I've been on what seems like a never ending hunt for a physical only sunscreen. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find one that does not irritate my skin and/or cause clogs. I'm still determined to find one. Here's what I'm looking for:
Physical sunscreen blockers only
Does not clog and/or irritate my skin
Is not drying
No greasy feel
No silicone-y feel
Sinks in quickly
Wears well under makeup
Little to no white cast
Did NIA24 Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 fit the bill??? Ummm...no.
NIA24 Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, $45/2.5oz @ skinstore.com, drugstore.com, skincarerx.com
I do like that the tube comes sealed. I like the flat tube container - it's easier to pack. This also absorbed more quickly than most other sunscreens I've tried...a definite plus when you are rushed in the morning to get ready and put on makeup. From drugstore.com, here's what NIA24 Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen is supposed to do:
- Continuous, deep delivery of Pro-Niacin™ strengthens the skin barrier
- Pro-Niacin™ is clinically shown to visibly improve skin tone, texture and hyperpigmentation
- Advanced, broad spectrum protection from UVA/UVB ultra-violet rays
- 100% physical sunscreen with the mineral protection of micronized Titanium Dioxide and micronized Zinc Oxide
- Vitamin E helps repair and protect skin
- Alpha Bisabolol soothes and hydrates
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- 5% Pro-Niacin™ Patented Formula
- SPF 30 Oil-Free
I didn't think this was lightweight at all, and once applied I could feel it on my skin. It left a terrible white cast that never really went away even with foundation and/or powder. Instead it made my foundation look slightly ghostly and definitely paler. This absorbed liquid foundation like crazy, which made it very difficult to spread and apply evenly. I ended up having to use almost twice the normal amount of foundation because it absorbed so much!!
It didn't irritate my skin...at first. I found as long as I washed it off right after work then I was good. But if left on into the evening or later my skin would get prickly and almost sting. When washed off later my face would be splotchy red. I'm guessing that might be the Niacin?? Not sure. Anyhow...this also dried out my skin, despite the description.
I'll use the rest of this tube up strictly for beach, pool or general sun play where I don't particularly care about the white cast and won't have it on for hours upon hours. Other than that, this was a total miss for me. I won't be repurchasing.
See pics below for the white cast left behind. I think it's pretty bad just on my hand...now try to imagine that on your face!!
Indoor window light
Outdoor sunlight
Outdoor sunlight
NIA24 Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 ingredients:
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 9.45%, Zinc Oxide 3.6% Inactive Ingredients: Cyclomethicone, Water, Octyldodecyl, Neopentanoate, Myristyl Nicotinate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Myristica Fragrans (Nutmeg) Kernel Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Methicone, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl p-Cresol, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Bisabolol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, 1,5,5,9-Tetramethyl-13-Oxatricyclotridecane, Maltol, Pentadecalactone, Dimethiconol, Polysilicone-11, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Phenoxyethanol, Citronellol, Eugenol, Geraniol, Isoeugenol, Limoene, Linalool.