Let’s see if this situation sounds familiar—you’re meeting a friend for lunch and it’s a beautiful day so you sit outside in the sun. You figure that since your BB cream from this morning has SPF 35, you can skip slathering on some gloppy sunscreen that would ruin your makeup.
Maybe you can relate to this one—you know you’ll be out on the golf course all day but you need to be camera ready in case you score a selfie with Rory McIlroy. No way are you messing up your makeup with streaky white sunscreen! You’ll find shade under a tree here and there to avoid the sun’s damaging rays.
Or how about this one? You’re out on the field for your kid’s soccer game but because your sunscreen is greasy and causes breakouts you just throw on a baseball cap. That’ll do for protection.
I hate to break it to you, but those methods just won’t cut it. One little coating of BB cream or foundation with SPF won’t protect you for even an hour in the sun and baseball caps don’t have a wide enough brim to cover your whole face. I have very fair skin and have always tried to be careful with the sun but haven’t done the best job of protecting my face for these reasons. My last trip to the dermatologist confirmed that my vanity comes at a price—and now I have a bandaged nose to cover what the doctor had to remove. But there is some good news. Sunscreen has come a long way and now there are plenty of terrific options to protect your face. I took a little trip to WOO Skincare and Cosmetics to test some of the great products that are available to keep us protected and pretty! Here are my top picks:
Colorescience has created what I think is the ultimate product with their Unforgettable Mineral Sunscreen Brush (SPF 30). I’ve been using this product since last summer and it’s brilliant! It’s a tinted powder sunscreen that you just brush onto your face. The small tube has a built in brush so you just open it up and start brushing! So while you block the sun, you also smooth your skin tone, reduce shine, and get great coverage. It’s perfect for that outdoor BBQ or pool party when you don’t really want to wear makeup but need a little boost. I love how easy it is to apply and most importantly—reapply throughout the day.
SkinCeuticals has an extensive line of sun protection products from SPF 30 – 50. They have tinted sunscreen, oil absorbing matte finish sunscreen, transparent sunscreen, tinted moisturizer, you name it. There are plenty of options to choose from based on your skin type. I like the tinted sunscreen as it gives you a little coverage with your sun protection and then you can skip the makeup entirely.
Supergoop! I really wish this had been around when I was younger. Supergroup! has a variety of skin care products from daily sunscreen (SPF 50) to CC cream (SPF 35) to mineral sunscreen (SPF 40). They also have special eye and lip sunscreen products which are great for those sensitive areas. Be sure to check out their Defense Refresh Setting Mist (SPF 50) which is perfect to keep in your purse for those days when you are unexpectedly outside. Just spray it right over your makeup and it won’t smear anything and it smells terrific!
elta is the brand that you are most likely to find at your dermatologist’s office. It’s made for extra-sensitive skin and goes on smoothly without stickiness. If you are prone to breakouts, this might be a good option for you. There are several products available in this line with a variety of SPF levels and the price point is reasonable.
Of course when I hit the beach it’s all about continued coverage and lots of it so that’s when I break out my trusty and budget friendly Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Lotion (SPF 100) and apply it repeatedly. They also have a stick version that works great for busy kids.
Whatever sun protection you use, the key is to be consistent and diligent and reapply frequently! With so many terrific products available, staying safe from those damaging rays is easier than ever.
