Before my vacation to Cuba I purchased the Supergoop! Barre to Bar Beauty Set at a Sephora in the US. I got it on a whim because I know this brand isn’t sold in Sephora Canada, and I also wanted to try something new on my trip!
About the Brand & Owner
Supergoop! founder Holly E. Taggard began her company after learning a close friend of hers was diagnosed with melanoma. She learned that melanoma is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US, and more than 90% of the signs of aging are caused by the sun. 8 years later she created Supergoop, focusing on innovative UV protection skincare.
“Supergoop! super broad spectrum sunscreens help protect skin from UVA rays, in addition to providing the SPF necessary to prevent damage caused by UVB sunburn rays but we don’t stop there. Antioxidants have now shown to neutralize and deliver a second line of defense against photodamage and accelerated skin aging. Our clinicals have proven to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, elasticity and hyperpigmentation by neutralizing free radicals and stimulating collagen production.
We also recognize that traditional sunscreen is the farthest thing from “feels good”. So, we strive to create products that you and your family actually want to put on. Lightweight and easy to apply, never goopy. And formulated with only the highest quality ingredients, always free from any controversial ones.”
Supergoop! Barre to Bar Beauty Set ($25 USD) has:
– 1 oz/ 30 mL Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50
– 0.5 oz/ 15 mL City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30
– 0.5 oz/ 15 mL Daily Correct CC Cream SPF 35 in Light/Medium
– 0.05 oz/ 1.5 mL Perk-Up Lip + Cheek Treat SPF 50
– Tote bag
Since I was in the equator sun, I really put these products to the test to see if they can perform and protect!
SPF INGREDIENTS
I bought this so quickly, I only looked at one list that showed it to be a physical sunscreen! While reading the ingredients list in more detail, I noticed all the products except for the CC cream use chemical SPFs in their products. I looked up the ingredients hazard level on EWG Skin Deep and found the following:
- Octinoxate 6 (high)
- Homosalate 4 (moderate)
- Octisalate 3 (moderate)
- Octocrylene 3 (moderate)
- Avobenzone 2 (low)
- Zinc Oxide 2 (low)
- Titanium Dioxide 2 (low)
Please look at the EWG website’s article The Problem With Sunscreen Chemicals for more details on the rating of each ingredient.
However, Supergoop! questions my thoughts on sunscreen ingredients. Under the section “Learn” of their website I read the Transparency Initiative. Here are 2 parts of it that raised my eyebrows, but make sure to read the WHOLE thing on their website!
“…If you are a mineral-only “natural” sunscreen wearer you’re taking a greater risk as these actives performed much worse than their chemical counterparts. In fact, 74% of the mineral based formulations did not meet their SPF claim.”
“While sunscreen is regulated as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug, what consumers may not understand is that it is not part of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) process to test sunscreens for efficacy nor does it require a review of 3rd party manufacturers testing. It was also brought to light last summer that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) –also a trusted source for all things sun protection- makes recommendations and provides health ratings (1-10) by reviewing a formula’s ingredient list and not by the group’s own testing or review of a manufacturer’s reports. As consumers we must understand that all skincare formulas are truly unique and each blend of ingredients that make up the sum of a final formula must be tested and evaluated in combination by a 3rd party laboratory both pre and post manufacturing. Efficacy cannot be determined by a dogmatic list of individual ingredients.”
I have to admit, I thought for the longest time how EWG never considered overall formulation of the product, and just rated it based on the hazard level of the ingredients (ie. we don’t even know the amount of what ingredient in the product!) Following this review, I decided to whipe my mind clean and just simply test the products out, and see if I’m getting the best sun protection possible.
DESCRIPTION
“You’ve mastered the art of fitting in a quick workout, but who has time to start fresh before heading back to work or or out to dinner & drinks? We sure don’t, and we doubt you do either, so we’ve made it super simple with this selection of easy to use, multifunctional products.
WHAT MAKES THIS GOOP SUPER?
Barre to Bar Beauty Set includes everything you need to stay refreshed while on the go. Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50 sets makeup, controls oil, and delivers UV photoaging protection with a matte finish. The super-lightweight City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30 counteracts visible signs of aging by repairing, protecting, and priming the skin for the rest of your daily regimen. The all-in-one Daily Correct CC Cream targets signs of aging, while covering imperfections and correcting uneven skin. And the multitasking Perk-Up Lip + Cheek Treat in one universal shade blends barely-there color with skin care benefits and UV protection for healthy-looking skin.
Research results:
In a 4-week clinical study on City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30:
– 88% measured a significant increase in long-term skin hydration
– 96% said “my skin looks healthier”
– 96% said “I am surprised a product that feels so nice on the skin actually has high SPF broad-spectrum protection built in””
USE & RAYVIEW
Below, I tackled the description and ingredients from how I would apply it: serum, cc cream, lip/cheek, mist.
City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30
Active Ingredients: Homosalate 8%, Octisalate 4%, Avobenzone 3%, and Octocrylene 2%: Sunscreens // Ingredients: Purified Water, Cyclomethicone, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Ceteareth–20, Polypropylene, Cetearyl, Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, d-Panthenol, Octanohydroxamic acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Triacontanyl PVP, Cetyl Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, PEG-40 Stearate, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenyl Triacetate, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Serine, Urea, Sorbitol, Sodium Chloride, Allantoin, Oleyl Alcohol, Ethyl Linoleate.
- A little goes a long way
- Very lightweight on the skin
- No white cast
- Skin feels hydrated after application
- Skin did not burn after spending a whole day at the beach (did necessary reapplications)
- A big concern I had in this ingredient list is why Lactic Acid was included. After doing a bit of digging, lactic acid can also be used as a humectant (skin conditioning agent) or used to balance the pH level of a product. Since it is at the bottom of the ingredient list and I haven’t burned my face from using this product for the week in equatorial sun, I will let it slide (For more information go to http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/alpha-hydroxy-acids)
Daily Correct CC Cream SPF 35 in Light/Medium
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 20%: Sunscreen, Titanium Dioxide 2% // Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Iron Oxides, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Sodium Chloride, Mica, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Chondrus Crispus Extract, Methylisothiazolinone, Tin Oxide, Sodium Hyaluronate.
- A little goes a long way
- A neutral undertone
- Matched my skin tone well
- Smoothed out my pores and whole complexion
- Did not irritate me when at the beach under the sun
- Does not feel cakey
- Went in the water with it and it wasn’t patchy, natural fade
- Only product with physical SPF ingredients
Perk-Up Lip + Cheek Treat SPF 50
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octinoxate 7.5%, and Octisalate 5% // Ingredients: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Synthetic Beeswax, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyester-8, Ozokerite, Silica, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Lauryl Lactate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Titanium Dioxide, Red 7, Tocopherol, Glycin, Soja (Soybean) Oil, Yellow 5 Lake, Benzoic Acid, Polysilicone-15, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, BHT, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Water, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide.
- Nice colour
- Easily spread on cheeks
- Does not look intense; gives a nice flush
- Protected lips well
- Leave’s a nice stain on lips, and won’t get patchy after going swimming.
- At first I wondered why so many SPF ingredients were in a lip/cheek product, since shea butter is the top ingredient and is said to have a natural SPF of 3-6. That being said though, I don’t think it has been heavily tested enough, other than people who happen to test it on themselves and claim it works.
Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50
-Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 4 %, Octinoxate 6%, and Octisalate 3%: Sunscreens.
Alcohol Denat., Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Isododecane, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Stem/Leaf Oil, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil, PVP, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Silica Silylate, Water.
- Lawd, this smells like alcohol.
- Clear liquid.
- Has a cooling, mattifying effect.
- Was hoping this could be used as an SPF touch-up spray, but haven’t tested it enough on its own to see if it would work that way, also the smell of alcohol is extremely off-putting for me to want to spray this on my face all the time.
Final Thoughts
Would I purchase full size products?
City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30 $42 USD: Yes. There’s nothing for me to hate about this product. It protected me from the sun daily, it never aggravated my skin, and I always had a healthy complexion when I wore it.
Daily Correct CC Cream SPF 35 Light/Medium $32 USD: Maybe. I really like how a little went a long way in airbrushing my face and minimizing “imperfections.” The reason I say maybe is because I prefer a base that’ll have a golden undertone, not neutral.
Perk Up Lip and Cheek Treat SPF 40 $22 USD: No. Although I like the product in general, it is not necessary for me. I have been fine using natural lip balms or tinted ones for years without burning my lips. I’ll enjoy this product until I finish it though, and who knows, I may change my mind when it becomes an empty!
Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50: Maybe. The alcohol smell is way too real in the product and the extra rosemary in it will only cover so much. I only used it a couple of times while on vacation; while it gave my face a nice matte finish, I don’t know for sure its efficacy in UV Ray protection if I were to apply it just for that purpose. I’ll test it for this purpose and finish it up. But I may grab another SPF spray/mist that doesn’t smell heavily of alcohol.
Extra – The Tote Bag: Meh. It is a cute bag, but it lost its purpose very quickly. The clasp to zip the tote open and close came off, and I had to rip the bag to take out the products.
Do I recommend the set?
Yes, just because all of the products perform well and if used on the daily it lasts more than a week.
Overall I did enjoy most of the products in this set, and got a good use out of the products for what I paid. I used the City Sunscreen serum the most; applied it on myself and my boyfriend multiple times throughout our trip and it’s still going. Only a small amount of the CC cream was needed to cover my whole face and did a great job at making my skin look smooth. The Lip/Cheek Treat and Setting Mist are also nice additions to try something new and to have around in general. At the end of my trip, my face did not look dried out, weak, or burned.
Hope you enjoyed the review! Unfortunately, this isn’t available on Sephora Canada’s website, but the direct brand website sells the item!
I also encourage you to read Supergoop! Blog. Holly and her team really puts things into perspective for me and continues to fuel my own research about sunscreens and the sun! (Keep in mind there is also so much of their words we can take into account as well; I don’t know Holly’s background other than that she is a sunscreen formulist and she and her team are writing based on their experiences with sunscreen and their own research.)
xo, M
http://www.supergoop.com/shop/barre-to-bar-beauty-set/
RELATED ARTICLES:
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Extra Reads:
http://practicaldermatology.com/pdfs/pd0313_CF_Susncreens_SWang.pdf