I probably don’t need to talk about how important it is to wear an SPF on your face daily. Sun damage on the face doesn’t just happen to people that tan in a bed or layout. Did you know that UVA rays can actually penetrate through the car window! Even making those quick trips to the grocery store or the quick jaunt from the car to the mall entrance can cause damage that fast! Never under estimate the damage the sun can have on your face.
As a rule of thumb, you should always wear sunblock on your face. The easiest way to accomplish this is to choose a moisturizer and/or make up that has SPF. I have always used Bare Minerals or made my own mineral make up-Mineral make up contains about an SPF of 15-20. The problem is, is that we don’t always wear make up everyday. This leaves our skin in possible danger for sun damage. So, I’ve been on the search for a moisturizer with a high enough SPF that I can feel good about, but that is also non toxic. Read HERE about the dangers in most sunscreens. I have a tall list of requirements for a moisturizer and an SPF, so this was no easy task!
Enter the organic sunscreen line, Coola…..
Coola is an amazing line focused on sun protection. Their products are 70-97% certified organic. No other sunscreen company can claim that. Their products are also free of pesticides, parabens, nano particles and the dreaded ingredient, oxybenzone. Not only are Coola products organic, they also believe in “farm to face”. This means they source their ingredients locally in order to ensure the freshest and most natural products. They include ingredients that naturally provide sun protection such as plankton, red algae, and raspberry leaf oil. Using natural ingredients not only offer sun protection but are also healthy for the skin. They also use recycled materials in their packaging, do not test on animals and are extremely environmentally friendly.
I chose their cucumber scented moisturizer. Normally, I veer away from anything with a “scent”, but the cucumber scent was a bit cheaper then unscented at the time. Next time, I’ll get unscented and maybe even add a bit of essential oil because I feel like there is a synthetic smell with the cucumber. So, I recommend you go with unscented. Find it HERE.
Coola Face Moisturizer SPF 30:
Get environmental defense as you fight free radicals with this antioxidant enriched, SPF 30 sunscreen with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Vitamin C rich organic Strawberry Extract soothes, tones and minimizes pores. Organic Acai Oil – high in Omegas-3/6/9, Vitamins B1/2/3 and Vitamins C and E – delivers powerful anti-aging benefits. Organic Evening Primrose and Linseed Oils reduce inflammation and balance moisture, as the phyto-protector Plankton Extract rejuvenates skin. Patented Oleosome Technology, derived from Safflower and rich in moisturizing Vitamin E, enhances sun protection and helps time-release actives, resulting in 75% less actives! Crafted with 70% Certified Organic inactive ingredients.
I love this moisturizer. I feel safe putting this on my skin and have used it daily for several weeks now. My skin is well hydrated and smooth. It feels so good to know I’m protected from the sun even though I don’t have make up on. I would recommend this SPF to anyone looking for a good moisturizer. It’s so light, it absorbs quickly and leaves my skin smooth. Finding a good moisturizer that offers benefits for my skin as well as sun protection is a huge accomplishment!
Give this moisturizer a go-SPF moisturizers are hard to get right. I will be using Coola from now on!
My Coola Picks!
PIN IT!!!
Thanks… going to have to try this. Is it good for all skin types you think? Some facial sunscreens tend to break me out. I was wondering if you’ve heard of or tried the Celtic Complexion brand of products? They’re natural and incorporate some oils. Just wondering your opinion. Thanks!
Hi Emily-everything clogs my pores and I have not had an issue with this at all. I have never heard of Celtic Complexions-I will look into it-I love to explore new lines! Thanks!
Will give this a try. I’ve been looking for a good one for my face. What do you think about using this on kids? I find the ones made for kids (i.e.Badger) don’t rub in well and just leaves thick white streaks all over them. Any tips?
Windy-I think it’s fine to use on kids. I know what you mean with Badger and other sunblocks-they go on so thick. This is super thin and easy to spread, just like a moisturizer. As long as they weren’t getting in the water, this would work fine.
I want to love this sunscreen but I am worried about the Octinoxate ingredient. I think EWG website rates this a an unsafe ingredient. Do you think the Coola Mineral formula would be a safer bet? I definitely have a hard time finding mineral/physical sunscreens for my face that won’t go on super thick!!!
Christine-EWG rates Octinoxate isn’t the best ingredient-It helps the cream to absorb better. Overall the moisturizer is at a 4-1 being really good and 10 being really bad. The problem is finding a moisturizer that has that high of an spf 30 and doesn’t leave your skin white is impossible to find. I feel that this is the best option. I would love anyone to give me other alternatives! Going for a mineral sunscreen is always a better choice-it will usually score much lower and minerals aren’t absorbed into the skin. Coola offers this moisturizer in fragrance free (fragrance scores an 8!!) which is my suggestions. I believe it brings it ewg score down to a 3. Hope this answers your questions!!
And I also noticed that according to Amazon’s website this sunscreen contains Avobenzone – (which you had said is Linked to cancer) on your “Is Sunscreen Dangerous” post. I am just curious because I am in the market for a great moisturizer with SPF but I don’t want to spend the money if it is not safe.
Christine-Avonbenzone is linked to cancer but it is a very slight risk. EWG rates it at a 2. Like I said-sunscreens are crazy tricky. Even making your own poses issues. I like this moisturizer because it is perfect for those days that I don’t wear makeup but will be outside running errands. I don’t use it daily, it just fills in the gap. I prefer to get my sunscreen from my mineral make up and if I’m going to be outside for a long amount of time I use something stronger and mineral based from Badger.
I’m a man. I’ve been having some problems with my skin lately and a friend told me to check out your site. I found it to be very helpful. I was wondering if you have any opinions on using raw african black soap as a cleanser and raw shea butter as an moisturizer ?
Hi Jarvis! I don’t have an opinion on raw African black soap because I’ve never used it or researched it. I will look into it though! Raw shea butter is very rich. Unless you are experience extreme dry skin, I wouldn’t use it alone only because you will be very greasy! For skin issues, look into essential oils like lavender, tea tree (melaleuca), lemon (only at night), and ylang ylang. You can add them to aloe vera gel for a light moisturizer that won’t clog. Also, making a toner of apple cider vinegar and essential oils is very helpful as well. Check THIS post out for more about that! Hope this helps!