Hello global warming! The weather has been so inconsistent in the past couple of weeks with snow, heat waves, thunderstorms... but hot summer days are here (or at least they're coming), so it's important to add some extra SPF into your beauty routine.
It's really important to wear a sunscreen all year round, but it's especially imperative when you're under the hot sun. I'm sure you've heard it a million times... Sunscreen prevents brown spots, wrinkles, and many other skin issues.
I often add a separate layer of sunscreen because the majority of face creams have minimal SPF protection. It's important not to layer SPF, though. If you're already using a product with SPF built in, don't another sunscreen over it. It may actually degrade the SPF & offer less protection.
I don't use anything under an SPF 30. Anything higher than that isn't really more beneficial, but it doesn't hurt. Really, the key is to reapply. I also prefer physical sunscreens over chemical ones. My skin sometimes get irritated from the latter. Don't know the difference? Physical sunscreens contain Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, chemical sunscreens don't. If you want a more in depth comparison, you should check out this helpful post from Skinacea.
Here are some sunscreens I have on rotation & a few worth a mention.
1/ Julep Daylight Defense, SPF 30
This sunscreen is made for hands and face. While I don't really use this on my face, I do use it for my hands. It's quite moisturizing, non-greasy, and it has a slight citrusy scent. It's a physical sunscren, which contains no parabens or sulfates.
2/ Cyberderm Simply Zinc Sun Whip*, SPF 30
A great face sunscreen. It has an interesting consistency -- almost like a thick mousse. It felt a little heavy at first, but it's indiscernible once it absorbs into the skin. It's comfortable to wear and it works well under makeup. This is another physical sunscreen & it contains 22% organic zinc oxide (the highest concentration out of the bunch, I think).
3/ Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Water-Light, SPF 60
A light everyday sunscreen. It has a watery consistency. It's one of those products that you have to shake really well before use. It spreads easily and absorbs quickly into the skin. Works well alone or under makeup. This is a chemical sunscreen, so it's great for flash photography.
4/ TiZO Facial Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 40
This is the most unique sunscreen I have used. It has a silicone consistency (similar to the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer) and it feels silky to the touch. I also really like that it's tinted. It blends beautifully into the skin (the tint isn't overwhelming & looks natural on the skin). Contains zero dyes, oils, or fragrance. This is something I picked up from my Derm, but keep reading for something similar from the drugstore. This is a physical sunscreen.
5/ La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Cream, SPF 45
This has been my favourite for a couple of years now. I love the melt-in cream because of the consistency. It feels more like a lotion & it's quite moisturizing on the skin. It does leave a dewy finish, but I always set my makeup with a powder. This is a physical sunscreen.
6/ Banana Boat Ultra Defense Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 60
This is currently my go-to sunscreen for the body. One of my favourite things is that it feels like a lotion. It's light, creamy, moisturizing, and non-greasy. It absorbs quickly in the skin and doesn't leave a weird film. This is a chemical sunscreen.
7/ Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen, SPF 45
Another quick drying sunscreen. It's a lightweight cream and non-sticky. It has a slightly mattified finish & it's light enough to use on the face or body. I like carrying this around in my bag for touch ups. This is a chemical sunscreen.
8/ La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Sunscreen, Tinted, SPF 50
I haven't personally seen this in stores yet, but it sounds lovely. I really like the original LRP Ultra-light sunscreen, but the fact that this is tinted makes it even better. Often sunscreen is all you want during those hot summer days, so this is perfect. It's like a beefed up tinted moisturizer.
9/ Aveeno Face Sunscreen, SPF 30
I used this sunscreen for many years. It's one of the few sunscreens that I felt actually made my skin look & feel better after use. It's lightweight & leaves a slightly dewy finish to the skin.
10/ Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense, SPF 50
Here are some sunscreens I have on rotation & a few worth a mention.
1/ Julep Daylight Defense, SPF 30
This sunscreen is made for hands and face. While I don't really use this on my face, I do use it for my hands. It's quite moisturizing, non-greasy, and it has a slight citrusy scent. It's a physical sunscren, which contains no parabens or sulfates.
2/ Cyberderm Simply Zinc Sun Whip*, SPF 30
A great face sunscreen. It has an interesting consistency -- almost like a thick mousse. It felt a little heavy at first, but it's indiscernible once it absorbs into the skin. It's comfortable to wear and it works well under makeup. This is another physical sunscreen & it contains 22% organic zinc oxide (the highest concentration out of the bunch, I think).
3/ Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Water-Light, SPF 60
A light everyday sunscreen. It has a watery consistency. It's one of those products that you have to shake really well before use. It spreads easily and absorbs quickly into the skin. Works well alone or under makeup. This is a chemical sunscreen, so it's great for flash photography.
4/ TiZO Facial Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 40
This is the most unique sunscreen I have used. It has a silicone consistency (similar to the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer) and it feels silky to the touch. I also really like that it's tinted. It blends beautifully into the skin (the tint isn't overwhelming & looks natural on the skin). Contains zero dyes, oils, or fragrance. This is something I picked up from my Derm, but keep reading for something similar from the drugstore. This is a physical sunscreen.
5/ La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Cream, SPF 45
This has been my favourite for a couple of years now. I love the melt-in cream because of the consistency. It feels more like a lotion & it's quite moisturizing on the skin. It does leave a dewy finish, but I always set my makeup with a powder. This is a physical sunscreen.
6/ Banana Boat Ultra Defense Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 60
This is currently my go-to sunscreen for the body. One of my favourite things is that it feels like a lotion. It's light, creamy, moisturizing, and non-greasy. It absorbs quickly in the skin and doesn't leave a weird film. This is a chemical sunscreen.
7/ Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen, SPF 45
Another quick drying sunscreen. It's a lightweight cream and non-sticky. It has a slightly mattified finish & it's light enough to use on the face or body. I like carrying this around in my bag for touch ups. This is a chemical sunscreen.
8/ La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Sunscreen, Tinted, SPF 50
I haven't personally seen this in stores yet, but it sounds lovely. I really like the original LRP Ultra-light sunscreen, but the fact that this is tinted makes it even better. Often sunscreen is all you want during those hot summer days, so this is perfect. It's like a beefed up tinted moisturizer.
9/ Aveeno Face Sunscreen, SPF 30
I used this sunscreen for many years. It's one of the few sunscreens that I felt actually made my skin look & feel better after use. It's lightweight & leaves a slightly dewy finish to the skin.
10/ Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense, SPF 50
This is another lightweight sunscreen with a watery consistency. It's similar to LRP and Neutrogena, but it's fragrance free & contains ingredients that are beneficial for the skin.
(*) Asterisk denotes PR Sample
Thanks for this post! I am obsessed with sun protection. I currently use the Neutrogena waterlight in 60 for my face, and either Neutrogena or SunThera3 (Shoppers brand) for body, but I have a Biotherm and a LRP waiting in the wings. The Cyberderm and the melt-in LRP both look very interesting. I haven't used a chemical sunscreen in a long time.
ReplyDeleteIm kind of scared to use sunscreen on the face.. the ones I have used have either made me super oily or break out. I tried the neutrogena helioplex one, and the aveeno. Maybe, I should try looking at a physical sunscreen. Thanks for the info! I didnt know there was a difference.
ReplyDeletetry freezing! It was so freaking cold today! I'm currently using Elta MD's UV Shield SPF 45 and i really like it. It's perfect to use under makeup.
ReplyDeleteIsabel @ Walk of Fashion
I love Neutrogena sunscreen. This is a great post!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I'm using La Roche-Posay Hydraphase UV Intense for my face, but it's SPF 20 only, I might step up a bit when the real summer days come :)
ReplyDeletePhysicals sunscreens are a little bit more stable & make you less prone to breakouts (or so I've read -- never can really tell until you try it :). Good luck though! Finding the perfect sunscreen can be tough x
ReplyDeleteI'm slightly obsessed, too! I really like the SunThera! Used it last summer & it was great. I've been kind of mixing up my sunscreens depending on what I'm doing / how much sun I actually might be exposed to haha. I was too lax with sunscreen when I was a kid despite how my mama hounded me about it x
ReplyDeleteI remember you featuring the clinique city block in one of your posts! I actually bought it a couple weeks ago -- Haven't used it yet. Want to finish up at least one of my open ones first haha x
ReplyDeleteThanks! I adore Neutrogena... I actually used to find it a little strong for me, but now I can't get enough x
ReplyDeleteOoh, I've used that! It's SO moisturizing on the skin, I love it! I used to use it to reapply on my face if I got any sun because it really hydrated my skin. The sun can be so drying > < x
ReplyDeleteI've used the La Roche Posay one before it's really good! I use a clinique one at the moment but I want to give Neutrogena a try too, I've heard good things. I also recently read that anything above spf 30 really doesn't add anything and personally I've found that it really is the reapplying that does the trick!
ReplyDeletexo
Great post and reminder that the sun is active all year round. As I have had skin cancer (basal cell on nose resulting in resected nose) I know the importance of wearing sunscreen year round. I have tried many of the products mentioned by think I will be trying La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt In Cream and Cyberderm Simply Zinc Sun Whip (does this come in SPF higher than 30?) Thanks for advising re new option, I appreciate it.
ReplyDelete