Quick Summary:
Date Tested: 2/04/2023
In this Blue Lizard Sheer SPF 50+ sunscreen lotion review, I find the hype about this sunscreen doesn’t seem live up to the results.
The Blue Lizard sunscreen has been recommended to me several times over the course of my sunscreen testing career (of just over 1 year ha!), because everyone seems to like it. Apparently, it feels great and supposedly works really well to boot. But I always get these vibes of non-trust when everything I hear sounds so enthusiastic…I mean people were raving about the Biore Aqua Rich products which ended up being all talk with no follow through. Anyways, I was excited to finally get a hold of this sunscreen for testing (Thanks again Helen!).
The Blue Lizard Sheer SPF 50+ is a formulation which uses the mineral based UV filters of Titanium Dioxide at 9% and Zinc Oxide at 6%.
Testing showed the Sheer SPF 50+ reduced UVI by 81.58%, filtered UVA by 81.91%, and blocked UVB by 75.94%. For an SPF 50+, this sunscreen performs like an SPF 30, pretty disappointing.
Blue Lizard Sheer SPF 50+ sunscreen lotion ingredients
Active ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 9%, Zinc Oxide 6%
Inactive Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alumina, Aluminum Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carcia Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dimethoxydiphenylsilane/Triethoxycaprylylsilane Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladderwrack) Extract, Gamma-Nonalactone, Gingko Biloba (Ginkgo) Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Isostearyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Purified Water, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil, Sea Water, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Isostearate, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Triethyl Citrate, and Xanthan GumDodecylbenzenesulfonate, Disodium Edta
Manufacturers Website: www.bluelizardsunscreen.com
Blue Lizard Sheer SPF 50+ sunscreen lotion characteristics at a glance:
- Dermatologist recommended broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 50+ – Mineral active Zinc Oxide provides broad spectrum protection
- Sheer mineral sunscreen – Rubs in smooth and dries clear for sheer mineral sun protection
- Reduces Risk of Skin Aging – Prevents signs of aging caused by UV sun rays and fights free radicals with cucumber and papaya extracts
- Nourishes Skin – Super blend of hydrating shea butter, antioxidants, and vitamin E
- Water resistant and sweat resistant – Up to 80 minutes water resistant so you stay protected longer
- Paraben-free and fragrance-free – Contains no fragrances or parabens, to reduce the chance of skin irritation
- Contains no Oxybenzone and no Octinoxate to help protect delicate coral reefs
- Viscosity is runny
Prepared slide ready for testing
The Blue Lizard Sheer SPF 50+ lotion is runny, as evidenced by the lotion buildup on the outer edges of the coverslip.
You can see where the magnetic vice pressure area (in the center of the slide) has left a very thin layer of the sunscreen. The thin viscosity of this lotion will probably translate to uneven protection in real life use.
Below are the results from 2 hours of testing in my UV testing station.
Blue Lizard Sheer SPF 50+ UV blocking test results
Ultraviolet light quick reference:
UVA: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 315nm – 400nm. The “Aging UV light” – Causes wrinkles.
UVB: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 280nm – 315nm. The “Bad UV light” – Causes skin cancer.
UVI: The global sun UV index. The more a sunscreen can reduce the level of UVI, the better.
UV test results:
Ultraviolet sensor readings:
| Before Sunscreen | After Sunscreen | % UV Blocked | |
| TEMP | 75.59 | 73.93 | |
| UVA | 27116 | 4906.5 | 81.91% |
| UVB | 1353 | 325.5 | 75.94% |
| UVI | 15.91 | 2.93 | 81.58% |
Want to know more about how I test sunscreen? Head here to read about the details.
Testing notes:
I have high regard for value, I want a low price with high performance. I also want fanfare to match the results. Unfortunately, this sunscreen performs poorly for its rating, doesn’t live up to the hype, and well, costs a lot. It is the opposite of a good value.
This sunscreen gets a big Meh from me.
MEH.
Want to try the Blue Lizard Sheer SPF 50+ sunscreen lotion?
If you want SPF 30 performance from an SPF 50, this is it. Meh.
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