Ultimate Sunscreen Guide: Top Picks
Good morning, skincare aficionados! I'm Caolan, and I welcome you to But More Importantly. Today we will navigate the world of sunscreens in light of the impending summer. Remember, the most effective sunscreen is the one you'd apply daily, regardless of weather. At But More Importantly, we recommend the daily use of sunscreen as an effective and economical way to avoid future skin issues. Regular sun protection is key to preventing skin cancer, a condition closely linked with exposure to the sun. Remember, even irregular intense burns can increase your risk significantly.
Best Face Sunscreens for Daily Use
Now, let's dive into the best sunscreens for various skin types. For folks with dry skin, Beauty of Joseon is a personal favorite. Priced at just $10, this Korean sunscreen is a blend of physical and chemical sunscreens, offers a non-greasy, lightweight formula and is ideal for daily use. Purito's Daily Go-to Sunscreen SPF 50 is also a good choice. It's a hybrid, fragrance-free sunscreen with a sheer finish. As we transition from winter to summer, it's a good idea to tweak your moisturizer. If your skin is extremely dry, layering these sunscreens over a moisturizer can be helpful.
If you have oily skin, you might even omit the moisturizer entirely. A good sunscreen for oily skin is La Roche Double Repair Face Moisturizer. It offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection and costs $20. This chemical sunscreen may look lightweight, but it's packed with ceramides to help restore your skin barrier, providing an extra glow that might be beneficial for oily skin types. In the summer's heat and humidity, you may well skip your morning moisturizer before using this.
For the sensitive skin group, we have three options. First up is Dr. Jart's Everyday Sunday Mineral Sunscreen with SPF 50 – a lightweight, water-resistant product. But don't let "water-resistant" deceive you – if you're at the beach or pool, you will need to reapply it.
SkinCeuticals also offers a reliable option, but remember to shake it before use. Their Physical Fusion UV Defense provides a broad-spectrum SPF of 36 and contains titanium and zinc. I prefer the tinted version because it seems to leave less of a white cast, but it might not be suitable for all skin tones.
Next, we have a product from Vanicream. This brand takes great pride in its products being free of dyes, fragrances, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde releasers. This is not a fear-mongering tactic; people with sensitive skin tend to react adversely to these ingredients. Their sunscreen is a unique combination of zinc oxide and ceramides which makes it relatively lightweight. It's not the best in terms of leaving a cast, but if you have sensitivities, it's a very safe option for anti-aging.
Let's talk about Isdin; it's a Spanish brand that's popular for its Eryfotona Actinica, a daily SPF 50 sunscreen retailing at $60. It needs to be shaken before use, and like others, it contains zinc oxide. It's quite watery, much like the SkinCeuticals product, but what sets it apart for anti-aging is its formulation with proprietary patented DNA repair enzymes. These enzymes help repair existing sun damage. If you have pre-cancerous lesions (also known as actinic keratoses) or extensive sun damage on your face, this sunscreen not only protects your skin but also proactively helps repair it.
Now let's switch gears and talk about sunscreen for darker skin tones. Unfortunately, when it comes to mineral sunscreens (those that contain zinc and titanium), it's challenging to find one that doesn't leave a cast. If you have darker skin and you're not sensitive, I recommend Beauty of Joseon. This sunscreen is easy to apply, melts into your skin, and is very elegant. However, if you have sensitive skin, from our team’s experience, Peter Thomas Roth's mineral sunscreen has been well-received.
Another commendable sunscreen is Tatcha’s Silk Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50. This is a zinc oxide sunscreen that works great on all skin tones, particularly Indian complexions. However, it does contain hyaluronic acid, so keep that in mind if you're trying to limit its use in your skincare routine.
Lastly, Live Tinted is another brand with an SPF 30 sunscreen that retails for $32. It contains zinc oxide, and I've tested this one it performed wonderfully. The only downside is the packaging. It's thin, doesn't stand up well and feels rather flimsy. All these downsides are a bit disappointing considering it's $60. But overall, the formulation is brilliantly done. It does leave a slightly orange hue to the skin so if you're very dark, I would probably not recommend this one. Instead, opt for the Tatcha or Peter Thomas Roth products.
For makeup wearers, let's discuss what kind of sunscreen to use underneath your makeup. You can absolutely use the sunscreens that we've just talked about with no problem at all. But if you're looking for a little je ne sais quoi, I sometimes like to lightly pat Supergoop's Glow Screen onto the cheekbones and high points of my face. It is $36 and it's a chemical sunscreen. I don't use too much of it because it's a chemical formula, which can irritate my sensitive eyes. I've learned to just use it on the high points of my face to give my skin that extra glowy sheen. It's pretty, but I do use another sunscreen underneath. Other people can use it all over their face, but I can't because of my eye sensitivity.
If you're looking for a sunscreen that can double as makeup while still giving you the protection you need, I recommend Laura Mercier. This tinted moisturizer has been a godsend to me. However, they recently launched an illuminating version, which I prefer because it gives a subtle glow. The only caveat I have if you're going to do this is to use the right amount. I apply two full finger lengths, one on each side of my face, and distribute it evenly. It is a chemical sunscreen, retailing for $48. When I use this, I skip foundation. It's what I'm currently using and it comes in 20 shades. It's perfect for a 'no makeup' makeup look, ideal for everyday use.
One product I've recently purchased because of your recommendations is from Kosas. I appreciate their compact packaging. Slightly wider than others, it holds better. It retails for $40. Their dream beam sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen with 21% non-nano zinc oxide, peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. (I wish it didn’t have the hyaluronic acid, to be honest). The consistency is very soft and smooth. It may not work well for darker skin tones, but it blends seamlessly into my skin with a slight yellowish tint. I will say it's definitely worth a try.
Top Picks for Body and Scalp Sunscreen
Now, let's talk about body and scalp sunscreen. It's important to apply sunscreen from head to toe, even though, I'll admit, I don't apply body sunscreen every day. However, when you're out and about, make sure to cover your arms and chest as that's where a lot of the damage can occur over time.
Colore Science has a mineral sunscreen for the body, which is relatively rare to find but is a really nice one. It comes in different shades as well. They also have a bronzed version. So if you're at the beach and you want to feel like a bronze statue, the Color Science Bronzed Body Sunscreen is an interesting one to go for. So why not protect your skin and look good in the process? I'm all for it. This one is water-resistant up to 80 minutes, but again, you're going to have to reapply if you jump in the water.
When considering sun protection for the scalp, particularly for those with thinner hair, SPF powders are an excellent choice. If hats aren't your style, try products like Super Goop's resetting mineral powder, which offers SPF 35 protection. Not only does it protect your scalp, but it also functions as a dry shampoo to some extent. Another great pick is the Sun Bum scalp and hair mist with SPF 30, which provides a captivating tropical island experience at a bargain price.
Recommendations for Sunscreen Reapplication
As for facial reapplication, Super Goop's resetting mineral powder is a great option in summertime urban settings a it's also effective at absorbing surplus shine from sweating. Available in four shades - translucent, light, medium, and deep - it caters to different skin tones. Retailing at 30 dollars, it contains 24% zinc oxide. You can also purchase just the powder refill, but remember to clean the brush between uses to maintain good hygiene.
Next up is body reapplication. If you're seeking a mist that's also mineral-based for your body, Elta MD's Mist fits the bill. Its white color allows you to see where you apply it, ensuring no spots are missed. And despite the initial white hue, it blends in seamlessly without leaving an obvious white cast. Just remember to avoid spraying sunscreen on your face to prevent inhalation - It's better to spray sunscreen on your hand first before applying it. Remember, you'll need more than you imagine. A useful gauge is that if your floor is slightly slippery, you've likely applied enough - one spritz isn't sufficient for total coverage.
Sun Protection Tips for Children and Infants
Regardless of skin tone, children should have a generous layer of sunscreen for optimal protection. They may not appreciate the ghostly look, especially from products like Think Baby with its high zinc oxide content, but they'll appreciate the protection in the future. Despite not being the most aesthetically pleasing, Think Baby is a fantastic option for high-level sun protection for children with its SPF 50 and 20% zinc oxide formula.
Please note, the American Academy of Pediatricians does not recommend sunscreen for babies less than six months old and infants should be kept out of direct sunlight. Protect their sensitive skin with UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) clothing, hats, and even sunglasses with UV filters for their delicate eyes.
That sums up our sunscreen roundup! I hope you found this article informative and helpful. Let us know in the comments below.
