Ava Isa — Sunscreen You’ll Want to Live In
As Southern Californians, we all agree to a number of caveats that come with calling this gorgeous part of the world our home. Breakfast burritos become a staple in our diets, denim shorts make their way into our weekly wardrobes, and spending time outdoors is an everyday occurrence.
However, as fabulous as it all sounds, the latter has its cons.
With sunshine comes the risk of harmful sun exposure as more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the US than all other cancers combined (roughly 9,500 people every day).
You’re probably thinking, “I’m no dummy. I wear sunscreen — I’m good.” But not all sunscreens are cut from the same cloth. Chemical sunscreens, like the ones you get from your local grocery store, often contain ingredients such as oxybenzone and avobenzone, chemicals that may be absorbed through the skin, leading to skin irritation, hormonal disruption, and yes, even the thing we’d all like to avoid: skin cancer. A preliminary study by FDA researchers found that these chemicals may be absorbed into the skin at levels higher than previously believed. (It also suggests there may be risks to developing fetuses when pregnant women are exposed to oxybenzone.)
Enter Ava Isa, a new addition to The Sunscreen Company’s repertoire of outstanding products made to protect and treat your skin.
Using a formula blended with a high concentration of zinc oxide, Ava Isa improves the efficacy of mineral sunscreen, while also making it a daily part of your skincare routine.
Their first two products — Ava Isa Sun-è-Serum Drops SPF 35 (literally the only facial sunscreen we use anymore) and Sun Lips Sun Whips SPF 15 (easily takes the place of lipstick and comes in three gorgeous shades) — have become revelations in the skincare industry, regularly selling out in days.
Since 2008, The Sunscreen Company has been centered on continuous education. “I was immediately struck by the complexity, but also the possibilities when it came to sunscreens,” says co-founder, Sara Dudley. “Behind the scenes, when it comes to formulations, marketing, and all the regulatory and operational hurdles behind sunscreen, there is so much depth and intricacy to it all.”
Dudley knows that the scientific landscape of sunscreens is constantly evolving, so she understands the importance of staying up-to-date on all the latest developments. In fact, The Sunscreen Company has a full research and development team that takes a holistic approach to developing formulas. “We look at their efficacy, their safety in terms of hormonal impact, and their ecological impact,” explains Dudley. “I’ve seen a lot written lately about how clean beauty and science are diametrically opposed, but that really doesn’t have to be the case.”
“We’ve gotten to the point where sun protection is widely acknowledged to be the most important part of our skincare routine.
It’s your de facto linchpin to preserve all of your other investments that you make in your skin health,” explains the skincare expert.
“I know the category can feel really overwhelming with all of its complexity, but hopefully, we can help provide some guidance to get people to use the perfect sunscreen for them... and have them use it every day.”
For Ava Isa, Dudley was inspired by her daughter, Ava Isabella. “When she was first born, I was struck by the statistic that skin cancer was the number one cancer killer of young women aged 25-30,” shares Dudley. “I wanted to create a line of mineral sun care that was as beautiful as it was protective, to make it easy for everyone of all ages.”
Ava Isa’s star ingredient, zinc oxide, is the only UV filter in the US that meets precepts of safety in terms of stability, effectiveness, hormonal and skin health, and ecological impact.
On the skin, Sun-è-Serum Drops are far from the thick, goopy, white-filmed finishes of the common sunscreens you know — these are deliciously lightweight... so much so that you’ll be in disbelief that you’re wearing any sunscreen at all. The serum boasts maximum hydration that absorbs into a matte look, all the while providing protection against harmful UVA rays.
As the dominant form of UV light that is transmitted, UVA light is the same strength, no matter the season, time of day, or latitude — and it can penetrate both windows and clouds. (So basically, even if you’re hunkered inside or out on an overcast day, you’re still not safe without protection!) These types of UVA rays contribute to 80-90% of premature aging, and in terms of skin cancer, they can cause DNA mutation and impair our skin’s ability to repair itself by suppressing our immune system.
Still not sold?
The creme de la creme to Ava Isa’s formulations is their aesthetic packaging — something you would want to use every day and proudly display on your bathroom counter.
Made with glass, post-consumer recycled plastic, and 100% recycled paper, you’re doubly treating your skin and the earth… (and TBH, you’ll feel totally bougie pulling out a classy glass sunscreen bottle rather than a hot, shriveled plastic tube that’s been sitting in the car for weeks).
Now that The Sunscreen Company has hit back-to-back home runs, they’re not stopping there. “We are working on some potential body mineral SPF options…” shares Dudley, “fully protective light lotions that melt into the skin with 25% zinc oxide and healing and gorgeous actives like an oat lipid.”
So, my fellow Californians / sun worshipers, don’t waste another minute basking in the SoCal sun without proper coverage. Incorporate Ava Isa’s Sun-è-Serum Drops to your skincare routine as a line of defense (and don’t forget a swipe of Sun Lip Sun Whip on the lips) and be safe at the beach this summer.
That glowing Cali skin has got to stay… glowing!
To shop Ava Isa’s sunscreen collection, visit here.
Charlotte Farrell is an Orange County-native, editor, writer, and editorial content strategist who finds a thrill in telling stories about the marvelous things humans have accomplished, in addition to topics such as wellness, food, climate change, sustainability, clean beauty, fitness, mental health, and travel. She has a particular interest in globe-trotting, finding the best matcha latte in each destination she visits, and petting every dog she meets along the way.