Continuing on from yesterdays theme of ‘Brands Everyone Has Tried Except Me’, I finally tried out a product from Invisible Zinc. Being someone that is so pro-sun protection I find it strange that it has taken me so long to try the brand. The company started way back in 2003 with a giant splash. This is a brand that knew what they wanted to do and how they wanted to do it from day dot. Recruiting Elle McPherson as their official face was a wise move and launching with big budget tv and print campaigns made it clear they were putting in an effort.

So why did it take me so long to try Invisible Zinc? Honestly it came down to the word Zinc. I have always hated the stuff since my only recollection of it was the thick blue or green stuff that got smeared on my nose as a child. I was already self conscious about my oddly shaped nose, I really didn’t want it highlighted …. Literally!

When Invisible Zinc came out I instantly doubted that it would be ‘invisible’. I thought it would still be a really thick version of sunscreen, that was super white and would never blend in. I convinced myself it wasn’t worth the effort and that was the end of that. Fast forward to end of last year when Adore Beauty was having a free shipping offer and I was in the mood to shop. I stumbled across this light tinted version with a broad spectrum (UVA & UVB) SPF 30. The thing that drew me in was the ‘brush-on’ applicator thinking that if it is thick, at least the brush will make it easy to blend. I bought it …. and here is what I think of it.

A little swatch on the back of my hand

What I Say ….

• As I thought it would be, the formula is really thick. Granted it is not as thick as the original zinc types that came in stick form, but it is way thicker than any sunscreen I have ever used.
• Maybe it was just the pack I got but this packaging was the worst thing I had ever come across. It is so hard to squeeze the product out, and when you finally get some it gets clogged in the brush. Trying to use the brush to apply it to my face was hopeless as it didn’t distribute or blend the product, it just stayed in the brush.
• The only way I could get enough product out to apply to my face was to squeeze as hard as I could until some was in the brush, and then run my thumb and index finger up the bristles (like pinching it) so I could grab some and put it on the back of my hand.
• Because it is so thick I found I needed a fair amount in order to cover my face, neck and decolletage. If you have a little time (or patience) it does help to rub it between your hands until it is warmed before putting it on your skin. This makes it spread a little easier and you will probably find you need less product.
• On my skin it feels thick and a bit oily at first. It takes a good 10-20 minutes to really dry but after an hour or so I forget it is even on, and my face feels smooth and not oily.
• As a moisturiser it does keep my skin fairly hydrated if comparing it to a regular sunscreen or tinted moisturiser, but it still doesn’t give me the moisture I need as I have dry skin. I usually use this on top of a moisturiser in order to get the best effect, unless I am running super late and then I do wear it by itself.
• Something else that annoyed me about the packaging is that it is designed to be stood on its lid because the bottom of the tube is curved. That makes sense, you want the product to run towards the brush …. but then why did they print the labelling upside down? When this tube is sitting on my bathroom counter it drives me crazy I can’t put it the right way up
• I am using the Light version which claims to be a sheer tint for light/medium skin. I think it is the perfect colour for me and after drying for 20 minutes you can see a slight change in colour. Sometimes it evens my skin tone a little bit but that isn’t often.
• The price is a little steep for a product you really do need to use a lot of. The package size of 35g seems reasonable but priced at AU $38.50 I just think is a bit much. Having said that, it was a premium product so it was understandable a few years ago but now that it is in supermarkets I find myself thinking the price should drop due to it being consumed in much larger numbers.

The upside down labelling drives me insane!

The Brush-On Applicator: Not as effective as I had hoped

I really am confused about whether I love or loathe this product. The packaging is just awful in my opinion but it seems Invisible Zinc have released a standard tube form. The formula takes getting used to but I find myself reaching for it regularly because I love the thought of such great sun protection, even in winter.

If you really care about protecting your skin and you are able to look past its minor quirks than I would recommend it. For me, I wouldn’t repurchase this purely because of the packaging. If I have said it once I have said it a million times, packaging is important. On the upside I am very much inspired to try some of their other products and hope that they will impress me a bit more.

Before: Pale

After: Still pale but a little more even

What Invisible Zinc Say ….

Tinted Daywear Anti-Ageing Facial Moisturising Sunscreen – Moisturiser, SPF30+ sunscreen and sheer golden tint all in one – your can’t-live-without summer essential! Now in a convenient brush-on applicator, for precision application and an even, “airbrushed” finish.

Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear is a natural, physical, mineral tinted sunscreen that contains a micronised, patented form of Zinc Oxide as its only active ingredient. Use every day to nourish, protect, and help reduce the appearance of premature ageing of the skin caused by UV exposure.

• No titanium dioxide
• No chemical sun filters – no OMC, OCS, Avobenzone, Oxybenzone or PABAs
• Ideal for skin that is sensitive to sunscreens with chemical filters
• Zinc oxide provides true broad spectrum protection – very high protection against UVA and UVB rays
• Suitable for all skin types, even oily/acne prone.

Information and image from Adore Beauty

Details

AU $38.50 for 35g from Adore Beauty (International Shipping available)

For more information on Invisible Zinc or this product head to the website

All images are the property of The Plastic Diaries, excluding press release images. Use of these images without written consent is prohibited. If you wish to use them please contact me to request permission. Images are taken in natural light and remain unedited, unless otherwise stated.

This product was purchased with my own money, in accordance with our Disclosure Policy. All opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are my own and remain 100% uninfluenced.

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