CVS 45+ Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide: Great Protection, Low Price

CVS 45+ Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide is effective, economical, and easy to use. With 45+ UVB/UVA protection, this sunscreen is well above the 15-30 sun protection factor recommended by most dermatologists. And at $6.99 for a four-ounce tube, it is one of the most affordable, good quality sunscreens on the market.

As of this writing, the CVS Web site indicates that the CVS 45+ tube is on sale for $4.89. This product is also normally sold in a two-ounce jar for $3.99, but the jar is now on sale for $2.79.

According to its label, CVS 45+ "goes on clear." I've found that to be true only if you use a small amount. However, when you use large amounts, the white color becomes clear within a few minutes. You can accelerate this process by gently massaging the sunscreen into your skin. This is not a significant inconvenience, as it is generally recommended that sunscreen be applied 30 minutes prior to sun exposure.

Although the product label states that CVS 45+ "retains SPF after 80 minutes of activity in the water," it also directs the user to "reapply frequently after towel drying, swimming, or perspiring."

CVS 45+ is a white cream of medium thickness. It is odorless, and I have found it to be non-irritating. According to the product label, it is 6.86 percent zinc oxide, an active sunscreen ingredient highly recommended by dermatologists.

Because of its thickness, CVS 45+ is unlikely to get in your eyes. I have found that on the rare occasions when it does, it causes mild discomfort. The labeling directs users to keep the product out of eyes and rinse with water to remove.

The Environmental Working Group gives CVS 45+ Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide a perfect 0 out of 10 rating for UVB hazard and sunscreen instability, and a low rating of 2 for UVA hazard. However, due to a number of mostly inactive ingredients which EWG has identified as potential health hazards, CVS 45+ is given an overall hazard rating of 3, the low end of moderate. As of this writing, all four consumer comments on the EWG Web site give CVS 45+ four- and five-star reviews.

By contrast, EWG gives Neutrogena Healthy Defense Oil-Free Sunblock Lotion SPF 45, which I favorably wrote about some time ago but no longer recommend, a high health hazard score and an overall hazard rating of 6, the high end of moderate.

All sunscreens have problems, including toxicity, effectiveness, stability, lack of data, or some combination thereof. CVS 45+ Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide is an effective, convenient, and low-cost product that poses a relatively low health risk.