A Great SPF Product for Dry Skin and Winter
Product Review: CVS Clear Zinc Lotion (SPF)
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, just a cartoon deer on the internet with a background in chemistry and a hyperfixation on skin. This is not medical advice.
Sigh.
I’m on a seemingly never-ending quest to find a decent sunscreen that:
Uses mineral-based UV filters (usually zinc or titanium but mostly I just prefer to avoid avobenzone and oxybenzone based on personal comfort levels)
Doesn’t break me out (ya girl is acne prone)
Doesn’t cost an arm and a leg
Doesn’t make me look like Casper the Ghost (oxides often leave a white cast)
Preferably leaves me a with a bright, glowy finish
I’m pretty much always disappointed.
Guess it’s time for me to formulate my own, huh?
Probably nothing.
Anyways, I picked up a new sunscreen recently: CVS Clear Zinc Lotion
Here’s the good, the bad, and not ugly (kek):
The Good
This guy cost me ~$9 at CVS.
So yes, checks the box for not costing an arm and a leg.
It’s also formulated with UV filters that I like:
4% Octoctylene
5% Zinc
And it doesn’t break me out.
Big wins!
The Bad
This stuff is thick.
It’s thick and it makes me look like I used a brush to paint myself white upon application.
It takes so long to rub in and absorb that I apply it before brushing my teeth.
By the time I’m done, it’s gone clear and I look like myself again.
So yes, technically it doesn’t make me look like Casper the Ghost, but this is not the SPF to use if you’re usually in a rush in the mornings.
Another downside is that it has a matte finish.
Some people (probably men tbh) may like the “flat” look, but I prefer a bright, glowy finish to my SPF.
In Conclusion: The Not Ugly
Would I recommend this SPF?
Maybe.
I know y’all hate nuance, but listen:
The texture is heavy, but I need that going into winter as my skin is dry.
I would not recommend this for summer or for individuals with oily skin.
Also, I have no idea how the white cast would work for someone with darker skin.
If you have a darker skin tone and try this, please let me know if it dries down to a clear finish for you!
As much as I love Elta MD 46, I recognize the price point isn’t affordable for everyone.
I’m trying to find a good affordable mineral SPF I like that works for every skin type.
In cheaper products, zinc often doesn’t work for dark skin because of the white cast.
I’ll get there eventually though - just do me a favor and be patient, I only have one face to experiment on (kek, again).
Cheers,
Note: you can book consultations with me! Check it out here or DM me on Twitter to book with ETH.
