A Wren Says

Based on my constant admonition on this site for you to wear your sunscreen, you could guess that I’m pretty into wearing mine. As you might imagine, I was intrigued when I came across a brand that I hadn’t heard of before and got to try it out for myself. The product was toty. Solaria Mineral SPF 50.

I didn’t know this then, but the brand was founded by Sophia Vergara. Her brand touts this product as a mineral sunscreen that leaves no white cast and has a velvet finish.

Okay, here is what I thought. I didn’t like it at all. It definitely has a tint to it. The only reason you would think it didn’t is if you didn’t test it on a full spectrum of skin tones. Any darker than what would be referred to as light medium will probably notice it on their skin when using the recommended teaspoon amount of sunscreen for face and neck. When I use a small amount on my arm, it rubs in just fine. I just like to ensure I get the full sun protection advertised. Maybe I put on too much to get the white cast. But, it is after all a mineral sunscreen, so that is expected at this point. It should be fine it just layered under makeup as the brand also markets this product as a primer. But this did not layer well under makeup for me given the real problem I had with this.

The problem is that it was not good for my dry skin at all. It gripped dry patches put this on right before I was going on a walk. I promptly put on a hat and hoped no one would recognize or really see me that morning. It was not my best look. I looked pale and my face was patchy.  

If I were to find the good in this product, it would be that it seems very water resistant, as they marketed. But that also made it difficult to remove it when it came time to wash my face. However, I think this last time the bug spray I put on after might have budged it.

You have my thoughts and why I didn’t like it. Here are some reasons you might like this:

1. You have oilier skin and have a problem with sunscreen looking greasy.
2. You have a skin tone that matches the product well.
3. You prefer mineral sunscreens over chemical.

I already said at the that I didn’t like this product for me, but here moments are when I might wear it

1. If my skin were super-hydrated and well exfoliated and I was going to layer makeup overtop
2. If I were putting together a vampire cosplay and just needed to look pale.
3. If I literally had no other products and was going to be outside for an extended time in peak sun.

I am not a fan of this product. Now it has me wondering if mineral sunscreens overall tend not to be good for dry skin. I think I’m going to have to spend some time researching that and will report back. (And also how much sunscreen is just right?)