Although it often still goes down to the 40s at night here in eastern MA, we’re having more days in the 60s and occasionally even 70. I’ve finally been able to spend some time outdoors jogging or gardening. How wonderful to see the trees and flowers finally coming to life! I’m hoping that we’ll have good weather for Memorial Weekend so we can really enjoy outdoor activities and a graduation party on Sunday afternoon.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and I finally have had some opportunities to test drive the three new sunscreen products that MyChelle Dermaceuticals, my go-to brand for natural, affordable, cruelty-free sunscreens, sent me back in March.
But first, I want to point out two important things about MyChelle sunscreen:
- they use physical sunscreen ingredients like zinc oxide that deflect the sun’s rays: MyChelle avoids chemical UV absorbers like PABA, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Oxybenzone
- they are reef safe: Hawaii has banned sunscreens because many of them have chemicals in them that kill the coral reefs! In fact, MyChelle sent a cute bracelet and pamphlet about their efforts to support the reefs. They have partnered with Coral Restoration Foundation to clean up the reefs and to grow coral colonies to help rebuild them.
Let’s take a look at the three brand new water-resistant sunscreens from MyChelle. All three are made from 100% zinc oxide and provide mineral-based protection.
MyChelle Replenishing Solar Defense Body Lotion SPF 50
Replenishing Solar Defense Body Lotion SPF 50 is a thick off-white cream that is easy to rub in.
Because it’s all zinc oxide, I initially thought it might leave a white cast on my skin, but it absolutely does not. It disappears into my skin and creates the sensation of a barrier on my skin against the sun and its UV rays. Plus it’s greaseless and not sticky.
What I especially love about MyChelle Replenishing Solar Defense Body Lotion SPF 50 is that it’s a multitasker! It’s more than a sunscreen. In addition to protecting my skin from UVA/UVB rays, it nourishes my skin with shea butter and coconut oil. It has a very light slightly nutty natural scent. I’m getting in the habit of using this terrific protective body lotion on warm days when I’m going to be outdoors: sunscreen and body lotion in one, yay!
The plastic tube of Replenishing Solar Defense Body Lotion SPF 50 contains a generous 6 fl. oz./177 ml, and it’s priced at $29.50.
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 21%
Inactive Ingredients: Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol , Cellulose Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Diheptyl Succinate, Glycerin, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Vanillin, Water
MyChelle Sun Shield Liquid SPF 50 Non-Tinted
Sheer, non-tinted Sun Shield Liquid SPF 50 is a white liquid.
I shake it, and then apply it over moisturizers that don’t have sunscreen in them. In less than a minute, it dries down to a smooth, almost imperceptible, matte coverage that acts as a very nice primer under foundation. At the beach this coming summer, I will most likely wear it on its own. I love that it has SPF 50! Like the Solar Defense Body Lotion, there’s no white cast once it’s rubbed in. It’s oil-free, and it’s recommended for all skin types. It’s unscented. How perfect!
The sturdy glass jar has a pump applicator, and it contains 1 fl. oz./30 ml. Sun Shield Liquid Non-Tinted SPF 50 is priced at $22.50, and it’s vegan.
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide – 20.5%
Inactive Ingredients: Bentonite, Bisabolol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Diheptyl Succinate, Galactoarabinan, Glycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Jojoba Esters, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Water
MyChelle Sun Shield Stick SPF 50 Tinted
Oh, this is the cutest little sunscreen stick that is perfect to pop into a purse, beach bag or pocket! It’s the perfect way to reapply sunscreen throughout a day at the beach or park.
The stick is creamy, smooth and easy to apply. Like the other two products above, when it’s rubbed in, I almost can’t feel it at all.
It’s tinted a slightly golden, medium shade that I thought might be a tad too dark for me. Below, you can see the shade on my Fair/Light skin before it is rubbed in.
But after I apply it and rub it in, I don’t see any color at all. I think it would work for most skin tones.
Sun Shield Stick SPF 50 Tinted contains jojoba, avocado and vitamin E oils to nourish skin, while the zinc oxide sunscreen protects from UVA/UVB rays. It doesn’t sweat off.
Sun Shield Stick SPF 50 Tinted contains 0.52 oz. and is priced at $12.
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide – 21.8%
Inactive Ingredients: Beeswax, Bisabolol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Iron Oxides, Jojoba Esters, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Octyldodecanol, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Oryzanol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Trihydroxystearin
MyChelle is widely available. It’s sold on the MyChelle website where there’s currently a sale for Memorial Weekend of up to 30% off, on LovelySkin.com where it’s 20% off, at Ulta Beauty, Walgreens, Walmart.com, Kohl’s, Whole Foods, and iHerb.com.
I’ve been a long-time user of MyChelle sunscreens. Have you tried them yet?
I have these and think they are really first-rate! I, too, was surprised that there was no white cast!
I was wondering if it is titanium dioxide that is often paired with zinc oxide that can give a white cast? Gotta do some sleuthing about it!
I am half sunscreen at this point in my life.
I can’t stop laughing, Nichole, too funny!
Sunscreen is such an important step that people tend to overlook. I’m a big fan and carry some with me everywhere.
I love MyChelle products – I’m currently testing their hyaluronic acid line.
Oooh, HA from MyChelle sounds like something I need to try too!
These products are really outstanding, I love them!
Outstanding is the perfect descriptor!
I’m another fan of these. I was surprised when I realized that they are colorless on my skin. I know I’ll be buying another Sun Shield Stick to keep with me in my purse.
I was so amazed that they don’t leave a white cast on my skin even though they use a physical sunscreen ingredient. So awesome!!
I like the idea of the stick for the face especially!
I am a sunscreen junkie. Both parents have had different forms of skin cancer, so I’m diligent with my skin care. My moisturizer has 30 and my concealer has some SPF protection too.
That’s so smart, Kristi. I wish I had begun wearing sunscreen at a younger age.
I never really thought about the sunscreens I was using until I went to Hawaii last year and learned about how many were destroying the reef. I like the MyChelle has options for those that want to protect the ocean!
I don’t think that I was aware of the danger to coral reefs from sunscreen ingredients until I recently heard that Hawaii was banning sunscreen or banning certain ingredients. Things are definitely dire, unfortunately
I’ve never seen a tinted stick sunscreen before!! What a great idea!
The tint in the stick prevents the white cast. I think the shade of Sun Shield Stick would suit you very well 😉
The sun stick is such an innovative product!
I’m interested in trying these! I’ve been looking for a good reef-safe sunscreen.
Stacie, I think MyChelle makes some of the very best sunscreens, and they have about a million different ones. These 3 are new, and I like them all. The Solar Defense Body Lotion SPF 50 is particularly wonderful because I can use it instead of my regular body lotion and be protected from the sun as well.
Reef safe is so great!
I’m most intrigued by the stick formula! Must try that!
I think you’d like it: so handy and the tint would be perfect for you