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.

[KnottedYet]

I don't really know how the chemical screens work.

But the mineral blocks are just high-tech dirt. Ya smear the dirt on, and the sunlight can't get through. More dirt = less sunlight.

Dirt. It does a body good!

[liberty]

What is the name of the Neutrogena Helioplex? I tried to do a search on it, and it looks like it is a component of the sunscreen and not the name... Am I looking at the wrong things?

[Thorn]

The tube we have says helioplex on the logo. Avobenzone "makes" it helioplex, but older versons say Parsol 17## (don't know the whole number). Oxybenzone should be present in any sunscreen that contains avobenzone to stabilize it. The avobenzone degrades in the sun and is one that must be reapplied.

I went web hunting for a really great article on UVA/UVB spectrum and the various chemical and physical blockers and can't find it. Each checmical has a spread of wavelengths that it works against, just as both Ti and Zn have wave lengths they are most effective at. Avobenzone is the only chemical that works in its designated spectrum. A Ti + Zn physical block will also cover the full spectrum (only Ti or only Zn won't cover the full spectrum).

[roguedog]

Thanks for the review, Knot. I'll have to go try some out for my grand canyon trip. I see they sell it at REI.

I've got really sensitive skin and any sunscreen in the past has irritated it.. so come summer I go into hiding or I wear my new friend, my REI spf long sleeve. THis was a life saver when I was in San Diego last year. Saved my arms but my legs weren't so happy...

[Pedal Wench]

Thanks for the review, Knot. I'll have to go try some out for my grand canyon trip. I see they sell it at REI.

I've got really sensitive skin and any sunscreen in the past has irritated it.. so come summer I go into hiding or I wear my new friend, my REI spf long sleeve. THis was a life saver when I was in San Diego last year. Saved my arms but my legs weren't so happy...

I'll have to try some for MY Grand Canyon trip! When are you going?

I find it hard to balance sun protection with staying cool, so a good sun screen and a big hat are essentials, and let me get away with cool summer tops.

[KnottedYet]

Look what SusanO has for us!
http://www.teamestrogen.com/categories.asp?catID=75

Yeehaw! And lip stuff, too. cooooool.....

Thanks, Susan!

[KnottedYet]

My new favorite physical block:

Badger SPF 15 http://www.badgerbalm.com/pc-371-6-s...face-body.aspx (I paid $12 or something crazy like that at my grocery store)

Active ingredient: zinc oxide

Nicely greasy, absorbs well. Smells good, too. This stuff is almost a paste, so a little goes a long way. I was impressed by how little it took to cover my exposed skin before my ride today.

It does not make me look green-ish or pale. In fact, it seemed to even out my skin tone and made me look 20 years younger! (only kidding a little bit) I put two coats on my nose and ears, and they didn't get ghosty.

Stayed on when I sweated all over it, unlike Neutrogena's physical block. Barely made a white mark on my clothes. That's pretty cool.

I was out in the middle of the day in full sun, and walked along the waterfront, yet didn't get even a tinge of sunburn. (I burn in about 10 minutes of exposure.)

Good stuff! But expensive....

[nscrbug]

I've been using the Neutrogena Sensitive Skin 60SPF (with Ti & Zn) all summer long, and I've been very pleased with it. It does leave a white residue, but that doesn't really concern me much since nobody really notices it while I'm on the bike. Infact, I didn't notice until I looked in a mirror during a bathroom stop. I also use the Burt's Bees Lifeguard lipbalm and that stuff turns my lips white, too.

[KnottedYet]

Oooh, if the new Neutrogena Sensitive formulation stays on when sweating, I may have to check it out again!

The last time I used it (2007), it was only a 30 spf and it immediately came off with sweat or water.

A 60spf that stays on.... could be nice to add to my collection!