I just bought this last week because of all the great reviews. I am very fair skinned, so I use sunblock daily and was hoping this would be a good one for my face. Unfortunately this left a really noticeable white cast on my skin due to the physical protection. I put it on and expected it to sink in after awhile. I walked past the mirror half an hour later and still looked like a mime. You can rub it in and that helps some, but as someone else mentioned this lowers the protection factor. Granted, this product is not meant for your face but it made the rest of my skin super white as well. I'm sure this would protect my skin effectively, but I will be looking for something else.

The formula for this product is identical to that of Coppertone's Sensitive Skin Lotion SPF 50. I find that this leaves a slight white cast, which I don't mind since my skin is pretty fair. The sunscreen doesn't leave my skin completely matte and isn't too hard to wash off. I'd definitely repurchase this over the Shiseido SPF 55 sunscreen since I'm not too keen on purchasing a separate cleanser just to remove it.
I paid around $10 for a 6 ounce bottle while I paid $35 for a 2 ounce tube of Shiseido's sunscreen. Well, both sunscreens are very effective, I just can't afford to shell out over fifty dollars every time I need a new sunscreen and cleansing oil in college :D

While I can't vouch for the efficacy of this product for its presumed intended use (e.g., babies in water), I can report that it is not suitable as a sunscreen for an active adult. I'm always looking for effective sunscreens containing a minimum number of chemicals, and thought this might be worth a try. I've now applied this on my neck and arms about a half dozen times within the past few weeks, with repeatedly disappointing results. It sweated off within minutes of me stepping out of the house and ended up leaving greasy white smears on my skin, clothing, and even my dog's fur. Although clearly not sweat-resistant, it has proved to be water and laundry detergent-resistant and I had to purchase a special enzyme-based stain remover to salvage a shirt and a backpack. Needless to say, I've ended my experiment with this sunscreen. Granted, I live where the summers are hot and humid, but the melt factor of this product was ridiculous.

A MUST for long days at the lake. You will return home as pale as you left. Because of the large % of zinc, you can be pretty sloppy about application and still net lasting protection. I bought this as a cheaper alternative to Shiseido's SPF 50, which also contains 14% zinc oxide. However, the Shiseido stuff is way pricier, way yuckier (very greasy residue), and has a strong, unpleasant fragrance. So Coppertone wins this round.

I know, I know we are supposed to use sunscreen to protect our skin from premature aging everyday. And everything I read says that we should use something with an spf of 30 or higher. So why is it that every facial moisterizer and coverup I find (that is oil free and has spf) only has an spf of 15 or 20?! So I finally accepted that fact that I wasn't going to get enough coverage out of my makeup or moitsterizer. And I found this. It is oil free, fragrance free, dye free, and has spf 50. It is perfect for my sensitve, acne prone skin. I use it under my makeup and it actually makes a nice base for my makeup. Totally recommend to anyone looking for a good facial sunscreen.

I just got back from a major waterpark from 12-5 pm, with no hat, shade, or breaks from the water. I am a very pale girl with blue eyes and blonde hair. I applied one coat when we arrived, and about applied again midway. I was wearing a small monokini and my legs, sides, and back NEVER see the sun(they are ghost white). I can tell you that this protected me all day. It was like wearing a blanket in the sun. Not only did I not burn, I can't even tell I got any sun at all, anywhere on my body. The best part is that it is completely waterproof, so even though I stayed wet on the rides, I never had to worry.

I don't know why I quit using this product 2 years ago. I used it during a visit to the Gulf with my family, and I stayed ghost white that summer, even while being on the beach all day. It can be a little tricky to apply, because it is thick, white, and somewhat difficult to rub in, but it is worth it.

This is going back to being my daily protection. I have been using Banana Boat and with that product my arms still get sun during my daily commute to work.

Bought this because it was on sale and also because my skin is sensitive. I have to say, I really like this! It goes on smooth and sinks in fast for me, which is good. It's tear free, and also, it makes my skin feel soft, while keeping the usual whiteness I get from sunscreen to a minimum.

I bought this sunscreen due to it's high % of zinc oxide and cost/size. It goes on really nice with little to no whitening effect.
Only to later learn that nano sized zinc oxide (aprox. 20-50nm in particle size), while offering tremendous UVB protection, does not provide good protection in the long UVA wavelength (360-400nm). This is something you will not readily read on the internet and that the many makers of nano zinc oxide would like you to not know about. The info. is out there. Due your research and don't just take my word. I have found one with Z-Cote zinc oxide (20% micronized) that I really love now. Company is called PurplePrairie.

I am absolutely loving this for my body and even my face. I was looking for a s/s that was a combo of physical and chemical (but no oxybenzone!!) with good stable protection that is not too white, not too greasy, fragrance free, etc. This comes pretty close to being perfect and the price/quantity you get with this is awesome. I have combo acne prone skin and this has not caused any irritaiton or breakouts. It does sink in for me and leaves almost no white cast. Right now it is still winter so my skin is not as oily as in summer so we will see how my skin does with it then. This is not mattte but not greasy either. Either way I will continue to use this for my body but have high hopes of continuing to use this on my face.

*EDIT*

Well this is the closest s/s to a HG that I have found in the drug store. I cannot afford anything really fancy or online at the moment, so this is as best as I can do right now...
I wish that this product dried matte, this is the only gripe I have with it. The whitecast doesn't bother me, everything else is perfect, but it DOES NOT DRY! :(

I may have to layer this. Putting 1/4 on all at once is pretty impossible! >_< but in layers, it's easier to control but very time consuming!!

Ingredients:
-I prefer physical s/s and this has a good amount of zinc 14.5% is great and I love the extra Octi s/s boosting ingredients. (I do not like the oxybenzones and this product is free of them!) It also has a good everyday sun exposure and probably decent PPD rating. It has the SAME ingredients as the (old formula now) Shiseido 55 s/s which is PPD 8. WOW. <3


Price:
-It's SO CHEAP! $8 for 8oz at Walmart! This will last for months! I use 1/4 tsp s/s on my face alone and I am not worried about running out. :) I can't afford LRP every month for 1.7oz at $30, or Shiseido sPF 60.

Consistency:
I love the liquidy consistency of this product! Very light weight and feels very hydrating.

BUT, it is super greasy and like, NEVER dries, it sinks in a little bit, but not enough. This worries me because I am afraid that it will come off during the day and it is so wet even under power...(Which I am afraid will wipe it around and cut protection.) I WISH more than anything that this product dried matte. :(


Application:
This is where the product is a little tricky if you are applying this s/s correctly. (as you should do w/ ANY s/s, but most people don't.)...This process literally takes me about 45mins to an hour to do. Not great on a busy morning,but I will make the sacrifice. (I time this every morning)

Since I use 1/4 tsp (measured out)on my face, this product refuses to sink in and does not dry very well at all on my face. I look like a clown with this on alone. This is what happens unfortunately w/ physical sunscreens...white cast is inevitable.
Anyway, I DO NOT rub s/s into my skin, that cuts the protection and I am not gonna risk it. I pat it lightly into my skin and then wait 20-30mins for the product to settle in a little bit since it does have chemical s/s ingredients in it.

Then I apply a little bit of CoverGirl pressed power on top. the product no longer looks greasy, but some sunscreen does come off on the brush or powder pad which worries me since it is coming off... it also ruins the pad. :(

The I wait 5 more minutes:

Then I add a layer of B.B. (like a liquid foundation, from Korea and also benefits the skin. :) ) cream over the top and it looks FLAWLESS. You cannot see more pores or blemishes at all! And it all feels very lightweight on! :)

It still leaves a little bit of a white cast, but I am already pale so it's not too bad. I'd rather be a little pale than have wrinkles any day. :P But I look like a little porcelain china doll! I do have to apply a little bit of power on top throughout the day, because it starts to look a little ghostly...

Packaging:

It comes in a very cute pink bottle! Not meant to be carried around in a purse though. It's not what I would call portable. But I just got a bigger purse so it's ok. Watch out for the cap though, it may be a little flimsy. This is the last thing you want exploding in your bag! Also, it's very easy for the cap to get messy, the product is very liquidy and kinda goes everywhere if you are not careful.

Anyway, so far, 3/5 for this product...I was so excited for the protection, availability and the price... If this product only dried matte, then it would be totally perfect!!
But it's the only option I have now....so I will stick with it. *sigh*



Ingredients for those who wanna know:

Active Ingredients: Octinoate 7.5%, Octisalate 5%, Zinc Oxide 14.5%,

Inactive Ingredients: Water, Propylene Glcol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Peg-12 Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Chloride.