Product Recommendations: Sunscreen
Sunscreen Products |
Here is a list of photostable, broad-spectrum sunscreens that shouldn't irritate your skin. They are sunscreens with decent finishes and minimal white cast that get good reviews and are generally well tolerated by most people. However, exactly how it will feel or whether it will break you out will depend on your skin.
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 trade off is a higher chance of irritation. Asian sunscreens offer 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 and have more cosmetically elegant finishes. Both European and Asian sunscreens seem to be better (and more preferred) than US sunscreens.
The below sunscreen chart is separated into physical sunscreens, chemical sunscreens, and sunscreens with both physical and chemical active ingredients:
NOTE: A * by the product name means that these sunscreens are not available in the US.
| Type | UV Filter | Product Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYSICAL SUNSCREENS | |||
| Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide | Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 30
|
Mineral powder sunscreen; Self-dispensing bottle with brush; Easy to re-apply during the day; Must apply enough powder to get maximum protection; Good for those with oily skin; Talc-free; Comes in tinted versions | |
Vanicream Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin SPF 30
|
Thick texture; Can be a bit greasy; Takes time to absorb into skin; Good for those with skin sensitive to chemical UV filters; Fragrance-free | ||
Fancl Sunguard SPF 30
|
Leaves a slight white cast; Can be drying; Texture is runny and lotiony; Light weight; Spreads easily; Preservative-free | ||
Elta MD UV Physical SPF 41
|
Chemical-free physical sunblock; Lightly tinted; Some may find the texture to be heavy; Good for sensitive skin; Fragrance-free; | ||
Avene Very High Protection Cream SPF 50
|
European version has abovenzone in it; Can leave a white cast; Lotion-like texture; Takes awhile to absorb; US version good for sensitive skin | ||
| Zinc Oxide Only | Epicuren Discovery Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 20
|
Good for sensitive skin; Sinks in quickly; Does not leave a film | |
| Livestrong sunscreen | Comments | ||
| CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS | |||
| Avobenzone-containing | La Roche-Posay Hydraphase UV SPF 30
| Good for those with dry skin; Marketed as a sunscreen moisturizer; Canadian and American versions are different - Canadian version has Octinoxate 7.5%, Mexoryl SX 4.0%, and Titanium dioxide 2.5%; Has fragrance | |
Neutragena
Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30
|
Waterproof; PABA-free; Applies greasy but dries matte; Good for those with oily skin; Has oxybenzone, which is controversial; Lower SPF version seems to have a better finish | ||
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 100+
|
Uses Helioplex technology; Somewhat thick consistency; Takes awhile to dry but dries matte for most people; Contains oxybenzone, which is controversial | ||
Peter Thomas Roth Uber-Dry Sunscreen SPF 30
|
Non-greasy, dries matte; Contains oxybenzone, which is a questionable sunscreen filter at the moment | ||
Alba Botanica Green Tea Sunblock SPF 45
|
Low UVA protection; 100% Vegetarian; Has green tea in it; Well-tolerated; Can be greasy if you apply too much; Texture is a little thick | ||
Clinique Sun SPF 30 Face Cream
|
Can get a bit greasy; Has a light "sunscreen" smell; Contains oxybenzone, which is a questionable active | ||
Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50+
|
Goes on greasy, dries matte; Absorbs into skin quickly; Very light, liquid texture; Minimal white cast; Contains oxybenzone, which is a questionable sunscreen filter | ||
| Tinosorb and Avobenzone-containing | Bioderma Photoderm MAX Milk SPF 50+ UVA 38*
|
Excellent protection; Not shiny, dries matte; Liquidy texture; Leaves a slight white cast for some people | |
| No Avobenzone (Chemical Sunscreen) |
Shiseido Anessa Perfect Essence Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++*
|
Comes in a blue bottle; Used to be Anessa Perfect Smooth Sunscreen (the one in the silver bottle); Milky, runny texture; Sinks into skin; Slippery, silky feeling; No white cast | |
| BOTH (Physical and Chemical Filters) |
|||
| Octinoxate, Zinc Oxide, and/or Titanium Dioxide | Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream For Face SPF 55 PA+++
|
Good high protection sunscreen; Sweat proof so great for workouts (but must use oil-based cleanser to remove); Can make skin look whiter; Dries matte though can be drying for some people; Comes in both lotion and cream form; Strong fragrance | |
Shiseido Extra Smooth Sun Protection Cream SPF 38 PA+++
|
Dries matte; Can make skin look white; Isn't as drying as Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protection SPF 55; Takes at least 10 minutes to fully absorb; Must remove with oil, cleansing oil, or makeup remover | ||
Banana Boat Baby Sunblock Tear Free SPF 50
|
Not very good UVA protection; Good for those with sensitive or reactive skin; Can feel a bit rich on your skin; Slight fragrance | ||
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
|
Contains Vitamin B3; Fragrance-free; Oil-free; Good for sensitive or acne-prone skin; Not greasy and doesn't leave white cast; Light texture | ||
Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF 50 PA+++*
|
Dries slightly matte, but gives skin a glow; Available in Asia, hard to find in the US; Must shake before using; Milky texture; Easily absorbed | ||
Mentholatum Skin Aqua UV Moisture Milk SPF 50 PA+++*
|
Good for those with dry skin; Texture is runny and milky; Fragrance-free; Alcohol-free; Sinks into skin; Dries matte; Enriched with vitamins and extracts | ||
Obagi C-SunGuard SPF 30
|
Light texture; Takes around 5-10 minutes to sink in; Does not leave a white cast; Slightly moisturizing | ||
KOSE Medicated Sekkisei Sun Protector SPF 50+ PA+++*
|
Must shake well before use; Texture is white and watery; Dries semi-matte; Can look a bit shiny if not rubbed in; Slight scent | ||
Sofina Perfect UV White Protect SPF 50 PA+++*
|
Used to comes in three versions: Lucent (basic sunscreen), Nuance Up (lightly tinted), White Protect (whitening sunscreen) but Lucent and Nuance Up were discontinued; Claims to help "whiten" skin; Very water resistance; No fragrance; Milky texture; Nice finish; Dries matte, not too greasy | ||
| Tinosorb, Avobenzone, Mexoryl, and Titanium Dioxide | La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Fluide Extreme SPF 50*
|
No white cast, but may leave an oily film; Light, liquidy texture; Absorbed quickly; European version better than Canadian; Fragrance-free, paraben-free; Has silicones (cyclo- hexasiloxane) | |
La Roche-Posay Anthelios AC SPF 30 Extreme Fluid*
|
Sinks quickly into skin; Dries semi-matte; Thin, runny texture; Leaves slight white cast | ||
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics Lotion SPF 50+*
|
Fluid, liquidy texture; Nice finish, but may be somewhat greasy; Made for children, so should be well tolerated by adults | ||
Vichy Capital Soleil Ultra Fragrance Free Fluid Protection SPF 50+*
|
Light, lotion texture; Good for those with oily skin; Dries matte, nice finish; Has alcohol in it so it might be drying for some skin types |
Not all of these sunscreens will work for your skin, but the above chart is a good place to start when searching for the sunscreen that will both feel great and offer maximum UV protection.
This is a growing list of sunscreen recommendations and will be continually updated when there are new products. Please check back often!
Last updated: February 27, 2011
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