Skincare Reviews: Some Mineral Sunscreens for Body

During our recent Turks and Caicos vacation - in which K and I spent basically all our daylight hours relaxing on the beach, with several dips in the ocean throughout - I tested out three different mineral body sunscreens. In trying to research "reef safe" and mineral sunscreens before our trip, I found myself quite overwhelmed because there were so many brands out there, many of them smaller or less well-known than what's typically available at many US drug stores. So I figured I might as well review the ones I tried, in case that information could possibly help anyone else!

Please note that my reviews here are subjective and not particularly scientific. I'm basically going off my personal observations from using each of these sunscreens for the equivalent of around two full beach days each, ~10:30 AM to 6:30 PM, switching between them as I ran out of one or the other. (Many mineral sunscreens aren't available in super-large packages like the drugstore brands.) 

Each day, I reapplied sunscreen roughly once every 2 hours, or a bit sooner if I thought more sunscreen than expected had washed off during one of my quick ocean swims. So I was generally applying around 4 times a day, and maybe a fifth time on my shoulders and arms, spots that felt like they got more sun exposure. Additionally, I wore a straw sun hat - albeit one that'd gotten a bit floppy and squished from somewhat careless packing - and also tried my best to stay as covered as I could under a beach umbrella whenever I wasn't in the water. That beach umbrella definitely wasn't perfect protection because of how the angle of the shade changes drastically throughout the day with the sun's movement.  

I may not have picked the best or most popular brands of mineral body sunscreen available in the US. I didn't have much time or mental energy for research before our trip because I'd been so busy at the office. Every time I searched  Google for the "best" mineral or reef safe sunscreens, I felt like many websites had drastically different lists of recommended brands or products. Plus, I was nervous about buying any fancier, Sephora or department store-priced mineral sunscreens if I didn't have someone I personally know make the product recommendation. Thus, I ended up sticking with things sold at Target, which maybe limits one's options too much in this product category. 

Please note that this post contains affiliate links that could result in my earning a small commission - at no extra cost to you - if you click and make a purchase. Thank you for your support!

My biggest worry was that, with many mineral sunscreens, one often sees at least one or two extremely negative reviews. Think something like "this sunscreen doesn't work at all, we still got badly burned wearing it" or "it was impossible to blend into my skin" or "this had a really off texture that made it difficult to use." If any of the sunscreens I picked turned out to have issues like that, it would have been a disaster with the kind of high sun exposure beach vacation I was planning. Happily, there weren't any big problems, all the sunscreens I tried were reasonably functional. All three also had no noticeable scent or fragrance. 

Though one warning, I generally found these mineral sunscreens were not very waterproof, with sometimes very visible signs that they were washing off, potentially after an extremely brief swim. I think this may be a common issue with many or even most products in this category, compared to many chemical sunscreens?  

Skincare Review: Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+

As longtime readers may know, I rarely ever change the basic building blocks of my skincare routine, particularly when it comes to the over-the-counter products. Accordingly, I've mostly been using the same sunscreen - Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence - almost since I started this blog and through at least one reformulation. Though I originally switched regularly between a few Biore sunscreens, and have occasionally used other sunscreens here and there over the years. 

Please note that this post contains affiliate links that could result in my earning a small commission - at no extra cost to you - if you click and make a purchase. Thank you for your support!

Within the last year or two, however, I've become interested in switching to a "physical" or mineral sunscreen - one generally based on zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active sun-blocking ingredient - rather than a "chemical" one based on active ingredients such as avobenzone, octinoxate, or oxybenzone, among others. I didn't have any particular reason for wanting to make this change, I'm definitely not on top of discussions about new scientific studies regarding sunscreen ingredients or anything like that. I just wanted to try something different. 

I've never had a particularly easy time searching for a physical sunscreen I wanted to try out, as I think many of them tend to absorb a little less easily and quickly into the skin compared to the Biore Aqua Rich gel, and they generally leave at least a bit of a visible white cast on the skin. (Which is probably understandable, due to the nature of the active ingredients.) Plus, many Korean skincare brands tend to reformulate and completely redo their sunscreen product lines quite frequently, so while I've occasionally tried a purported physical sunscreen from Innisfree or Nature Republic over the years -I think it was those brands... my memories are fuzzy - the same product was rarely still available when I became interested in repurchasing. 

Eventually, one of my friends mentioned trying Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen and that she liked it so far, so I decided that was one I should order. It's been my primary sunscreen for several months now, and I recently ordered my second tube. I'm embarrassed I didn't keep careful count of exactly how long the first tube lasted, but it must be something like four months or so. I recently cut the tube open to get at the last bit of product left inside and found that I still had around six days' supply left, so this is definitely one of the products you want to cut open when you think the container's empty.

The Dr Jart+ Mineral Sunscreen is a pretty good sunscreen. It absorbs into the skin quite easily and quickly, compared to other mineral sunscreens I've tried, and doesn't leave too much of a visible white cast after. It doesn't absorb as easily or quickly as some chemical sunscreens like the Biore Aqua Rich, which is natural and expected, I think. I've enjoyed using it and have had no complaints, definitely no skin irritation or breakouts. (I always test new products for allergic reactions for a few days before using them on my entire face: first on my wrist, then my neck, and then on a portion of my face.) 

My only complaint is that the Dr. Jart+ sunscreen is a lot more expensive than the Biore Aqua Rich, at $40.00/1.69 oz that might last only around four months or so (compared to ~$12.00/1.75 oz to ship to the USA something that's a drugstore product in Taiwan, Japan, and many other countries in Asia), but that's the only slight negative point. Also, I don't think there are any popular physical sunscreens known to be more cosmetically elegant/easy to wear under makeup and that are particularly affordable? Though I might be wrong about this, since I'm not very knowledgeable anymore about what's out there on the skincare market. 

Definitely let me know if there are any especially famous or popular physical sunscreens out there - particularly if they're known for being a reasonably good value - that I should try! What's your favorite facial sunscreen? 

Getting Started with Asian Skincare: Sheet Masks

When I traveled to Korea last year, I purchased a slightly absurd quantity of sheet masks (more than half of which are not even in this photo). 

I've been an adherent of what many American fans would describe as an "Asian," "Asian-inspired," (by which we mean Korean, Japanese, and Taiwanese), or "K-Beauty" skincare routine for almost two years now, and it's been working out well. I once described my routine in very general terms while trying to calculate the hypothetical cost over the course of a year, though the numbers were always a bit off due to price fluctuations and the listed routine is out of date. I also posted a more recent list of products I've used and enjoyed. Today's post focuses on sheet masks, which can often serve as a relatively low-cost and easy to incorporate starter item for those interested in experimenting with Asian skincare.

Note: the below text contains affiliate links that will result in a few cents commission for me if you click. Thank you for your support!

Sheet masks are typically thin sheets of cotton cut to fit around the entire face (with holes for your eyes, nostrils, and mouth) and soaked in moisturizing toner ("lotion" or "essence" in Asian skincare parlance) or lotion ("emulsions" or "milky lotions" in Asian skincare parlance). Hydrogels are also becoming popular. Those are made of thin sheets of solidified gel or jelly, which are still pliable and can fit around the face. Generally, they're more expensive than the traditional cotton sheet masks. I've tried a few hydrogels and I generally find them less moisturizing and, thus, not worth the price. Although I always worry about whether a new sheet mask will break me out or irritate my skin, my acne-prone skin has generally never had trouble with sheet masks. This is despite the fact that they do tend to be scented. I've only had one real dud in all my years of experimenting: the Missha Pure Source sheet masks are terrible. 

My approach to using sheet masks might be slightly idiosyncratic. I just don't think one is likely to get dramatic results from something that is single-use and sits on your face for around 20 minutes max, so all I expect from my sheet masks is a bit of extra moisturizing and soothing. I imagine that some masks have ingredients that allow for longer-term benefits like brightening up hyperpigmented spots, anti-aging, etc., but I already address those needs with other products in my routine. Thus, one of my main rules for sheet masks is to stick to cheap ones, generally ones that cost less than $2.00/mask. I like to keep a few types in stock at one time because it is fun to switch them around, though that makes noticeable extra benefits besides moisturizing or soothing even less likely. 

Here are some of the sheet masks I would recommend to someone just getting started with Asian skincare while residing in the US. As always, everyone's skin is unique and your mileage may vary. These are all products that fit my price criteria, are easy to obtain (typically via Amazon), and that I enjoy:

• My Beauty Diary (MBD) Imperial Birds Nest, Black Pearl, Hyaluronic Acid, and Aloe Masks: MBD is an extremely popular Taiwanese brand and they make a wide range of sheet masks. The listed varieties are ones that I've tried and loved, though I'm also reasonably confident that any other variety of MBD masks would be reasonably effective and unlikely to break out most skin types. In the past, people worried a lot about getting counterfeits, but in my experience, each of the Amazon sellers I've tried (CP Cosmetics and G-Market) have sent me legitimate ones. They do update their packaging and change how the masks are cut very frequently, and the boxes and mask shape can differ depending on whether it was made for the US or Taiwanese market, so don't be too freaked out if yours look different from someone else's. One thing to be aware of, however, is that they've started cutting their masks extremely small, at least in Taiwan, such that the mask barely fits and leaves about a quarter to half inch of uncovered face all around. I do have a slightly bigger than average face, maybe, but I've never had that problem with any other brand of sheet mask.
• Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Masks: These are an update to the Innisfree It's Real masks that are also on Amazon. The main option here is to buy a mixed set of 15, and it is unfortunate that you don't get to pick and choose, but I've liked every single mask in this set after buying it around three times over the years. A few of these masks (the Shea Butter for sure, and maybe the Manuka Honey) are soaked with what a US user would describe as lotion, rather than the more typical liquid toner, which might not suit oily skin types as well. 
• Dermal Snail and Pearl Masks: I actually got my first set of Dermal masks from a friend who visited Korea. They're a little cheaper than the other two brands . As with the MBD masks, I'm listing the varieties I've tried, though I'm reasonably confident that other varieties will have similar good results and be well-tolerated by most skin types. I will say that they feel a little less moisturizing than either the MBD or Innisfree masks I mentioned above, so these are not my favorite, though they're a good "starter" sheet mask.

Have you tried sheet masks before? Which ones do you enjoy? I'm thinking of ordering a set of Tony Moly masks from Amazon once I've worked through more of the pile I brought home from Korea and Taiwan last summer. Dorigamii has also ordered Tony Moly and Etude House sheet mask sets from from Amazon, and you can read about her experience here.

Review: CosRx Acne Pimple Master Patch

Warning: because this post is about acne-oriented hydrocolloid bandages, the subject matter is a bit gross. I don't have any of my own photos of the before and after of using these, but I link a few photos and it is a little icky to look at.

As I've mentioned before, I don't have great skin. My main problem is acne, mostly the large under-the-skin type that can hang out for weeks at a time. The problem is mostly under control, largely thanks to the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid, which I previously reviewed, but something about the transition to full-time office work was making my skin act up. (By the way, I now recommend purchasing Paula's Choice products at Dermstore because there are often discount codes floating around the web, sometimes for up to 15% off or a little more.)

I first heard about using hydrocolloid bandages (aka blister bandages) as an acne-healing tool while reading r/SkincareAddiction (some icky photos linked in comments there). I had actually seen Nexcare ones designed for acne on the shelves at Taiwanese and Hong Kong drugstores, but I assumed they were just little stickers designed to spot-treat acne with, say, tea tree oil or other topical ingredients that I could just apply directly instead. I've tried a few products from the latter category, including both the A'pieu product I linked and one from The Face Shop. Neither was any good. Hydrocolloid bandages are great though, provided you use them correctly, and the CosRx Acne Pimple Master Patch is a particularly effective one. Read on, but be forewarned that even the basic description of how to use it might be a bit gross.

Fun with Korean Beauty Products

There's no denying it, Korean beauty products are so hot right now. There was even an interesting article recently about the role the Korean government plays in promoting this trend. I actually have some reservations about how the American market is approaching the K-beauty trend. My thoughts on the topic are not particularly well-developed, and I might write something more polished later on.

For now, I will mention that, as a western consumer, it's hard to know what products to try and how best to obtain them. It can be easy to get sucked in by online buzz surrounding a specific product or brand, buzz that was initially generated by just a small handful of people and their anecdotal experiences. In the 18 months that I've been following r/AsianBeauty, there have been several short-lived crazes that might or might not have perfectly matched up with the quality of the products at issue: Benton, the Su;m37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick, Mizon Returning Starfish Cream, Cremorlab, and CosRX. This is not to say that any of these products were bad, it's just that it's easy to forget that there's no universal miracle product.

Also, while I generally have much better luck with Korean and other Asian beauty products priced in the drugstore range than I do with American items at almost any price range, Asian products are not inherently superior. A lot of the biggest brands, even ones that market themselves as focusing on natural products, are heavy-handed with the use of added fragrance, which I generally prefer to avoid in my skincare products. Admittedly, the most popular brands right now don't have that issue. Also, I've had fairly bad luck with Asian makeup and generally prefer western brands, despite my Asian coloring. Among other things, I dislike BB Creams as a general category.

That being said, I'm a huge proponent of the East Asian approach to skincare, which is what Korean products are designed for. I have a few Korean products in my regular routine, and am working on incorporating a few more since my trip.  

For today, I just have a list of quick reviews of K-beauty products that I tried recently, mostly items that I purchased during my trip to Seoul or, in one case, received as a gift at the airport.  Behind the cut, you'll find a list of things I like and a list of things that didn't work for me. One important note: in all cases, I'm linking to US-based retailers where possible, but there is often a cheaper way to get it online from a Korean seller, whether on Ebay or the seller's website.

Review: Elta MD UV Shield SPF 45

I bought the Elta MD UV Shield sunscreen quite a while ago, but I've only recently started wearing it often enough, daily for the last week and a half, to give a review. (It seems like I also neglected to include it in my monthly shopping budgets, oops! I ordered it right at the tail end of April after putting together my budget post for the month and forgot about it.) At $21.50 for the 3 oz size, it is a little pricier than a drugstore sunscreen would typically be, but is a fair bit cheaper per oz than the sunscreens I typically use from Shiseido and Biore's product line for Japan and Taiwan. 

Because the Shiseido one left a heavy white cast on the face after application and seems to have been reformulated without solving that problem, I've been looking for something new that is easy to buy in the United States. I've seen Elta MD mentioned on r/Skincare Addiction, and a friend also uses it and recommended it.

So far the Elta MD is working for me! As promised, it is invisible when rubbed in, and it absorbs very quickly. Although I typically prefer a lighter, liquid texture to my sunscreen (common with Asian products) and the Elta MD UV Shield is a lotion, the Elta MD feels light on the skin, though maybe just a touch heavier than the Biore one I like best. Either way, the Elta MD sunscreen is absorbed well enough that it doesn't cause any problems when I apply makeup. It also doesn't cause breakouts, which is the biggest thing I worry about when trying a new product. 

I generally don't like most American drugstore-brand sunscreens because they tend to sting on contact or when it gets in the eyes a while after application, often without my having gone out or done anything to cause the sunscreen to get in my eyes. I also dislike that heavier, lotion texture in sunscreens when they don't absorb well into the face. (I've tried an Oil of Olay moisturizer with sunscreen, the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer lotion sunscreen, and also Neutrogena's liquid formulation, all of which had various combinations of those problems.)

Pros: Absorbs well, doesn't cause problems with makeup application. No white cast on the skin after application. It doesn't cause breakouts for me. It is a good value compared to my other preferred sunscreens, especially in the 7 oz size.

Cons: More expensive than most drugstore sunscreens. It does feel a hair's-breadth heavier on the skin than the liquid-type Asian formulations I usually prefer. Some of the ingredients might exacerbate acne in others. 

Review: Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid

The Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid (referral link for $10 discount on first order) is quite possibly my single favorite over the counter product in my rather extensive skincare routine. I consider it a miracle product, but my main goal is treating acne, so the BHA Liquid probably isn't for everyone. My skin type is dry, very acne-prone, and moderately sensitive. This product was the first in years to substantially reduce my acne, even when compared to prescription products.  It likely has anti-aging benefits as well, but I can't report on that myself.  

When it comes to acne treatment, I generally recommend relying on the dermatologist and whatever they prescribe as a first line of defense. Especially when one is having severe problems, I've never found over the counter solutions that helpful.

During graduate school, my skin had calmed down to the point where doctors were not willing to prescribe anything stronger. My skin was stable, but I wasn't satisfied. For better or for worse, I almost never get small breakouts or blemishes. Instead, I used to develop one of those terrible, large, and under-the-skin bumps (cystic acne) once every four weeks or so like clockwork, just as the last one healed. I am also prone to post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation, which meant that I constantly had hyper-pigmented spots to conceal with makeup. 

Kerry's review at Skin and Tonics is more complete and informative regarding the science behind the product. Her reported experience, including a before and after photo, is very consistent with mine. After I incorporated this product into my daily routine, the frequency of my breakouts was reduced dramatically by the first two months or so. So far this calendar year, I've only had two of those horrible, under-the-skin type bumps, and they heal quite a bit faster than they used to. Both facts count as big wins in my book.

With any new product, I recommend patch testing, perhaps on the inside of your wrist or on your neck. I also recommend easing the product into your routine slowly. There is always a small possibility of a product causing breakouts or severe irritation. 

Review: Sephora Dare to Oil Set

It has been a snowy few days in New York City and several classes were cancelled as a result. I took advantage of my extra free time by watching a fair amount of TV though I also spent a fair bit of time on reading a novel (The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton, which I quite enjoy). 

Wintry weather tends to lead to dry, patchy skin, which makes this review of Sephora's Dare to Oil gift set somewhat timely. At $32.00 for four deluxe sample-sized items, I don't think I can fully recommend it. However, I am generally a fan of using oil as face moisturizer, and I did enjoy three out of four products. (The only problem is that I have tried cheaper argan oil and maracuja or passionfruit seed oil, and it is just as good as the Josie Maran or Tarte stuff.) I bought this in early December last year and each of the bottles I've used frequently are still going strong. Each bottle contains enough for at least three weeks or so of daily use. 

Last year, I spent a lot of time on developing a fairly extensive skincare routine. As I've gotten older, my skin went from mostly oily and acne prone to dry and acne prone. Although my skin's dryness is worse in the winter, I use an oil moisturizer at night (just prior to applying Vanicream moisturizer) throughout the year. I think this set is an alright way to experiment with face oils, but a more cost-effective way might be to buy a sampler pack of oils from, say, Garden of Wisdom. 

Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil 

Pros: The Ole Henriksen Youth Activating Oil is bright orange in color and smells a bit like orange juice. I like it and find it to be pleasant to use. I've used it every morning before a lotion moisturizer  and my sunscreen for about three weeks. 

Cons: It does leave a bit of an oily finish that sometimes remains visible after my other moisturizer and sunscreen. I did not notice any real benefits besides the effect of wearing an additional moisturizing product. I probably would not buy the Youth Activating Oil again. 

Tarte Maracuja Oil

Pros: I quite like the Tarte Maracuja Oil and other passionfruit seed oils. This product is noticeably more moisturizing than the Ole Henriksen one. However, I've also tried other, cheaper maracuja oil and find both the Tarte brand and other brands to perform similarly well as part of my nighttime skincare routine. 

Cons: None, except that the Tarte brand is far and away not the best value. That being said, I am fairly certain that a 1.7 oz bottle would probably last for six months or more of daily use, and the price is within the range I am personally willing to pay for a product that works. 

Algenist Advanced Anti-Aging Repairing Oil 

Cons: This product broke me out pretty badly the first time I used it all over my face (and I did patch test it). Naturally, I did not continue to use it. 

Josie Maran Argan Oil Light

Pros: I really enjoyed using this and it is my favorite product in this set. Argan oil is generally my favorite face oil out of all the kinds I have tried (jojoba oil, passionfruit seed, rose hip seed, the Boscia Tsubaki Oil and some others). I find that it is both the most moisturizing, albeit by a slight margin, and that it does not leave any kind of visible sheen or oily finish. 

Cons: None, except that I find cheaper argan oil brands to perform the same, making the Josie Maran products not the best value.