Admittedly, I’m asking this Q & A today partly because I need the reminder to wear sunscreen during the cold months! ?
So, here’s what I look for in a sunscreen…
- That it absorbs quickly, because I don’t want to sit there rubbing sunscreen into my face for 10 years.
- Leaves behind absolutely no white cast!
- Doesn’t give me breakouts.
- It’s at least moderately moisturizing.
- Layers well with other skin care products and makeup.
- It has a matte or demi-matte finish (no shimmer, please).
- Feels lightweight on my skin.
- It comes in a tube or a pump, because I don’t like dipping my fingers into a jar.
Right now my favorite sunscreen is Elta MD UV Clear, because it’s all that and a bag of chips! I’ve been wearing it for about a year now and have yet to stray. I do wish it was less than $29…but it works so well that I’m mostly OK with the price.
How about you? What do you look for in a sunscreen?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Any of my moisturizers with built in sunscreen feel really thick and make me look oily by the afternoon compared to ones that don’t have sunscreen. I would like to find one that is more lightweight and this Elta one sounds good! My Revlon foundation does have SPF in it so I am slightly protected when I use that.
I really like the Elta sunscreen too! It’s really hard to find a non-chemical sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast and doesn’t cause breakouts. I usually use this daily, unless I want a little tint, then I use the Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream.
Purito Green Level Centella SPF 50+ PA++++ is all of the above; plus, it does not sting my eyes when I swim in the ocean, AND…. is $15.90 on Amazon, or less than $15 on YesStyle. It was recommended by Glow by Ramon, a medium/golden undertone YouTuber who specializes in reviewing sunscreen for POC so I took his word for it and was not disappointed!
P.S. *his/their word — not sure
P.P.S. If you apply the actual recommended amount of sunscreen — 1/4 tsp. — Purito does not feel gunky or clogging on the skin, at all, nor does it underneath foundation.
I second the Purito one, it’s like a cozy blanket for the skin, it isn’t easily available here (you have to buy it with resellers) so I only get it when a friend send it to me from the US.
But if you can buy it from Amazon, you have to try it. It’s invisible on my skin tone but I’d say the finish on me isn’t as matte as I’d like (it’s really moisturizing though).
My favorites that check all of the boxes are from SuperGoop. “Play” SPF 30 or 50 for body and face if I’m not wearing makeup- it’s also reef-safe. “Unseen Sunscreen” for face. SuperGoop products are pricey, but well worth it to me.
For my face, everyday no matter the season bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Defense Radiant Protective Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 30. It is a non chemical sunscreen that also protects from bluelight, great make-up primer too. Even provides some hydration and radiance.
For my body, CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 or SPF 50.
No white cast, no shine and the leaping bunny! Supergoop for me too! The unseen sunscreen for mah face!
I’ll have to try that one soon. Seems like everyone loves it!
My main criteria is that the sunscreen doesn’t break me out. I liked the Elta MD one for acne prone skin, but when I went to my dermatologist appointment, they only carried the one for face and body, but it works the same. For my body, I use the Neutrogena sunscreen (the one for the face broke me out).
I’ll have to grab the face and body version of these days!
My current fav is by Supergoop- it’s their City Sunscreen, Serum. Comes in a pump tube, non-greasy, plays well with makeup. Sometimes it’s hard to get, though…seem to be out of stock a lot.
Neutragena clear zinc .
I love when zinc is one of the ingredients,
Karen, what’s your brand recommendation for sunscreen during pregnancy? Some sites say chemical filters are fine, but other say I should stick to physical sunscreens like zinc & titanium dioxide.
Hi Missy,
I wish I could remember what I used when I was pregnant with Connor. That phase in my life is surprisingly blurry now… I’m starting to think our minds purposefully blur things after some time so that people will forget how hard pregnancy and those first few years are! I do remember having a vague recollection of asking my doctor about how concerned I should be about topical ingredients in skin care; she was one of those physicians who was kinda old school and very practical and basically said that it wasn’t something to really worry about. I think I might just been using Clarins and Clinique sunscreen at the time? I honestly can’t remember. I do think that if it concerns you that a chat with your doc and maybe even your derm would be good to ease your mind.
If you’re up for looking for sunscreens on Amazon, you have to try Japanese sunscreens for example the Biore Watery Essence is highly rated by Anne (Dr. Anne/Linda libra loca) and Stacy (fanserviced-b). They’re also not easily available here but I’m a true believer, years ago the Biore Perfect Face was the only real matte sunscreen I’ve seen.
Also, it’s a good idea to try Asian and European sunscreens because the filters used are newer and more stable.
I am still on the hunt for a great facial sunscreen that doesn’t leave me with a blue tint or looking like an oil slick (I have dry skin and most sunscreens still feel oily).
For body I love Ultrasun, it’s thick and gloopy but if you don’t like to top up, it lasts all day if you’re not swimming or in extreme heat (I used to do a mid day top up in LA heat but in the UK can be out all day and be protected). I do use the facial sunscreens from them but they do leave a shine and feel like glue on your skin.
I keep going back to the Laroche Posay facial sunscreens as they are super light on the skin, leave a velvety feel but seem to feel a little dry on my winter skin.
I knew I got that rec from you! HAHA! I love this sunscreen. And I’ll add that, to me, it has just the faintest almond scent which I also like a lot. I would put up with a “sunscreen” scent because I just love this formula so much, but I’m glad I don’t have to. I got a suncare pack of like 20 deluxe samples from Sephora a couple of years ago – all different brands – and I didn’t like any of them as much as Elta MD. Though, I do like the Shiseido waterproof SPF 50 if I know I’ll be near water. I also like the Supergoop spray for its ease of use. But I find it a bit sticky and the mist could be finer for more even coverage. 🙂
Here’s the scoop: the Nivea Aqua Gel SPF 50 PA+++ sunscreen for maybe $15 on Amazon blows everything out of the water. Two pumps equals the amount required for full coverage on your face and neck. Here’s the kicker: there is no cast, and you can’t feel it. Let me repeat that. You CANNOT feel this “sunscreen” once applied. It applies as a light moisturizer, and that’s it. I am fair beyond belief, and I can assure you it works all day in the summer under a blazing sun. Buy a bottle right now. You will not regret it.