5 in 1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen
by Suntegrity

I love the get up and go component of the NON TOXIC BB cream. I slap the on the anti aging moisturizing cream and I am out the door with a light coverage, chemical free UVA and UVB SPF 30 and with a fresh clean look.

First things first. Let’s talk sunscreens. Nothing new here. We all know need to wear a sunscreen, especially on our face, not just for the anti-aging component but also to block the damaging effects of the sun. But which sunscreen? There are 1000’s of sunscreens out there. Did you know that many American made sunscreens are banned in various parts of the world because of the chemicals found inside them? Some of the ingredients are toxic and hazardous to your health. OUCH! And yet still many people continue to put these toxic sunscreens on their face.

Now, after the sunscreen, we need anti-aging serum, moisturizer, perhaps a make-up primer, then a foundation. What? All that to get out the door? Who has the time or the money??

Enter Tricia Trimble and Suntegrity. I met Tricia at a woman’s networking event in Beverly Hills. At this point I had never even heard of Suntegrity let alone a BB cream. Boy, did she educate me. Tricia founded Suntegrity because she wanted a natural, non-toxic, sunscreen that people would actually wear, meaning wasn’t greasy, didn’t leave a white chalky cast on the skin and smelt good! Voila! The birth of Suntegrity 5 in 1 BB Cream.

First, let’s do a refresher on a BB cream. "BB" stands for blemish balm or beauty balm; the cream was originally used to speed healing after laser treatments. The craze really took off in Asia, when celebrities in Korea attributed their flawless skin to the product.

Next, what makes Suntegrity’s 5 in 1 BB cream different. It is "an all in one, natural Beauty Benefit cream that treats, hydrates, protects, primes and covers the skin". Supercharged with youth promoting antioxidants that fight free radical damage, this cream also provides chemical free, mineral Broad Spectrum (UVA AND UVB) SPF 30 coverage. Chemical free the key word here. NO TOXIC CHEMICALS. Zinc, a naturally occurring substance, is the sunscreen. This alone is a huge reason to buy the 5 in 1. But let’s not forget about the moisturizing agents.

Super moisturizing ingredients such as Red Algae and Certified Organic Aloe Vera and Jojoba provide additional hydration. These, coupled with Organic sunflower, pomegranate, cucumber, and green tea provide the face with additional sun defense. They also help to re-juvenate dry and dull skin and promote the production of new cells and collagen. Non nano sized zinc-oxide protects the skin while providing anti-inflammatory properties that help with rosacea, acne and melasma.

So what does all this mean to you? All natural and non toxic Suntegrity is good for your skin. It is your moisturizer, your anti aging serums, your primer, your sheer coverage and is your sunscreen.

Think of the time and money you are saving. I slap Suntegrity on first thing in the morning after washing my face and before I head downstairs to begin my day. I want the protection and I LOVE the light, clean finished look Suntegrity provides. It’s amazing how adding something so simple to my routine can make me feel so good about myself.

Right out of the box, I appreciated the AirFree pump. Oxidation instantly occurs with foundation once exposed to oxygen which promotes color change in the foundation. The pump gives an extra layer of protection to ensure the stability of the product.

To me, the texture of this BB cream has more oomph than other BB creams I have tried compared it to. One pump and you will see the viscosity is more like a thick soufflé, rather than a runny foundation or liquid moisturizer. The cream comes out like a dollop of dense cream.

However, the finish is sheer and natural looking and slides onto your face for easy application.

Because the 5 in 1 hydrates, the formulation leaves a very dewy finish to your skin, which I love. My skin feels soft and supple rather than feeling tight as a drum. I have had some people comment I look shiny. I like that because a dewy skin is considered a younger looking skin. Some of you may want to apply powder.

I put the sunscreen to the test in the winter months of northern Alberta, Canada, going on long hikes in the sunny -20F snowy hills and fields. Lots of cold and reflection off the snow from the sun. No sunburn and my skin felt protected by the barrior the 5 in 1 gave me.

As for colors, there are 5 colors to choose from: Fair, Light, Golden Light, Medium and Deep Bronze. On the company website, instructions are given to help you make your selection. Names of actresses are matched up with the tone to make for easy purchasing. For example: Anne Hathaway/Fair (me) to Michelle Obama for Deep Bronze.

Cost: $45, 1.7 oz.

PROS:

• Saves time and money as it is a 5 in one.
• First ingredient is Aloe Vera! Big plus in my books.
• Sunscreen made with Zinc Oxide.
• Received a #1 Rating by the Environmental Working Groups/Skin Deep cosmetic Safety Database and was Featured in the "Best Sunscreens" category in the Environmental Working Group’s 2012 & 2013 Sunscreen Guides.
• Free of Parabens, Phthalates, Proplyene Glycol, Mineral Oils, Synthetic Dyes, Sulfates, Paba, Titanium Dioxide, Nano-Particles and chemical UV Absorbers.
• Vegan, Non-Greasy, Fragrance-Free, Cruelty Free (PETA & Leaping Bunny Cert).

CONS: On me, sometimes I needed a touch up during the day as my skin looked blotchy by days end. I also had to be mindful when blending the 5 in 1 on my skin. Even though the product slides on easily and because of the density of the cream, without proper blending I would end up with an uneven coverage.

Where to Buy:

Available both retail and on line both in the USA and International.

www.suntegrityskincare.com

Ingredients:

Active Ingredient: Zinc-Oxide 20%.

Inactive Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Capric Caprylic Triglycerides (Coconut Oil Extract), Water (Aqua), Sorbitan Stearate (Plant Derived), Glyceryl Stearate (Plant Derived), Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate (Plant Derived), Hexyl Laurate (Plant Derived), Simmondsia Chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cetyl Dimethicone (Mineral Derived), Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salt), Helianthus Annuus (Organic Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cucumis Sativus (Organic Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Astaxanthin (Algae Source), Hyaluronic Acid (Plant Derived), Chlorella Emersonii (Red Algae) Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Organic Green Tea) Extract, Punica Granatum (Organic Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide*, Ethylhexylglycerin*, Iron Oxide.

*paraben-free preservative