We’re nowhere near the end of summer, but I just ran out of both my facial sunblocks, Pratima Neem Rose Face Sunscreen and Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF40. (Apparently I’ve been practicing good sun protection!) When I went to purchase a new bottle of one or the other, however, I realized that both products were sold out.

What to do?

Fortunately, I found  a few sample packets of Aesop Sage & Zinc Hydrating Cream in my drawer. This seemed like the moment to give them a try.

Aesop has given its Sage & Zinc Hydrating Cream a rating of SPF15, thanks to its healthy dose of zinc oxide (16.1% !). Zinc oxide protects my skin without irritating it, so I had a feeling that I’d like this product.

Sage & Zinc Hydrating Cream is a medium-weight moisturizer, and its ingredients list features botanical treats like macadamia seed oil and evening primrose oil as well as a hit of squalane. It might be too dense for very oily complexions, but it feels just right on my combination/dehydrated skin. This cream includes lavender oil in addition to the sage oil, so it has a light herbal scent that i find very pleasant.

If I over-apply, there’s a slight feeling of stickiness, but as long as I don’t overload my face with product, Sage & Zinc Hydrating Cream absorbs nicely and even gives a slight “mattifying” effect. One slight “con”: my makeup doesn’t last as long over this sunblock-moisturizer as it does over Josie Maran’s Argan Daily Moisturizer (whose silicones create a priming, binding effect).

Overall, I’m pleased with my trial of Aesop’s Sage & Zinc Hydrating Cream, and if I’m still not able to get my hands on any Pratima or Josie Maran soon, this will be my next purchase.

Aesop Sage & Zinc Hydrating Cream with Sunscreen sells for $45 (40 ml tube) or $65 (60 ml jar) at the Aesop website and Aesop storefronts.

Product source: sample packets received with a purchase at an Aesop boutique.

Image: photograph by Genevieve Naylor, 1952, via Corbis.