There's no excuse not to give your skin the protection it needs. Read on for tried-and-true favorites.
Sunny days are ahead! As we emerge from a long quarantine and the winter months, I'm sure there is a long list of things we want to do, people we want to see, and home-cooking we want to ditch. Let's not forget to add sunscreen to the post-pandemic list.
SARAH KINONEN, SOPHIE WIRT, KARINA HOSHIKAWA, AND AUDREY NOBLE share some of the top sunscreen picks year around for both your face and body. I've also added my personal favorites for sensitive and acne-prone skin types, such as EltaMD and FormRX. I use these products every day and absolutely love them! They come in clear but are also available with a tint that easily blends into your skin without leaving harsh streaks. Anyway, let's dive into it!
It's still important to protect ourselves from harmful UV rays. (Yes, that means wearing sunscreen when you leave the house for essential errands and using SPF while indoors because standard glass still leaves you exposed to some of the sun's harmful rays.) Exposure to UV rays can lead to several skin issues like hyperpigmentation, inflammation, fine lines, and — worst-case scenario — skin cancer. Therefore, finding a good sunscreen is a must — and there are several factors that go into what makes a good sunscreen.
First, you'll want it to be at least SPF 30. New York City-based dermatologist David Colbert previously told Allure that this is what the American Academy of Dermatology recommends because it is clinically proven to be a sufficient amount of protection to reduce the adverse effects of sunlight.
You'll also want to consider a mineral or "physical" sunscreen. Elizabeth Tanzi, dermatologist and founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care in Maryland has told to Allure that these sit on the surface of the skin to deflect the sun's harmful rays.
Tanzi also recommends applying about a shot glass's worth for the entire body and a dime-sized dollop for the face, which should be reapplied every two hours.
With those tips in mind, it's time to start upping your SPF game with some of the most innovative options out there. Long gone are the days when applying sunscreen meant donning a greasy, pore-clogging mask with a side of ashiness and telltale white smears. The next generation of sunscreens not only nixes these common annoyances, but some next-level formulas even impart additional benefits: luminosity, moisture, and a faux glow, to name a few.
EleVen by Venus Williams Sun Serum SPF 35
It's no surprise that a mineral sunscreen created by the Venus Williams was met with tons of fanfare and glowing reviews — in fact, it even won a 2020 Allure Best of Beauty Award. Since the EleVen by Venus Williams Sun Serum SPF 35 has a sheer, serum-like formula, it leaves skin with a smooth, demi-matte finish and layers beautifully with makeup. 25 percent zinc oxide does the heavy lifting in terms of UVA/UVB protection and prickly pear delivers a punch of all-day hydration.
$50 (Shop Now)
Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30
Another mineral option that hydrates and gives skin a natural-looking glow is Drunk Elephant's Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen (the untinted version picked up a Best of Beauty Award in 2015). It contains zinc oxide as an active ingredient, and sunflower sprout and algae extracts also work to protect skin from free radicals.
$36 (Shop Now)
Dr. Jart Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+
Don't let the creamy, white consistency of Dr. Jart's Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen intimidate you — once you start massaging this SPF 50 into your skin, it practically disappears, leaving a hydrated and dewy finish in its wake. You can try it in this month's Allure Beauty Box.
$39 (Shop Now)
EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47
EltaMD's UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47 is made with 10 percent transparent zinc oxide and 5.5 percent titanium dioxide for a physical, chemical-free sunscreen that's safe for all skin types and ages. It's also fragrance-free, water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and according to Allure editors, holds up well during workouts and doesn't leave darker skin tones looking ashy (which all sunscreens should do anyways). All of these reasons led to us awarding this SPF with a 2020 Allure Best of Beauty Award.
$27 (Shop Now)
Complete Sun Protection Tinted SPF 45
Complete Sun Protection SPF 45 is a multi-functional tinted SPF that functions not only as a UVA and UVB protector, but also as a luxurious beauty balm cream that will make your complexion glow. Formulated as an all-in-one sunscreen and foundation, this tinted protector moisturizes and provides sheer color coverage, minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and blends naturally to match every skin tone, leaving skin radiant with a natural, healthy glow.
$59 (Shop Now)
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen
Made with zinc oxide, the Biossance Squalane + Zinc Mineral Sunscreen definitely needs to be on your radar. Not only does it provide a protective barrier from harmful UV rays, but the super lightweight formula contains ingredients like cooling water lily and squalane to keep skin hydrated as it shields.
$30 (Shop Now)
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen
Shiseido's WetForce technology belongs in the pantheon of great sunscreens. The brand's Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen is an updated iteration of the beloved formula that goes on clear, ensuring that there's no annoying white cast left behind when you rub it in.
$49 (Shop Now)
Shiseido Clear Stick UV Protector WetForce SPF 50+
No longer will you need to lug around heavy bottles of sunscreen on outdoor excursions. The lightweight, portable Shiseido Clear Stick UV Protector WetForce SPF 50+ stick provides a hefty dose of SPF 50, and it's water- and sweat-resistant to boot. What's more, this formula is totally transparent, so it's easy to reapply sans mirror (a feature that comes in handy whether you're trekking to the top of a mountain or, ya know, lounging at the beach).
$28 (Shop Now)
Sun Bum Face Lotion SPF 50
The oil-free Sun Bum Face Lotion SPF 50 offers more than just a cute bottle: It also serves serious SPF 50 protection that meets the Skin Cancer Foundation's strict standards. This formula takes a little while to be fully absorbed, but once it is, it leaves skin feeling soft and protected.
$13 (Shop Now)
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