As a pale redhead, I’ve had to become an expert in sunscreen out of necessity. For me, any time in the sun can quickly result in a damaging, painful sunburn. So from an early age, I started wearing sunscreen anytime I was outside, staying pale even while my friends were getting tan. Lucky for me, this habit lead me to having better skin now than most of my contemporaries.
But it’s never too late to start wearing sunscreen. And it should be worn every day, not just when you are outside. Because every time you put it on you are blocking your skin from the harmful rays of the sun.
So for today’s post, I’m going to talk about my favorite sunscreens. Some of them are new, some of them are old favorites. I know that sometimes people don’t wear sunscreen because of how it feels, or how it looks. Hopefully some of my experience will help you choose the right one for you.
First, my favorite for under makeup is the Tatcha Silken Sunscreen. It has an SPF of 35, and does a great job at blurring pores. It does have a bit of a whitecast, so those of you with darker skins may not like it. But for my pale-skin friends, it’s great. It goes on easily, doesn’t have a strong smell, and absorbs quickly. I especially love that the pore-blurring properties makes it a great primer! I use this sunscreen year-round, except if my skin is overly dry, as it doesn’t have any hydration. But overall, it’s a great sunscreen for every day use!
A new sunscreen that I have been using this year is the Shiseido Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen SPF 42. This is a great sunscreen for both makeup free days and under makeup. It’s surprisingly light feeling and very hydrating due to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid. Shiseido is known for making amazing sunscreens, so definitely take a look at them to find the right one for you. They make oil-free options, ones with Vitamin C, and both mineral and chemical sunscreens.
Speaking of Shiseido, their Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF50+ is a perfect product to throw in your makeup bag and take with you everywhere. I always have this one with me, in all seasons and in all weather. It’s a small, clear stick sunscreen that can be used on the face and the body and can be used over makeup. It’s ideal to have handy if you find yourself outdoors and need to protect yourself!
Next let’s talk about body sunscreen. For this, I always go to Supergoop!. They make amazing products and are always coming out with updates. There are two that I have been reaching for this summer. First, the OG Supergroup! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50. This is an amazing sunscreen that absorbs quickly and doesn’t have a strong smell. And I always buy it in the jumbo pump size. Not only is it a great value, the pump makes it so much easier to apply to my body. (Aways remember to apply more than you think you need!).
I’ve also started using the new Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Body SPF 40. This is a completely clear, thick gel sunscreen that will be amazing for someone with darker skin. When they say it’s unseen, they mean it. It does have a sheen when you put it on, and feels somewhat like a silicone makeup primer. But it does absorb quickly and is an overall great sunscreen.
Sunscreen is the most important part of my everyday routine, and should be yours, too! A few reminders:
- Apply daily, and reapply often.
- Sunscreen in your makeup is not enough. You need a separate sunscreen to be safe.
- Use more than you think you need! You need about an ounce of sunscreen for your entire body.
- Always check the expiration date on your sunscreen! Don’t take a chance and use expired sunscreen.
- Don’t leave your sunscreen sitting in your car, and make sure it is in the shade if it is outside. You don’t want the heat to break it down and make it less effective.
