Let me preface this by stating that I hate sunscreen. I hate needing to remember to put it on, and now I also have to remember to put it on my son. I hate the chemical-ness and questionable ingredients of most sunscreens. I hate the smell of coconut (and coconut anything in general, but that’s another story altogether), and most sunscreens add this perfume so that you feel like you are on some beach somewhere far from your urban turf. I hate having to smear the cream in hard-to-reach places like my back. But – I have managed to find a sunscreen that I don’t mind – correction, that I almost look forward to – smearing on myself and my son: Matter Company‘s Natural Sun Care Creme!
Sunscreens work in one of two ways: either the main ingredient provides a physical barrier against UVA and UVB rays, or the ingredients form a chemical neutralizer of these rays once absorbed in the skin. Personally I find physical barriers more enticing, and this sunscreen fits the bill since its main ingredient is 20% zinc oxide. Apparently zinc has other beneficial properties, according to the manufacturer – “including being anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory; beneficial to sensitive, delicate skin.” Sunscreens with zinc sometimes remind us of those 1980′s-style ski-bum photo shoots including people with white stripes on their noses and cheeks (and fluorescent ski suits)… but this creme rubs into the skin much easier than its predecessors. It does take slightly more rubbing than cremes without zinc, but it is not too difficult (even on a squirmy baby).
The other ingredients include moisturizers and various oils and tonics for soothing over-exposed skin. The combination of these also leaves the product with a very pleasant scent, yet has not irritated either my or my son’s sensitive skin like other creams with synthetic perfumes. The creme is also water-resistant; but like all sunscreens, it should be reapplied after swimming or bathing (I have noticed that the creme does come off in the water if it was not rubbed in completely). The creme is stated as SPF 30, or equivalent to 40 minutes in the sun. Finally, Matter Company is Canadian – hooray for supporting our own!
The company lists retailers on their website. I purchased mine at a baby store in Montreal; retail price is approximately $18 for 125mL.
[...] far this is the second product that I really like from Matter Company (see a previous review of their sunscreen) – I hope to try many [...]