Reviews > Health & Safety > Sunscreens > Smartshield Sunblock Products > Jennifer Koles > Initial Report

Item and Weight/Dimensions of Tested Sizes	Directions and Ingredients	Manufacturer Description (obtained from the website)
SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion 2 fl oz (59 ml) Photo obtained from manufacturer website. Weight: 2.8 oz (80 g) Dimensions: 2 in x 4.5 in x 1.5 in (5 cm x 11 cm x 4 cm)	Uses: Helps prevent sunburn and higher SPF gives more sunburn protection. Directions:  Apply liberally 20 minutes before sun exposure and as needed. For children under 6 months of age, ask a doctor. Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Padimate O 7.0%, Octisalate 3.0 %, Avobenzone 2.0%, Octocrylene 1.4%	Protect your skin from ultraviolet rays with a light, oil-free formula that absorbs and dries quickly -- without leaving behind any greasy residue. This light, waterproof sunscreen will keep your skin protected for hours with SPF 30, features UVA and UVB protection, is PABA-free, and contains aloe vera to soothe and smooth your skin. It is serious sun protection for all day - everyday use.
SPF 30 Lotion Foil Pack 0.20 fl oz (6 ml) Photo obtained from manufacturer website. Weight: 0.2 oz (5 g) Dimensions: 3.5 in x 2.25 in (9 cm x 6 cm)	Directions: Apply to exposed areas before sun exposure. Reapply often. Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Padimate O 5%, Benzophenone-3 5%, Octisalate 2.5% Inactive Ingredients: Deionized Water, Aloe Vera Gel, Finsolv TN, Methocel E4M, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ultrez-10 Powder, Methylparaben, Proplyparaben, Pemulin TR-1, Triethanolamine, Fragrance	Handy and ready to go anywhere -- your beach bag, golf bag, tackle box, purse or pocket. Protect your skin from ultraviolet rays with a light, oil-free formula that absorbs and dries quickly -- without leaving behind any greasy residue. This light, waterproof sunscreen will keep your skin protected for hours with SPF 30, features UVA and UVB protection, is PABA-free, and contains aloe vera to soothe your skin. Please note: THIS IS NOT A TOWELETTE.
SPF 30 Spray with Insect Repellent (product volume not listed on container) Photo obtained from manufacturer website. Weight: 2.8 oz (80 g) Dimensions: 4.5 in x 1 in x 1.75 in (11 cm x 3 cm x 4 cm)	Uses:  Helps prevent sunburn. Higher SPF gives more sunburn protection. Retains SPF after 80 minutes of activity in water, sweating or perspiring. Directions: Apply liberally before sun exposure. Children under 6 months of age, ask a doctor. Reapply as needed after towel drying, swimming or sweating. Active Ingredients: Padimate O 8.0%, Octinoxate 6.0%,Octisalate 6.0%, Oxybenzone 3.5%	This is the perfect combination of SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray with all natural insect repellent. A cooling alcohol base that is clean, clear and ultra dry. This light, waterproof sunscreen will keep your skin protected for hours with SPF 30, features UVA and UVB protection. Great for people with oily skin. The clean cedar scent discourages bugs. It is serious sun protection for all day - everyday use.
SPF 30 Sunscreen Towelette with Insect Repellent 0.20 fl oz (6 ml) Photo obtained from manufacturer website. Weight: 0.2 oz (5 g) Dimensions: 3.5 in x 2.25 in (9 cm x 6 cm)	Directions:  Apply to exposed areas before sun exposure. Reapply often. Active Ingredients: Padimate O 8%, Octinoxate 7.5%,Octisalate 5%, Benzophenone-3 3.5% Natural Insect Repellents Active: Cedarwood, lemongrass Inactive: Alcohol SDA 40, Cyclomethicone, Finsolv TN, Aloe Vera Gel, Fragrance	The SmartShield Towelette contains a very soft towel saturated with our SPF 30 sun protection liquid. This liquid is waterproof and sweat proof. It also contains all natural insect repellent ingredients- Cedar Essence and Lemongrass. These are natural repellents and contain no DEET. The independent laboratory found that SmartShield Sunscreen Spray was statistically as effective as the well known DEET product at repelling mosquitoes. The testing labs description was 'Statistically equal in preventing mosquitoes from probing.' That means that you can have sun and insect protection without the use of the chemical repellent DEET which concerns many people. The sunscreen components are long lasting and are very effective. The insect repellents are natural and do not last all day. They need to be touched up in 3-4 hours with a light reapplication. There are no oils in our products. They go on easily and are not felt thereafter. They are perfect for workers or others whose grips and work environments make an oil free product more appealing and safe. They are also perfect for woodsmen and hunters since there are not foreign fragrances in the towelettes and the spray products. The same liquid that is in the Towelette is in a 1 and 4 oz. pump spray container. The Towelettes will comply with OSHA mandates for protection from UV for outdoor employees.
After Sun Repair Foil Packs 0.20 fl oz (6 ml) Photo obtained from manufacturer website. Weight: 0.2 oz (5 g) Dimensions: 3.5 in x 2.25 in (9 cm x 6 cm)	Uses:  Cooling, fast pain relief for sunburn, wind burn, and skin discomforts. Directions:  Apply gently to the area 3 to 4 times a day. Medicinal Ingredients:  Lidocaine Hydrochloride 1% w/w Non-Medicinal Ingredients:  Deionized Water, Aloe Vera Gel, Glycereth-26, Carborner, Tricthanolamine Polysorbare 20, Sodium Benzonate, Fragrance, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Yellow #5	Soothing Aloe Vera Gel with Lidocaine. Provides relief for those who forgot to wear sunscreen or have windburn. Cooling, fast pain relief for sunburn, windburn, and skin discomfort. Please note: This is not a towelette.
SPF 30 Lip Balm 0.15 oz (4 g) Photo obtained from manufacturer website. Weight: 0.4 oz (10 g) Dimensions:  0.5 in diameter x 2.5 in (1 cm diameter  x 6 cm)	Uses:  Helps prevent sunburn. Directions:  Apply liberally before sun exposure and as needed. Children under 6 months of age, ask a doctor. Active Ingredients: Homosalate 6%, Meradimate 4%, Octinoxate 7.5%, Oxybenzone 5%	New moisturizing formula! Protect your lips from UVA and UVB rays with this SPF 30 lip balm. This moisturizing lip balm is loaded with aloe and Vitamin E for extra soft lips and protection from the wind, sun and cold.
SPF 30 Eyes, Face, and Nose 0.45 oz (13 g) Photo obtained from manufacturer website. Weight: 1.2 oz (30 g) Dimensions: 1 in diameter x 3.75 in (3 cm diameter x 10 cm)	Dimensions: Directions:  None listed on bottle. Active Ingredients: Octocrylene 10%, Octyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Zinc Oxide 6%	For virtually hands-free application, use SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Stick A tough sunscreen designed with active people in mind. This aloe- vera enriched formula is waterproof and sweatproof for worry-free fun in the sun. Fragrance-free, oil-free, it's effective protection from sun, wind, and cold.
SPF 30  Faces 1 fl oz (30 ml) Photo obtained from manufacturer website. Weight: 1.6 oz (45 g) Dimensions: 3.5 in x 1.5 in x 0.75 in (9 cm x 4 cm x 2 cm)	Directions: None listed on bottle. Active ingredients: Octyl Methoxycinnamate 5%, Oxybenzone 2% and Octyl Salicylate 3% in a base of Aloe Vera Gel	FACES is a unique formula for sports enthusiasts or professionals, its moisturizing formula gives protection to your skin with a SPF 30 lotion non-migrating formula. Sweatproof and Waterproof, provides UVA/UVB Protection. Clean, Oil Free, great for use under your make-up. Regular use of this product may help to prevent cancer, wrinkles, and premature skin aging.

The container for the spray insect repellent and sunscreen lotion arrived in a different size from what is advertised on the manufacturer's website. The unscented lip balm has completely different packaging from the manufacturer's website and the website neglects to list the ingredients so I am unable to verify if it is the same product. Overall the website is informative and easy to navigate. There is abundant product information on all of the manufacturer's products, but no ingredients are listed.

The insect repellent comes in a pump style container with a plastic cap. It has a strong alcohol-scent odor when used. Within a few seconds of application a pleasant lemongrass and cedar scent is detectable. Both the lip balm and the sunscreen face stick come in a capped cylindrical tube. The bottom dial must be turned to expose the product for application. The sunscreen lotion comes in a flip-top container similar to a shampoo or other lotion product container found in most convenient stores.  

So far I am pleased with the SmartShield products and look forward to testing them in the field.

Testing Locations

These items are going to be primarily tested during the summer months (August-early September) in the mountainous region of northern Utah. Most elevation ranges in the Utah Wasatch and Uinta Mountain Ranges are between 9,000 and 10,000 ft (2,700-3,000 m). The average daytime temperature in these mountain ranges at 9,000 ft (2,700 m) during the summer months is 75 F (24 C). 

During the month of August I am planning a climbing /backpacking trip to the Grand Teton in Wyoming. The elevation at the summit is 13,770 feet (4,198 m). The temperatures vary significantly due to the elevation gain. The average temperatures in July are between 40 F (4 C) and 76 F (24C) depending on the elevation level.

In the early fall months (September-October) I frequently overnight camp in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park and the Moab, Utah area. The climate in this area is dry during the fall months and the temperatures average 60 F (16 C) during the day. The elevation in this area is generally 5,000 ft (1,500 m) with ranges of a few hundred feet. 

My backpacking plans this fall (September) also include 2-3 day backpacking trips in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the San Rafael Swell area of Utah. The elevations in these geographical areas range from 4,000 to 8,000 ft (1,200-2,400 m). These geographic areas are considered a high desert, and consist of rugged mountainous terrain, slot canyons, and are less rugged in the valley areas. The temperatures during the fall months average approximately 60 F (16 C).  The area is arid with only 4 to 6 in (10-15 cm) of precipitation a year. 

Test Plans

I plan to test these items in all the above locations and I am certain many more during the testing period. I will test these items while day hiking, backpacking, swimming, rock climbing, and cycling.

I am fair skinned and I do burn easily. Sometimes I will tan, peel, or stay a shade of red. I live at a high elevation which does make me more prone to burning.

The below stated factors will also be tested and any other factors that may arise.

Sun Protection Items

Do I burn when wearing the products? Is the SPF 30 enough protection that I do not get burned? Do the products clog my pores or dry out my skin? Are the products non greasy on my skin and my hands (can I open containers after it is applied or safely boulder or rock climb)? Do the products absorb quickly into the skin? How is the water repellency of the products (waterproof)? Do the products sting my eyes if sweat or water rolls into my eyes once the product is applied? Does it feel sticky like some sunscreen products? Do I feel it on my skin? Do I break out? Do the bottles leak or does the lotion come out of the bottle quickly when exposed to heat? Are the containers easy to open? What is the weight of each product? What is the most convenient and universal product in this line to carry on extended backpacking trips? Do the products have a scent? If so is it appealing? Does the insect repellent smell like a chemical? Do the products stain clothes or fabrics? Does my skin feel soft when using the products?

More testing specifics for some of the individual products:

SPF 30 Lotion Foil Pack: Does the foil pack burst open when exposed to heat? Does it open easily? Is there ample lotion in one pack for ample application on my arms, legs, neck, and face?

SPF 30 Spray with Insect Repellent: Do the pesky mosquitoes and the biting flies stay away from me with this product? How long is this effective when applied? Is it as effective as DEET?

SPF 30 Sunscreen Towelette with Insect Repellent: How many applications are possible with one towelette? Does the towelette tear easily? Does it make application easier? Do I need more than one towelette for an ample application? Is it safe to use on my face? Is it as effective as DEET?

SPF 30 Lip Balm: Does the lip balm dry out my lips or have a waxy feel? Does it increase my thirst? Is it moisturizing-how long? Does the lip balm melt when exposed to high temperatures?

SPF 30 Eyes, Face and Nose: Does the stick melt when exposed to high temperatures? Can this be applied hands free or does the product need to be rubbed into the skin?

After Sun Repair Foil Packs: Does the product cool the skin after being sun burned or wind burned? Does it burn when applied?  How long does it soothe the skin?  How many applications are in one packet?

Reviews > Health & Safety > Sunscreens > Smartshield Sunblock Products > Jennifer Koles > Initial Report