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Let’s be honest, we’ve all purchased a product simply because our favorite celebrities were using it; I mean, if it’s a part of their skincare routine, then it must be pretty good, right? For me, that was the AHC Natural Perfection Sun Stick which came in two variants — Fresh and Double Shield — and although my favorite artists were using the former, I went with the latter because of its unique UV IR blocking formula.

The sun protector comes in a sturdy, green container that is slim enough to fit in your pocket — think compact wallet or mini powerbank. The cover snaps into place too, keeping it from accidentally being opened when placed inside the bag. The stick itself feels really solid, and luckily for me, it did not break despite being dropped at least 3 times. It also features a crescent shape that allows you to go over curved and narrow areas of the face and neck with ease. However, while the bar itself feels silky smooth, application is not.

The first swipes tend to tug on my skin quite a bit, especially if I initially pat the area dry, which I always do before reapplication. After which, it glides on [smooth] like butter. It is lightweight, feeling like nothing on the face; however, it does not seem to fully sink into your skin. Instead, it just sits on top of the skin — probably since it is partly a physical sunscreen — and remains waxy to the touch. I would also like to point out its soapy lemon smell. I wouldn’t say it’s strong, although I could still sometimes get a whiff of its lemony scent when I pout my lips. On the other hand, there is no white cast, and it leaves behind a sheer finish for that natural glow.

As the name suggests, the AHC sun stick provides a double shield. It also protects against infrared rays through the patented UV IR Blockâ„¢ Technology infused in it, but how exactly do these rays affect our skin? Infrared is the radiant energy that generates heat, and much like ultraviolet rays, they too can damage the skin and set off a host of other skin problems. One review consolidates current research and provides an overview of these effects. Basically, as our skin converts the absorbed IR into heat, its temperature may rise far higher than the normal range. This excessive heat is what can then cause inflammation and alterations, thus worsening hyperpigmentation and speeding up skin aging.

Moving on to its ingredients, if you want to know what exactly the product consists of, then you are going to have to either look it up online, tear open the package, or just scroll down to the end (i gotchu). That’s because the ingredients list is printed on the inside of the box rather than the outside — and I can only assume why. This sun stick from AHC has a rather extensive list which might be intimidating to some. I stopped counting at 120, but there were at least 10 more ingredients following it. It contains quite a few oils and plant extracts as well, which may be bad news for those with allergies and skin sensitivities. These supposedly help soothe and protect the skin from external aggressors. The brand did also note that it is eye and primary irritation tested. Nevertheless, I suggest still going over the list first before purchasing, just to be safe.

While I did not experience any redness or itching from the sun stick, I did notice a few tiny bumps that had developed on my skin, and when I took out the sunscreen from my regimen, they gradually went away as well. I wouldn’t want to simply blame it on the product, though, as it could be a “skincare stick thing.” I have wondered whether wiping the top layer of a stick is enough to remove all the gunk and bacteria that possibly transferred from the skin. I remember getting a very thin strand of hair on the bar and having to wipe off multiple layers only to remove that one strand. On another occasion, I just lightly scratched it off. Any similar experiences? What are your opinions on using skincare sticks?

Final thoughts:

I really wanted to like it, but the tiny bumps and waxy feeling it leaves behind kind of ruined it for me. Lesson learned: do not trust your favorite celebrities…

Kidding aside, I just don’t find sun sticks to be very hygienic, although I do get why they are popular among consumers. Sun sticks are great for quick, mess-free reapplications on-the-go. No need to look for a sink to wash your hands, just grab your stick and voilà! Moreover, they are ultra-light and compact, so you can easily stash them in your bag or even your pocket! That being said, I will probably give other sun sticks a try too, and despite my experiences with it, I do find the AHC Natural Perfection Double Shield (or Fresh) Sun Stick to be a good introduction to sun sticks.

**Everyone’s skin is different. What works/doesn’t work for me may not/may work for you. Remember to check the ingredients list and do a patch test before using any new skincare product.

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DIRECTIONS / HOW TO USE THE AHC NATURAL PERFECTION DOUBLE SHIELD SUN STICK (according to the label):

At the last step of the skincare regimen, turn the dial on the bottom of container to raise product about 5mm and apply from the facial center outward. Carry and reapply frequently throughout the day on areas that need UV protection (face and body).

HIGHLIGHTS:

Alpha-Bisabolol: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: antioxidant, emollient, skin barrier repair
Glycerin: moisturizing, skin barrier repair
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, emollient
Bambusa Vulgaris Extract: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Centella Asiatica Extract: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract: anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, brightening
Panax Ginseng Root Extract: anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial

Main reference (ingredient functions): INCI Decoder (https://incidecoder.com/)

FULL INGREDIENTS LIST (from the product label): Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/​Dicaprate, Polyethylene, Vinyl Dimethicone/​Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Titanium Dioxide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Caprylyl Methicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diisostearyl Malate, Alpha-Bisabolol, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Aluminium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zinc Oxide, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Mallotus Japonicus Bark Extract, Magnolia Sieboldii Extract, Bletilla Striata Root Extract, Propylene Glycol, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Schizandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Xylitol, Hyaluronic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Nymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Phytosterols, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Fructan, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sprout Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Aralia Elata Root Extract, Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Andrographis Paniculata Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Phosphate, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Poterium Officinale Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Leaf Extract, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Carbonated Water, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Sea Water, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Magnesium Chloride, Ceramide NP, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Oleanolic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Biotin, Oxygen, Candida Bombicola/​Glucose/​Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Germ Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glycolipids, Hydroxyacetophenone, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa (Tumeric) Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Papaver Rhoeas Petal Extract, Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Leaf Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Proline, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Mineral Water, Glacier Water