HOW TO CHOOSE A SUNSCREEN?
1 – Check the Active Ingredients – I particularly like sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide ONLY. Zinc and titanium are physical barriers that work much better and last longer than the chemical sunscreens. Zinc has a more complete and broader coverage than Titanium. Chemical sunscreens have now been shown to penetrate into the blood stream and may damage the coral reef, so avoid them.
2-Check the Water Resistance- At least 80 minutes water resistance is optimal.
3-Make sure it is Non-Comedogenic if you plan to use it on your face or other acne areas.
4-Decide if you will actually use it! In dermatology we call this Elegance. Pick one that you like the smell, feel and look of and one you can easily toss into a bag so it’s there when you need it. I work hard to find ones that meet individual needs. We carry things that are not easily commercially available in our Spring Boutique where you can try them out.
HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITES FOR 2022!
Tinted Chemical Free For the face (Zinc and Titanium): ZO Skin Health Sunscreens, Colorescience, Oxygenetix, ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless. All of these are available in our Spring Boutique at the office. The ZO Skin Health and Colorescience products also protect against blue light HEV and Infrared Radiation. Available OTC Cerave Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen with Sheet Tint and NEW! Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Tinted Facial Milk
Untinted Chemical Free for the face: BARE Mineral lotion and gel, Cerave Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30 for Face, Aveeno Positively Mineral SPF 50 for Face, Coppertone Pure and Simple for Face SPF 50, Cetaphil Sheer Mineral SPF 50 all available at Walmart and online. ISDIN Eyrfotona Actinica Available at the Spring Boutique.
Untinted Chemical Free for the Body: Cerave Body Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 50, Neutrogena Pure & free Baby, Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral, BARE Republic Mineral, Blue Lizard, Coppertone Pure and Simple all varieties. These are the ones I found on my recent trip to our local Walmart.
Bronzing Chemical Free for the Body: Including glow and bronzing formulations at the Spring Boutique. Colorescience Total Protection Sunforgettable Body Shield and Face Shield Bronze SPF 50. These can be used alone or added to another sunscreen to find the color you desire.
Zinc Sticks for KIDS (and lazy Mommas) – My kids love being able to put on their own sunscreen with sunscreen sticks. I like that I can tuck it into a purse or bag easily. Examples containing only Zinc and Titanium include… Neutrogena’s Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen Stick, Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral stick, Babyganics pure mineral sunscreen stick, Coppertone Pure and Simple Stick and Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick. All are available at Walmart. NEW! In the Spring Boutique Skin Better Science Stick and Colorescience Sport Stick SPF 50.
Spray Sunscreen WITH Zinc – LOTS OF NEW ONES HERE! BARE Mineral Spray Sunscreen, Hello Bello Mineral Spray, Coppertone Pure and Simple Spray, and Coppertone Sport Mineral
Lip Balms and Glosses –Colorscience and Elta MD. Available in tons of colors at the Spring Boutique.
Brush on Sunscreen – Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush on Sunscreen and NEW ZO Skin Health Brush on Sunscreen. Both available in the Spring Boutique.
Pressed Powder and Compacts – Colorescience pressed powder in tons of shades and NEW! Skin Better Science Tinted and Clear Compact. Both Available in the Spring Boutique. My girls and I love these for on the go and for touch ups. The powder compact can be left in a car without worry of it spoiling. Plus it travels well on a plane!
To learn more about Sunscreen from a Dermatologist’s Perspective. Check out my other recent blog posts.
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