. Do Not Disturb is a lightweight cream infused with a multitude of nourishing non-fragrant plant oils, many with high antioxidant activity on the skin, including Camellia Japonica (Tsubaki) Seed Oil and Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Seed Oil.
There’s also a smattering of peptide-powered Matrixyl in the formula for perhaps a bit of a plumping, wrinkle-smoothing boost. The star active in Do Not Disturb is Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, or HPR. More commonly known as Granactive Retinoid, HPR is one of the most effective OTC forms of the class retinoids. It’s believed to have efficacy on par with Retinoic Acid, aka Tretinoin or Retin-A, but without the irritation. Which is why I’ve never experienced any irritation when using it. If you’re curious, you can catch my review of Do Not Disturb on the blog here.
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by Wander Beauty’s Pack Up & Glow Priming SPF 40 Mineral Sunscreen. Since I don’t wear makeup and have nothing really to prime for, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I have.
I actually look forward to using it in the morning!
What surprised me most about Pack Up & Glow is how extremely lightweight and comfortable it is on my skin. I remember the first time trying it, I had dispensed some on the back of my hand, which is what I usually do when applying sunscreen. Just so I can be sure I’m getting the right amount — and in an even layer. Hey, it’s important to me.
With a sunscreen, I would normally massage the leftover product it into the backs of my hands and tops of my arms. Instead, with Pack Up & Glow, I preferred to rinse it off. I turned on the warm water and ran it over the back of my hand, expecting to need a heavy cleansing oil to effectively remove it. That wasn’t the case at all; the product rinsed right off!
As the name indicates, the Pack Up & Glow Priming SPF 40 Mineral Sunscreen relies on mineral sun filters for UV protection; these include Non-Nano Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. I always prefer mineral protection, but I firmly believe the most important thing is to find a sunscreen you love to use — whether it’s formulated with chemical or mineral sun filters. If you love it, you’re more likely to apply it each morning!
What’s the Difference Between Mineral and Chemical Sunscreens?
While I do prefer a mineral sunscreen, it’s not a dealbreaker for me. What’s most important is that you love using your sunscreen product. If it’s a chemical sunscreen, that’s perfectly okay. One of my all-time favorite sunscreens is the Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum PA+++ — a 100% chemical facial sunscreen that’s such a pleasure to use it’s insane. I literally look forward to applying it! (You can catch my review of it on the blog here.)
But what are the real differences between a mineral sunscreen and chemical sunscreen? For helpful 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 the two — 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.
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Which Sunscreen is Best?
As we said, the right sunscreen for you is the one you’ll look forward to applying daily. It should be rated SPF 30 or higher and provide broad-spectrum protection to prevent damage from the sun’s killer UVA and UVB rays. Beyond that, to make an informed choice, you need to know how your skin type responds to different sunscreen ingredients and textures: those containing mineral actives, synthetic actives, or a combination of both.
Mineral sunscreens:
Begin to work immediately on application, but must be absorbed to be most effective and to ensure they don’t wipe off on clothing.
Have almost no risk of irritating skin.
May leave a white cast, especially on darker skin tones, but the best pure mineral sunscreens go on almost sheer.
May need more careful, liberal application because of the way they work in formulas. So, go ahead, slather these on for brilliant protection!
Do not penetrate past skin's uppermost layers.
Synthetic sunscreens:
Begin to work immediately on application, but must be absorbed to be most effective and to ensure they don’t wipe off on clothing.
Are generally found in products with thinner textures.
Tend to be preferred for water-resistant formulas because they don’t turn milky-looking when you sweat or get wet. But, as with any sunscreen, you must reapply them often.
Can be sensitizing for those with extra-sensitive skin.
Can penetrate the skin and be absorbed in small amounts that are not shown to have health risks.
Read the full article here.
Looking closer at the Pack Up & Glow Priming SPF 40 formula, I get why it’s so lightweight. It’s not overloaded with plant oils, which keeps it lighter — and easier to remove. Of course, if you’re applying makeup over it, you’ll need a makeup remover and/or cleansing oil.
Pack Up & Glow has a lot going for it besides its effective sun protection. It’s loaded with antioxidant botanical extracts, hydrators and skin soothers. Among the soothing actives are Allantoin and Bisabolol — the active component of Chamomile.
I get tickled when I see Bisabolol, one of the most effective soothing botanical extracts, in an INCI. According to the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team, Bisabolol is among the best ingredients used in skincare.
“Bisabolol is a well-known skin soothing agent. It comes in two different structural forms: alpha-bisabolol, derived from chamomile and other plants (although it can also be lab-created) vs. beta-bisabolol which is found in cotton and corn. The alpha form is the one used in skin care products.
Bisabolol is commonly found in many personal care products, including moisturizers, cleansers, and serums. It often plays a bio-active skin-calming role thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties and shows up in many products designed for sensitive skin.
Beyond its soothing properties, research indicates bisabolol may offer some discoloration-fading capabilities.”
So there’s a lot of protection and prevention going on with Pack Up & Glow. But what about the priming and perfecting qualities of the formula? What’s the coverage like?
Well, again because it’s so lightweight, I found the coverage ideal for me. It spreads evenly and easily and is super comfortable on my skin — both immediately on application and throughout the day.
And one of my favorite things about this priming sunscreen is how well it unifies my complexion without looking like I’m wearing makeup. That wouldn’t be cool and was the one thing I was most hesitant about.
Pack Up & Glow is good stuff!
What I like about it: With its super lightweight texture, the Wander Beauty Pack Up & Glow Priming Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Mineral Sunscreen is such a pleasure to use. I love the high level of mineral sun protection and ability to unify my skin tone without seeming like I applied anything but skincare.
What I don’t like about it: Honestly, there’s nothing I don’t like about it. That’s what was so surprising!
Who it’s for: All skin types.
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Wander Beauty Pack Up & Glow Priming Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Mineral Sunscreen for $36 here.
The Ingredient List of the Wander Beauty Pack Up & Glow Priming SPF 40 Mineral Sunscreen:
Water/Aqua/Eau, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Polyester-7, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Squalane, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3), PEG-75 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethiconol/ Caprylylsilsesquioxane/Silicate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Triceteareth-4 Phosphate, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Sodium Hyaluronate, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Dimethiconol/Propylsilsesquioxane/Silicate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Mica, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Silica, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Citrate, Tin Oxide, Potassium Sorbate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Sucrose, Dicrateria Rotunda Oil, Ruttnera Lamellosa Oil, Sodium Ascorbate, Tocopherol.
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