Baby Blanklet Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Stick

Baby Blanklet Sunscreen Stick with Zinc Oxide SPF 45+

A few weeks ago, I received the Baby Blanklet Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Stick with SPF 45+ from Baby Blanklet Suncare and have been happily applying it on my son.  He hates sunscreen but he loves this and calls it glue!  So it makes it real easy for application because he doesn’t resist.  Plus it helps that this is a non-sticky and non-greasy formula.  In fact, I rather like it for myself especially since I love sunscreen sticks in general because I find them handy and convenient.

In fact, I’ve been carrying the La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Stick Protection SPF50+ in my bag and it’s a godsend for my hands especially when I’m driving and desperately need to shield them from the oppressive sun! A pity though that it’s a chemical sunscreen so I don’t use it as much as I like to.  So The Baby Blanklet Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Stick is definitely something I welcome.

Contains 15% Zinc Oxide
It helps that this sunscreen stick does not leave much of a whitecast on our pale faces despite the 15% Zinc Oxide content. However, on our arms, which are darker, the whitecast is rather visible especially when I apply more of it.  It’s also true that this formula is water resistant and I had to make sure I cleanse well for my son and myself after using this on our faces. 

Baby Blanklet Sunscreen Stick Ingredients

Active ingredients
In addition, the Baby Blanklet Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Stick is said to be dermatologist tested, non-stinging, hypoallergenic, and para-free.  But besides the 15% Zinc Oxide, it actually contains other chemical sunscreen ingredients, though these are of a lower percentage – Octinoxate (7.5%), Octocrylene (6.0%), and Oxybenzone (3.0%).  I’m actually very uncomfortable with using suncreens containing Oxybenzone and I would avoid them as far as possible.  However, I gave this a shot since it’s only 3% plus I only use this once in a while.  But I would definitely consider using this on a longer term basis if it only contains Zinc Oxide of a higher percentage.

Zinc-Oxide-Octinoxate-Oxybenzone-Octocrylene
Data extracted from Environmental Protection Agency

Inactive ingredients 
The other ingredients in this sunscreen stick include: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ceresin, Cetyl Lactate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Dimethicone, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Octyldodecanol, Beeswax, Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Propylparaben, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E Acetate), VP/Hexadecene Copolymer.  Most of these ingredients don’t bother me that much except perhaps dimethicone but I doubt the percentage is high enough for much concern.

Summary
Overall, I like the Baby Blanklet Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Stick with SPF45+ because it is a handy item to bring along outdoors.  I see a pro and a con with using a sunscreen stick – because it is a stick, you may not be applying enough of it to enjoy the SPF45+ protection but because it is in the form of a stick, it makes reapplication so much easier which is very important to get sufficient protection.   However, I really wish the formulation can be changed to at least omit the 3% Oxybenzone which could be an issue for some folks.  Actually, a 20% Zinc Oxide sunscreen stick would be wonderful in my opinion.

Availability
In Singapore, the Baby Blanklet Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Stick SPF45+ is available for S$17 at Mothercare, Mothers Work, Isetan and Singapore Zoo. Outside of Singapore, you can easily obtain this suncreen stick online for US$5.99.

Comments

  1. Jasmine says:

    Sorry to ask but it’s SPF 45+, right, so it’s lacking in protection compared to those which are +++, is that correct?

    I’m quite unsure what’s the best ingredient out there that can give triple protection like that … is it Zinc Oxide? I’d hate to spend a bomb on a sunscreen that provides this high protection (Fancl), do you have recommendations for a cheap and high protection one? Should I even be worrying about how many plus signs there are?

  2. sesame says:

    Jasmine: The +++ is the Japanese sunscreen PA system and only applies to Japanese brands eg. Shiseido, Fancl or Kose, etc. This one is American and so they don’t use that standard. The only way to gauge if it’s broad spectrum is by the active ingredients and yes, this one offers good broad spectrum protection going by that.

    At the moment, for mineral or physical sunscreens, zinc oxide is the best ingredient but it should have at least 16% to be effective. Otherwise, it should be in combination with other ingredients like titanium dioxide.

    For chemical sunscreens, the best is Mexoryl (from L’oreal, Vichy, La Roche-Posay) based on my experience. Some say Tinosorb which can be found in Avene’s or Eucerin sunscreen is also photostable.

    Cheap ones – Biore UV Perfect is not bad but it contains alcohol if you’re bothered by it. But check it out – maybe they changed the new formulations I’m not too sure. Another one I often hear but I have not tried is from Blue Lizard which contains zinc oxide. But if you’re in Singapore like me, then this is not available from the stores.

  3. Amy says:

    hi sesame , can this sunblock use on adult face ? Do you know where in Malaysia can I get this sunblock ? Thanks .

  4. sesame says:

    Yes, adults can use this too but it doesn’t seem to be available in Malaysia though. You might have to get it online if you’re interested.

  5. Amy says:

    thanks for the fast response ?

  6. Jasmine says:

    Thanks so much, I was getting confused by why some sunscreens have +++ and others don’t have a single one. Your answer is really thorough, right now I’m alternating between Sunplay and relying on the SPF30 of my BB cream (BRTC Jasmine Water, haha). For a period of time I was using Lancome’s Neurowhite SPF 50, but it’s very greasy.

    I’ll check out Biore UV Perfect soon! Thank you so much for the thorough, wonderful answer ?

  7. sesame says:

    You’re welcome. ?

  8. sesame says:

    You’re welcome. ? Hope you’ll find a sunscreen that’ll work for you soon.

  9. Jocelyn says:

    I’ve just “liked” (FB) Badger’s sunblock cos they wrote a whole article on physical block using zinc oxide, the non nano kind, even though they feel the nano zinc is fine and they just opt not to use them. I am surprise they use chemical block. My hubby also loves doing his thing in the sun, so I’m looking into a natural block. Some oils like raspberry seed oil has something like SPF 20, that looks promising, But thank you for such an informative article. ?

  10. Sesame says:

    Glad you enjoy the article. ?

  11. Rachel says:

    Hi i know this is a rather old post but im really interested in this but im pretty confused with something: If this sunscreen is broad spectrum how come it only contains zinc oxide and not titanium oxide? Does the zinc oxide block out both the UVA and UVBs?? Please help, thanks!!

  12. Sesame says:

    Zinc Oxide blocks out both UVA and UVB. Titanium dioxide only blocks out UVB and partial UVA.

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