2023 Sunscreen Report -- It's All About the Lips!

Do you wear lip balm with SPF?

Great!

 But, when was the last time you checked the ingredients?

 You may be surprised to learn there are some dangerous chemicals found in some lip balms that contain SPF. We certainly were. What’s scarier is we put these chemicals directly on our lips.

For the last few years, Freedom Medi-Spa has done extensive research on sunscreens, and offered various comparisons to our clients, followers, and fans.  Our goal is to educate you to make the best choices when shopping for sunscreen for yourself and your family. Our sunscreen reports have been shared hundreds of times and remain an excellent resource on sun safety. Read our reports from 2020, 2021, and 2022.

This year, we want to pay special attention to our lips. We do think it’s important to protect your lips against harmful UVA and UVB rays. But it’s also important to know what you’re putting on them.

We’ve pulled 10 popular lip balms that contain SPF and we’re ranking them. As in the past, our scale is as follows:

Low Risk: contains mild-risk chemicals like Avobenzone and Octisalate (Remember, there are risks with all chemical ingredients)

Moderate Risk: contains Homosalate and Octocrylene

High Risk: contains Oxybenzone and Octinoxate (please never use these products, especially on your children.)

Our favourite sunscreens get a Glowing Seal of Approval.

How do your favourites stack up?? SPOILER ALERT: they almost all fail.

 In the High-Risk Category:

 ·      Aquaphor Lip Protectant + Sunscreen

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3.0, Octinoxate 6.75%, Octisalate 4.5%, Octocrylene 2.0%, Oxybenzone 5.4%, Petrolatum 31.0%

·      Banana Boat Sport SPF 15

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (2.0%), Octocrylene (10.0%), Oxybenzone (6.0%)

·      Blistex Medicated Lip Balm with 15 SPF

Active Ingredients: Dimethicone (2.00%), Octinoxate (6.6%), Octisalate (4.4%)

·       Carmex SPF 15

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%), Oxybenzone (4%), White Petroleum (35%)

·      JB Moisture Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3.0% and Octinoxate 7.5%, Petrolatum 40.2%

·       Sun Bum Lip balm with 30 SPF 

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (2.00%), Homosalate (15.00%), Octinoxate (7.50%), Octisalate (5.00%) 

·      EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad-Spectrum SPF 36

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%), Zinc Oxide (7.0%)

In the Moderate Risk Category:

·      Coola Lip Luxe SPF 30

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3.0%, Homosalate 4.0%, Octisalate 4.0%, Octocrylene 10.0%

In the Low to No Risk Category:

·      Burt’s Bees All Weather Moisturizing Lip Balm SPF 15

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (11%)

Did you know that we carry the Jane Iredale Lip Drink with SPF 15 and the ONLY active ingredient is Titanium Dioxide? You might want to pick one up the next time you're in.

All About AlumierMD Facial Sunscreen

It’s going to be another hot and SUNNY weekend!

A few weeks back, we talked about all the sunscreen on the market and what to look for when buying sun protection.

The same rules apply for picking sunscreen for your face, but it’s even more important. 

It’s no secret we love AlumierMD products, and especially their sunscreen. The active ingredients are simply Titanium Dioxide and Zinc, so you know you’re getting excellent protection minus the harmful chemicals. They also pack in some anti-aging ingredients, so you’re really doing double duty. AlumierMD products are safe for children 8+ and enjoyed by men and women alike. 

There are 4 different products to choose from:

Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 40 (Untinted):  

This award-winning product is a silky and sheer physical sunscreen that provides powerful broad-spectrum protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. It uses a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide while moisturizing with vitamin E. This formula is also packed with free-radical-quenching antioxidants, including a stable vitamin C, resveratrol, grape seed extract, and glutathione. 

In terms of spreadability, this formula is thin and easy to massage into your skin. No colour.

Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 40 (Versatile Tint): 

Similar to its sister (the Sheer Hydration Untinted), the Versatile Tint formula blends beautifully on the skin creating a sheer healthy glow. Similar to a BB cream, you can save time and use this product as your daily foundation for light coverage and glow. 

Clear Shield Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 42: 

Another award winner, Clear Shield Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 42 is a lightweight, non-comedogenic, quick-drying physical sunscreen. Niacinamide soothes and relieves redness and sodium hyaluronate hydrates. This is a favourite for every-day use. 

Moisture Matte Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 40 (Available in 3 shades: Ivory, Sand, Amber): 

An innovative, broad-spectrum tinted 100% physical facial sunscreen with a matte finish. It can also double as your daily foundation. Moisture Matte lightly moisturizes to smooth and hydrate, while absorbing excess oil to create a matte finish. Cutting-edge, color-encapsulated beads blend on the skin, creating a sheer tint and healthy glow. It has a somewhat gritty texture at first, but once you work it into your face, the grittiness disappears to reveal the tinted glow. Moisture Matte also contains Antioxidants like caffeine, silybin and knotgrass extract to protect skin from UV-induced free radical damage. 

All AlumierMD Sunscreens are dye-free, paraben-free, sulphate free, phthalate-free, animal cruelty-free and artificial fragrance-free. To learn more, or to order, contact us for our code to the Alumier Online portal.