Product Description
Essential Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 15 has a supremely light texture that includes avobenzone for sufficient UVA protection. The antioxidant-rich formula also contains water-binding agents for just a touch of moisture so skin is better able to resist the drying effects of sun exposure. We formulated this to feel more elegant than most sunscreens for normal to oily skin, so go ahead, apply liberally—this won't feel slick, greasy, or occlusive.
This product is 100% fragrance- and colorant-free.
Essential Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 15 is recommended for normal to oily/combination skin but can be used by anyone looking for sun protection with a soft matte finish and light hydration.
Benefits :
•Provides broad-spectrum sun protection
•Oil-free formula lightly hydrates with a silky finish
•Delivers antioxidants for wrinkle repair
•Formulated for use on your face and body
•Works great under makeup
•100% fragrance-free and contains no dyes or coloring agents
I received a sachet of this product during my first purchase of the Paula's Choice items. There were limited samples to choose from, so I chose this sunscreen to try it out.
Non-greasy : check! Antioxidants : check! SPF15 is too little though.
Being my first step into the brand by the renowned skincare guru, Paula Begoun, I was filled with expectations.
White in colour and slightly creamy in texture, the product has a distinct sunscreen scent. It is drying on the skin with a slightly greasy base. My face looked greasy after application and my loose powder managed to mattify the overall look. I have skipped the sunscreen on dehydrated areas on my
skin as it peels badly.
On good skin areas, it applies well but still gives a slightly greasy sheen to the face.
It scored 3.4 from 155 users on
Makeupalley. You can read that not many people like the product.
In terms of ingredients, the sunscreen ingredients do cover both UVA and UVB, hence its described as a broad-spectrum sun protection.
Octinoxate 7.5%
Octinoxate is the most widely used UVB blocking agent in the skin care industry. However, according to this
source and
smartskincare, when Octinoxate is exposed to sunlight, "it is converted into a less UV
absorbent form (from E-octyl-p-methoxycinnamate into a
Z-octyl-p-methoxycinnamate) hence it is not very stable. This conversion can be partly prevented by certain
other UV blockers, particularly bemotrizinol (Tinosorb M).
Note that according to this
source, Octinoxate combined with Avobenzone degrades even faster.
According to the
EWG, Octinoxate is a moderate hazard, primarily because it can
lead to developmental and reproductive toxicity through enhanced skin absorption. It can produce estrogen-like effects and should not be used by pregnant women
and children. However, some studies seem to imply that 1 to 2% of the applied material may be absorbed through the skin. Most of the
octyl methoxycinnamate appears to be trapped in the stratus corneum in adults.
Maximum recommended by FDA: 7.5%
Octisalate 5%
According to TIA, Octisalate is an organic compound used as an ingredient in sunscreens and
cosmetics to absorb the full range of UVB rays from the sun. Although the Cosmetics Ingredient Review notes that reproductive and
developmental toxicity can occur in relation to Salicylic Acid, one of the two
primary components of Octisalate, it has determined that the levels used in
cosmetic and beauty products would not cause any adverse reaction. Importantly,
the FDA has approved Octisalate for use in sunscreen with up to 5% concentration.
Avobenzone 2%
According to this source, tests have revealed Avobenzone’s tendency to significantly degrade in light over time, lessening its sun protection capabilities. For this reason, most sunscreens containing the ingredient also include photo-stabilizing ingredients like octocrylene.
Avobenzone appears to be relatively non-toxic and non-irritating to the skin. However, because it is often used in conjunction with photo-stabilizers, there is a greater risk for skin irritation and low-level toxicity. Furthermore, some studies have demonstrated it to be absorbed by the body and secreted into urine, and is therefore not recommended to use on children or pregnant women
Oxybenzone 2%
According to
TIA, Oxybenzone primarily functions as a photostabilizer and sunscreen. It also helps preserve the integrity of other cosmetic ingredients, preventing
their deterioration under the sun. For this reason, Oxybenzone is most often
used in conjunction with other sunscreen agents.
According to the
Environmental Working
Group, it has been shown that the product penetrate the skin and cause photo-sensitivity. As a
photocarcinogen, it has demonstrated an increase in the production of harmful
free radicals and an ability to attack DNA cells.
The
FDA
has approved the use of Oxybenzone as a safe and effective OTC sunscreen
ingredient, but only in concentrations up to 6%
Alternatively, you can read more on what
CNN says about toxic ingredients in sunscreen.
Active Ingredients:
Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 5%, Avobenzone 2%, and Oxybenzone 2% (sunscreen agents).
Other Ingredients:
Water, PEG-8 (thickener), Arctium Lappa (Burdock) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower) Extract (soothing agents), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (water-binding/soothing agent), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C, antioxidant), Phenyl
Trimethicone (silicone skin-conditioning agent), Phytic Acid (stabilizer), Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate (emollient), Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate (thickener), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol (water-binding agents), Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20 (thickeners),
Triethanolamine (pH balancer), Carbomer (gel-based thickener), Citric Acid (pH balancer), Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben (preservatives).
Source :
Paula's Choice
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