Cay Skin review: Winnie Harlow’s sun care line

Sunscreen is considered one of my favourite magnificence merchandise to check as Reviewed’s magnificence editor. For those who’re cringing on the considered slathering your face and physique in gloppy, white paste, that’s precisely why it’s a product I leap at testing—I need to discover one which received’t make anybody’s face contort.

Any sunscreen launch captures my consideration, however when it comes from a supermodel with easy, glowy pores and skin, there’s an additional layer of intrigue. That is the case with Winnie Harlow’s Cay Skin, which launched in 2022 with solar safety merchandise for the face and physique.

What’s Cay Pores and skin?

Trend mannequin Winnie Harlow rose to fame after taking part as a contestant within the twenty first season of America’s Subsequent High Mannequin. Her inspiration for Cay Pores and skin got here from her expertise getting a sunburn and solar harm from an outside photoshoot in 2018. The model-entrepreneur has vitiligo, a “illness that causes lack of pores and skin coloration in patches,” in line with Mayo Clinic. Cay Pores and skin’s website states that Harlow skilled a everlasting change in her vitiligo after receiving the sunburn, which led to her eager to create “better-for-you skincare and suncare safety.” The model goals for its merchandise to “hold all pores and skin tones glowing and guarded all year long.”

The road consists of the Isle Glow Face Lotion SPF 45 ($32), Isle Glow Body Lotion SPF 45 ($38), Isle Body Oil SPF 30 ($32), and Isle Lip Balm SPF 30 ($14). To check them, I used every product both by itself or, within the case of the face lotion, layered with make-up some days. Warning: This evaluation will get worse earlier than it will get higher.

Isle Glow Face Lotion SPF 45

What it claims: In the beginning, the 1.5-ounce SPF face lotion makes use of chemical sunscreen components avobenzone, octisalate, and octocrylene to guard the pores and skin in opposition to UVA and UVB rays. It additionally accommodates niacinamide, nectar, and sea moss to hydrate the pores and skin. The lotion claims to have a pearlescent end that offers the pores and skin a natural-looking glow, and it may be worn alone or beneath make-up. The product description doesn’t listing a perfume data or label this as fragrance-free, and the ingredient listing doesn’t comprise fragrance.

What it’s like to make use of it: I felt excited after I allotted two or three pumps of this into my hand and noticed its tan, glowy components, nevertheless it additionally seemed separated—an oily substance ran beneath a mousse-like texture. I disregarded this and rubbed the answer in between my fingers to mix the components. As I utilized it to my face, I appreciated the pearly end it gave my face, and I used to be relieved that the colour blended properly into my pale pores and skin.

The true hassle for me began as I massaged this into my pores and skin and felt the components pilling beneath my fingertips. I seen this sensation whether or not I utilized it on high of skincare, just like the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum, or on naked pores and skin. To present it a full put on check beneath make-up, I did my finest to mix it in, rolling any “crumbs” that fashioned down my neck and wiping them away with a towel. I utilized completely different foundations on high of it all through testing and didn’t discover any points with my make-up sitting on high of it, which solely added to my confusion. I additionally puzzled: If the sunscreen was no less than partially rubbing off my face, how protected was my pores and skin from the solar? I can’t reply that, and I wouldn’t need to discover out.

Get the Isle Glow Face Lotion SPF 45 from Sephora for $32

Isle Glow Physique Lotion SPF 45

What it claims: This 3.4-ounce, fragrance-free physique lotion protects in opposition to the solar utilizing avobenzone, octisalate, and octocrylene. Along with the identical sea moss and “hydrating nectar” current within the face lotion, the physique iteration accommodates sunflower seed oil to assuage and moisturize in addition to cocoa seed butter to enhance texture and shield the pores and skin’s moisture. It additionally has a pearlescent, tan hue that ought to present a glow to the pores and skin.

What it’s like to make use of it: I’m glad to report that this didn’t tablet up on my pores and skin the best way the face lotion did. (Although I can’t clarify why.) It applies a lot smoother and is straightforward to unfold on the physique.

Sadly, I’m not complaint-free for this one both: The “prompt island glow with out the glitter or white solid” solely makes good on that second promise. After I remarked that I used to be testing a brand new sunscreen for work, my pal identified how shimmery my arm seemed within the daylight. Although the shimmer specks are tiny and gold moderately than giant, iridescent sparkles, I couldn’t assist however really feel like I’d simply stepped out of Twilight sequence, rivaling Edward Cullen’s glowing vampire pores and skin.

All that mentioned, I don’t hate this. It’s straightforward to mix out and certainly gives an illuminating end to my pores and skin, for higher or worse, and I don’t assume it could hassle me to glitter within the solar for a seashore day or hike. However after I’m out to lunch or spending a day operating errands, it’s a bit a lot.

Get the Isle Glow Body Lotion SPF 45 from Sephora for $38

Isle Physique Oil SPF 30

What it claims: The Isle Physique Oil accommodates avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene for its solar safety components. Past that, it makes use of a mix of oils, corresponding to squalane, argan, grapeseed, coconut, and meadowfoam seed, to moisturize the pores and skin. Not like the prior two merchandise, it has a “heat vanilla and amber perfume.”

What it’s like to make use of it: Although this oil accommodates SPF, I opted to use this at evening rather than a body lotion, as that’s how I’ve used physique oils up to now. I described the components to a pal as feeling like a “dry-touch oil” as a result of it doesn’t really feel greasy or thick like others I’ve tried, corresponding to Bio Oil. It additionally imparts a sheen on the pores and skin with out showing overly shiny—I don’t need to go to mattress or out in public trying like an oil slick. I felt snug crawling beneath the covers inside an hour of making use of this and didn’t really feel like my legs have been sliding in opposition to one another or sticking to my sheets, which I appreciated.

As for sporting this outdoors, I might attempt it, however I’d in all probability need to apply no less than a skinny layer of sunscreen beneath it, because the oil is runny and clear, which makes it arduous to inform if I’m absolutely coating my pores and skin. This product will get my approval, however with the caveat that you need to plan to completely apply it earlier than solar publicity.

Get the Isle Body Oil SPF 30 from Sephora for $32

Isle Lip Balm SPF 30

What it claims: The lip balm claims to be “kissable SPF to guard your pout.” It accommodates avobenzone, homosalate, and octisalate for solar safety in addition to moisturizing aloe, sea moss, and vitamin E. It claims to have a non-sticky end that leaves a transparent sheen on the lips. Vanilla brown sugar is the “taste” ascribed to this product.

What it’s like to make use of it: Of the merchandise I attempted from Cay Pores and skin, that is the one I may see myself utilizing essentially the most. The balm feels thick and sticky upon software however snug as soon as I rub my lips collectively to therapeutic massage it in. I just like the slight sheen it offers my lips and I believe it’d be simpler to layer on high of a lipstick in the event you wished some coloration, although I didn’t do this.

Regardless of being proper beneath my nostril, the perfume isn’t in any respect bothersome—it’s flippantly candy and fades as I put on it. For those who’re an actual stickler for stickiness, you need to know that it doesn’t cross my hair check, i.e., my hair suctions to the balm. I’d want that not be the case, however the SPF it gives is a good tradeoff to me.

Get the Isle Lip Balm SPF 30 from Sephora for $32

Is Cay Pores and skin value it?

It’s a reluctant “perhaps” from me

My ideas on Cay Pores and skin ebbed and flowed all through the few weeks I used to be testing the road. I appreciated the end of the face lotion, so I wished to like it, however the pilling is sufficient of a pink flag that I wouldn’t advocate you spend $32 on it. As a substitute, I’d advocate making an attempt the Supergoop Glowscreen Sunscreen, which is offered in two pearlescent colours, “Dawn” (champagne) and “Golden Hour” (bronze), to match your pores and skin tone.

The physique lotion presents its personal subject for me with the ultra-shimmery end, however I like how straightforward it’s to rub in and comfy it feels as soon as on. However once more, you don’t have to spend $38 for a snug physique sunscreen. As a result of that you must use loads of sunscreen to coat your complete physique, I like to recommend going for a extra reasonably priced choice, just like the Banana Boat Ultra Sport Sunscreen Lotion.

The 2 merchandise I’d say are most value giving a attempt are the physique oil and lip balm, as their advantages outweigh the drawbacks. That mentioned, I don’t assume that you must spend $32 and $14, respectively, for these two kinds of merchandise, both.

Shop Cay Skin on Sephora

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Costs have been correct on the time this text was printed however might change over time.