Biossance is a beauty brand known for their use of sugarcane-derived squalane throughout their entire collection of skin care products, and their 100% non-nano, non-toxic mineral sunscreen is no exception.
The Biossance Sunscreen — formally known as Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen — is guaranteed to protect the skin without leaving behind a white cast like most mineral sunscreens. Its lightweight texture blends into all skin tones, leaving a soft, dewy finish.
Related: Best Sunscreens for face
But is the Biossance Sunscreen right for you? To help you decide, we’ll give you all the details on the key ingredients in this formula, as well as the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their use in skin care. We’ll also share some Biossance Sunscreen reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of this product.
Is Biossance Sunscreen Right For You?
Before we get into the details, here’s the TL;DR if you just want to know whether or not Biossance Sunscreen is right for you.
- Key ingredients? Zinc Oxide, Squalane, Water Lily Extract
- Skin type? All skin types
- Texture? Lightweight lotion
- Fragrance? No
- Cruelty free? Yes
- Cost? $30 USD for 1.7 oz (50 mL) and $42 USD for 3.38 oz (100 mL).
What Are The Key Ingredients in Biossance Sunscreen?
One thing we love about the Biossance Sunscreen is that it’s EWG-verified. When a product is verified by the EWG (Environmental Working Group), that means it’s free from chemicals and ingredients that are harmful to your health, such as endocrine disruptors, synthetic fragrances, formaldehyde releasers, and more.
Now that you know that Biossance Sunscreen doesn’t contain any chemicals that are harmful to your health, let’s take a look at the key ingredients in this formula and how they will benefit your skin.
Zinc Oxide
The active ingredient in Biossance Sunscreen is non-nano, reef-safe zinc oxide, a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens work by using physical UV filters to block or deflect the sun’s UV rays.
Physical sunscreens tend to be tolerated well by most skin types because they are not absorbed into the skin. Thus, they are especially useful for those with heat sensitive skin (i.e. rosacea patients) as well as those with acne-prone skin as they are typically less pore-clogging.
The 14% concentration of zinc oxide in the Biossance Sunscreen provides broad spectrum SPF 30 protection. According to the FDA, broad spectrum means that the sunscreen can protect you from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
You may be aware that physical sunscreens like zinc oxide can leave that dreaded white cast after application. However, Biossance Sunscreen is formulated to blend in for all skin tones fast without leaving a trace.
And based on the Biossance Sunscreen reviews, this is true, as one reviewer shares, “I love that it’s not white on your face and it goes on transparently.” A similar review says, “It goes on like a lovely face cream and the white disappears.”
Squalane
As we mentioned earlier, squalane is the key ingredient that you’ll find in all Biossance skin care products, including the Biossance Sunscreen. But what exactly is squalane? And how can it benefit your skin?
First, it’s important to know that your skin contains its own version of squalane known as squalene (note the e).
Squalene is the biochemical precursor to cholesterol and the whole family of steroid hormones in the human body. It’s produced by the oil glands in the skin, and plays an important role in skin lubrication and protection.
However, the amount made and retained in the skin decreases over time. It peaks in our teens and then starts to decline in our 20’s, leaving skin rough, dry, and vulnerable.
According to a publication in the journal Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, anticancer, antioxidant, detoxifying, skin hydrating, and emollient activities of both squalene and squalane have been reported both in animal models and in vitro environments.
Since squalene is very unstable, Biossance uses squalane because it’s a saturated and stable hydrocarbon that mimics squalene.
Historically, squalane has been obtained from shark livers. But as you can imagine, this is not sustainable or eco-friendly.
The good news is that Biossance obtains their squalane from 100% plant-based, renewable sugarcane, which is then bio-fermented to create a beautiful end result — highly stable, totally sustainable and eco-friendly squalane.
Squalane helps to replenish the skin’s lipid barrier, which is composed of corneocytes (dead skin cells) held together by mixtures of lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, squalene, etc.), according to a publication in the journal Dermatoendocrinology.
A strong, intact barrier is important to keep moisture in and keep things like allergens, bacteria, and irritants out. When the barrier is weakened, these intruders can pass through the top layer of skin, causing damage that ultimately leads to common skin conditions such as acne, rashes, sensitive skin, and even signs of aging.
Using the Biossance Sunscreen during the day is an excellent way to replenish your skin’s lipid barrier in order to prevent these problems while also preventing premature skin aging due to the sun’s UV rays.
Water Lily Extract
One unique ingredient in the Biossance Sunscreen is water lily extract, which contains tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and polysaccharides. These components provide a strong nourishing, moisturizing, and regenerating effect on the skin, which helps to cool and calm skin after UV exposure and heat stress.
How to Use Biossance Sunscreen?
Apply Biossance Sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure. It can be layered over a moisturizer or used in place of your moisturizer. It also works well underneath makeup.
Where to Buy Biossance Sunscreen?
Biossance Sunscreen and other Biossance skin care products are sold on the brand’s website (biossance.com), as well as several third party online retailers such as Sephora, HSN, and Amazon.
How Much is Biossance Sunscreen?
Biossance Sunscreen costs $30 USD for 1.7 oz (50 mL) and $42 USD for 3.38 oz (100 mL).
What is The Biossance Return Policy?
The Biossance return policy states, “If you are not completely satisfied with your Biossance purchase for any reason, you are able to return it for a refund within 60 days from ship date.”
Is Biossance Cruelty Free?
Biossance is cruelty free and the products are officially Leaping Bunny Certified. Leaping Bunny Certification means Biossance skin care products are free of animal testing at every stage of product development.
Is Biossance Sunscreen Vegan?
Yes, Biossance Sunscreen and all Biossance skin care products are vegan. Biossance products contain no animal ingredients or by-products in the manufacturing process or final product and no animal testing is involved in any part of the process
Biossance Sunscreen Reviews
Biossance Sunscreen reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive, with the product receiving an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars after nearly 1,000 customer reviews.
There are many 5-star reviews for Biossance Sunscreen from customers who love that it feels great on the skin and doesn’t leave a white cast.
For example, one very positive review says, “This is probably the best sunscreen/ facial product I own. Being an African American finding sunscreen that doesn’t make you look ghostly is impossible so when I saw this on IG I had to try it! I’m so glad I did.”
And another 5-star Biossance Sunscreen review says, “Wonderful — not greasy yet moisturizing!! This left no white cast either on my skin.”
However, there are a handful of negative reviews for the Biossance Sunscreen, which are mostly from customers who experienced adverse reactions like burning and itching after using this product.
For example, one review says, “I had a bad reaction to this. I have combination skin, can be sensitive at times. I loved the way it felt on my skin at first. But after I stepped out in the sun my face turned so bad around my mouth and under my right eye. Had rashes.”
And a similar Biossance Sunscreen review says, “I used this product twice; both times I had facial swelling and horrible itching and redness.”
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that Biossance Sunscreen is formulated well, and we’d recommend this product if you’re looking for a clean 100% mineral sunscreen.
Pros
- 100% non-nano, non-toxic mineral sunscreen that provides broad spectrum SPF 30 protection
- Formula also includes beneficial supporting ingredients, such as squalane and water lily extract
- Formula is fragrance free
- Unlike most mineral sunscreens, the Biossance Sunscreen doesn’t leave a white cast
- EWG-verified product
- Many positive Biossance Sunscreen reviews
- Biossance is cruelty free
Cons
- A few Biossance Sunscreen reviews mention side effects like itching, swelling, and redness
What Are Some Alternatives to Biossance Sunscreen?
If you’re looking for skin care products to address the signs of aging, one brand we recommend is Formulyst. Formulyst maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in clinically advanced skin care solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin.
For example, Formulyst’s Anti-Aging Concentrate can help to address multiple signs of aging at once. This serum contains natural ingredients like squalane, green tea, vitamin C, and vitamin E, which provide powerful antioxidant activity to protect the skin against environmental free radicals that are known to degrade collagen. In addition, this serum contains Matrixyl 3000, a peptide complex that works to restore and maintain the skin’s youthful appearance by signaling to cells to produce more collagen.
Another brand that balances the power of plants with cutting edge science is Carrot & Stick. Not only is Carrot & Stick good for your skin, it is also good for the environment as the formulas skip harmful chemicals commonly found in skincare products.
References:
FDA “Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun”
Dermatoendocrinol. 2009 Mar-Apr; 1(2): 72–76.
