As I was rationing out the final few pumps of my Sunday Riley Cashmere SPF 30, I complained to a few green beauty girlfriends about the lack of a luxury cleanly formulated sunscreen. I’ve tried brands from 100% Pure to Vive Sana, and while I would repurchase them, they have not managed to sway me from giving up the silkier less-clean sunscreens that I’ve come to love. That’s when I began hearing wonderful things about Coola, a company with a dedicated line of sunscreens for everyone: chemical, physical, face, body, sport, matte, mineral, spray, scented, unscented, etc. you name it, they have it! I noticed their cute packaging and fell in love with the literature of “organic suncare” (indeed 70% of the inactives in the formula are certified organic). As I read the ingredients lists, I was amazed that a company was using truly luxurious ingredients in a sunscreen which just isn’t that common.
Few sunscreens will pack in ingredients like Plankton Extract as well as beneficial skin oils that can rival a face oil such as Acai Fruit Oil and Evening Primrose Oil. Now I have to admit, this sunscreen does use silicones and chemical sunscreen but if that isn’t your cup of tea, you can buy a mineral/physical sunscreen from them as well.
After much debate, I selected the Cucumber Moisturizer for it’s silky texture, and non-streaky application. My skin didn’t need time to adjust to it, no breakouts or fussiness. The scent is light and delightful, not at all overwhelming or ‘artificial’, so I daresay even those who do not like scented products will find much to enjoy in this. The silky texture reminds me of a light moisturizing cream. The pump applicator is a very efficient way to dispense product and I usually apply 3-4 pumps for my face and neck. I use a little more than the average person because I don’t like to re-apply throughout the day.
After extensive use, there are a few issues. This isn’t waterproof so sometimes the formula will slip especially during the hot and humid summer weather. This is forgivable, but I noticed that it irritated my eyes. So I do not wear this sunscreen if I know I’m going to workout. The other issue I have is that although this sunscreen is light and doesn’t leave a white cast, it immediately makes my skin shiny and add a layer of sheen. Oily isn’t how I would describe it, but it just doesn’t look clean. The moisturizing benefits aren’t that substantial where it should make my skin look like I obviously applied something. Thankfully they have both mattifying and waterproof options (though unfortunately none with the two features together).
While I would not repurchase this moisturizer for the above reasons, I found my initial experience with Coola pleasant enough and with enough potential that I’m looking forward to trying one of the other options that might be a better fit for me. Have you had any experiences with Coola? Which of their sunscreens do you like?
I like ELTA MD, not the cleanest, but also not the worst.
How do you find it? Is it heavy or light? I haven’t been a huge fan of theirs but everything I have used from them agreed with my skin.
I found it at Dermstore.com, they have their entire sunscreen line, I believe. I used it as a moisturizer/sunscreen combo. It was a littttle greasy at first but it sunk in nicely. Granted, I don’t wear foundation, so I don’t know how it would agree with that. My skin was pretty smooth and primed, but it really did take a while to sink in. I think because of the hyaluronic acid (?) I would read reviews on Dermstore,com to see which one might be best suited for you.I think I used the UV Daily one, just because it was winter. Thinking of purchasing it again.
Great find! I had the same problem for months until I gave up, but love this review. Just one question, from someone who has a somewhat arrogant semi-scientist as a partner: do women who work 9 hours a day under flourescent light really need to worry so much about sunscreen? Skin cancer is one of those trends that led to allot of myths, and unless you are traveling or working out in the summer sun, where does all the vitamin d go when you’re slathered in sunscreen? You take it in through the eyes and skin, so just curious if you ever wondered about it!
I refused to wear sunscreen, despite the subtle though obvious sun damage to my skin, as it typically felt icky and/or made me break out. I tried chemical ones, physical ones, clean ones, dirty ones, recommended by dermatologists, aestheticians… You name it! That is until a couple of months ago, when the prospect of turning 40 made me begin my search anew, and miracle of miracles, I found Suntegrity (http://www.suntegrityskincare.com/products/suntegrity-natural-moisturizing-face-sunscreen-bb-cream-broad-spectrum-spf-30-medium) via the NDML blog! It is squeaky clean, uses non-nano zinc oxide, does not require a thick layer of oil (like the Marie Veronique one) to go on streak-free, does not leave me looking ghost-faced or oily, is easily applied on top of my serum, and leaves my skin looking even toned and perfectly moisturized! I think it might even help heal the occasional pimple (zinc oxide is good for acne-prone skin). I use the medium-tinted one but the color is very sheer as it worked on my relatively paler, post winter skin as well as very tanned, post Bermuda skin. There is nothing I don’t love about it and am currently on my second tube. I even use it on rainy and overcast days as it makes my skin look better. For the record, I have extremely acne-prone, combination skin with occasional surface dehydration due to nightly use of Atralin (tretinoin), and moderate sensitivity, especially to vitamin C in topical products.
I’ll have to try the Suntegrity product! I don’t know why it wasn’t on my radar earlier!
Nice review! I had a look at coola in the past, but have been put off by the silicones; it is just something i do not use. It is so hard though finding a good clean spf; i am currently using kimberly sayer spf 30, and like it apart from the inclusion of lemon oil, which can be photosensitising; so not sure if i will buy again, but the texture is super light.
I wonder why these companies use photo-sensitising oils in sun protection products, I understand that lemon oil really helps the scent, but come on now!
I’m tempted to try a sunscreen I read about from a line called Consonant Skincare, I have to check if they use silicones though.
Didnt get a chance to reply to my curious question? 🙂
Have you tried burn out Eco sensitive? I like it so far. I have dusky skin so sometimes it leaves a whitish residue on my face.