Looking for the perfect clean facial sunscreen? Me too! And my latest attempt is Climate Defence Facial Cream SPF30 from Evolve Organic Beauty. I’ve tried countless mineral facial sunscreens and often they make me look (even more) like a ghost, leaving an unflattering white cast. Or they pill beneath make-up, or feel sticky, heavy or greasy.
So far my favourite clean sunscreen is from Kri, However I always like to look for something even better, and my latest try is from one of my favourite clean beauty brands: Evolve Organic Beauty.
Read on for my review of Evolve Climate Defence Facial Cream SPF30 to see how it measures up.
Why You Should Choose Reef-Safe Mineral Sunscreen
There are two types of sunscreen and one is better for you, and for the planet. Mineral sunscreens are known as physical sunscreens. That’s because they act as a physical barrier to reflect the sun’s harmful rays away from your skin. Instead of getting absorbed into your skin, the sit on it, making reapplying important. Conversely, chemical sunscreens absorb UV light before it reaches your skin, using synthetic blends. Some of these have been shown to damage coral reefs.
Mineral sunscreens generally use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to provide the physical barrier. This can mean they look white and pasty, and can be difficult to blend in to your skin. It’s also important to look for non-nano mineral protection.
How Do I Know If A Sunscreen is Reef Safe?
There isn’t a globally recognised scheme for reef safe products. So some companies can sneakily claim this, even if they contain ingredients that may damage sea life. So the sunscreen ingredients to avoid are:
- Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3)
- Benzophenone-1
- Benzophenone-8
- Octinoxate
- Octocrylene
- 3-Benzylidene camphor
- 4-methylbenzylidene camphor
- OD-PABA
Evolve Climate Defence Facial Cream SPF30 is Reef Safe, as it doesn’t include any of these ingredients.
Evolve Climate Defence Facial Cream SPF30 Sunscreen Review
So let’s start my review of Evolve Climate Defence Facial Cream SPF30, which comes ina. recyclable sugar cane tube. Evolve say:
“Climate Defence Facial Cream is an untinted, reef-friendly, non-nano Zinc Oxide-based SPF 30 face cream which provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
Lingonberry stem cells help protect the skin from the damaging effects of sun radiation and free radicals whilst improving skin texture. Prickly pear cactus extract deeply hydrates and soothes the skin from irritation and Hyaluronic acid helps promote a firmer, plumper appearance whilst locking moisture into the skin.”
It smells lovely and feels nice when you apply it. Moisturising but not greasy. But I have found a few issues.
How Does Evolve Climate Defence SPF30 Sunscreen Look?
I’ve taken some photos to show how Evolve Climate Defence Facial Cream SPF30 looks on my pale, white skin. It’s fairly thick, but doesn’t feel greasy, though it is difficult to rub in, especially around my hairline and eyebrows. Climate Defence Facial Cream feels moisturising, without feeling greasy. I don’t need to wear a moisturiser beneath it as it’s so rich, but those with dry skin types may like to.
I have to really rub this sunscreen in well to get the white finish to disappear, and it does pill. Often when wearing it, I catch sight of myself in the mirror and see pilling, like here on my neck.
How Does Evolve Climate Defence SPF30 Sunscreen Look Under Make-up?
I took some photos of myself using the sunscreen beneath my make-up at the start, and end of the day. As you can see, my make-up stayed in place pretty well, and didn’t slide off or go horrid and greasy. And it doesn’t sting my eyes at all. You can see it’s gathered in my eyebrows a little. I find it difficult to blend in well around my hairline too.
I’m wearing Madara CC Cream, Love the Planet Loose Mineral Powder, Madara Concealer and Inika Long Lash Mascara on top of the Evolve Climate Defence sunscreen.
I tried layering on more sunscreen on top of my make-up to see how well it goes on, when reapplying. It didn’t totally ruin my make-up but it didn’t work brilliantly.
It looks a little greasy and lumpy.
Do I Recommend Evolve Climate Defence Facial Cream SPF30?
I’m a little disappointed in this natural sunscreen, and won’t buy it again. The pilling and time it takes to rub in irritate me a bit. As it’s £29 for 40ml, it’s not a cheap option where I’d be willing to overlook this. I’ll use it up, but I won’t buy another one. As I love so many of Evolve’s other products, I was surprised I wasn’t keen on this natural sunscreen.
I much prefer my Kri SPF30 tinted sunscreen which is ideal for normal to oily skin. Or my Avocado Zinc SPF50 tinted sunscreen, which is perfect for normal to dry skin.
If you loved BYBI sunscreen, which seems to have been discontinued, this is a pretty good replacement. Not sure this clean daily moisturiser with SPF30 is a good fit for you? Check out my previous clean sunscreen reviews to see if they would suit you even better.
