Is Blissoma Photonic™ the Holy Grail of Non-Toxic Sunscreens? My Full Review! (2025)

Blissoma’s Photonic™ Sunscreen- My New Skincare Obsession!

For the past month, I’ve been using Photonic™ as my daily facial sunscreen. It’s the first Blissoma product I’ve tried, and spoiler alert – I’m already hooked!

What makes it stand out?

It uses non-nano zinc oxide for serious protection while incorporating unique ingredients like astaxanthin (from red algae) that give it a nice peachy hue.

This helps avoid the typical white cast that comes with most mineral sunscreens. Plus, it contains niacinamide and Ectoin®, which actually improve your skin over time.

To make sure I was getting the full benefits, I committed to applying the Photonic™ sunscreen every single morning before my daily run.

I wanted to see how it would perform under the Southern California sun and how it would hold up to sweat during my runs.

Pros

• No white cast! The peachy hue from astaxanthin blends seamlessly into the skin.
• Doesn’t drip into the eyes during exercise, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
• Luxurious, high-end feel that rivals premium skincare products.
• Noticeable reduction in hyperpigmentation and sun spots with consistent use.

Cons

• Can settle into fine lines when wearing foundation (tip: mix with a bit of moisturizer to prevent this).
• Slightly drying/mattifying effect, which may not be ideal for those with very dry skin.

NewBeauty Award 2025

I’m thrilled to share that Blissoma has been recognized by NewBeauty with a prestigious beauty award for their Photonic Light Shifting Solution SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Facial Sunscreen + Moisturizer!

Named the Best Sunscreen For Acne-Prone Skin, this lightweight, zinc-based marvel is a game-changer for anyone who’s ever struggled to find a sunscreen that won’t clog pores or worsen breakouts.

Infused with micronized zinc oxide and a blend of botanicals, it not only protects your skin from UV damage, pollution, and stress but also delivers deep hydration.

Britt Fallon, NewBeauty’s director of beauty, calls it “a sophisticated formula that’s worth a try, whether you have acne-prone skin or not.”

Blissoma continues to redefine skincare, and this award is just another shining example!

Why A Good Non-Toxic Sunscreen Matters

Before we get into the details of my review, let’s talk a little bit about why choosing a non-toxic sunscreen is so important.

Many conventional sunscreens on the market contain quite a few problematic ingredients that can be harmful to both our health and the environment.

Chemical UV filters like oxybenzone, octinoxate, and homosalate have been shown to absorb through the skin into our bloodstream, where they can potentially disrupt our hormones and increase our chances of cancer. These ingredients have also been linked to coral reef damage, leading to bans in some coastal areas.

Here are some of the most common toxic ingredients found in sunscreens and why you should avoid them:

• Oxybenzone: This chemical UV filter has been shown to mimic hormones and disrupt the endocrine system. It’s also been detected in breast milk and linked to allergic reactions.
• Octinoxate: Like oxybenzone, octinoxate can disrupt hormones and has been found to cause skin irritation. It’s also been linked to coral reef bleaching.
• Homosalate: Studies have shown that homosalate can disrupt estrogen, androgen, and progesterone activity, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances.
• Parabens: These preservatives have been found in breast cancer tissues and are known to mimic estrogen in the body.
• Synthetic Fragrances: Often listed simply as “fragrance,” these chemical mixtures can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, and even neurotoxicity.

What Makes Blissoma A Great Natural Skincare Brand

Founded by an Herbal Chemist

One of the things that sets Blissoma apart is its founder, Julie Longyear. As an herbal chemist, Julie brings a fresh perspective to formulating clean and natural skincare.

She combines her knowledge of traditional herbalism with modern scientific research to create truly unique products that are both effective and gentle on the skin.

Good Ingredients In, Bad Ingredients Out

Blissoma stands out because each ingredient is carefully selected for its specific skin benefits. Equally as important, they exclude any potential irritants or toxic additives.

Their products are free from synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and other common toxins found in many conventional skincare products and sunscreens.

Instead, they harness the power of nature, using potent plant extracts and nourishing botanical oils to support your skin’s natural function.

As someone with sensitive, reactive skin, I really appreciate knowing that every ingredient in Blissoma’s products serves a purpose and has been vetted for safety.

In an industry where “greenwashing” is all too common, Blissoma really stands out for their transparency and rigorous testing standards.

They openly share information about their ingredient sourcing and manufacturing practices so you can make the most informed decisions about what you are putting on your skin.

The Science Behind The Photonic™ Sunscreen

A Year To Create The Perfect Formula

When Blissoma set out to create Photonic™, they knew they wanted to develop the best mineral sunscreen available.

The Blissoma team spent over a year perfecting the recipe, creating and testing more than 40 different batches to get it just right.

That level of dedication and attention to detail is rare in the skincare industry, and it really shows in the final product.

Key Ingredients and Their Benefits

So, what makes Photonic™ so special? Let’s take a closer look at some of the key ingredients:

Non-Nano Zinc Oxide (13.2%)

Zinc oxide is the best of the best when it comes to mineral sun protection.

Photonic™ uses a high concentration of non-nano zinc oxide, which means the particles are larger and sit on top of the skin rather than being absorbed.

This provides a physical barrier against both UVA and UVB rays, offering broad-spectrum protection without the need for chemical filters.

Astaxanthin (from Red Algae)

One of the most unique ingredients in Photonic™ is astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant derived from red algae.

Not only does astaxanthin give the sunscreen its distinctive peachy hue (goodbye, white cast!), but it also helps to protect the skin from free radical damage and oxidative stress.

Studies have shown that astaxanthin can help reduce UV-induced skin damage and inflammation, making it the perfect partner for zinc oxide.

Niacinamide (3%)

Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is a true multitasker when it comes to skincare benefits. It works to:

• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• It evens out skin tone and diminishes the look of dark spots
• Strengthening the skin’s barrier function
• Regulate sebum production to minimize shine and congestion

Ectoin®

Ectoin® is a unique ingredient that I hadn’t come across before trying Photonic™. It’s a natural amino acid derivative that helps to protect the skin from environmental stressors by:

• Boosting the skin’s resilience against UV damage and pollution
• Improving moisture retention for better hydration throughout the day
• Soothing and calming irritated or sensitive skin

Botanical Oils & Extracts

In addition to these potent active ingredients, Photonic™ is infused with a nourishing blend of botanical oils and extracts that work to improve your skin as it protects it:

• Organic Gotu Kola: Helps to firm and refresh the skin. Known to have stronger benefits than Vitamin C.
• Organic Mullein Leaf: Traditionally used to calm and soothe irritated skin.
• Organic Ginkgo Biloba: Rich in antioxidants, helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines.
• Virgin Cold-Pressed Blackberry Seed Oil: This oil is high in omega fatty acids and vitamin E to nourish and condition the skin.
• Organic Kalahari Melon Seed and Baobab Oils: Deeply hydrate and protect the skin barrier without clogging pores. Sourced directly from independent producers in Africa.

What’s impressive about Photonic™ is how all of these ingredients work together to provide both immediate and long-term benefits for the skin.

The non-nano zinc oxide offers powerful sun protection, while the astaxanthin, niacinamide, and Ectoin® work behind the scenes to boost the skin’s natural defenses and promote a healthy, radiant complexion.

Photonic™ is more than just a sunscreen, it’s scientifically proven skincare that helps improve your skin while protecting it from the sun.

My Real-World Results Using Photonic™ Sunscreen

My Morning Routine

To make applying Photonic™ sunscreen a daily habit, I started keeping it right next to my toothbrush—no more excuses!

When I first apply the sunscreen to my face, I can see the product sitting on top of my skin. However, as I massage it into my skin, the formula quickly melts into my skin, leaving no visible tint behind.

I also love how it evens out my skin tone. On most days, I feel confident skipping makeup altogether after applying this sunscreen.

Texture & Feel

From the moment I first tried Photonic™, I knew this was going to be a different kind of sunscreen experience.

The texture is luxuriously light and smooth, more like a high-end moisturizer than a traditional sunscreen.It glides onto the skin effortlessly and absorbs quickly, leaving behind a soft, matte finish.

Unlike other mineral sunscreens I’ve tried, Photonic™ doesn’t feel heavy or greasy on the skin.It also layers beautifully under makeup and doesn’t pill when I apply foundation over it.

Performance During Outdoor Activities

One of my biggest tests for any sunscreen is how it holds up during my daily outdoor runs, and Photonic™ passed with flying colors.

Even at my sweatiest, this formula didn’t drip into my eyes or cause any stinging or irritation!

All-Day Wearability

In addition to my workouts, I also wore Photonic™ during regular daily activities to see how it performed over extended periods.

I’m happy to report that this sunscreen truly goes the distance. It maintained its smooth, matte finish throughout the day without ever looking or feeling greasy.

I did notice that if I applied too much, it sometimes settled into fine lines around my eyes.However, I found that applying a small amount of my regular moisturizer before putting on the Photonic™ sunscreen helped!

Skincare Benefits Beyond Sun Protection

While protecting my skin from the sun was my primary goal in testing this sunscreen, I was pleasantly surprised to notice some additional skin care benefits over the course of the month.

As someone who struggles with hyperpigmentation and dark spots, I’m always on the lookout for products that can help even out my skin tone.

After using Photonic consistently for a few weeks, I started to notice a significant reduction in the dark patches along my nose and hairline.

The overall texture and radiance of my skin also seemed to improve. Probably due to the nourishing blend of antioxidants and botanicals in the formula.

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