I am NOT a certified dermatologist, but I AM a certified skin burner. It has taken me too many years and sunburns to realize the best anti-aging and anti-cancer action you can take is wear sunscreen everyday, not just spring and summer. Incorporating a layer of sunscreen on your face neck and hands each day on top moisturizer, even on rainy or indoor days is a must.
Given the summer is coming it is a good time to stock up on sunscreen for the season. Here are my favorite options for you and your family:
BEST ALL AROUND BRAND FOR MY FAMILY: Supergoop! We all like this brand because it has a little something for my whole family. It has everything from lotions for body and face, lip sunscreens and makeup.
~Glow Screen or UnSeen Sun Screen (Face) Love this stuff! I use Unseen on no make up days and Glow Screen when I use a little makeup and have a nice shine. I use these regularly as part of my morning regimen because of its SPF 40, light coverage and it doesn’t cause my face to breakout. UnSeen Sunscreen $34 1.7 oz tube https://www.sephora.com/product/supergoop-unseen-sunscreen-spf-40-P454380?skuId=2315935&icid2=seop_1_title
~PLAY bottle SPF 50 (Body Coverage) is a spring and summer staple in my bag. It protects the kids for hours on the beach, ocean and sporting events. I use the lotion before we leave the house and it soaks in our skin and have never had a burn. Cost is hefty at $77 but a big 18oz bottle will last all summer! https://supergoop.com/products/everyday-home-away-kit?variant=31210516349026&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAjwvMqDBhB8EiwA2iSmPADqzN1_CnxA4c_tEdlUbO2ekHND54dn5d3uzfX2mpRLhk1-2vivyRoCxmwQAvD_BwE
~PLAY Body Mist SPF 30 or 50 (Body Coverage) Personally, I find it hard to get a lotion on skin after we have been out swimming, sweating, etc. $21 for a spray bottle. HINT – This is almost always on sale at the half yearly Nordstrom Sale for a 3 pack. I stock up then! https://supergoop.com/products/antioxidant-infused-sunscreen-mist-with-vitamin-c
Best FACE Sunscreen options from skin experts to add to your cart:
~Fan Fave Elta MD UV SPF 46 – Skin care experts swoon over this clear facial sunscreen that is recommended for acne prone skin and those who suffer from acne and rosacea. It has niacinamide which helps with acne and break outs and boasts a no cast lotion that is a nice complement to any skin care regimen. Also has a tinted version for your summer make up routine. I have used this and love it! Cost $37 for 1.7oz tube https://eltamd.com/collections/face-sunscreen
~Black Girl Sunscreen – Super moisturizing with jojoba and avocado now now available at Target. This sunscreen is for melanated beauties that promises to not be blotchy and has no white residue. BGS is free of all the parabens, fragrance, etc. and is vegan and cruelty free. Best of all, this is a female, black owned business and rated highly on the EWG site. $16 for 3 oz available at Target and Ulta. https://www.target.com/p/black-girl-sunscreen-broad-spectrum-spf-30-3-fl-oz/-/A-76157877?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012735304&CPNG=PLA_Beauty%2BPersonal+Care%2BShopping_Local%7CBeauty_Ecomm_Beauty&adgroup=SC_Health%2BBeauty&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9007376&targetid=aud-1207873043035:pla-900326307544&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=CjwKCAjwvMqDBhB8EiwA2iSmPLk8e1g4g52G2_fhQP2n87nl_JnpLuTFh9bgLGwy2_nowagLbsp_3BoC23UQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
~La Roche-Posay – French skin care giant offers solid skin care and sunscreens. Dermatologists and skin care experts always have this on their top lists of sunscreen. The Anthelios is the best mineral sunscreen and is available in different SPF levels. Great reviews as a $30 for 1.7 oz, $16 for 3 oz available at Target and Ulta. https://www.ulta.com/anthelios-60-face-sunscreen-combination-skin-spf-60?productId=xlsImpprod3840055&sku=2236416&cmpid=PS_Non!google!Product_Listing_Ads&cagpspn=pla&CATCI=pla-1230363830834&CAAGID=119115918140&CAWELAID=1046463836&CATARGETID=330000200002744195&CADevice=c&gclid=CjwKCAjwvMqDBhB8EiwA2iSmPHJDzkqHAjqPOvqEROHXwJdjx57QN_8b206ykqRwvcXnV6GoWH31txoCYw4QAvD_BwE
~Biore UV – This Japanese 50# sunscreen is watery and light available on Amazon. Because of the watery nature of it I would use it on your face daily but not for heavy duty sweaty days at the beach. This is more for use with a dewey make up look. Approximatly $10 for 1.7 oz tube on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Biore-Aqua-Watery-Essence-SPF50/dp/B06X9RYT9Q/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvMqDBhB8EiwA2iSmPAGkwR5G-EbeuCP_xOs6ofRFiT9RyL-4zbefATqTqZGQQuBTTsCk0xoCWLwQAvD_BwE&hvadid=177567136252&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9007376&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10527568942435497662&hvtargid=kwd-44267090512&hydadcr=23034_9899281&keywords=biore+uv+aqua+rich+watery+essence&qid=1618169955&sr=8-2
~Sun Bum – If you have ever used this sunscreen, the smell is amazing. This formula is Oxybenzone Free & Octinoxate Free which the brand claims is Reef Friendly. Widely available and has many options in lotions, sticks, lip balms, and hair oils. Great price points and widely available. $13 for 3 oz on their Website. https://www.sunbum.com/products/original-spf-50-sunscreen-face-lotion-3oz?_pos=5&_sid=f85c3bda5&_ss=r
~The Beet Shield – This one is so popular and so recommended on #skintok (the skin specialty portion of TikTok) that it is sold out and I am on a waitlist. Since I can’t get my hands on it yet, I have to rely on the amazing reviews. This entire brand hits all the “yes please” for me – Created by Liah Yoo, she dreamed of a simple skin care routine that supplemented your life rather than complicated it. I can’t wait to get off the waitlist! $20 for 1.7 oz. on their website. https://kravebeauty.com/products/the-beet-shield
~Cocokind – Affordable, plant powered and claim to be sustainable. This is a lightweight zinc reported to be reef friendly. I also haven’t tried this, but it is a popular choice for skincare influencers and worth a mention here. $24 for 1.7 oz. on their website, also available at Ulta and Target.https://www.cocokind.com/collections/must-haves/products/physical-sunscreen
I hope this helps you find some new and maybe better options for your purse and beachbag. Remember when applying sunscreen make sure it isn’t expired (yes it has expiry on the seem of most tubes) and be sure to re-apply every few hours. A word about the EWG (Environmental Working Group) is needed as well. While I use the EWG for produce it is worthwhile to mention that the EWG is not entirely non biased. They DO accept funding from some private companies. So, use it as a guide but remember some companies may be highlighted more than others due to funding.
Happy Sun Safe SPRING and SUMMER!!
Leave a Reply