Beauty Vixen: mineral sunscreen

The last few weeks, a lot of time has been spent on the patio, in the pool or just outside in general. Which can only mean one thing...SUNSCREEN! Specifically, I get to try out a new sunscreen.

My mother-in-law just wrapped up a two-week visit with us. She loves to sit on our patio, which we just gave a mini makeover. Power washed the stones, new lights, new furniture and a new BBQ. It is all quite nice. But with all this time outside, I thought it was the perfect time to try out some new Blue Lizard Sunscreens.

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 50

Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays with Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Spray. Developed specifically for sensitive skin, this easy-to-apply spray dries clear and is enriched with soothing organic Aloe. It offers mineral sun protection and 80 minutes of water resistance without fragrances or harsh chemical active ingredients that might irritate your skin.

Now my mother-in-law is really sensitive to skincare, specifically fragrance, even on other people, which is why I tried out Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 first. I love the cream version of this, but was really excited to try out a mineral spray SPF without common irritants.

The spray is even, went on really nicely, and when rubbed into my skin felt smooth, soft and hydrated, just like if I applied a spray lotion. It took maybe 15 minutes to fully dry down, but my skin felt nice all day.

The initial application goes on a bit white, but blends into the skin easily and without a white cast. Compared to other spray mineral sunscreens I have used, it feels softer on the skin with far less white cast. I think the addition of aloe vera really makes it feel soft on the skin without being heavy or greasy.

Pros:

High SPF mineral-based spray sunscreen
Fine Spray
No white cast/ dries clear
Leaves skin soft and hydrated
Fragrance Free
Reef Safe
No titanium dioxide, Oxybenzone or Octinoxate

Cons:

Took 15 mins to dry down, but not really a big deal

Overall: This is a love. I would buy this every time I wanted a new sunscreen in a spray. I went on easily, didn't feel greasy, and it had no white cast. I did a fantastic job when I went swimming of protecting my skin for the advertised 80 minutes of water resistance, and reapplying was easy as well.

Blue Lizard Sport Mineral SPF 50 Spray

Blue Lizard Sport Mineral SPF 50 Spray offers broad-spectrum protection, ideal for athletes. This easy-to-apply spray dries clear and is enriched with skin-energizing Electrolytes. It provides maximum water resistance (80 minutes). Vegan, fragrance-free, paraben free and free from chemical sunscreen active ingredients.

With me loving the Sensitive version, I could not wait to try the Sport spray. I do like their sport cream version, last year I used it while swimming at pool parties, and I held up really well.

This spray went on just as clear as the Sensitive version, so that was a great start. The texture on my skin was a little different. I expected it to feel dry when applied, but it felt a bit more hydrating and almost greasier than expected. I realized at this point, Blue Lizard's idea of a sport sunscreen is long-lasting, but not that dry feeling other brands have. It lasted all day at a pool party, with me sweating, swimming and sitting around. It worked incredibly well.

Pros:

High SPF mineral-based spray sunscreen
Fine Spray
No white cast/ dries clear
Leaves skin soft and hydrated
Fragrance Free
Reef Safe
No titanium dioxide, Oxybenzone or Octinoxate

Cons:

Took 15 minutes to dry down and felt a little heavier on the skin.

Overall: I really like this version and would gladly buy it when I run out. I just like the sensitive a bit more (like a lot vs. love). It held up at the pool and heat, was easy to reapply, but I like the feeling of the other one better.

Blue Lizard Mineral SPF 15 Lip Balm

Nourish and protect your lips from the sun with Blue Lizard Mineral SPF 15 Lip Balm. This vegan lip balm with a natural coconut flavor offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and moisturizes with 8 natural oils.

I have never really loved SPF lip balms, but this one impressed me. It felt and tasted like a regular lip balm, which was great.

It has Vitamin C as well as 8 oils in it (shea, coconut, soybean, sunflower, tea tree, olive, avocado, sweet almond, and jojoba) to help hydrate lips and keep them feeling soft and smooth. It has a mild coconut flavour without having added fragrances to it.

Pros:

8 oils to hydrate lips
Feels nice on the lips
Light coconut scent
Fragrance Free
Reef Safe
No titanium dioxide, Oxybenzone or Octinoxate

Cons:

Only SPF 15, I wish it were higher.

Overall: Great lip balm, feels great on the lips, and it has SPF to it, so it is all together great. No complaints, just a good product.

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick

Powerful mineral sun protection is just one swipe away with Blue Lizard Sensitive Sunscreen Stick. This Zinc Oxide-based SPF 50 formula was designed with sensitive skin in mind. It glides on easily, rubs in clear, and dries smooth. Throw it into your bag, backpack, or pocket for on-the-go broad-spectrum protection. This sunscreen stick is formulated with 100% mineral active ingredients. It is vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, and free from potentially harsh chemical sunscreen active ingredients that might irritate sensitive skin. Pocket-sized and TSA-friendly, this is the perfect travel companion to our sunscreen lotions.

I reviewed this last year, and newsflash, I loved it then and I love it now. The only change is the packaging's look.

I love how convent it is to have this stick with me for touchups, it feels great, and it gets my hubby to use his sunscreen. I still like it as a lip balm, but it is great for any place I want to get coverage.

Pros:

Convenient stick format
SPF 50
Fragrance Free
Reef Safe
No titanium dioxide, Oxybenzone or Octinoxate

Cons:

None!

Overall: This remains my favourite sun protectant lip product. It is fantastic to swipe on the lips and get a good amount of protection. The creamy formula is also great for the face, and my dry skin just loves it. Perfect for touch-ups, too.

So what do I think of all the items I got to try out? They are excellent, and I am going to continue to use them until there is no more, then I will rebuy the Sensitive spray and the stick at the very least.

Blue Lizard has proven to me time and again that their products work and they work well. I had a few people message me on Instagram when I posted about their Sensitive Spray saying how much they too loved it, which made me feel great that I was not alone in this opinion.

You can pick up Blue Lizard products at Well.ca, Rexall, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, and Amazon.ca.

*Some products featured were kindly provided for review. All opinions expressed are completely my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my blog!

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Sunscreen is the one product we fly through the most in our household. Buying massive multi-packs and having them only last a month, that is normal for us, we just do not handle the sun well and we need lots of sunscreen.

With all this said, I was ecstatic to try out some Blue Lizard products this year. They are an Australian mineral-based sunscreen brand that has been around for over 20 years. If there is one thing I know, Australians take their sun protection very seriously.

Now, mineral sunscreens aren't everyone's cup of tea, but lots of people love them. I have always been in the middle; I like the right formulas and in the will be drawn to the sunscreen that works best for me and my household. In other-words, I am willing to try and use them all.

They have a few formulations, Sheer, Sensitive, Sport, Kids and Baby. Sheer and Sensitive have both a face and body product in their ranges, and Kids, Baby and Sensitive both have a stick version.

All their sunscreens are:

• Mineral based sunscreens - using Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide

• Fragrance-free

• Paraben-free

• Sweat and Water Resistant for 80 Minutes

• Reef safe - no Oxybenzone or Octinoxate

The Sensitive tubes and the Sport tube have Smart Cap Technology, which means the clear caps turn purple when in the presence of UV rays. It is shocking how purple they turn, even in the shade. It is a great reminder to apply and reapply your sunscreen.

Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ and Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion for Face SPF 50+

Blue Lizard's Sheer line boasts that it is a sunscreen that rubs on smooth and dries clear. It is formulated with Shea Butter, Antioxidants, and Vitamin E. The face version has the hyaluronic acid in it as well.

How do I find they worked? Good, surprisingly good. The face formula is watery, so shake it up and be careful when you open it, it could pour out a bit. It applies smoothly and blends in well. It blends in quickly so there isn't too much time needed to rub it in and did not leave any white cast or streaking on me.

As for the body, it is also a bit runny, but absorbs nicely into the skin with minimal rubbing required. I actually really liked that it was thinner, so I didn't have to spend as much time blending it in and it reduced the application time needed.

Both formulas left my skin soft and dewy, but not greasy. It was definitely a nice feeling, like after one moisturizes the legs and they want to keep on touching it.

Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 and Sensitive Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Blue Lizard's Sensitive line is fragrance-free (all their products are though), making it ideal for those that can be irritated by other sunscreens. It doesn't have the Shea Butter or other moisturizers the Sheer line does, because it is more focused on sensitive skin vs the feel on the skin. The face version does still have hyaluronic acid in it to help hydrate and claims not to clog pores.

The Sensitive Face sunscreen only seems to come in 30 SPF for now in Canada. I there is such a small difference between 30 and 50 SPF that I really could not tell any difference in coverage. .

Both the face and the body are thicker than their Sheer counterparts. They have a bit more of a traditional sunscreen thickness and feel, as a result I did need to rub them in a bit more. The end result was nicely covered skin that good, not dry or itchy like some sunscreens can leave me. The New York Times Wirecutter declared this their favourite sunscreen this year. They cite the non-chalky texture and ease to apply as reasons to love it.

Blue Lizard Sensitive Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

Sunscreen sticks are always great to take with you on the go for touch ups, this one is a tiny little guy that goes with the Sensitive line. This formula only uses Zinc Oxide (20%), there is no Titanium Oxide in it.

I really like it for my lips, I do not find it moisturizing for my lips though, I just like that it is a stick.

The husband was complaining about how working outside his lips were not just dry, but he was afraid of the exposure to the UV rays. I told him to start using it and it has been great. He also keeps it in his work bag for touch ups. He applies the Sensitive at the start of his shift but as the day goes on his hands get dirty and the stick makes for an easy clean way to touch up.

Sport Mineral-Based Sunscreen SPF 50

The Sports Sunscreen is meant to give you more time doing activities outside without the sunscreen coming off.

It, like all the others, is good for 80 minutes of sweating and water activities, but I did find it held up in the pool so much better. I used it in a saltwater pool, chlorine pool and a hot tub. In all three situations, the water beaded up on my skin and my husbands.

It is the thickest between the Sheer and Sensitive formulas. It was a minor pain for the hubs to apply to his hair arms, but it held up so much better than any sunscreen he has tried this year in the water.

Overall,

I really like this line. I appreciate their variety of formulas, for both the face and body. I like that they are reef friendly so you have options when traveling. As well I like how they feel on my skin.

The Sport is by far my favourite, just because I spend so much time swimming in the summer and often burn quickly in the water. I haven't had that happen yet, and when I get out of the water I can see the sunscreen is still on my skin and working. For the face I think the Sheer is my favourite, but would definitely buy the Sensitive face sunscreen again.

You can find Blue Lizard products at Well.ca/Rexall, London Drugs, Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix and Indigo.

*products were both bought by me and sent to me for review purposes. All views and opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links and I may or may not earn a small commission. I appreciate your support of my blog.

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Summer is here and sunscreen has taken centre stage in my life. I have two family members who have battled (and won) the war with skin cancer, as a result, I take sun protection very seriously. If that was not enough of a reason to use sunscreen, I am a pale gal, and Mr. Fox is a ginger. In other words, we burn, and we burn bad.

Today I am going to look at my favourite sunscreens of 2018. What have I been using? What have I been loving? Why do I love them so? Here we go...

Coppertone Clearly Sheer Spray Sunscreen - SPF 50

I love a good spray sunscreen! This I can't state enough. As much as I love them, Mr. Fox loves them more. As a man with hairy arms and legs, he finds lotions and gels a bit cumbersome and heavy no matter what, so he likes sprays. He also is pretty prone to breakouts on his body and face, so a spray that feels light and isn't greasy is a must. Throw in a higher SPF for his ginger paleness (it also comes in SPF 30) this spray is where it is at.

Lightweight, breathable and won't cause breakouts, it really is a win-win product.

Aveeno Protect Hydrate Sunscreen - SPF 60

Aveeno is known for being pretty darn gentle on your skin. This sunscreen is also a great moisturizer, hence the hydrate in its name. With a higher SPF of 60 (it also comes in SPF 30 and SPF 45), I really like that it is packed with Colloidal Oatmeal, which is great for sensitive or itchy skin, but also hydrating.

I love that this is a lotion and a sunscreen with a nice high SPF to it.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost - Water Gel Sunscreen - SPF 50

This sunscreen isn't like all the other sunscreens. Now that I sound like a cheesy pickup line, I think I might need to explain why this one is so different.

It is a gel! It is a gel loaded with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and still has a higher SPF of 50. As a result, it is super hydrating, fast absorbing and leaves no white cast. This also makes it great for the face (which they really should advertise more, because darn it, this is a great face sunscreen).

If you want a sunscreen that feels light, hydrating and like a gel, this one is for you. At the end of a day out and about in the sun, my skin usually is a bit dehydrated and needs some serious moisture, but not when I use this. My face loves it, it can breathe and doesn't break out at all, and makeup looks great on top of it.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer - Dry Touch Sunscreen - SPF 110

Sometimes I want a stronger SPF! When I know the sun is out in full force, when I am going somewhere tropical, when I know I am going to be out all day long at a festival or a party, those are the times I reach for a sunscreen with an SPF of 100 or more. I used to get mocked for this, but I really burn bad, and it really is my best defence against that happening.

I have always trusted Neutrogena when it comes to the high SPF factor, in fact, they are the only brand for the longest time that made an SPF 100 product, so it is the only one I buy.

Neutrogena's UltraSheer line is pretty lightweight, so I don't end up feeling like it is heavy or takes too long to absorb. My skin never feels greasy or sticky after using it. It also hasn't caused any breakouts at all on me.

This high SPF sunscreen has saved my skin (literally) dozen of times and for that I love it.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer - Face And Body Stick - SPF 50+

I have been using this sunscreen for a few years now, I love the concept of a stick sunscreen. You can travel with it and it won't count as a liquid when you fly, you can pop it in a purse and never worry about it leaking. With SPF 50 it is a great high SPF, which is what I always look for (an ongoing trend in this post, I know). It is about the size of a men's deodorant stick, so it has plenty of product in it and you won't fly through it quickly.

While I do sometimes use this as my all over sunscreen, it is usually when I am pretty covered up and just applying on small parts like my shoulders, neck and ankles. The main way I do like to use it is as a travel touch up stick. I can touch up my sun protection as needed and it is so easy. I also love to use it on my face, it is great and doesn't actually feel heavy on the skin, it feels hydrating.

Mr. Fox loves to use this on his face, shoulders, back of neck, ears and all the kind of strange place that are sometimes hard to get at with a spray.

Since it also part of the UltraSheer line, it is lightweight and isn't greasy.

Live Clean Sport Mineral Sunscreen Spray - SPF 30

Sport sunscreen are great because they feel dry on the skin, they don't sweat off (or drip into your eyes) and they last in the hot icky long days of summer. Sport sprays are even better because they are really easy to apply and reapply. This one happens to be both, plus a mineral sunscreen!

This is my go-to lake and cottage sunscreen. It is fully biodegradable, making it a great option if you run on a septic tank or swim at a lake, ocean or river.

I really was skeptical of it at first, it sprays out a bit thick and white but smoothed into my skin nicely. I also wasn't sure if an SPF of 30 would cut it for me, but it was great. My skin loves it and it does a great job of protecting my skin from the UVA/UVB rays.

Extra bonuses for this one is Live Clean is a Canadian brand, Canadian made, free from parabens and phthalates, vegan, Reef Safe, non-nano, petrolatum free, silicone free, non-greasy, non-whitening and the aerosol is air-powered with no chemical propellants. Oh, and water resistant for up to 40 minutes.

There you go, my top go-to sunscreens for this summer.

Do you have a favourite sunscreen? What about it makes you love it so much?

*This post features sunscreens that I was either given for review from PR, ChickAdvisor, or paid for with my own money. All reviews and opinions are my own.

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Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 50

Blue Lizard Sport Mineral SPF 50 Spray

Blue Lizard Mineral SPF 15 Lip Balm

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick

Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ and Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion for Face SPF 50+

Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 and Sensitive Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Blue Lizard Sensitive Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

Sport Mineral-Based Sunscreen SPF 50

Overall,

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