Consider this post as one giant #FBF (#FlashBackFriday, if you will) to a sunny Labor Day Weekend.
People seem to think that the non-chalky, non-white-cast-leaving, non-thick, non-greasy sunscreen is like a mythical creature. A unicorn. I was doing some finger-wagging over the summer, scolding some very browned Asian teenage boys for not wearing sunscreen during water polo practice, and they complained that sunscreen was too thick, too greasy, and they’d rather tan than wear it. Besides, laziness/they can’t think far ahead enough to even comprehend what sun damage can do/boys will be boys.
But guys, this unicorn has been tamed! The days of white-cast-leaving, thick, greasy sunscreen have long been over! The summer before this last summer, I was ready to call it quits with Consonant’s Perfect Sunscreen. Indeed, according to its name, I thought it was perfect. I thought it was light, unoffensive, and provided sun protection without making my face a shade lighter or adding an extra layer of thickness.
And then this past summer, I took a stab at Pratima’s Neem Rose Sunscreen with SPF 30 without sampling beforehand, it having been long on my wish list since it was incepted into my mind how good it was (could have sworn I saw it from NMDL, but can’t find the source) and seeing it recommended by other #greenbbloggers like Sarita of Edible Facial and Nancy of Glossed in Brooklyn. And unfortunately I have to revise my previous statement. After emptying this bottle, I went back to a fresh bottle of Perfect Sunscreen and realized actually how much lighter Pratima’s Neem Rose Sunscreen was. This sunscreen is truly the perfect, perfect sunscreen.
There are several winning points.
First, towards the end of the summer, my mother began borrowing my sunscreen and eventually requested I help her purchase her own + backups and additionally the body sunscreen. My mother has graciously and lovingly hopped aboard the #greenbeauty train to the realm of green skincare. She is a picky, picky woman with high expectations who still has not liked any green foundation I have given her to try and yet, she requested this sunscreen. #MomApproved
Second, this sunscreen has an extremely light texture that even rivals the texture of some moisturizers. This was the first thing I realized after going back to Consonant’s sunscreen–Consonant’s sunscreen made Pratima’s feel like a cloud! Pratima’s sunscreen does not feel like the stereotypical, villainous sunscreen–it feels like a moisturizer. And even lighter than cream moisturizers like Pai’s Geranium and Thistle Cream. A pump and a half over my moisturizing routine patted in with my fingers feels unnoticeable. Also I never got any weird pilling effects after applying foundation or breakouts while using this sunscreen.
Stunning moisturizer-like texture aside, while this never left me feeling any drier or tighter (ironically have had this tendency with some moisturizers), I always used an oil or oil + cream under this to provide my face with ample moisture. Also to be noted is that the sunscreen comes in a food grade container + a pump which conveniently dispenses the product up until the very end, where you may need to unscrew the cap to get out the last bits.
Third, a non-offensive scent. I have tried some of Pratima’s other skincare (Pearl Cream) and bodycare (Vata Body Oil) offerings through sample with orders and noticed the scents of those products came off pretty strong. The sunscreen, however, smells lightly of rose–which is a twofold benefit, I think: a therapeutic scent with regenerative and harmonizing effects. Also you’d never guess that the stinky yet powerfully antibacterial/fungal/everything bad and healing neem would be hiding in the folds.
Fourth, the complete absence of any white cast. None. Nada. You’ll forget that you’ve applied it.
Lastly, I’ve never sunburned where I have applied it and once–just once–I sunburned in the one place where I forgot to apply it. On a typical day, I will apply sunscreen under my makeup once, and then cautiously measure my time out in the sun and take preventative measures (hiding in the shade, wearing a hat, etc.) On said Labor Day weekend, I dutifully skipped makeup in order to reapply every two hours on my face and body. Except I forgot my lower legs, which I carelessly dangled outside the protective shady sphere of the umbrella. The result: sad sunburned calves and an otherwise impeccably unsunburned body. The lesson: practice safe sun!
A+ performance aside, a look at the surprisingly simple list of ingredients that make this sunscreen a winner. Water, okay. Non-nano zinc oxide–a physical sun blocker. Organic extracts of neem (anti-bad, anti-acne), brahmi (aka gotu kola aka vitamin C, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant land), shatavari (antioxidants, antidepressant, antibacterial, toning) and licorice (healing, anti-inflammatory)–very nice. And add rose, also therapeutic and healing.
All in all, a soothing, inflammatory, anti-bad, and antioxidant-ful combination of ingredients that result in a silky sunscreen that given blind, you would never guess to be a sunscreen due to its wonderfully light texture that also performs.
tl;dr Truly a perfect sunscreen with a texture lighter than even some moisturizers, non-offensive scent, no white cast, and no sunburns. Also, mom-approved.
Have you tried this sunscreen? What are your thoughts? Even though the weather is getting chillier, are you still slathering up the SPF? (I am). If so, what have you been using?
Ingredients: IONIZED WATER, NON-NANO MICRONIZED ZINC OXIDE 18.6%, ORGANIC EXTRACTS OF NEEM, BRAHMI, SHATAVARI, LICORICE, VITAMIN E, LECITHIN, ORGANIC ESSENTIAL OIL OF ROSE, XANTHAN GUM.
Disclaimer: I’ve purchased this sunscreen myself at least once or twice, and I helped my mom purchase several for herself and my sister all from pratimaskincare.com. Shipping costs will make you sad. But they worth the product, so stock up.
Additional Sources:
Singla, Ramit, and Vikas Jaitak. “Shatavari (Asparagus Racemosus Wild): A Review On Its Cultivation, Morphology, Phytochemistry And Pharmacological Importance.” International Journal Of Pharmacy & Life Sciences 5.3 (2014): 742-757. Academic Search Complete. Web. 21 Nov. 2014.
Takhshid, M. A., Mehrabani, D., Ai, J., & Zarepoor, M. (2012). The healing effect of licorice extract in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rat model. Comparative Clinical Pathology, 21(6), 1139-1144. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00580-011-1249-9
I'm staring at the beach picture because it's so cold right now! Great review, Jade! This sunscreen has one of the best ingredient list I have ever seen. Very cool. I'm one of those people who really want to apply SPF during the winter but then I'm too lazy to. It's totally my fault!
Wow! Sounds like an amazing product. Sunscreen has been one of those products where I've never really found a HG one, just settled on. But, that might change if I end up trying this. Which I most likely will if both you and Sarita love it. Also, for your mother, has she tried the Kjaer Weis foundation? Also, I've heard rave reviews about the Gressa Skin Minimalist Serum Foundation that I am dying to try.
I know–I walked out just for 10 minutes today and my hands turned pink! The ingredients list is so wonderfully simple/nice/wonderful–love it. I hope this is the sunscreen that won't break you out when you add makeup on top 🙂
Right? I do hope you try this one–Josh Rosebrook's Nutrient Day Cream is another great SPF I've recently gotten into. I should get my mom to try the KW–I had her try the rms and W3ll People cream foundations, but she didn't like the slip. She's more of a pressed powder person esp since she has oily skin–I know Jane Iredale has some pressed powders so maybe that will entice her away from her Shiseido.
The rave reviews are real! I love my Gressa (shade 03)–its coverage is between a tinted moisturizer and a foundation, so it generally evens out my skin but doesn't cover up blemishes (nothing a concealer brush and mineral foundation can't fix). Also, I've had a problem with foundations giving me a strange dry-looking effect afterwards (Vapour, rms, KW, W3ll People), but this doesn't. Also, no coconut oil, so big plus for me.
hahaha a unicorn (she must believe in yourself) Lol! Thank you Jade for the detail review of sunscreen! Natural sunscreen without a big zinc past is impossible, BEFORE reading this post 😉 Xx
Thanks for the tips! For acneic skin, coconut oil is also something I try to avoid.
It's settled. I am so trying this next year. I actually don't wear any sunscreen right now cos honestly, the sun hasn't been out since like early October and though I understand sunscreen should be used all year regardless, I'm not really outside long enough for it to be warranted. But as soon as the sun graces our Nordic country again in March I will be giving this a test run 🙂 Thanks for sharing your rave review! Xx
I've been dying to find a perfect sunscreen but as of now I've paused my exploration a bit. There are one or two natural sunscreens that I love, but they are not totally perfect. Pratima Sunscreen is one that I reaaaaaaally really want to try, for the same reasons as yours. I like light sunscreens that I can use everyday – flexible enough to use whatever the occassion!
I have been on a rose kick recently, makes me want to have this even more! I might fly to the states in feb, so I'm defo getting this goodie!!!! (since they don't ship overseas).
I jumped on this post to read about what you thought of Pratima sunscreen, when I realized the kind shoutout too. Thanks so much for the mention, Jade. How great that your discerning mom loves it too! I feel challenged to find her a foundation that she would love now. I've been a fan of Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques for ages. What about this pressed version? http://www.naturaljoybeauty.com/servlet/the-1012/Lauren-Brooke-Cosmetiques-Pressed/Detail I love her creme foundations and color selections already. By the way, it seems we've both been eying the Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream. Maybe when we run out of Pratima? (Ah, how fickle we bloggers are!) Fun post, especially as I'm shivering while staring at the beach photos. XO
Hehe. Thanks for reading Julie!
I can't wait for you to try it once the sun comes back 🙂 I go back and forth with sunscreen–there are those who say you should always wear it to protect from sun damage and then there are May Lindstrom and Rose-Marie Swift, both women who I respect, who go without it and instead practice very safe sun. Thanks for reading Nic!! xx
Can't have enough rose 🙂 Ahhh you're coming to the states–so exciting!!! Where are you planning to go? Glad you'll be able to pick this one up–you know Pratima has a spa and retail space in New York??
Of course Sarita–I believe your sunscreen post was one of the final nails in the coffin 🙂 Thanks for the foundation recommendation–will check it out and see if my mom will try it out. How fickle we definitely are–you've already beat me to my Insta so you already know I've gotten the Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream (ran out of my Pratima weeks ago :'( )–hope you give it a try soon. Thanks for reading Sarita! xx
I've used this sunscreen for 5 years. I tried others but always come back to pratima. The body sunscreen is just as wonderful. I feel lucky for finding this sunscreen.
Which do you prefer?
Depends on mood/money–Pratima is lighter and less expensive (~$30's) and has fewer but great ingredients, Josh Rosebrook is more expensive (~$80's) and slightly heavier and has more ingredients (tons and tons of awesome herbs!).