Review: two physical (Ti + Zn) sunblocks

[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!

[bmccasland]

What about the near the eyes test?

I've gotten a really nasty sunburn on my forehead because I didn't put sun screen up there and my nice wide brimmed hat was blown back when I was air boating. Granted I won't be doing much of that any more, sigh. But a lot of sun screens make my eyes burn when they run into my eyes.

[sgtiger]

I've used both the Badger 30 spf and Burt's Bee's 30 spf on my face and I haven't noticed any more stinging than what sweat causes by itself. I'm not a fan of the Burt's Bee's stuff though. It doesn't spread very easily. I have to pat it on as opposed to smearing/rubbing it in so the coverage is not even - weird white blotchy look. It stays feeling tacky afterward, too. Unfortunately, it's all I can find for physical sunblocks in my immediate area when I don't have time to go across town to get the Badger sunblock.

[kjay]

Anyone here ever used or know about the "highly acclaimed" French La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Lotion with Mexoryl XL? I'm very curious. Thanks.