Sunscreen Product Recommendations
The one question I know you are thinking: What Products Do I Buy ???
It’s hard to recommend products without seeing your skin and knowing your skin type and skin conditions.
However, to help you get started, I can suggest some brands that I have used on myself or recommended to others. Please keep in mind that these have worked for my skin but may not be ideal for you.
Sunscreens With Strong UVA & UVB Protection
This is a list of stand-alone sunscreens (they’re not SPF moisturizers or BB creams). It is heavily skewed toward physical sunscreens with Zinc Oxide and those for Normal to Dry skin types. At a future date, I’ll expand the list for other skin types.
Follow me on Instagram to see a larger selection. I’ll be featuring more products throughout Summer 2014.
–This list is in the process of being updated–
FACE SUN PROTECTION
Normal Skin
- Dermalogica Powerbright Pure Light SPF 50
- Elta MD UV Physical SPF 41
- G.M. Collin High Protection Cream SPF 30
- Hydrafacial MD UV Smart Daily Sunscreen SPF 40
- Kate Somerville Daily Deflector SPF 50
- La Roche Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid
- Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 100+
- Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+ (or any other ones by Shiseido – they make great sunscreens)
- Skinceuticals Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30
- Supergoop Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40
Oily Skin (and oily areas on Combo skin)
- Addiction Skin Protector SPF 50 PA++++ (Korean brand)
- A.H.C. Whitening Cream SPF 35 PA++ (Korean brand)
- Dermalogica Oil-Free Matte SPF 30
- MD Solar Sciences Mineral Creme SPF 50
- Natura Bisse Matte Finish Sun Protection SPF 50 PA+++
- Peter Thomas Roth Oily Problem Skin Instant Mineral Powder SPF 30
- Revision Skincare Intellishade Matte SPF 45
- Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free Lotion SPF 42
- Japanese & Korean sunscreens – the textures are lighter and cosmetically elegant
Sensitive Skin
- Avene Creme Minerale SPF 50+ (dry skin)
- Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield SPF 30 (normal to dry skin)
- MD Solar Sciences Mineral Creme SPF 30 (all skin types, including oily or acneic skin)
Dry Skin
- Nia24 100% Sun Damage Prevention Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
- TiZo mineral sunscreens
- Vanicream sunscreens
BB/CC Creams, Tinted Moisturizers, Tinted Primers
- COTZ Lightly Tinted Sheer Matte Finish SPF 40
- Dr Jart+ BB Cream BB Balm SPF 45 (normal to dry)
- Dermalogica Skin Perfect Primer SPF 30 (all skin types, including oily or acneic skin)
- MD Solar Sciences Mineral Creme TINTED SPF 30 (all skin types, including oily or acneic skin)
- Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream SPF 43 PA+++
- Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream
- Natura Bisse Oil-Free Brilliant Protection SPF 50 PA+++
- Revision Skincare Intellishade SPF 45 (normal, also comes in Matte for oily or combo skin)
- Korean BB creams – the textures are lighter and cosmetically elegant
NECK, DECOLLETE, HANDS, ARMS
Any of the above sunscreens can be used on the body. But using a face sunscreen on the body can get expensive. Face sunscreens cost more.
If I won’t be in the sun long, I’ll use a face sunscreen on my neck (it’s lighter). But if I’ll be outdoors for a while, or the sun is strong, I’ll use something with a thicker texture – a non-nano mineral sunscreen like one of these:
- CotZ Sensitive
- Vanicream Sensitive or Sport
- Cerave Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 30
- Blue Lizard Sensitive or Baby sunscreens
Tip: Most baby sunscreens use mineral active ingredients. Just because it’s made for baby doesn’t mean you can’t use it. Baby sunscreens are a good and economical option for the body (they tend to be thick, so not ideal for face).
Fortunately, there are quite a few baby sunscreen options now (much more than a few years ago). So you have plenty of choices. Just look for one that offers you at least 5% Zinc Oxide.