Review: SkinMD Shielding Lotion SPF 15

I received a free full-sized sample from the company directly, and I like it enough to talk about it here.

Product Blurb:

Skin MD Natural + SPF 15 is a lotion that combines the best features of shielding and sunscreen lotions. This product helps prevent loss of natural oils and moisture, doesn’t allow irritating substances to penetrate the skin and absorbs the part of the UV spectrum that contributes to premature skin ageing and development of skin cancers.

Skin MD Natural + SPF 15 has a proven UVA protection factor of 5+ (over 5 times greater than the skin’s own protection) while the UVB protection is 15+. SPF15 filters 92% of the UVB and delays the onset of sunburn by up to 150 minutes.

Skin MD Natural + SPF 15 is a sunscreen that gently cares for your skin while protecting it from excessive sun radiation. Skin MD Natural + SPF15 is far more effective in treatment of dry skin and related skin disorders, than mere moisturizing lotions or protective creams. It is promptly absorbed without the heavy “sunscreeny” smell, the slightest hint of any greasy residue or oily feeling, transforming the outer layer of skin into a hydrating invisible shield.

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients (a.k.a. the stuff that makes BF nauseous)

• Octinoxate 7%
• Octisalate 5%
• Homosalate 3%

Other Ingredients:

• Deionized water (Aqua)
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Aloe Vera)
• Cyclopentasiloxane
• Dimethicone
• Methyl Gluceth-20
• Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
• Arnica Montana Flower Extract (Arnica)
• Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract (Comfrey)
• Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract (Chamomile)
• Achillea Millefolium Extract (Yarrow)
• Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
• 1,2 Hexanediol
• Caprylyl Glycol
• Butylene Glycol
• Aminomethyl Propanol
• Phenoxyethanol

I went through the list with a fine tooth comb, and while one or two make me a bit “err what is this?” there isn’t a single ingredient on here that is extremely toxic.

And not a lot of them ARE toxic, which is a good sign.

FB’s Trial:

I wore it for about 10-15 days straight when I was makeup-less, and I liked it a lot compared to any sunscreen I’ve ever used (Neutrogena Dry Touch, L’Oreal’s Ombrelle, Standard SPF suncreens)

The only time BF smelled the ingredients (he smells them in all SPF products), was when we were in close quarters, like in a car.

In the apartment — no problem at all.

I’d wear this all over my face for a day out, wearing no makeup and just wanting to run errands and get things done.

I put a full teaspoon on as recommended by the way. And no matter what you do, whatever sunscreen product you use, you WILL have a shiny face.

So I can’t wear this daily under makeup. The only one that I can wear, is something with a very low SPF.

I’ve experienced this with all SPF products, but this was the first one that didn’t make my skin itch horribly.

Pros:

• Is a natural product without extra additives
• Has SPF 15
• Isn’t very greasy considering it’s an SPF 15
• Very faint smell or scent (although BF is like a bloodhound)

Cons:

• BF hated it. The smell of chemical sunscreen was too much for him.
• Was a bit too greasy for wearing underneath makeup
• If you put on a teaspoon your face is shiny
• $25 for a 4 oz bottle sounds like a lot of money, no? It’s usually $10-$15

Verdict?

Recommended if you are looking for a as-natural-as-possible sunscreen and price is of no object.

Note: Here are their active SPF ingredients

Some readers mentioned concerns that these are not SPF UVA and UVB ingredients

Octinoxate 7% — Is a UV filter & absorber (SkinDeep, eHow)
Octisalate 5% — Blocks out UV (3D Chem, SkinDeep)
Homosalate 3% — Blocks out UV (3D Chem, SkinDeep)

If your skin has been experiencing a lot of problems with normal sunscreens because they’re too heavily perfumed or made your skin itch, you should really give this a whirl.