Sintra Naturals Mineral Sunscreen – Skin Protection The Eco-Friendly Way

Overall Rating:

4.8/5

Effective Protection = 5.0

Value For Money = 4.7

Ease Of Use = 4.8

White Film On Skin = 4.7

For me, protecting my skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun is important. But I also want to protect the environment. So I decided to switch to eco-friendly sunscreen.

The UV filters that most commonly available sunscreens in the UK use are chemical or organic ones. Many studies have shown that these sunscreens are quite harmful to aquatic life.

As stopping to use sun protection isn’t an option, I did extensive research and found that inorganic sunscreens using non-nano mineral UV filters are the most eco-friendly alternative around.

In this Sintra Naturals mineral sunscreen review, I share my experience with their vegan mineral sun cream.

Sintra Naturals – Who Are They?

For us here at EcoHomeLife, finding the right eco-friendly sun protection starts with finding the right company to buy from. There are two main criteria: the company should be based in the UK or at least Europe, where they also produce their products.

And they have to put sustainability at the heart of what they do.

Sintra Naturals are such a company. Founded in 2020 by Geethika, because she couldn’t find skincare products without synthetic ingredients and additives for her newborn baby who was allergic to the shop-bought products.

Having grown up in India, she was used to using natural ingredients in her personal care routine. So she decided to learn how to make natural skincare products and set up a business selling them.

Apart from sunscreen, Sintra Naturals also makes soaps, shampoo and conditioner bars, hand and facial creams, and much more. All of it is handmade in the UK using only 100% natural ingredients.

The packaging they use is plastic-free and either recyclable or biodegradable. One thing I love is that they don’t brand the tins they use, so it’s easier for customers to reuse them. The sticker can easily be removed.

This is my kind of thinking, because it shows they really do put sustainability at the heart of what they do.

So let’s see how their mineral sunscreen measures up.

First Impressions – Thicker Cream & Pleasant Scent

As I have never used a pure mineral sunscreen, I didn’t know what to expect. The first thing I did after opening the tin was smell it. I’m not keen on the smell of sun cream, as the chemical ones I used to apply had this unnatural, chemical scent to them.

And it stayed on my skin even after showering, which I wasn’t keen on. So I was really pleased to find that the Sintra Naturals mineral sun cream only had a faint scent and it was very pleasant.

Not sure how to describe it, but it smelt natural rather than chemical. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that there aren’t any chemical ingredients in the sunscreen.

The next thing I noticed was that the cream was thicker than the chemical sun creams I used before. The texture was also more coarse, but not gritty. It’s more the consistency of a body butter.

Again, this is down to the fact that there aren’t any inactive ingredients that change the consistency.

It did make it a bit more difficult to rub in the cream, but not much. And I much rather avoid harmful sunscreen ingredients, even if it makes it less creamy.

Once I applied the Sintra Naturals mineral sunscreen, I did notice a slight white film on my skin. That’s because the zinc oxide, the mineral UV filter used, doesn’t just reflect UV rays but also visible light.

Working the cream more into your skin will get rid of the whiteness, though. So it’s a question of taking enough time to rub it in properly.

Just one more thing, the sunscreen came delivered in a cardboard box with what looked like polystyrene nuts. But when I did some research, I found they were made of corn starch. They are completely compostable, or you can dissolve them under water.

I tried it and it worked great. I love this, because it shows they have thought of everything.

All in all, my first impressions of the Sintra Naturals broad spectrum mineral sunscreen were excellent.

Effective Sun Protection

Probably the main factor in whether I would recommend this sun cream is how effective it is at protecting my skin from UV light.

The absorbance of UV radiation is the main aim of any sun protection product. This is done by using UV filters that form a protective layer on the skin, absorbing any UV rays.

The difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens is that the UV filters are made from different materials: synthetic chemicals versus minerals.

One of the advantages of mineral UV filters is that they absorb UVA and UVB radiation, which means they provide broad-spectrum protection. (Serpone et al., 2005)

This is the best protection, because it doesn’t just stop you from getting a sunburn, but also from long-term harm. Zinc oxide, the mineral filter used in Sintra Naturals’ sunscreen, absorbs UVB and UVA radiation.

It’s used in non-nano form, which is the most eco-friendly form we currently have. (Wong et al., 2020) So far, so good.

Having quite fair skin that burns very easily, this is where it gets real for me. I tested the sunscreen in various scenarios. First, I put it on for my morning run. It was glorious sunshine, so sun protection was definitely necessary. I was out for about 30 minutes.

With SPF 30, I should be able to be in the sun for about 150 minutes, so half an hour should be no problem at all. That said, because I was sweating a lot, the protection probably wouldn’t last as long.

I’m really pleased to report, my skin was fully protected and I didn’t catch the sun at all. No redness and no tanning (this means all UV rays were absorbed by the cream rather than let through to my skin).

Next, I did some work in the garden, which meant I was mostly in the sun, but sometimes also in the shade. I was out there for about two hours. Although I didn’t sweat as much as on my run, I did get quite warm.

Again, the Sintra Naturals’ mineral sunscreen protected me well from the sun’s UV radiation.

The biggest test came when I went to my archery beginners course. Standing in the glaring sun for over two hours, not moving too much. I was a bit nervous, but at the end of the day, there were no signs of redness, so my skin was, again, well protected.

My only complaint is that they only offer SPF 30, which only allows me to enjoy the sun for about 2 and a half hours. Less if I do something that makes me sweat.

I normally buy SPF 50 as this gives me over four hours in the sun. Not that I normally spend that much time in the sun, as I usually sit in the shade. But if I’m doing an activity where shade isn’t an option, it’s good to know my skin is protected.

So I would love to see an SPF 50 eco-friendly sunscreen from Sintra Naturals.

Leaves Nourished Skin That Feels Soft

One other thing I want to mention in my Sintra Naturals mineral sunscreen review is how it made my skin feel. Apart from the UV filter, the sun cream also contains a few natural ingredients that nourish the skin.

The main ingredient is mangifera indica seed butter (mango), which moisturises and nourishes the skin. Other nourishing ingredients include rubus idaeus seed oil (raspberry), vitis vinifera seed oil (grape) and arrowroot powder.

Even after washing off the cream, my skin felt soft and nourished for another day. This is great, because it means that not only do you protect your skin, but you also care for it.

Another ingredient is laminaria ochroleuca extract (golden kelp), which apparently has anti-ageing properties. I’m not worried about getting and looking older, but I know other people do worry about their skin ageing, so I thought I’d mention it here.

One thing that I’m always nervous about is using any product on my face, because my skin doesn’t react well to most skincare products. I’m using a moisturiser and cleanser that was recommended by a dermatologist years ago.

Whenever I tried something different, my skin started to get red and dry to the point where, in some places, mainly around my eyes, it started bleeding. So putting sun cream on my face is always a concern.

The good news is that the Sintra Naturals mineral sunscreen doesn’t irritate my face. I have used it for a few weeks now, and my skin feels fine afterwards. That’s a relief, because it means I can confidently protect my skin from the sun without worrying.

I put it down to the fact that they only use natural ingredients, which is better for sensitive skin types like mine. So if you too have sensitive skin, try this sunscreen.

It also means that you can use it for daily protection, without worrying about any nasty chemicals that could harm you or the environment.

Affordable Sunscreen That Protects Our Environment

One criteria when you look to switch to an eco-friendly product is always price. If you compare this mineral sun protection with a chemical one, you will find it’s more expensive.

There is no way around this fact, and I’m not going to try to find one. But the reason for this is that synthetic ingredients are much cheaper than natural ones. Also, big corporations like Nivea or Garnier can buy much bigger quantities than small companies like Sintra Naturals.

This means they can get even cheaper prices for their ingredients. So rather than making a straight price comparison, I prefer to look at what you get for your money.

While both mineral and chemical sunscreens will protect you from the sun’s UV radiation, the chemical one is much more likely to irritate your skin. That’s because it contains a host of synthetic chemical additives, such as fragrances, preservatives, fillers, and many more.

Because the chemical UV filters are absorbed by the skin, they can reach different parts of your body. (Matta et al., 2020) Which means more ways they can cause irritation and allergies.

On the other hand, mineral UV filters are less likely to irritate your skin or cause allergies. (Ekstein et al., 2023) That’s because in non-nano form they won’t get absorbed by the skin.

Then, of course, there is the environmental impact. The reason you’re considering switching to this mineral sunscreen is because you want to live a more sustainable life, I assume.

Mineral UV filters in non-nano form are the most eco-friendly way to protect your skin from the sun. (Schneider et al., 2018) And combined with 100% natural ingredients, it’s the best thing you can do to protect your skin while also protecting the environment.

Chemical UV filters have shown to be harmful to aquatic life. (Caloni et al., 2021) Even the ones that are advertised as coral reef safe, because they don’t contain certain chemical UV filters, aren’t necessarily marine life safe.

Because they might still harm marine life other than coral reefs. Only pure mineral sunscreens that don’t contain synthetic ingredients can be classed as eco-friendly and safe for the environment.

Finally, I compare the Sintra Naturals mineral sunscreen with other pure mineral sun creams available in the UK. This is a much fairer comparison, and it does well, being one of the cheapest you can get.

So, all things considered, you will get an affordable sunscreen that protects your skin and our planet.

Sintra Naturals Customer Reviews

Before I buy a new product, I like to see what other customers thought of it. My review will give you my experience, but it’s always reassuring to know that others were also happy.

While Sintra Naturals isn’t on Trustpilot, they are on Judge.me, another independent review site. They have a 4.9-star rating out of 5 from over 200 reviews. 98% of which have given them 5 stars.

Although only 2.5% of all the reviews are for the sunscreen, they are all 5-star reviews. These happy customers agree with me that the sunscreen is effective in protecting their skin from the sun’s UV radiation.

I was reassured to try this product based on the rigorous research and attention to detail, and was also motivated by the ethics of the business, and also the amazing customer service.

The suncream itself is absolutely perfect, so effective and easy to use. Would not hesitate to recommend.

Thank you!

5-Star Review by Beth on Judge.me

They also noticed that if not properly rubbed in, it can leave a white film.

Overall, people love the ethos of Sintra Naturals and how effective their products are. Many also mention that they have sensitive skin and that these products work perfectly for them.

Some people have said that some products are too greasy or too thick, so they use them for different things than initially intended. But nobody has said they won’t buy again, which is very reassuring.

Verdict Of My Sintra Naturals Mineral Sunscreen Review

I have now come to the end of my review of Sintra Naturals‘ mineral sunscreen, and I can confidently say that I would recommend it to anyone looking to switch to eco-friendly sun protection.

It provides broad spectrum UV protection and only contains natural ingredients. It uses the mineral UV filter zinc oxide for maximum effectiveness, as it protects you from UVB, as well as short and long UVA radiation.

No synthetic ingredients that could irritate your skin, so it’s a sunscreen suitable for all skin types, but especially for sensitive ones.

While it can leave a white film on your skin if you don’t rub it in properly, this can be solved easily. The only real drawback for me is that they only offer SPF 30, when I would like to see SPF 50.

The sunscreen comes in a recyclable aluminium tin and cardboard box, so there is no waste.

Protect your skin with this sunscreen and reduce your environmental impact.