Vanicream Sunscreen Sport, Spf 35, no color- Unscented, 4 Ounce

Some years ago, I quit using sunscreen because my skin is so very sensitive. I'm not terribly sun sensitive but I recently got a job that required working out in the broiling Georgia sun at times. In the last year or so, we figured out that I am very, very allergic to vitamin E. Also, I'm concerned with the toxicity of some ingredients in common sunscreens. Vitamin E, which also shows up in ingredients lists as tocopherols of various sorts, is marvelously wonderful for your skin if you are not allergic. Also, it is somewhat caustic in a way that makes it an awesome natural preservative, so it is in so many lotions, soaps, shampoos, deodorants, etc., that it is hard for me to find beauty and hygiene products that I can use.So, I started looking for sunscreens that use zinc oxide as the main active ingredient that do not have vitamin E. A big problem with most zinc oxide products is that they either look pasty and white or they are otherwise hard to apply and rub in. I don't have patience for that. If I'm going to use sunscreen at all, it's got to be easy and not ugly. And the stuff has to stay out of my eyes! And not cost a fortune. And not stink like loud, fake coconuts. And not be an oily mess that breaks me out in zits.After HOURS and HOURS of searching, I finally found two sunscreens that do not have vitamin E, Vanicream and Neutrogena. Okay, they're both expensive, but with my allergies that include wheat, everything is expensive. They're not as pricy as department store brands, at least. The Neutrogena contains some of the possible toxic chemicals, but usually they are a trustworthy brand to those of us with sensitive skin. Alas, it broke me out in dry patches. The Vanicream Sport, though, met all of my demands. It does go on white, but rubs in quickly. It does not stink, just a mild, normal chemical smell like other products without added fragrance that is gone in a few seconds. And it stays out of my eyes when I sweat. I have been tanning through it, but at least I'm not burning. It's comparatively expensive, but I'm not wearing a bathing suit at work, so I don't use much at a time, just enough for my neck, face, and arms, so I'll call it affordable.I first bought Vanicream Sport sunscreen on another site. I see in the description here on Amazon that vitamin E is in the ingredients. Some of the older customer ratings mention that, too. Apparently, it has been reformulated. Neither of the tubes I've bought so far have vitamin E in them.

I bought this along with a couple of other options, for my vacation to Bimini, Bahamas. It is reviewed by Environmental Working Group Sunscreen selector App as a sunscreen that is low toxin/high protection. That is how I chose it to try, along with the fact that it's a Sport sunscreen, which I needed since I would be snorkeling, and out on a boat for 6 or so hours a day. It worked perfectly! I usually burn very easily, but this screen was perfect...I applied once before going out for the day, then one or two more applications during the day. This will be "my" sunscreen of choice from now on. It is a zinc-oxide screen, but as the name suggests, it blends in and vanishes easily.**UPDATE: To answer the question of what other sunscreens I tried along with this one, I used Active Sunscreen SPF 40 3oz by True Natural Cosmetics,  Active Sunscreen SPF 40 1oz by True Natural Cosmetics  which was pretty good also, and also rated well on the EWG Sunscreen App. It was a little "lumpy" in texture, if that makes sense, and I don't feel it stayed on as well as the Vanicream. I also took with me my old standby, Coppertone Waterbabies, SPF50,  Coppertone Waterbabies Sunscreen Lotion Pure & Simple, SPF 50, 8-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 2)  just in case. I knew it worked for me in the past, and I ended up sharing that a lot with my very fair skinned friend.The added challenge was to find sunscreen that was free of an ingredient called Avobenzene that would react with the high iron in the waters of Bimini, and turn the boat orange wherever it touched. This was a request from the owners of Wildquest, who own the boat, and host the retreat we attended. Coppertone Waterbabies, in a myriad of "mainstream" commercial screens, has a low toxicity/high effectiveness ratio, AND it's Avobenzene free...difficult to find both.

This is by far the best sunscreen I have ever used, and I have tried many. The value for the quantity you receive is great - mine lasts me about a month to a month and a half. I re-apply every two hours I am in the sun, as instructed by dermotologist, but even so it lasts. Remember, a shot glass amount of sunscreen is appropriate to cover the entire body of you went out in short sleeves and short pants. I gemerald stay covered from the shoulders down, so this bottle lasts a long time for just my face and neck. Your mileage may vary if you are using it all over.It will look greasy upon first application; I would recommend putting it on fofteen minutes before leaving the house so that it has time to soak in. If you still look greasy thereafter, you have probably applied too much.This sunscreen is perfect for sensitive skin, be that your natural state or if you have minor irritation from use of retinol products. I have never experienced stinging with this product as I have with so many others, and there is no "sunscreen smell" which I abhor. Will be a lifelong user of this product for surePROS- good value for quantity if you are just using on your face, neck and hands- no "sunscreen smell"- no stinging or burning upon application- no lasting "greasy" or "chalky" effect. I imagine this product could be used on darker skin tones just as effectivelyCONS- will be greasy if you over-apply- price might not be cost effective if you intend to use product on beach days