Summer is ending soon, but it doesn't mean it's time to stop wearing sunscreen. Sunscreen is a must if you want to protect your skin well from skin cancer and premature skin aging. Axis-y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen is probably one of the best mineral sunscreens you can get, and today I'll show you why.
About Axis-y
Axis-y is quite a young K-beauty brand. According to Axis-y's Facebook page, the brand started in December 2019. The brand makes climate inspired skincare solutions. What does that mean? Our skin has to deal with lots of danger like pollution, UV radiation (free radicals) and the change of weather and temperatures. The real challenge for the skincare brand is to make a product that will be effective, and at the same time, it'll deal with our lifestyles. All products from Axis-y contain natural plant extracts, and the brand itself believes that skincare should be personal. The company keeps a great connection with customers on Instagram. I think it's crucial for beauty brands. We might not always agree, but respecting each other is better than some companies who try to bully people for saying their honest opinion out loud. All Axis-y products contain 6-1-1 Advanced Formula which should work for problematic skin as well as for people in humid climates.
Do you need sunscreen?
If you expect me to say no then I got bad news for you - we all need sunscreen. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, daily use of sunscreen might lower the chance of skin cancer to 40%. But it's not only about skin cancer, but also ageing. We call that process photoaging. UVA I, UVA II and UVB radiation are causes of this process. The damage is not only related to earlier wrinkle forming but even changes in DNA. The only ways we can make this process slower are sunscreens and antioxidants.
What's the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen?
It depends on which side we look at this topic. Mineral sunscreens are sunscreens that don't contain any carbon atom - and this automatically makes them inorganic sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens contain carbon atoms, which makes them organic substances. The main difference is that mineral sunscreens usually leave a white cast, and it's better if we use both Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide for a broad spectrum of UV protection. Chemical sunscreens don't leave a white cast, and they have more sophisticated formulas. Both are amazing, in some cases like PIH (hyperpigmentation), mineral sunscreens, and natural pigments can make a good layer of protection from UV rays.
Axis-y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen - Packaging
I like that Axis-y sticks to the concept of design. Each packaging looks similar. What's interesting in Axis-y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen is an applicator, which makes the whole process of using this sunscreen easier.
Axis-y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen - Scent and Texture
The product itself has a white colour, but it doesn't mean that it leaves a white cast - you will be surprised because there's no white cast. The scent is neutral, but a bit unpleasant for me.
Axis-y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen - Ingredients
Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dibutyl Adipate, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Methicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Betaine, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Inositol, Aluminum Hydroxide, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octyldodecanol, Adenosine, Glycerin, Squalane, Allantoin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Artemisia Capillaris Extract(0.005%), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Tocopherol
Water is an ingredient which you can find in almost every product. Its purpose in products is easy - it's a solvent. Cyclohexasiloxane is silicone, but it's also an emollient. This silicone is a volatile silicone. What does that mean? Previously, when I made a review of AHC Eye Cream some people said some inequitable words about me for promoting a cream with silicones and other ingredients they don't like to use due to problems with apps that help you analyze additives. Been then and I also was one of such people before due to my troubles with food (I can't eat processed food unless I want to feel like I'm dying entire week). Silicones are the ultimate pick for the skin since they work as occlusives - what they do is protect the skin from dehydration. Volatile silicones are evaporating from the epidermis. They won't get absorbed by the skin, that's why you shouldn't be scared. If you're hypersensitive, then the good news is that the chance of getting allergic reactions to silicones is ultra-tiny! Still, every skin reacts differently. I don't want to force you to use products with silicones - we live in free countries. No one decides for you what you should use.
Zinc Oxide is an inorganic (aka mineral or physical, in chemistry inorganic means that Zinc Oxide has no Carbon atoms in its structure) sunscreen. Zinc Oxide has a wide range of UV protection. It protects your skin from UVB, UVA II and UVA I radiation. What else do we want? It leaves a white tint on the skin which many people might not like, but if you have rosacea or melasma, you should go for mineral sunscreens since it gives you even better protection. Mineral sunscreens are recommended for sensitive skin as well. Thanks to the colour, sometimes you can find cosmetic brands using Zinc Oxide as a pigment. Some brands like to add "nano" to name of this ingredient, nano version means fewer problems with a white cast.
CI 77891 or Titanium Dioxide is a mineral sunscreen. It protects your skin from UVB and UVA (II) radiation. Usually, Titanium Dioxide leaves a white cast on the epidermis. Many people with sensitive skin prefer to use Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide instead of organic sunscreen (organic sunscreen agents contain carbon, inorganic sunscreens aka mineral sunscreens doesn't contain carbon). Nano version of Titanium Dioxide fixes the problem with the white cast (not entirely, but you can spot the difference). You might not know that, but Titanium Dioxide is a super useful colourant and sunscreen agent. If you have melasma, you want this ingredient in your sunscreen and makeup. It gives your skin a "barrier" that protects your skin from UV radiation.
Propanediol is a solvent with moisturizing properties. Similar to Cyclohexasiloxane, Propylene Glycol is an ingredient that some people try to avoid. You're most likely to see Propanediol instead of Propylene Glycol in an organic skincare product, and the reason for this change is simple. Ecocert recommends it. Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a silicone, and it works as an emulsifier. Should you be scared of it? Not at all! Silicones are not as horrible as people make them. Dibutyl Adipate is an oily emollient. It helps to form the film on the surface of your skin, and skincare brands like to use it with sunscreen agents. Niacinamide is a miracle ingredient. It does lots of great work. Do you have problems with dark spots? Try Niacinamide! Acne? Niacinamide will be an ideal pick for you too! Maybe you've got issues with skin barrier? Solve it with Niacinamide! Wrinkles? You might want to try Niacinamide as well. Sensitive skin might find Niacinamide bit problematic when it's mixed with Vitamin C or used in the same routine as Vitamin C. I can't deny Niacinamide is a skincare treasure!
Caprylyl Methicone is an emollient and a volatile silicone. It feels like 1,2-Hexanediol is everywhere, and it's not a surprise. Even if it's a solvent, it's also a moisturizer. Have you ever seen a thickener made out of hectorite - a white clay? Meet Disteardimonium Hectorite - it works as a stabilizer, gives your skin a sheer look, and in sunscreen formulas, it makes your UV protection even better. Betaine derives from sugar beets. It's an amino acid that keeps your skin moist, and you might want to use it in your haircare routine. Magnesium Sulfate or Epsom Salt is an ingredient with a history. The name Epsom Salt comes from city Epsom in England, but you can call it bath salt as well. It works as a stabilizer. Hydrogen Dimethicone derives from Dimethicone. The white cast in your mineral sunscreens is almost gone, and the UV protection stays the same. Some people call Inositol a Vitamin B8, but it's just one of the compounds which you can find in Vitamin B8. It's a moisturizer, but it can also help with dark spots or skin elasticity problems.
Aluminum Hydroxide is an emollient, but brands use it as a colourant or mini help for your sunscreen. Aluminum Hydroxide is a coating for Titanium Dioxide. C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer is an emollient, and a silicone. It leaves a delicate film on your skin to make it feel soft. Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer is a massive boy - the mighty molecules of film-forming Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer boost the effectiveness of sunscreen agents. Stearic Acid is an emollient which you can love or hate. The problem is that not every skin likes it - mine usually breaks out when you show it Stearic Acid. Butylene Glycol is a moisturizer and solvent, but it's also alcohol. You see, not every alcohol in skincare is terrible. Some of them have positive effects on your skin - just like Butylene Glycol, which is a popular substance even in eco/green cosmetic products.
Adenosine is another elegant ingredient. It speeds up the healing process and repairs the skin barrier. It's ideal for inflamed skin, and it might have a positive effect on skin elasticity. Glycerin is one of the most popular humectants in skincare. There's a large number of myths around glycerin like it can clog your skin. It doesn't clog your pores, but too much glycerin can make a sticky layer on the epidermis and even make your skin dryer than before due to TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Still, it's an ingredient which we want to see in formulas. Squalane is an ingredient which I believe everyone should enjoy. In nature, Squalane occurs in human sebum, and it protects the skin from dehydration. Sadly, with age, the amount of Squalane in sebum decreases. Usually, Squalane in your skincare products comes from olives or sugar cane. It's a light, stable oil with a single bond (squalENE has double bonds, and both these ingredients shouldn't be mistaken). It has no colour and scent. It's perfect for sensitive skin and dehydrated skin since it strengths the lipid barrier. It speeds up the healing process, and it won't clog your skin.
Allantoin is a powerful ingredient in skincare, and I think we all know it since the early days. My family didn't imagine my childhood without this cream. Allantoin derives from comfrey, and it has soothing properties, but it also speeds up the healing process, which makes it ideal for acne-prone skin and sensitive skin.
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water is chamomile water. Anthemis Nobilis or Roman Chamomile is a plant with broad possibilities of use - from aromatherapy to skin treatments. During my education at med school, I had to be careful with Chamomile, because even if this plant has soothing properties, some people are sensitive to it. Artemisia Capillaris Extract (0.005%) is one of the trendiest skincare ingredients in South Korea. Even if the majority of products with mugwort came in 2019, it's fame is not over. Artemisia Capillaris or Chinese Mugwort has other names like Yin Chen Hao, and it's not only a herb from traditional medicine. In some countries, you can find it in cuisine. It's an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. It can soothe your skin, and according to Axis-y, this ingredient lowers the temperature of the epidermis. Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract is an antioxidant with antifungal and antimicrobial properties. It's a source of flavonoids, resveratrol, tartaric and malic acid. Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract or Marigold Extract is a plant, which in Europe we use it as a herbal medicine herb. It's antioxidant and astringent with anti-inflammatory properties. According to Axis-y, it relieves sunburn, itching and eczema.
Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract is an antioxidant with enormous popularity and use. You can use it as a moisturizer for both dry and oily skin or as an acne treatment due to its antibacterial properties. Maybe you fight with wrinkles, and you need support? It's an antioxidant, and it can repair your skin after the damage made by UV light (since UVA is helping your skin in aging) and free radicals. Even sensitive skin is a fan of this soothing humectant. Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract is a unique ingredient. This plant has two other names such as balloon plant or love in a puff, and you can find it in Australia and Africa. It's an anti-inflammatory ingredient.
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables is an oil which you know from your kitchen. It's an emollient and a source of Vitamin E, linoleic and oleic acids. Even acne-prone skin can use it. But what does Unsaponifiables mean? It's a fraction of Sunflower Oil. We can say it's a by-product left after saponification process. Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate or Fermented Radish Root is a natural preservative.
Dicaprylyl Carbonate is an emollient. It makes your skincare products easy to apply on the skin. Sorbitan Sesquioleate is an emulsifier. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 is probably one of the most amusing ingredients in this product. You might know it as Syn-Coll, a patented synthetic tripeptide. It's an ingredient that helps with ageing, it doesn't only protect collagen from degradation, but it boosts collagen production. Products contain up to 3% of Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, and the difference in skin texture is visible after four weeks. Tocopherol or Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. It's a water-soluble ingredient. Some people think it's a natural preservative, but Tocopherol itself in formulas is not the best to preserve the product. It boosts UVB protection, and if you add Vitamin C - you'll get better effects of both vitamins.
Axis-y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen - How does it work?
Let's start about the main idea behind this sunscreen. Axis-y creates products that should fit sensitive but also oily skin. And it has sense since both skin types need products with anti-inflammatory properties. The brand doesn't only look at the epidermis, but weather and environment. Axis-y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen is a vegan-friendly and cruelty-free product. The main focus here was to create a sunscreen that won't hurt the environment, especially coral reefs. You won't find here any artificial colourants or fragrances. I'm not a huge fan of mineral sunscreens, because they usually leave a white cast or they don't fit oily skin. Axis-y is different. It's like a response to all problems of sensitive & oily skin. The formula might leave a minimal white cast, but it's not a problem for me. I think that Axis-y might have reformulated this product a bit - I got my tube before COVID-19, so it's been more than half of the year. I didn't have problems with changes in the formula like product getting watery, etc. Mine stays the same, but I keep it in a wardrobe with no sunlight coming. Still, I know that some people had this problem. In general, skincare products don't like hot places full of sun. Unless we talk about D'Alchemy - their glass bottles love UV radiation. Anyway, the formula is gracious - it leaves a delicate film on the skin, it's not easy to remove it, which is a positive side of the product. In my opinion, such sunscreen stays longer on the skin than other mineral sunscreens. Still, we need to remember about reapplying the formula every 2-3 hours. I didn't feel it on my skin at all, the scent of other products just blended with the neutral scent of Axis-y, and the formula itself is lightweight. It works well with makeup, and I believe that many of you search sunscreens that work not only with the skin type, but also makeup products. Each foundation, cushion or BB cream is different, but with Missha and Pony Effects - it works. It didn't clog my pores, and it doesn't sensitize my skin. I might not be a fan of the scent, but I have to admit that if I have to choose mineral sunscreen, then Axis-y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen is going to be my pick.
Axis-y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen - Price & Where to get it?
You can get Axis-y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen for $23/50ml from Axis-y's website. You can also try The 611 Skincare Routine Set for 99$ - the whole set contains Axis-y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen, Quinoa One-Step Balanced Gel Cleanser, Daily Purifying Treatment Toner, Artichoke Intensive Skin Barrier Ampoule, Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum, Cera-Heart My Type Duo Cream and Mini Glow set - all the reviews of these products are on the blog. It's worth it, and you pay less than if you want to buy each product separately.
I might not be a fan of mineral sunscreens, but Axis-y did a great job with Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen. I wish that European brands such as Avene would check this sunscreen, and step up its skincare game. Mineral sunscreens in Europe usually leave a white cast, and the formulas are oily. Let me know if you're team chemical or organic sunscreen. What's your favourite mineral sunscreen? Have you tried any product from Axis-y or you plan to try this brand soon?
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*** This post was made in collaboration with Axis-y even though it still shows my personal opinion on the topic and product***
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