Month: June 2019

Kopari Deodorant Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 3 Comments

Kopari deodorant is vegan, and baking soda-, silicone-, aluminum- and paraben-free that claims to use an invisible, non-sticky formula that reduces odor (even on long days) and soothes and hydrates the underarms.

Ingredients: Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Water, Sodium Stearate, Fragrance (Parfum), Saccharomyces Ferment, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Caproyl/Lauroyl Lactylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Silica, Glyceryl Caprylate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Glycerin, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Juice, Sodium Anisate, Glyceryl Laurate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Citric Acid

Fragrance is the fifth ingredient; pretty high on the list. Saccharomyces ferment is high in amino acids and minerals and can hydrate and soothe the skin. This has coconut oil (hydrating and is naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial), coconut water and coconut fruit juice near the end of the ingredient list.

I have been using Routine Cream natural deodorant for a couple years now and since running out a month ago, decided to try the Kopari deodorant in the original coconut scent.

Directions state to glide on the underarms.

I’ve been using generally artificial fragrance-free skincare and deodorant lately and when I first smelled the deodorant from Kopari I did not like it; kind of like a strong, fake flowery, bubblegum scent with maybe a hint of coconut. If coconut was not on the label, I would not know it was supposed to smell like coconut milk. Under the arms, on application, the scent changes a bit and it smells less flowery as it mixes with the body chemistry I guess. Before using the deodorant myself, I read a number of reviews that mentioned an almost “swamp smell” under the arms when using this product. I did not find that to be the case for me. It took me a couple days to get used to the scent and now I actually quite like it. If you are sensitive to fragrance, this may be too strong.

I use three swipes of the deodorant. It goes on clear and glides on very smoothly. It takes a minute to dry. If too much is used, it will feel sticky and wet. As this is a deodorant and not an antiperspirant, there will be moisture from sweat. It does not leave marks or stains on clothes. The scent (with fade over the day) lasts from when I apply in the morning to when I go to bed at night (about 18 hours) in an unconditioned office setting without reapplication. I applied before going to the gym and the scent of the deodorant was still there on finishing my workout. The deodorant worked well on hiking outside in 25°C weather. My underarms had no odor nor did it smell like there was body odor just covered up. I often get hot and sweaty while sleeping at night, so apply this before going to bed and can still smell the deodorant in the morning (this is the only deodorant that has worked for me during the night thus far).

Last night I applied the Kopari deodorant before going to sleep and did not reapply in the morning. I did some errands and got hot and sweaty while cleaning the house. I had no odor and there was just a hint of the deodorant scent. I’m pretty impressed. I haven’t had that level of protection with other natural deodorants or traditional antiperspirants and I’m generally rather stinky without deodorant.

I did not get any irritation, redness or darkening of the underarms and they are hydrated and smooth.

While the scent took me a bit to get used to, the Kopari original deodorant reduces odor quite well and hydrates the underarms. I would repurchase, but might try a different scent.

Thank you for reading.

The Ordinary Suncare Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 With Antioxidants Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 1 Comment

The Ordinary Suncare SPF 30 claims to offer lightweight mineral SPF protection (micronized titanium dioxide (5.44%) and zinc oxide (14.03%)) with antioxidants, anti-irritation and hydration in a noncomedogenic silicone base. To note, this is not labelled as having broad spectrum UV protection (protecting from UVA and UVB rays), as Deciem apparently did not test for it, but there is a high percentage of zinc oxide, so one can presume that it protects from UVA waves.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Astaxanthin, Disodium Uridine Phosphate, Ethyl Ferulate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Picea Mariana Bark Extract, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Glucose, Maltose, Fructose, Trehalose, Urea, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Isochrysis Galbana Extract, Lysolecithin, Lecithin, Triolein, Pentylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-5 Trioleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Tocopherol, Alumina, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin. 

The antioxidants in the formula neutralize free radicals, protect from UV exposure and minimize the intensity of UV radiation penetrating the skin. The biosugar complex increases the skin’s ability to hold water and provide short and long term hydration. The lipids restore a compromised skin barrier and prevent water loss. Tasmanian pepperberry calms skin.

Directions state to apply liberally 20 minutes before sun exposure, reapply every 2 hours when in continued sun exposure and after water and sweat exposure. This sunscreen is not water resistant.

I have medium toned, oily skin in warmer weather that is prone to breakouts and blackheads and I easily get hyperpigmentation (freckles) from the sun.

I generally do not like lotion sunscreens, as they feel heavy (especially mineral sunscreens) and had been using Colorescience Sunforgettable Mineral Powder. I recently saw a photo of different sunscreen types under UV light showing that sunscreen powder applies rather patchy and it is hard to build up, so decided to try lotion sunscreen again. I still like to use mineral powder sunscreen for touch-ups throughout the day over makeup.

The Ordinary Mineral UV Filters is a beige-colored, thick lotion that has an almost mild nutty scent I thought.

Using the general application “rule” of 1/4 teaspoon for the face, I used half that and applied to half my face in the above photos. It is a bit hard to tell with the lighting and angle of the photos, but my skin is noticeably lighter/whiter on the right side. Since the sunscreen is quite heavy, application is not as smooth as I would hope. I’m using Retin A at this time, so there is some flaking and dry patches that the sunscreen seems to “stick” to and application is less smooth in these areas (might be similar for those with quite dry skin). The freckles and uneven color are covered a little and the pores are blurred. After 10 minutes, the sunscreen dries down a bit, but still has some white cast and tackiness that lasts until it is washed off. My cheeks are generally reddish and after application of the sunscreen my daughter asked why my skin was pink. This sunscreen does not sting my eyes. Application is nicer and white cast is a bit less when the sunscreen is applied after a moisturizer (I like Drunk Elephant Protini). Applying sunscreen over half the face, I am able to clearly tell that it feels heavy on the skin.

Above, you can see around my eye where I missed application that shows the color difference.

Above shows a satin finish, light coverage foundation with and without the sunscreen. Not a great makeup day, as I am using Retin-A, but in any case, this foundation applies quite nicely over the sunscreen, it covers the white cast, my skin looks smoother and the pores more blurred on the right side. I also notice throughout the day that my face appears less oily and shiny on the sunscreen side, so similar to a silicone-based primer.

This sunscreen can be a bit hard to wash off (even from my hands after application with a mild hand soap), but I did get a good result with The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser.

I’ve been using The Ordinary Suncare for a couple months now and haven’t gotten any unusual breakouts and my skin doesn’t feel dry with use (I don’t think it feels more hydrated either). I noticed a couple more freckles, which could be because I don’t always apply first thing in the morning when walking the dog or when staying inside.

Before purchasing the Ordinary Suncare, I had been using NIOD’s Survival 30 which I liked much more in terms of application, feeling on the skin and white cast.

I would repurchase The Ordinary Suncare despite a bit of white cast (it doesn’t bother me too much and mineral sunscreens are generally going to have some level of white cast) and heavy feeling; though perhaps when working with clients, would wear makeup over it.

Thank you for reading.