Aubrey Organics Natural Sun SPF 25 Sunscreen/Active Lifestyles
Photo by Aubrey Organics
I’ve just run out of my old standby sunscreen from Paula’s Choice, which I’ve loved using because of its nongreasy, unscented, yet gently moisturizing formula—unfortunately, to my everlasting grief, it hasn’t been rated by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), so when my husband called from the natural-foods store asking if I needed anything, I asked him to pick up some sunblock. But because I didn’t have EWG’s list handy (big mistake), after he prattled off some brands, I instantly latched onto a familiar name: Aubrey Organics, the brand I use for my shampoo.
Slathering it on this morning, I give it a big ol’ “meh.” First, its EWG score is a middling 3.0, placing it in the lower-end of the moderate-hazard range.
Next, the cream has a cloying, sickly sweet scent that doesn’t quite arouse my adoration. (Ironically, it’s likely the jasmine oil I’m sniffing; looking at Aubrey’s Web site now, it appears that the company does make an unscented version, however.) And while the Paula’s Choice product glided across my face streak-free, Aubrey’s sunscreen required more effort to rub away any mask-like appearance that might inspire spontaneous bursts of song, while terrifying children and small animals.
Its one saving grace, besides being vegan- and animal-friendly: The sunscreen doesn’t stay on as greasy as other brands I’ve used in the past—even though it contains white camellia, organic shea butter, and organic jojoba oil for hydration—but, considering it costs almost $8 for a 4oz. tube, I think I’ll still give it a miss the next time I’m down the shopping aisle.
Eunice said,
August 3, 2007 at 11:38 am
i have been having the same problem with sunscreen lately. trying to find the products that have least amount of offending chemicals and fragrance (i have sensitive skin that is prone to eczema and i live in the south. great combo, i know). i used alba botanica’s spf 30 with lavender, but i haven’t been able to find them this year. i used a local cosmetic, burts’ bees, spf 15 sunscreen, but it made my face break out and it’s disgustingly sticky, which is not what you want during a hot summer. then i found badger’s balm spf 15 sunscreen and it’s been very good to me. no breakouts, no stickiness, no big dollop of sunscreen necessary, and it doesn’t smell like anything. they also make spf 30 but it’s always been in low supply at my local eco-mart. maybe you could try that.
Victoria E said,
August 3, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Aubrey Organics is a fantastic brand - I would recommend it to anyone! I’ve been using some of their skin and hair care products for over a year.
Mimi said,
August 3, 2007 at 8:38 pm
I got a sample of a sunscreen by Mychelle. 28 spf. It worked, was light, and the fragrance is very light and dissipates quickly. I’ll probably buy it to see of I really, really, really, like it. I have to be careful with sunscreen because when I’ve run out and just grabbed some from the drugstore or discount store, I ended up with blisters and peeling skin as a reaction to the sunscreen. (Twice, because I wasn’t convinced it was the sunscreen the first time). Aubrey’s is alway expensive, but usually a small amount of it goes a long way.
Ryan Grant said,
December 10, 2007 at 7:59 pm
If you haven’t looked at the EWG’s list on best and worst of sunscreens lately, here’s a link:
http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/browse.php?sunscreens=1&best=1
We started carrying UV Natural Sunscreens early this summer (07′) after I was looking for a sunscreen for myself that was fragrance free and didn’t contain parabens or pabas. I was initially concerned by the high price of the sunscreen and after my first application I felt the product was too greasy for them to make the claim “Non Greasy”. I contacted UV Natural’s and spoke with them regarding the greasiness of their product and found that I had applied way too much. (I guess I had just grown accustomed to really slathering sunscreen all over, which I’m sure many of us have memories of). After experimenting with the sunscreen again, I found that it doesn’t really take much. As suggested, I applied it like a lotion and really worked it into my skin making sure to use an amount my skin could absorb (probably varies based on how dry your skin is) . So although its high priced, it requires such a little amount to be effective, and the ingredient list is so clean, I now feel its worth the cost and warrants its placement of 6,7,8, and 9 on the EWG’s list. The smell is very subtle as well, even for me who seems to get nauseous at the slightest sniff of many fragrances.