Best sunblock review: Keys Solar Rx
Thursday, 1 November 2007
Woot! I’ve finally got my hands on Keys Solar Rx SPF30+, the safest and most effective broad spectrum UVA and UVB 100% vegan sunblock with the ability to protect my face from UV radiation while using no harmful man-made chemicals, fragrances or preservatives.
And I honestly think that paying US$19.95 for the 100ml broad-spectrum sunscreen with 16 percent uncoated nano-zinc oxide is quite a steal. I mean that price for a sunblock featured on the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Report as the safest, as well as rated the most effective non-waterproof sunblock for UVA and UVB in the Consumer Reports July issue? You may also like to know that zinc oxide is the best sunscreen ingredient according to this rating compiled by Environmental Protection Agency.
Like what I wrote earlier, what’s great about Keys Solar Rx SPF 30+ Sunblock is that it is transparent on the skin when applied because of the cosmetically clear transparent nano-zinc oxide and hence, can be worn under moisturizer and makeup beautifully without leaving any white cast.
But I realized that the all-natural formula which includes over 84% organic contents like avocado, black cumin, carrot seed oil, and shea butter is rather emollient. Thus, I only need a tiny bit of it or my face will feel too greasy and my makeup will become streaky. The sunblock also has a rather sharp scent which needs getting used to.
Still, I’m happy with my synthetic-chemical-free Keys Solar Rx SPF30+ Sunblock because the low health hazard product with high UV protection gives me total peace of mind! Completely!
Keys Soap Solar RX Therapeutic Sunblock, SPF 30 
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Posted in Face, Organic/Natural, Sunscreen, VivaReviews | 22 Comments »
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November 3rd, 2007 at 12:31 pm
[...] Viva Woman reviews Keys Solar Rx. [...]
November 3rd, 2007 at 3:58 pm
[...] Beauty and Fashion Tech is giving away MAC’s Antiquitease Collection. Viva Woman reviews Keys Solar Rx. Temptalia has a thorough review of the MAC Curiositease [...]
November 3rd, 2007 at 5:50 pm
[...] Viva Woman reviews Keys Solar Rx. [...]
November 3rd, 2007 at 7:01 pm
[...] Viva Woman reviews Keys Solar Rx. [...]
November 4th, 2007 at 12:30 am
[...] Beauty and Fashion Tech is giving away MAC’s Antiquitease Collection. Viva Woman reviews Keys Solar Rx. Temptalia has a thorough review of the MAC Curiositease [...]
November 4th, 2007 at 2:03 am
[...] Save Our Skin! Viva Woman reviews Keys Solar Rx. [...]
November 4th, 2007 at 5:47 am
[...] Viva Woman reviews Keys Solar Rx. [...]
November 5th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
where did you get it, sesame?
Doris: Direct from Keys. Click on the link in my entry and you’ll find the website.
November 12th, 2007 at 12:39 am
[...] I am not as keen on the product anymore probably because I now have Keys Solar Rx SPF30+. But I will likely still purchase it for my kid since it looks like the 2007 formulation is now [...]
November 12th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Wow.. now.. should I get one for myself too??
ZM: How’s your Badger? You like it?
November 24th, 2007 at 6:52 am
[...] I know. It’s pretty mind boggling. Well, for now, I’m happy to stick to my safest sunblock although I won’t be using 1/4 of a teaspoon for sure. But I’ll attempt to [...]
April 12th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
hey babe, thanks for putting up places to buy mineral make-up. (=
hmm how did you purchase the solar rx the other time? i just tried the website and it claims tt there are no shipping options for my address (singapore!)
and how long did it take you when you bought it? thx!
chenyze: You’re welcome! About Solar RX, I bought it direct from keys-soap.com – use the link here. I just checked and they still have shipping to Singapore. I used vPOST the last time though cos I found the shipping rates expensive plus I had other items coming from other online shops.
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:30 am
[...] earlier entry about Mexoryl sunscreens no longer holds water. And my second thoughts are, my Keys Solar RX SPF30 Sunblock is good and I can junk my Mexoryl chemical [...]
June 10th, 2008 at 4:45 am
I would embrace this product as well, except for the fact that nanoparticles have not been well studied and we don’t really know what effect they may be having on us if they are entering the body through the derma, and if this is a problem… I wish there was more literature available but I don’t think there has been much clinical testing. This would be a great column for you to write if you do a bit of research.
Kate: Yup, I know where you’re coming from. For me, I think I’ve gone over that mental threshold and hence, I am using it. Well, I will cover something about the technology if I can find anything substantial in future.
June 27th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
A quote from “Sunscreen Photobiology—Molecular, Cellular and Physiological Aspects”
“Illumination of titanium dioxide suspensions with sunlight can degrade organic materials and purify drinking water, while illumination with short wave UV kills human cells. This work shows that the distinction between ‘chemical’ sunscreens and ‘physical’ sunscreens, attractive though it may be to those who market them, is not based on any significant difference. Both varieties have the potential to produce reactive species that can attack biological materials (human skin cells) when they are exposed to normal sunlight… What is established is that particles of titanium dioxide as large as 220 nm can enter human cells in culture, and so it seems entirely plausible that if titanium dioxide does pass through skin it could enter cells under the skin (carrying with it the absorbed UVA and UVB radiation and hydroxyl radicals).”
“The shocking truth is the fact that both chemical sunscreens (avobenzone, methoxycinnamate, padimate-o and the like) and physical sunblocks (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) have been found to generate free radicals when exposed to sunlight, which then can attack the nuclei of your skin cells and cause mutations.”
June 27th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Quote from Leslie Baumann book Cosmetic Dermatology:
“One problem however with physical sunscreens is that they may produce oxygen free radicals at their surface when irridiated. The photoreactivity of metal oxides has been extensively studied, and it even has been suggested that photoactive metal oxides may initiate deleterious events in the skin.”
“TiO2 even damages DNA in invitro studies”
“Most companies minimize the photoreactivity of these agents by coating the surface with dimethicone or silicone.”
kareny: Thanks for your informative quotes. These are certainly something to consider but you may also like to know that even bare skin will generate free radicals when exposed to UV radiation. My understanding is zinc oxide and titanium dioxide do not penetrate the stratum corneum so easily. In addition, it might help to look out for formulations of physical sunscreens that are fortified with antioxidants to help reduce the potential radical damage.
As a whole, I still prefer physical sunscreens over chemical sunscreens. Even my dermatologist recommended the former. I also like to add that, ingredients and types of sunscreen has been widely debated but most probably, no one has a clear cut answer to what is the safest and most effective sun protection.
July 5th, 2008 at 12:56 am
[...] out how some of the products stack up, you might want to check out my reviews of them as follows: Product review on Keys Soap Solar Rx Therapeutic Sunblock Product review on Lavera SPF40 Neutral Sunblock Product review on Badger Sunscreen SPF30 Product [...]
July 8th, 2008 at 12:29 am
I bought this product after reading positive reviews online. After using it for a couple months, the pump failed and I was not able to extract the remaining ~80% of sunscreen. The company never replied to my subsequent emails. Caveat emptor.
N8: Oh, what a shame! I would be so annoyed too! Anyway you can ply open the can?
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:25 am
[...] just realized recently that my Keys Soap Solar RX Sunblock is expiring soon in October and I still have some of it left! I checked my other sunscreens and [...]
September 30th, 2008 at 2:00 am
Hi,
I find your blog incredibly helpful.
My wife is very fair and most sunscreens do little for her time out in the sun. Also, since we live in Southern California and she has just hit 30, we are both concerned about photo-aging.
I like the Zinc products. Is Keys product enough for a very fair-skinned person? Is there a higher SPF out there? Also what about something that is water-insoluble for those beach trips.
Thanks.
Ed: Hi! Welcome and I’m so glad you find the info here useful.
Keys Solar Rx is good for daily use as the zinc oxide content is rather high. The SPF does not matter that much because the difference between SPF 50 & SPF 30 is minimal. You can read my article here for a better understanding of that if you like. What is needed is actually frequent re-application for it to be effective.
However, Keys Solar Rx is not something I would recommend for water sports. For that, go for something that is water resistant. If you want something with zinc oxide, then Badger SPF30 might be good as it is said to be water resistant for up to 40 mins. I’ve tried that product and found the formulation too oily but I think it might good for water sports though. I myself am using a chemical based one from La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL 50+ for water sports usage.
I also heard the Blue Lizard range from Australia is good. I haven’t had a chance to try them but you might want to check it up where you are.
November 11th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
[...] regular sunscreen I’m using, Keys Solar Rx SPF30+, contains nano zinc oxide. I’ve been using it with a clear knowledge that there are some [...]
June 11th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
[...] 3. Keys Soap Solar Rx Sunblock SPF 30 This all-natural formula ranks as one of my favorites except for the fact that it contains 16% uncoated nano-zinc oxide. However, because of the nano particles, Keys Solar Rx is ideal for everyday use as a foundation for makeup or alone. The organic content of avocado, black cumin, carrot seed oil, and shea butter is rather emollient and so it is not possible to apply too much of this. It used to be the at the top of the EWG best sunscreen list but has since, moved to the 4th position. You can read my review here. [...]