Our Rating: 5 stars

I like Suntegrity’s mineral sunscreen range for face and body. The sunscreens are packed with antioxidants, including one of my favorites astaxanthin. However, I’ve always found the original Suntegrity facial sunscreen a little rich and heavy, requiring a little work to rub into the the skin to ensure the chalky residue of the zinc oxide disappears.  Not so the new formula Suntegrity Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer, Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($45 in the shop). This has none of those short-comings and plenty of pluses. I actually look forward to putting it on (highly unusual for me when it comes to sunscreen).

Suntegrity has called this Sunscreen & Primer and it is most akin to a tinted moisturizer (with a SPF 30 thrown in). The lightweight texture goes on smoothly with a hint of color that does not interfere with the foundation or concealer that I normally wear. Today, I am wearing the Suntegrity Sunscreen & Primer followed by Osmotics Inner Light and La Vie Celeste’s Crème Foundation.

Aside from the zinc oxide at 20%, most of the ingredients are plant derived and ones that you actively want to have on your skin. The standout here is astaxanthin, a dark red cartenoid pigment that is present, amongst other things, in salmon. Studies have shown that this radical scavenger is also an efficient absorber of specific ultraviolet sunlight rays that may contribute to skin aging and cancer. So it is actually boosting the sun protecting action of the sunscreen.

Indeed, all antioxidants give an important boost to sun protection. A recent study by the American Academy of Dermatology says that sunscreens are providing “passive” protection by absorbing or reflecting harmful UV rays from the skin. But by adding antioxidants to sunscreens, they could offer a second, “active” level of protection.

So it’s good to know that Suntegrity makes sure that astaxanthin gets an antioxidant boost from red algae, cucumber, green tea and pomegranate.

Suntegrity was founded by Tricia Trimble, who lost her mom to skin cancer. Not surprisingly then, she has striven to create a product that is effective and safe – even down to her choice of preservatives. With her Sunscreen & Primer she has stayed true to her goals and made an even better product.

Active Ingredient: Zinc oxide 20%. Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Capric Caprylic Triglycerides (Coconut Oil Extract), Sorbitan Stearate (Plant Derived), Glyceryl Stearate (Plant Derived), Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate (Plant Derived), Hexyl Laurate (Plant Derived), Simmondsia Chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cetyl Dimethicone (Mineral Derived), Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salt), Helianthus Annuus (Organic Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cucumis Sativus (Organic Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Astaxanthin (Algae Source), Hyaluronic Acid (Plant Derived), Chlorella Emersonii (Red Algae) Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Organic Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum (Organic Pomegranate) Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Essential Oil, Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Essential Oil, Citrus Reticulata Blanco (Tangerine) Essential Oil, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide*, Ethylhexylglycerin*

*Paraben-free anti-microbial agent