Review: two physical (Ti + Zn) sunblocks

[KnottedYet]

All Terrain AquaSport spf 15 active ingredients: Z-Cote zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. 3.5 oz for $5 at Bartell Drugs. http://www.allterrainco.com/catalog_...ml?catId=96006 The store didn't have the spf 30+.

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin spf 30 active ingredient: titanium dioxide. 4 oz for$10 at Bartell Drugs. http://www.neutrogena.com/ProductsDe...oductLineID=15

Ok, we'll ignore the fact that one is spf 15 and one is spf 30 for the moment. I smeared one on each arm. Here we go...

Feel: Both come out of the bottle more watery than greasy. Nice improvement over the old Neutrogena, much easier to spread around than the greasy stuff, too. Both feel dry (not greasy) after the sunscreen settles in, though the Neutrogena arm feels softer.

Smell: All Terrain has a nice herbally smell that goes away quickly. Neutrogena has the standard product smell, but very light.

Transparency: All Terrain is TRANSPARENT right away. Very cool. Neutrogena is much more transparent than it used to be, but still takes about 20 minutes to really fade. If I cross my eyes and look at it just right I can imagine that I can still see some paleness. But it isn't obvious.

Transfer to clothing: both leave white residue on my black turtle neck, even after the sunscreen has dried. Neutrogena more than the All Terrain, but it has 2x the spf, too. Not to worry, folks, this stuff washes out just fine.

Water Resistance: All Terrain didn't budge when I dribbled water on it. The water beaded up and stayed clear and that was it. Neutrogena, well, not so good. The old Neutrogena was greasy and stayed on pretty well in water. The new stuff immediately floated up off my skin and ran off with the water. (and was no longer transparent, so I could see it going bye-bye) Granted, the All Terrain says it was specifically designed for water sports, so it has an advantage there. I'm hoping it stays on just as well when encountering sweat, too.

Conclusion: Both are fine, I'll use both. If I'm going to be sweaty or getting wet I'll choose the All Terrain. It's spf is lower, but what good is Neutrogena's higher spf if it washes right off? I'll keep my eye out for the All Terrain spf 30+. (If I'm swimming I'll use my trusty mixed chemical/physical sunscreen bolstered by my trusty Dermatone paste.) For the price, the All Terrain is a better deal. It has both zinc and ti, for those who want a little variety in their block. (Neutrogena is just ti)

[maillotpois]

Thanks for the great field test!!!

Since Neutrogena his titanium in it, does that make you lighter and racier?

I'll throw in another - I just got some of that Neutrogena "helioplex" stuff - it seems very good. I am not sure if this is the same stuff you used? I think not since this stuff seems heavier than what you are describing and more waterproof. I have been very pleased with it and my dermatologist was approving - which is tough because she's super prone to disapproval. :P (She's a riding buddy as well.)

[KnottedYet]

Nope, the stuff I bought wasn't the helioplex. Wanna review the helioplex for us? pretty please?

And yes, the titanium sunscreen definitely boosts my mph...

[maillotpois]

Well, in terms of a review:

The Neutrogena helioplex came highly recommended by a friend who used it on a sunny day watching a kid;s lacrosse game. Conveniently, it comes in liquid, spray and a little stick, which fits great in a bike bag.

The stick feels a little sticky going on. The liquid feels definitely thick, but it is clear pretty quickly. We haven't had enough sunny days for me to test out the spray.

This stuff is a bit expensive. (In the $10 - 20 range.) But I have already had one "suspicious" thing hacked off my leg by "the butcher" - my term of endearment for my dermatologist riding buddy, so I don't skimp on the skin.

I have not tested this much as I have only had maybe 1 ride where I was out of leg/arm warmers. But so far no burn at all. It seems to last though a long ride - I never remember to reapply though I hope having the little stick will help. I cannot comment on the "residue" that Knot referred to because I simply didn't notice any and my bike clothers are light colored. I was very impressed by the tenacity of the stuff through sweat, though.

I will update the review after some more time on bike and some pool time.

[KnottedYet]

the residue is the titanium and zinc. The sunblocks I reviewed are like 10% mineral, and the mineral can wipe off onto clothes. (but it washes out of clothes just as easily)

[maillotpois]

So you made me do research (:P). This Helioplex stuff is not mineral (I don't think - I don't know what this stuff is):

Helioplex™ technology contains two FDA approved sunscreens, Avobenzone and Oxybenzone. Avobenzone does an excellent job of blocking UV rays—especially UVA rays—but its protection against UVA rays can weaken after prolonged sun exposure. Helioplex™ technology combines Avobenzone with Oxybenzone so that Neutrogena Sun Protection products can effectively screen out UVB burning rays—and help stop UVA rays from penetrating skin's surface layers.


It's all Geek - I mean Greek - to me.