I'm not a huge fan of mineral sunscreens, but I can't deny mineral sunscreens are amazing for sensitive skin and heat-induced skin problems like melasma. Meet Klavuu Vegan Zinc Suncream, a Korean sunscreen based on Zinc Oxide. Is Zinc enough to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation?
What's UV?
UV stands for Ultraviolet, it's nothing else than the selected range of frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum. UV rays are not visible to humans, but it doesn't mean that they don't exist. Each type of UV - UVA, UVB and UVC have different wavelengths and different properties.
UVA, UVB and UVC - what does each of them do and where you can meet them?
I'm sure you know about UVA and UVB but UVC or the difference between UVA2 and UVA1? Let's start from the shortest wavelengths - UVC (100nm - 280nm) exist in space and it's absorbed by the ozone layer, it can kill bacteria that's why on Earth you can find it in germicidal lamps - you might ask me, but these lamps are usually visible to a human - it's because they are made in a way that makes them safe for you and other people - you shouldn't enter the room when the UV lamp is on and make people aware that the lamp is on we add other substances so the lamp has a blue/purple colour when it's on. This technology is used for example at labs and hospitals. We all remember UVB (280nm –315nm) because it is told that B in UVB stands for BURN. Indeed, this UV length is responsible for sunburns but it also helps with the synthesis of Vitamin D - a vitamin which we all need because lack of it can lead to osteoporosis. UVB is focused on the epidermis aka the outer layer of the skin while UVA (315nm –400nm) can penetrate through the epidermis and dermis so it penetrates your skin deeper. A in its name stands for Aging. The bad news is that UVA can penetrate the glass and both UVA and UVB make lots of damage including skin cancer and oxidative stress. Which kind of UV you can find in a tanning bed? Stay with me and you'll know.
Should I wear sunscreen at home?
We already know that UVA penetrates through the glass so do we need to use sunscreen at home? Yes, especially if you spend lots of time working near the window then it's better to put on a layer of sunscreen in the morning and have any type of protection at home as well. But you can also use window films to reduce the risk. The choice is left to you, what I do is keep my blinds on the window during the entire morning and when the sun is not that intense because my windows are situated on the Eastern side the light usually starts to fade afternoon so when I wear sunscreen.
Are Korean sunscreens safe to use?
Last year, we had a huge scandal related to other Kbeauty brands and wrong levels of UVA & UVB protection. This caused some changes in the industry - lots of brands reformulated their products and decided to follow a double testing rule - they send formulas to different labs to see if the results are right before they put a product on a market. It's a clever solution. I wrote about the whole situation in this post. Klavuu Vegan Zinc Suncream went through the test so you don't have to worry, the lab test results of Klavuu are SPF 93.6 ±18.2 & PFA 16.60±3.50.
About Klavuu
Klavuu is not a new brand on the market, but lately, it went through some changes. It's a Korean brand with a Swedish name since the combination of Klar and Vuu gives us Klavuu - we can translate that into a clear view. Klavuu has a bright motto "just clean is not always good". Klavuu is aware that clean beauty doesn't always go along with being good and healthy, that's why Klavuu's products are based on science. Klavuu is focused on raw materials and sustainability. The brand is cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. Lately, Klavuu changed its visuals to be more appealing to the younger consumer.
Klavuu Vegan Zinc Suncream - Packaging
Klavuu Vegan Zinc Suncream comes in a paper box. I'm glad that Klavuu informs us about each part of the product and what the brand decided to do to provide us with products that aren't clean just by name. Klavuu Vegan Zinc Suncream has eco-friendly packaging. Klavuu states that none of the trees was cut to create this packaging - Klavuu is using eco-friendly regenerative pulp. The paper packaging wasn't bleached and it's biodegradable! What's cool and quite common lately, the ink used to print graphics on the packaging is made out of soy. The brand even reminds us that both caps and bottles are plastic and recommends we wash the bottle before we throw away bottles and caps separately.
Klavuu Vegan Zinc Suncream - Scent & Texture
Even if there's no scent ingredient in Klavuu Vegan Zinc Suncream, I say that every single time - I feel like each sunscreen even the fragrance-free ones have this typical smell for sunscreens. I guess my nose is super sensitive, but it has some nice natural scent to the product. The texture isn't white, it looks more peachy, but what's cool about this sunscreen, it is a non-nano sunscreen so it shouldn't leave a white cast. I still wound be a bit careful since even if the white cast is not super visible, we tested this sunscreen on my best friend who has darker skin than I do, and on photos, you could easily guess where the white cast is + in real life it was also a bit visible.
Klavuu Vegan Zinc Suncream - Ingredients
Water, Zinc Oxide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Isododecane, Caprylyl Methicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Fragrance, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Prunus Persica (Peach) Flower Extract, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Iron Oxides(CI 77492), Mica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Iron Oxides(CI 77491), Tocopherol, Iron Oxides(CI 77499), Butylene Glycol, Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Water hides in a cosmetic product under names such as Aqua or Eau. It's a solvent, but it's not your regular drinking water. Water in skin care needs to fit some standards. It should be clean and free from minerals, microorganisms or other substances. Usually, water makes up the majority of the content of the product. 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 the name of this ingredient, nano version means fewer problems with a white cast. Cyclohexasiloxane is a volatile silicone and emollient. It makes the product easier to spread on the skin, and it protects the moisture in your skin by creating a gentle, non-greasy film on the surface of your epidermis. Cyclohexasilocane quickly evaporates from your skin. Butyloctyl Salicylate is a solvent. Usually, it doesn't come alone. It brings some sunscreen agents to the party and makes sunscreen agents such as Avobenzone better. There's one other positive thing about Butyloctyl Salicylate, it makes the formula easy to spread that's why you can find it in some makeup formulas as well. Propanediol is also known as natural glycol - an alternative for propylene glycol. Propanediol is a solvent with additional moisturizing properties. It makes the product smooth to the touch. It can even improve the effectiveness of active ingredients. Propylheptyl Caprylate is an emollient that usually comes along with sun-protecting agents. 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. Isododecane is a light emollient, mostly used in hair products.
Caprylyl Methicone is an emollient and volatile silicone. Silicones are good for the skin since they work as occlusives - what they do is protect the skin from dehydration. Volatile silicones are evaporating from the skin, they won't get absorbed by the skin, that's why you shouldn't be scared. If you're allergic then the good news is that the chance of getting allergic reactions to silicones is ultra-tiny! Still, every skin reacts differently that's why it's better to test on your own what ingredient works better for you and then decide if you want it in your makeup (or skincare) or not. 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. Magnesium Sulfate or Epsom Salt is an ingredient with a history. The name Epsom Salt comes from the city Epsom in England, but you can call it bath salt as well. It works as a stabilizer. Triethoxycaprylylsilane helps to spread pigment evenly. 1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic solvent and preservative - it protects products from microorganisms by boosting other preservatives. At the same time, it can moisturize the skin, and it has no unpleasant effects on your epidermis. Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate is a water-in-oil emulsifier. Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer absorbs the sebum. Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is water in oil emulsifier. Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is a synthetic version of a mineral called Mica. This ingredient has a variety of uses - from thickener to create pigments. It reflects the light, and it's more delicate than regular mica. Lots of brands choose Synthetic Fluorphlogopite instead of Mica. Fragrance (Parfum) is a scent composition. It can cause allergic reactions.
Caprylyl Glycol is an oily emollient and humectant. It leaves a moisturizing film on the surface of the skin. Glyceryl Caprylate is a natural oily emollient and emulsifier. It creates a delicate film on the surface of the skin. It has some antimicrobial properties. Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative with subtle moisturizing and antimicrobial properties. Prunus Persica (Peach) Flower Extract has a simple task to moisturise the skin. Dicaprylyl Carbonate is an emollient. It makes your skincare products easy to apply to the skin. Iron Oxides(CI 77492) or Iron Oxide Yellow is a yellow pigment. Mica is a mineral, and it works as a pigment. It reflects light. There's a controversy around this ingredient - mining this ingredient isn't always going along with proper work conditions. Sodium Hyaluronate or sodium salt of hyaluronic acid. It's a form of hyaluronic acid and naturally occurs in the skin. Sodium Hyaluronate has strong water-binding properties. Sodium hyaluronate combined with elastin and collagen is like a scaffolding for the skin. It has hydrating properties and leaves a hydrating film on the skin, but sodium hyaluronate prevents skincare products from drying. Iron Oxides(CI 77491) or Iron Oxide Red is a red or even brownish red pigment with UV protection properties. Tocopherol is an antioxidant known as Vitamin E. It's an oil-soluble vitamin that fights free radicals and makes UVB protection and natural lipid barrier stronger. It's good to mix it with vitamin C for better effects. Oily skin might react with pore-clogging to vitamin E. It is not true that vitamin E works as a preservative or helps with scars. Iron Oxides(CI 77499) or Iron Oxide Black is a black pigment. Butylene Glycol is a common ingredient in products. It's not only a solvent. We use butylene glycol because it helps with the penetration of active ingredients, protects products from drying and moisturizes skin and hair. This ingredient can prevent hair loss and make your hair stronger. Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract is a source of carotene and group B vitamins. It has moisturizing and toning properties.
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
How does Klavuu Vegan Zinc Suncream work?
I have to admit that I didn't plan to test Klavuu's sunscreen. I knew this brand exist, but somehow I never really tried products from this brand even if I got some samples and the results were great. I was able to test this product thanks to Yesstyle. Lately, I see that there's a growth of sunscreens with only one sunscreen agent. When we see sunscreens we would like to get the best protection ever. We have two mineral sunscreens - Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Even if Titanium Dioxide is a common mineral sunscreen, Zinc Oxide has better protection since it covers UVB, UVA I and UVA II. Klavuu says that this formula contains 17% of Zinc Oxide and it's a non-nano sunscreen so it should cover the skin well. The lab test of Klavuu Zinc Sunscreen is SPF 93.6 ±18.2 & PFA 16.60±3.50, and it's one of the best results I've seen this year. Mineral sunscreens are a great choice for people with melasma or sensitive skin, but what I also want to mention - look at the ingredients, there are many iron oxides. Adding iron oxides to the formula helps with protection - that's also a reason why for people with melasma mineral makeup is recommended.
Anyway, it's good to add that Klavuu Vegan Zinc Suncream has 10% upcycled peach flower extract. What does that mean? Klavuu uses fallen peach flowers to get the extract. Flowers come from Cheongdo. The formula is safe for the reef.
Klavuu created a sunscreen that is supposed to protect the skin and moisture the skin. It's easy to apply, I even want to say that I prefer to use it over many chemical sunscreens because it spreads easily on the skin and it doesn't pill under the makeup. It works perfectly with my Sensai foundation. Klavuu had a great idea behind this sunscreen, it leaves my skin looking not that shiny for a long time. I swear, who needs a transparent powder to set the makeup during summer when you have Klavuu Vegan Zinc Suncream? The only thing I want to complain about is that this sunscreen is a great idea for acne-prone and oily skin types since your skin won't get oily easily, but for some people like me - this formula is not enough moisturizing. I can easily name you one more moisturizing formula with no chemical sun protecting ingredients in it - Axis-y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen (this one is also available on Yesstyle*). It's a good sunscreen, and a nice surprise, but in a long run I know my skin needs something more moisturizing. Still, I would give it another try since it works with makeup and oily skin.
Where to find Klavuu Vegan Zinc Suncream, and how much does it cost?
Klavuu Vegan Zinc Suncream is available on Yesstyle*. It costs $14.50/for 50ml so the price isn't that bad. Use my code BETWEENDOTS* to save on your next Yesstyle* order.
Overall, there are great mineral sunscreens on a market too so if you're a fan of mineral sunscreens, Klavuu might be a good choice for you, especially if your skin is oily.
Have you ever tried Klavuu before? What's your favourite sunscreen?
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*** This post was made in a collaboration with Yesstyle even though it still shows my personal opinion on the topic and product. This post contains affiliate links (**) - you don't have to use them, but I would be thankful if you can use my links and promocodes - they help me pay for domain and all cost related to blogging and sharing posts and photos with you. ***
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