PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

Here is a list of photostable, broad-spectrum sunscreens that shouldn't irritate your skin. They are sunscreens with decent finishes (minimal white cast) that are generally well tolerated by most people, however, exactly how it will feel or whether or not it will break you out will depend on your skin because...everyone's skin is different! This is just a general list of good, protective sunscreens for you to consider because I know looking for a good sunscreen is really hard. I think it's also safe to assume that these sunscreens are water-proof and therefore will require a makeup remover or cleansing oil of some sort for effective removal.

In general, European sunscreens have better PPD protection but the tradeoff is there are higher chances of irritation. Asian sunscreens offer pretty decent protection against UVA and UVB rays, but not as much protection against UVA rays as European sunscreens. However, Asian sunscreens seem to be better tolerated. Both European and Asian sunscreens seem to be better (and preferred) compared to US sunscreens.

I have this chart separated into physical sunscreens, chemical sunscreens, and sunscreens with both physical and chemical filters. If you want to know more about all the different kinds of UV filters used in sunscreens, check here and be a sunscreen sleuth!

NOTE: A * by the name means that these sunscreens are not available in the US.

Sunscreen
	UV FILTER	PRODUCT NAME	COMMENTS
PHYSICAL SUNSCREENS	Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide	DHC White Sunscreen SPF 25 / PA+++ (or PPD~8)	Must shake well before applying; leaves a matte finish, but may be drying; leaves a noticeable white cast for some people
		Fancl Sunguard SPF 30 / PA+++ (or PPD~8)	Leaves a slight white cast; can be drying; texture is lotiony
		* Shiseido Anessa Mild Sunscreen SPF 43 / PA +++ (or PPD~8)	Non-greasy; dries matte, could leave a light white cast
	Zinc oxide only	Linda Sy ZincO Cream Sunscreen SPF 20	May be better tolerated by acne-prones and Rosaceans; comes in tinted and un-tinted versions; can feel heavy and greasy
CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS	Avobenzone-containing	Coppertone Oil-Free Lotion SPF 45 / PPD~12 (Avobenzone, octocrylene, oxybenzone, homosalate, octisalate)	Oil-free and fragrance free; can look shiny; medium-thick consistency
		Hawaiian Tropics Baby Faces and Tender Places Lotion Spray SPF 50 / PPD~17 (Avobenzone, octocrylene, oxybenzone)	PABA-free; strong baby powder scent; texture is a bit thick
		Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55 / PPD~19 (Avobenzone, octocrylene, oxybenzone, homosalate, octisalate)	Helioplex technology; somewhat thick consistency; takes awhile to dry but dries matte for most people; has a typical sunscreen smell; may sting upon application
	Tinosorb and Avobenzone-containing	* Bioderma MAX Lait /Lotion SPF 50+/ PPD 35 (Tinosorb M, Tinosorb S, avobenzone, octocrylene)	Excellent protection; not shiny, matte; liquidy texture; leaves a slight white cast for some people
BOTH (Physical and Chemical Filters)	Octinoxate and Zinc Oxide	Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55 / PA+++ (or PPD~8)	Dries matte, though can be drying for some people; comes in both lotion and cream form; strong fragrance (labeled as SPF 50 in Asia)
		Shiseido Extra Smooth Sun Protection Cream SPF 36 / PA+++ (or PPD~8)	Dries matte; isn't as drying as Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protection SPF 55; takes at least 10 minutes to fully absorb
		* Sofina Perfect UV SPF 50 / PA+++ (or PPD~8)	Comes in three versions: Lucent (basic sunscreen), Nuance Up (lightly tinted), White Protect (whitening sunscreen); no fragrance; milky texture; nice finish, dries matte, not too greasy
		* Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen EX SPF 50+ / PA+++ (or PPD~8) (also has octocrylene in addition to the octinoxate and zinc oxide)	Must shake well before using; slightly oilier than Shiseido’s other sunscreens, but still cosmetically elegant, (this is the one in the gold bottle, I believe there is another version in a silver bottle)
	Mexoryl and Titanium Dioxide	* La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Fluide Extreme SPF 50 / PPD 28 (Octocrylene, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, Tinosorb S, Mexoryl XL, Mexoryl SX, Univul T)	No white cast, but may leave an oily film; light texture, absorbed quickly
	Tinosorb, Avobenzone, Mexoryl, and Titanium Dioxide	* La Roche Posay Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics Lotion SPF 50+ / PPD 31 (Mexoryl XL, Mexoryl SX, Tinosorb S, avobenzone, titanium dioxide, octisalate, octocrylene, Uvinul T)	Nice finish, but may be somewhat greasy; made for children, so should be well tolerated by adults
		* La Roche Posay Dermo-Pediatrics Spray SPF 50 / PPD 20 (Mexoryl XL, Mexoryl SX, Tinosorb S, avobenzone, titanium dioxide, octisalate, octocrylene, Uvinul T)	Sprays in a fine mist for a more even application, however you may have to apply it to parts of your face separately because it will dry quickly and if you rub too much, it may cause your makeup to ball up; can be a bit greasy, but otherwise decent finish; made for children, so should be well tolerated by adults. (I think this is the reformulated version of the LRP Dermo-Peds 40 spray)
		* Vichy Capital Soleil Ultra Fragrance Free Fluid Protection SPF 50+ / PPD 20 (octocrylene, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, Tinosorb S, Meroxyl XL, Uvinul T, Meroxyl SX)	Dries matte, nice finish; people seem to be more easily irritated by it

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