- What is it
- Ultra lightweight, this invisible sunscreen is formulated with Damask rose extracts, ensuring that your skin stays fresh and hydrated throughout the day without any streakiness or a white cast (official description).
- How I use it
- Shake it well, then apply a dime-sized amount after I’ve applied my moisturizer. Wait 30 seconds, then apply a second layer.
- Best suited for
- Oily/combo skin types, but even dry skin will find this tolerable as it’s not overly drying like other matte sunscreens.
- Key ingredients
- Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide (full ingredients)
- Irritants
- Geranium essential oil and bergamot essential oil are pretty high up the list, so those with eo sensitivities will want to avoid this sunscreen
- Packaging
- Your typical plastic sunscreen squeeze bottle, though props for the simple design and pink + white combo – so millennial
- Scent
- Floral yet woodsy, personally I’m not a fan. It’s pretty strong at first too, though it does fade after a few minutes.
- Texture
- A milky liquid with a ton of slip, thanks to a blend of emollients, including silicones
- Finish
- Silky, smooth, and matte, as if you had just used a mattifying primer. Even the appearances of pores are minimized! There’s a slight white cast initially, but it fades after a few minutes
- Availability
- $10 at Althea (get 20% off your first order)
Obsession-worthy texture
I shared my first impression on Instagram a while back (follow me on Insta for more mini reviews!), and my feelings towards the texture and finish have not changed. As a physical/inorganic sunscreen, it truly has one of the most elegant formulas I’ve come across – silky, lightweight, and a pore-blurring finish with minimal white cast. It’s different from your typical dewy (more like shiny) Asian sunscreen with mattifying properties, yet it doesn’t leave my skin dry or tight, even in the winter time.
My favorite aspect though? Despite the amount of silicones it contains, it doesn’t pill at all! I can layer this on generously and it plays very well with my moisturizer and makeup. As a matter of fact, because it gives skin a bit of a soft-focus blur, I find myself skipping foundation when I use this.
So close to perfection, but…
I honestly thought this was the perfect everyday sunscreen at first, but then I started looking into the ingredients, and oh boy:
- There’s no % of the zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Yes the sunscreen says SPF50 PA++++, but independent tests have shown that not all sunscreens live up to their claims so ideally I’d like to see at least 18% zinc oxide for peace of mind.
There’s no hyaluronic acid. It’s listed as one of the “key ingredients” on the official site, but you can’t find it or its derivatives in the ingredient list!This issue has now been addressed by Althea and they have removed this claim from the product page.- Why are the essential oils so high on the ingredient list? For me any benefits they may have are outweighed by the possible irritations, not to mention bergamot essential oils can cause photosensitivity, due to the component furanocoumarins. There are furanocoumarin-version, but Althea won’t confirm which version they use.
Honestly the EOs irk me so much, because they market this as suitable for sensitive skin with their physical/organic filters, but then they include essential oils? Like why?
Knowing the above about the formula, it’s hard to call this a holy grail. Since I work from home and am barely outdoors, I don’t mind using this as my everyday sunscreen, as it definitely will provide adequate protection for my needs. But if you regularly spend time outdoors, I recommend something with better protection.
Further reading: 7 sunscreens for all scenarios and skin types
Such a shame, the texture is truly beautiful
Final Verdict
Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway
- Packaging8/10
- Ingredients5/10
- Texture/Application10/10
- Performance7/10
- Price9/10
What can I say, stunning texture that doubles as a primer, but I'm seriously disappointed in the ingredients. Also, I'm not a fan of the deceptive advertising - not that I really need hyaluronic acid in my sunscreen, but it makes me wonder what else Althea is being dishonest about? Althea did finally address this after my Instagram post, but I still don't think it should've been an issue to begin with. On the other hand, everything else I've tried from them has been lovely, so maybe this was just a one-off incident.
Since there are a million sunscreen options out there, this is definitely not a must-have by any means, or even a must-try, unless you're exposed to very little sun. I personally will not be repurchasing this.
Honestly this is proof that we should all pay more attention to the ingredient list, rather than what brands claim. Hope you found this helpful, and I wish you all a very happy holidays!
The packaging is honestly so beautiful!
x Lisa | lisaautumn.com
It is, I just wish the ingredients were a bit better, then this would be perfect!
this is so amazing
xx
http://closettostreet.com/2018/12/17/lets-get-real-with-dry-skin/
I love your honesty, Jenny, thank you! This is definitely not for me as I spend a lot of time outdoors.
Thank you Shireen! I definitely wouldn’t wear this, or really any physical sunscreen outdoors personally. Read a journal the other day about how physical filters aren’t as effective as chemical ones!
This sounded so promising until I got to your deep dive into the ingredients. Like what’s up with the shadiness? This probably wouldn’t be for me since I prefer something with HEV light protection in addition to SPF because blue light damage concerns me and I spend more time in front of my computer than outside.
Wishing you and your family and wonderful holiday and a happy and healthy new year Jenny! xo
Exactly! I was so disappointed. They finally acknowledged their mistake though, so I guess it wasn’t intentional.
Hope you and your family had a lovely Christmas and I wish you all a happy new year!
Thank you for sharing! :) This looks like some pretty useful stuff. Not sure if I would like the smell though.
It is odd that they claim Hyaluronic Acid and then don’t include it – this kind of thing is so easy to notice, so they had to know they would get caught on this one.
Anne – Linda, Libra, Loca
Nice review, thanks for sharing
Cheers,
| Alex | Trend Outfit For Fall
Your review posts are literally one of the most aesthetic and organised in the blogging world! I adore your product photography and the break-down of each product’s details is always so detailed :) Merry Christmas babe!
aglassofice.com x
Thank you so much for the kind comment! Hope you had a lovely Christmas!
The packaging is so pretty! Thanks for sharing your review! :)
melissakacar.blogspot.com
great review! looks like a great sunscreen!
kelseybang.com
4allthingsdisney.com
Sunscreen is so complicated. The eo’s bother me too! Why add one more ingredient for such a already complicated product?
x,
S | Je M’appelle Chanel
Exactly! They literally add no benefits to sunscreen and I’m not a fan of the grandma rose scent it creates.
Technically putting something untrue in the advertisement is illegal, isn’t it? I hate when producers lie about ingredients – if it’s allowed, then, for example, how can we know if our milk is really dairy free or not?
Dorota
http://www.journalofdorota.com
I love how detailed your review is! I’ve never heard of this product, but from your review, it looks really promising. Texture is definitely a big component of a great SPF product.
http://www.rosegoldrhyme.com
Oh this looks absolutely AMAZING!! I can’t wait to try! Love all your photos too!
xxx
Ashley
http://www.missgunner.com
This was such a fabulous review. I have been looking for a sunscreen that benefits my skin while also protecting me and, on the surface, I would have assumed this one fit the bill. This really is such a great reminder to always check the ingredient list! I hope your year is off to a fabulous start!
Damask rose extracts? Sold! haha, that truly is a beautiful inclusion though. And ten thousands times YES to the minimal blush and white packaging. Too pretty!
aglassofice.com x
Sun screen with rose touch, that just sounds amazing <3
It’s a shame it doesn’t live up to it’s claims but it’s good it’s a nice everyday one for you if you aren’t in the sun a lot :)
Hope that the first week of 2019 is off to a great start for you and you are having a nice weekend :)
Away From The Blue Blog
Oh wow – I am in love with your blog and your reviews. Your photography is absolutely stunning and this looks like a lovely product overall! I can’t wait to see more from you and wishing you a wonderful 2019 too!
Layla x
https://www.sprinklesofstyle.co.uk