Looking for a reef-safe sunscreen that uses only zinc oxide as an active ingredient? Try my natural sunscreen review instead.
With over 100 sunscreens tested by my family of six since 2010, we’ve had our share of miserable failures. White out? Paint drying? Sticky, chalky, makes you look like an alabaster statue or Casper the ghost?
I will tell you this: it’s entirely possible to find a zinc oxide sunscreen that is reef safe, really works, and goes on smoothly.
This brand is not one of them.
Read the full review below to find out all of its transgressions, and then be sure to go to my ultimate guide to natural mineral sunscreens to find a safe sunscreen that really works.
Annmarie Skin Care Sun Love Everyday Sheer Sunscreen
Product Name: Sun Love Everyday Sheer Sunscreen
Brand: Annmarie Skin Care
Overall
-
Clean Ingredients
-
Ease of Application
-
Water Resistant
Details:
Price Range: $$$$
Where to purchase: Amazon or Annmarie (you do get a discount with this special link)
SPF: 20
EWG Rating: not rated
Active Ingredient: Zinc oxide (15%)
Other Ingredients: *Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, Sorbitan olivate (olive derived emulsifier), *Cannabis sativa (hemp) seed oil, *Olea europaea (olive) oil, *Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) seed oil, *Cera alba (beeswax), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, *Persea gratissima (avocado) oil, Mauritia flexuosa (buriti) fruit oil, Tocopherol (non-GMO vitamin E). *Organically grown or wildcrafted
Antioxidants: Vitamin E, sunflower seeds oil, hemp seed oil, pumpkin seeds oil
Ease of Application: – kind of rough. Since it’s meant for the face, it should be perfectly clear. Over time, it’s rubbed in better.
Scent: neutral
Water resistance: Doesn’t claim to be, although it does have beeswax
My review: Oh my gracious, this product is one of the most expensive sunscreens I’ve ever reviewed! I was absolutely aghast to see that a bottle costs $50, and when I realized the bottle still wasn’t very big, meaning the product weighs in at well over $25 an ounce, I couldn’t believe that anyone would use it on their body and not just their face.
Unfortunately, even on the face, the zinc oxide creates a white cast and doesn’t rub in well at all. To make matters worse, although I shook the bottle, my first squirt was 100% oil with no zinc oxide in it at all.
If I didn’t know as much as I know about sunscreen, I might have just assumed that it was correct, used it and burned to a crisp in the Florida Sun. I tried again to shake as vigorously and as long as I could without quite simply getting bored, and still, just oil with a few tiny pieces of zinc oxide suspended in it.
I opened the bottle fully instead of using the pump, and my suspicions were confirmed: the product is supposed to be white. The bottle almost needs a warning that it should be white coming out, in my opinion.
In other opinions, I think this product should be reformulated to include a tint and sold as a facial sunscreen only or a daily tinted moisturizer. Right now, it couldn’t be used as a daily moisturizer because it’s just too white …
Review of Old Formulation, 2018: I had the opportunity to try Annmarie Skincare’s sunscreen near the end of the summer 2018. I know the company has a deep commitment to quality ingredients, no synthetics, because I met the owner and her husband. They are very genuine people and were frustrated that Hint sunscreen, with 100% chemical actives, was being spotlighted at a supposedly natural health conference we were both at. The company’s mission is to help you obtain and keep beautiful skin, and it’s very pricey so this is definitely not a sunscreen to buy to slather all over the whole family. But as a facial sunscreen, it has just vaulted itself into my absolute top spot. This tinted lotion goes on so light, it’s like no other tinted formula I’ve tried!!
Honest. Wild. Beautiful. It smells lovely, a bit earthy and herbally, and while it provides great coverage, you can hardly see it. It goes on so smoothly! While you are ordering, grab the facial wash too – the peppermint scent is such a happy pick-me-up. 🙂
Pros
- none
Cons
- way too expensive
- not very effective
- should never be sold for body, only face
Wondering if this one is the very best natural sunscreen for your family?
I organized alllll the sunscreens we reviewed in each one’s recommendation category – one page, at-a-glance to find out what is safe to buy AND works! Print it or save to your phone for reference!
The guide also includes answers to questions people ask me all the time:
- Which brand rubs in the clearest?
- What’s the best for all day outdoor sports?
- How do I save money on natural sunscreens?
- What looks good on ladies’ faces?
- Is there an option that is FAST to apply to wiggly kids?
I’ll send a copy to your email so you can see it right away and find it again later!