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 two 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 present 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, including Octisalate and Tinosorb S, and to keep your skin moisturized throughout the day, it also contains the humectants 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 a sunscreen for “outdoor activities” 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 used 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 spread the product with ease, a characteristic I believe a lot of people will appreciate for something that’s needed daily. It requires little to no waiting time, too, as the fluid is able to settle into your skin within minutes. Once fully absorbed, it gives off a natural sheer finish with zero white cast. In addition, reapplications don’t feel sticky or heavy at all.
The only thing of concern I suppose 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. This is just me being nitpicky though. Most won’t likely notice the afterscent.
As mentioned, this sun cream from Nature Republic feels like wearing nothing, and your skin often looks the same whether or not you have the product on. It’s a suitable choice for those of us who don’t particularly like the ick that normally comes with outdoor sunscreens. I absolutely love it for my body; however, there are times when it would seem a bit drying for my face. Is it just me? I did find it odd considering its blend of moisture-loving ingredients, or I simply had my expectations from a product infused with aloe vera, but I guess that’s just how skincare works. Not everyone experiences the same item the same way and that’s completely fine.
Can I also just say… this is perhaps the biggest bottle of sunscreen I’ve 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 whatever reason, I couldn’t seem to find that much detail on the product. Even the ingredient list was nowhere to be found. I remember having to inquire about it from the brand’s local online store, only to be left with an automated response. Leaving all 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 ever put on. For someone who seldom applies sun protection on their body, this definitely made me enjoy the act of doing so.
**Everyone’s skin is different. What works/doesn’t work for me may not/may work for you. Remember to check the ingredient list and do a patch test before using any new skincare product.
Apply an adequate amount on the skin before exposure.
UV FILTERS:
(4th) Ethylhexyl Salicylate (Octisalate): UVB
(5th) Homosalate: UVB
(8th) Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Tinosorb S): UVA1, UVA2, UVB
(9th) Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M): UVA1, UVA2, UVB
(11th) Polysilicone-15 (Parsol SLX): UVB
(12th) Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (Uvinul A Plus): UVA1, UVA2
Propanediol: emollient, humectant
Niacinamide: anti-inflammatory, skin barrier repair, brightening
Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower/Leaf Extract: antioxidant, humectant
Morinda Citrifolia Extract: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate: humectant
Glycerin: humectant, skin barrier repair
Panthenol: anti-inflammatory, humectant, skin barrier repair
Main reference (ingredient functions): INCI Decoder (https://incidecoder.com/)
FULL INGREDIENT LIST (according to 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