Cotz

I’m surprised by the horrible reviews. Finding mineral sunscreen lip balms is hard enough, there are very few out there, and when you find the two or three available out there, they are typically only SPF 15, non-moisturizing and have a ghastly white cast. This one is not only an impressive SPF 45, it’s non-drying for my chronically dry lips (it glides on softly and feels very comfortable, even a little like it melts on/buttery), but it goes on color-neutral. I’m light-medium skin toned and this adds no color to my lips. More importantly, it doesn’t make my lips white-ish, like some other true-zinc SPF lippies do. This isn’t a popular or prestige beauty brand, but it works. I suspect all the other bad reviewers might have stale products that might have been sitting on the self too long or possibly expired? I love this SPF lip balm! 2nd runner up and even cheaper for a zinc SPF lip balm are the ones from All Good. But they’re only SPF 15. They aren’t tinted but also don’t go on whitish (except their SPF 20 version, beware!), and are about half the price of Cotz. If you don’t care much about the lower SPF and the Cotz tint scares you, give All Good a try.

Have re-purchased this sunscreen several times. It is one of the only mineral sunscreens I have tried that does not feel dry on my skin. The tint is perfect for my fair skin tone. It also re-applies well during the day. I have melasma and continual sunscreen use it really important.

I no longer use chemical sunscreens, due to the fact that they may not be safe, and that on my face they burn and sting, some more than others. I’ve found a few mineral sunscreens that have a low cast that I can live with, but I wanted a tinted sunscreen for my arms, and/or legs, for the extra protection iron oxides provide against visible light. There aren’t many of them (tinted sunscreens for the body) but this one is pretty decent. The color is a neutral beige. It blends right into my light to medium light skin, and leaves no streaks. I would imagine it wouldn’t work for skin tones darker than medium. It’s definately moisturizing. I’ve had no irritation from it. The sheer tint helps to diminish freckles and those little dark sun damage spots. Like most sunscreens, it leaves a slightly tacky finish that does not diminish. And it WILL transfer onto your clothing, so I don’t wear it with really light colors. It helps if you wait a while before dressing, letting the sunscreen set a little bit. And of course, it’s on the pricey side. If I had to use it all over my body, the little 3 oz tube wouldn’t last long....but, for just my arms, and considering I don’t need to reapply because I avoid the sun as much as I can, 3oz should last several weeks. Those are the only negatives I can think of, though, and I will definately repurchase.