Being pale and loving the sunshine is a struggle, let me tell you. Tons of sunscreens are on the market, but I don’t love the more synthetic options, so I was delighted when, in 2023, a PR agency sent me a mineral sunscreen from LA Sol to try out. It’s not perfect, but I liked it enough to buy a couple of additional bottles since then.
Specifications
- Price: $32.99.
- Size: 5.5 ounces.
- SPF: 30.
Pros
- Free of parabens, gluten, and fragrance.
- Zinc oxide is the active ingredient.
- Water-resistant.
Cons
- Hard to wash off.
- Slightly unpleasant scent.
A Clean(er) Formula That Works
In addition to having pale skin, I tend to have sensitive skin, which means I need to be careful about skincare products. Plus, the more I learn, the more I try to use skincare products that aren’t chock full of dubious ingredients. LA Sol’s zinc sunscreen is made without gluten, parabens, or fragrances, all of which I appreciate. Its active ingredient is Zinc Oxide, rather than something like oxybenzone.
LA Sol Mineral Formula
I gave it a whirl in 2023, with a little trepidation at first: After all, getting sunburnt is no fun, and I’ve had sunscreens kind of fail at that whole preventing sunburn thing. Anyway, LA Sol’s formula offers a rating of SPF 30, which generally works well for me. Still, I was also a little hesitant to smear this all over my skin because mineral sunscreens are rather infamous for leaving a white cast.
Now, having used this sun block dozens of times, I can confidently say that it has provided protection from sunburns. As far as whether it goes on clear: A white cast is somewhat noticeable, even with my light skin tone. However, it does a decent job of blending in for the most part. Just know to expect that white “film,” especially when you reapply it multiple times throughout the day.
I Don’t Love Everything About It
After a sun-soaked day, expect to have to actually (gently) scrub at your skin to wash it all away. Mineral sunscreens don’t really absorb into the skin, they sort of sit on the surface, so it takes some elbow grease to remove it all. Generally, I find that a body pouf or loofah sponge with plenty of suds does the trick.
I’m also just going to straight-up say that I do not care for the smell. It’s fragrance free, which I love (some synthetic fragrances have been shown to disrupt hormones). But, this formula smells kind of earthy to me, somewhat like a freshly dug potato. That’s great when I’m out sweating in my garden, but it’s not so awesome when I’m at the pool around other people.
Perfect for Cruises
On the plus side, though, it’s a water resistant formula, so I don’t have to freak out about it washing completely off after I dip a toe in the lake or in a pool. It’s also reef safe, so I made sure to pack a couple of bottles for my Caribbean cruise last year. It protects against UVA and UVB rays, too, so you’re covered, literally.
For Now, It’s My Go-To Sunscreen
I really hate sunscreens, but I also hate sunburns. I basically have to use sunscreen in summer, and this one has a cleaner formula that actually prevents sunburn. So, as far as sunscreens go, I keep coming back to this one, despite some of its drawbacks. I think I’ll keep my eyes open for even better options this year, though!
