AB LAB Review: Meet Our New In-House Brand & the Sunscreens You’ll Actually Want to Wear
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
If you’re a regular around these parts, you would know we’re big fans of sunscreen here at Adore Beauty.
Huge.
Honestly, wearing sunscreen every single day is our one and only beauty rule.
Why? Because if you aren't applying a face sunscreen daily, you might as well tip your expensive serums down the toilet.
There's the not at all small risk of developing skin cancer, too.
Skincare aficionados, you know the drill.
But when we recently surveyed 800 Adore Society members, our palms started sweating when we discovered a third of you are not wearing sunscreen regularly.
Even though a tube of sunscreen is a fair bit cheaper than most anti-ageing skincare products, a lot of people still don't wear SPF consistently because they haven't found 'the one' yet.
Enter, AB LAB.
Yep, meet our new community-driven private label beauty brand bringing you what we hope will be your holy grail SPF.
Our two new AB LAB SPF products are not your average sunscreens, because we made them based on what you, our customers, told us you really want from a sunscreen.
Enough chat. Let’s get into everything you need to know about these AB LAB sunscreens.
Wait, Why Do I Need to Wear Sunscreen Again?
Apart from the aforementioned health benefits, there’s also this:
Around 80% of our visible skin concerns can be attributed to sun damage from exposure to UVA rays (the ones that age you) and UVB rays (the ones that burn you).
In other words, None of your skincare products will make much of a difference in treating fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, loss of elasticity, sensitivity, and loss of hydration if you're not applying at least an SPF30+ (but ideally SPF50+ sunscreen) over the top.
We’re talking every day, not just when you're at the beach.
And of course, SPF is only scratching the surface of sun protection!
Always seek shade, wear a hat and protective clothing. Use sufficient sunscreen for all unprotected areas and reapply sunscreen as directed. Always read the label.
What Is AB LAB?
Curating the ‘best in beauty’, AB LAB is a brand that brings together what Adore Beauty does best.
Think effective, inclusive, solutions-focussed products at an accessible price point, and all driven by what you tell us you want, love, need or haven’t found yet.
Adore’s co-founder Kate Morris says, “After 22 years of talking to our gorgeous customers about what they needed, we reckon we know a few things about what they like and what they’re still looking for.”
“It’s with this deep knowledge that we’ve developed AB LAB, which aims to deliver the absolute essentials for our customers.”
Keep your eye peeled for AB LAB new releases across hair, skincare and more, but if we’re talking about ‘essentials’, Kate thought it would only be right to start with her most beloved product - sunscreen.
“Discovering a third of you are NOT wearing sunscreen regularly filled us with horror and steely ambition - so voilà - we built a sunscreen range so perfect that NONE OF YOU HAVE ANY EXCUSE.”
“It’s our one and only absolute beauty ‘rule’, and a non-negotiable skincare step.”
AB LAB Sunscreen.
That’s the ‘why’ covered, but what’s so special about the dang sunscreens?
AB LAB’s first launch is a line of skincare-led SPF products, formulated for different skin types to leave skin looking dewy, luminous or matte, depending on personal preference.
We’ve always considered it our duty to help you find a sunscreen you love so much, you'll want to slather it on every single morning.
A sunscreen that isn't sticky or chalky, doesn't make you greasy, doesn't sting your eyes or break you out, and doesn't pill under makeup.
They’re givens, so we dug a bit deeper and found out what you really, really want from a sunscreen:
- 85% of Adore Society members choose SPFs with their skin type in mind.
- 80% told us they would use an SPF daily if it included a cosmeceutical (or active ingredient) that helped to improve the condition of their skin.
- Yes, you want a sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection (which is the #1 most important thing), but our community also flagged they’d be keen on a sunscreen that could help with hydration, brightening skin tone, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
You asked, and we reckon we’ve delivered with not one, but two new SPFs.
As these products are under TGA guidelines (our regulatory body is among the strictest in the world, but this guarantees only quality sunscreens hit our shelves), we can’t go into too much detail.
So this isn't a full Adore Beauty sunscreen review, but here’s what we can tell (and show) you…
1. AB LAB Dewy-C SPF50+ Facial Sun Milk.
Price: $39.95 for 75ml.
Packaging: Push pump packaging with a lid that clicks on tight (no spills!).
Texture and consistency:
Like the name suggests, this sunscreen has a lightweight milk consistency. The formula isn’t super runny, but it melts seamlessly into skin.
Finish:
I mean, the name ‘dewy-C’ kinda says it all, no? We like to say this gives skin an instant boost of glossy luminosity.
Extra important bits:
- This is a chemical/organic sunscreen containing a blend of traditional and next-gen UV filters (inc. Tinosorb S)
- Offers broad spectrum SPF50+ UVA and UVB protection.
- Sustainably packaged and made in Australia, vegan, cruelty-free and free from oxybenzone, parabens and sulphates.
Watch AB LAB Dewy-C SPF50+ Facial Sun Milk in action below.
Skincare ingredients:
- Vitamin C - Ascorbyl Phosphate is a well-tolerated form of antioxidant vitamin C that helps to protect skin against free radical damage (i.e. signs of premature ageing).
- Resveratrol - Think of this antioxidant as vitamin C’s sidekick; it helps to enhance the efficacy of vitamin C.
- Hyaluronic acid - A water-loving molecule that attracts and holds onto moisture to improve skin hydration levels.
- Glycerin - Another humectant ingredient that reduces moisture loss by holding water within the surface layers of the skin; preventing skin from drying out.
- Carnosine - Shields skin from UVA / UVB rays and the blue light emitted by screens.
- Kakadu plum extract - A glowy skin Australian native extract rich in antioxidants.
Added benefits:
Thanks to the addition of antioxidants vitamin C and resveratrol (they’re basically SPF’s best mates), Dewy-C has been specifically formulated to enhance skin’s natural radiance, assist in evening out skin tone, help protect against the harmful effects of free-radical damage and can even aid in the prevention of premature skin ageing.
This formula is best suited to: Normal to dryer skin types.
Bottom line:
It’s very hard to formulate a sunscreen that ticks All The Boxes. AB LAB Dewy-C SPF50+ Facial Sun Milk comes pretty darn close.
If you’ve used luminous, dewy finish sunscreens before, or are looking for a sunscreen for dry skin, this one might be up your alley.
2. AB LAB Barrier Boost SPF50 Mineral Sun Cream.
Price: $39.95 for 75ml.
Packaging: A sleek squeeze tube with a clip-shut lid.
Texture and consistency:
This is more of your gel/cream sunscreen variety - the right amount of thickness that blends effortlessly into skin.
Finish: Demi-matte! In other words, neither dewy nor fully matte.
Extra important bits:
- This is a mineral/inorganic sunscreen containing a zinc oxide UV filter.
- Offers broad spectrum SPF50+ UVA and UVB protection.
- Sustainably packaged and made in Australia, vegan, cruelty-free and free from oxybenzone, parabens and sulphates.
Watch AB LAB Barrier Boost SPF50 Mineral Sun Cream in action below.
Skincare ingredients:
- Niacinamide (vitamin B3) - A does-all ingredient that brightens the look of skin tone, strengthens the skin barrier, reduces inflammation and helps regulate oil production.
- Ceramides - These naturally-occurring friends are handy to have because they reinforce the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
- Vitamin E - An antioxidant that also has a moisturising effect in the skin.
- Antioxidants (including Kakadu plum extract) - Help to protect skin against that pesky free radical damage.
- Carnosine - Shields skin from UVA / UVB rays and the blue light emitted by screens.
- Kakadu plum extract - A glowy skin Australian native extract rich in antioxidants.
Added benefits:
This featherlight and fragrance-free sunscreen has been specifically formulated to help brighten the look of skin and maintain skin’s natural moisture barrier, while protecting skin against free radical damage.
This formula is best suited to: Oily, combination and sensitive skin-havers. Or anyone who prefers a mineral SPF.
Bottom line:
A mineral sunscreen for oily skin that combines active skincare and sun protection in one, but isn't a fully matte sunscreen?
Yes please.
If you feel like your skin would benefit from a barrier boost, you’re up!
Finally, we’ll leave you with a scoop…
There will be a third AB LAB sunscreen joining the fam in the very near future that will complete this overachieving trio.
Sorry to be a tease, but that’s all we can say for now.
P.S. We recap our top 10 best-selling sunscreens in this video below!
Still searching for your forever SPF? Take our sunscreens quiz to find your perfect SPF match from our top brands!
Read more sunscreen content on Beauty IQ below:
