Product Review: SmartShield Serious Sun Protection Eco-Friendly Gel

The Product

SmartShield Serious Sun Protection Eco-Friendly Gel

The Claim to Fame

This High-Tech SPF 30 sunscreen gel has a Cooling Alcohol base; great for people who have oily skin or acne. Aloe Vera gel is moisturizing and healing to the skin. This fragrance-free formula won’t clog pores, never feels greasy and is waterproof for up to eighty minutes.*

Where to Find It

SmartShield Sun Care products are sold in outdoor stores and specialty shops throughout North America, and you can find your closest store by entering your ZIP code in the Smart Shield Store Locator. Or, you can just order through the website.

Kristen’s Opinion

I’m usually pretty positive in my product reviews, but I honestly could not find one thing I liked about this product once I used it. The CONCEPT was great: oil-free, cooling, dries quickly, waterproof, eco-friendly — all good things. But then I put it on and it was like rubbing hand sanitizer into my face. I actually choked from the powerful fumes, which I assume were the result of the alcohol base, and then before I even finished rubbing it in it started balling up on me. Like, imagine when you were a kid and you rubbed Elmer’s Glue between your fingers and you got those little glue boogers. Now imagin that on your face. That’s what it was like.

So needless to say, I wasn’t too pleased. And THEN I tried it a second time when I went to King’s Dominion, and as soon as it got wet — not even in the water park but just on the log flume, it started PEELING OFF like when you spread the Elmer’s Glue on your finger as a kid and then peeled it off like a snakeskin. I am NOT a fan. Sorry, SmartShield.

Who Will Love It

Um, well, if you like “waterproof” sunblock that peels off the moment it gets within spitting distance of water, then this will be the best thing that ever happened to you. Otherwise, I can’t recommend this product to anyone.

(image: courtesy of SmartShield)

Contents © Copyright 2008 Kristen King

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