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Anyone else impulsively bought a product simply because it was on sale? Although price was the driving factor of my purchasing decision, I had already been eyeing the Nature Republic California Aloe Sunscreen because of its size and classification as an outdoor sunscreen.

The sun lotion comes in a huge — or shall I say, jumbo — 250mL tube that could last you at least 2 months, depending on the amount and frequency of use. This is a lot — and I do mean a lot — considering 50mL to 150mL is the norm for liquid sun protectors. Perhaps it’s brands’ focus on portability as greater importance is being given to sunscreen use and reapplication in conversations surrounding skin health. Whatever the reason, bottles this big are just not as easy to find as the smaller variants.

The sun protector uses a mix of old and new generation UV filters. And to keep your skin moisturized throughout the day, it also contains aloe leaf extract, glycerin, and panthenol, among others.

Living in a tropical country, I feel much safer relying on sun creams that are specifically labeled “waterproof” or “water-resistant.” Of course, this does not exempt me from the reapplication rule, but knowing it won’t easily come off with a splash of water or a few droplets of sweat gives me some peace of mind. Although the aloe sun lotion does not exactly include either of these words, it is tagged as an “outdoor” sunscreen which, I assume, would mean it is water-resistant to some degree. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised to see it left zero shine and grease. Most, if not all, of the outdoor sunscreens I’ve tried in the past felt heavy, greasy, and/or tacky. This one from Nature Republic, on the other hand, feels like nothing on the skin.

Its lightweight formula allows you to blend the product with ease. It requires little to no waiting time too as the fluid is able to settle into your skin within minutes. Once fully set, you are left with a natural sheer finish with zero white cast. As for its brightening and wrinkle-improvement claims, I believe these are effects that naturally come with long-term sunscreen use.

The only thing of concern consumers might have regarding the product — apart from the ingredients which you may already be allergic to — has to be its fragrance. It possesses quite a strong aloe-menthol scent straight from the tube, whereas on the skin, it leaves behind a lingering hint of that typical sunscreen smell. It isn’t bothersome, but I could still get a whiff of it when the applied area is within an inch from my nose.

As mentioned, this sun cream from Nature Republic feels like wearing nothing. Your skin often feels the same whether or not you have the product on, making it a suitable option to wear for hours. I absolutely love it as a body sunscreen; however, as a face sunscreen, I observed that unless I drench my skin in an ultra-hydrating toner prior, it would feel dehydrated. Because of this and the fact that I already had a dedicated face sunscreen, I decided to simply discontinue applying it there. I probably wouldn’t recommend the sun lotion for dry/dehydrated skin (face), but those with oily skin might appreciate its lightweight formula.

Final thoughts:

Can I just say… this is perhaps the biggest bottle of sunscreen I have ever owned! The only real concern I had at the time — and this was prior to purchasing it — was the lack of information made available online. For some reason, I just could not find that much detail on it. Even the ingredients list was nowhere to be found! I remember having to inquire about it from their local online store, only to be left with an automated response. Leaving that aside, my experience with the Nature Republic California Aloe Jumbo Sunscreen has been pleasant for the most part, and it is by far one of the most comfortable sunscreens I’ve tried.

**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 NATURE REPUBLIC CALIFORNIA ALOE JUMBO SUNSCREEN (according to the label):

Apply an adequate amount on the skin before exposure.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Propanediol: moisturizing
Niacinamide: anti-inflammatory, skin barrier repair, brightening
Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower/​Leaf Extract: antioxidant, moisturizing
Morinda Citrifolia Extract: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing
Sodium Hyaluronate: moisturizing
Glycerin: moisturizing, skin barrier repair
Panthenol: anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, skin barrier repair

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

FULL INGREDIENTS LIST (from the product label): Water, Propanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Dibutyl Adipate, Niacinamide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-15, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower/​Leaf Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Tromethamine, Decyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Panthenol, Acrylates/​C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sea Water, Butylene Glycol, Polyether-1, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol