CeraVe Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 30 InvisibleZinc

Pricing/Packaging:

14-15$ for 70g (2.5 oz). Really inexpensive for the quality. Comes in nice opaque squeeze tube.

Ingredients:

Actives: Titanium Dioxide 3.67%, Zinc Oxide 3.5%

Other: Water, Dimethicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Dimethicone PEG-8 Laurate, Polysorbate 60, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 II, Ceramide 1, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Trisiloxane, Isohexadecane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Hydrated Silica, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Ascorbic Acid (Vit C), Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Arachidyl Glucoside, Beeswax, Behenyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Bisabolol, Dipotassuim Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Pantothenic Acid/Yeast Polypeptide, PEG-8, Xanthan Gum, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Alumina, Potassium Sorbate, Retinyl Palmitate (Vit A), Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit E), BHT, Disodium EDTA, Methicone, Methylisothiazolinone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane.

Excellent (only beneficial ingredients, proven research)

Good (mostly beneficial, not extensive research or just not quite outstanding properties)

OK (mostly thickeners, emulsifiers, mild preservatives, pH adjusters, all that is necessary, but not a skincare per se) 

Bad (irritants and anything bad that shouldn't be in skincare, usually fragrance)

Ingredients Discussion:

CeraVe offers two different sunscreens for the face. Their regular lotion is based on chemical sunscreen and in generally, though not badly formulated, lacks antioxidants, which in my opinion are very important in a sunscreen. The InvisibleZinc version (which is new) is based around physical sunscreen mix of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It is targeted towards people with sensitive skin, who experience burning sensation from chemical sunscreen components (like me).

This lotion, of course, features a range of skin-repairing, water binding ingredients, which CeraVe is famous for: ceramides, phytosphingosine, cholesterol and glycerin. Anti-irritants and antioxidants are also present here: vitamin C, oat extract, bisabolol (from chamomile) and dipotassuim glycyrrhizate (from licorice root). However, vitamins A and E are present in very small amounts.

I usually look for products that have three types of ingredients, which are essential for the skin health (antioxidants, skin identical and cell-communicating). In this particular product you get first too types in abundant, but you will not find a strong blend of cell-communicating ingredients, which some other CeraVe products have. However, yeast polypeptides have some mild cell-communicating properties, as well as vitamin A (though again, it is very low on ingredient list to really work).

Overall, really well formulated product. The only irritating ingredient is a type of preservative, which is listed second to last. It can potentially be problematic for people with very sensitive skin. Otherwise, I am going to overlook it. This lotion is fragrance free!

Consumer Thoughts:

Though I am very happy with the ingredients, I cannot say the same about how it feels on my skin. I have slightly dry skin, and this product is that "dry touch" type of sunscreen (which I dislike). It made my skin feel uncomfortably tight. Also white cast actually didn't disappear, so I was walking around with white patches on my face. I think it wold disappear once mixed with skin's natural oils. I can see how people with combination/oily skin may like it. So, not saying it is a bad product, it is just not meant for my skin type.

Verdict:

Possibly great sunscreen for combination/oily skin.

4 out of 5