Sunscreen is totally important. I’ve never bothered much with sunscreen, unless I knew I was going to be out in the sun. Growing up we had a swimming pool and I always put on (and reapplied) sunscreen while I was outside. I almost never burn but tan easily. I thought everything was just fine but the hyper pigmentation on my forehead says something different entirely! My dermatologist prescribed a retinol A cream for my pigmentation but told me off for my laissez-faire attitude to sun care. That meant I had to find sunscreens that I liked and would wear, so I will be sharing all of those shortly but I also want you to understand the importance of sunscreen, what to look for in one, how they work and how to use them properly. Don’t think that in this harsh Australian sun you can get away with just a little SPF in your moisturiser or foundation either! Please check out this vid from Cora over at Vintage or Tacky explaining all that good stuff…..
If you skipped the vid or aren’t convinced about sunscreen, let me appeal to your vanity. 90% of skin aging is caused by sun, including freckles, age spots, spider veins on the face, rough and leathery skin, fine wrinkles that disappear when stretched, loose skin, a blotchy complexion, actinic keratoses (thick wart-like, rough, reddish patches of skin), and of course skin cancer. The pic below went viral, you may well have seen it already. This 69 year old man spent 28 years as a driver, with no sun protection. See the side that was regularly exposed to sun?
So now your keen to get your SPF on, let’s look at my faves! I am happy to recommend all of these and own them all. I’m pretty picky but all of these get my thumbs up.
Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF 30+
This comes in light and medium shades. I wear the light as a tinted moisturiser with no other foundation most days. The coverage is sheer, it feels fine, even though it’s thick. It doesn’t smell or feel gross and doesn’t sting if used close to the eyes (not too close, of course). It’s kinda shiny but nothing a gently powdering won’t fix. My skin is combo to oily and I quite like the glowy look it gives – I just powder my T zone a bit. This comes is a body formulation but I am yet to try it.
Buy from – Coles (20ml size only), Priceline, Terry White & select pharmacies
Model Co. Daily Mattifying Sunscreen & Lipbalm SPF 50+
This is another tinted one but the colour is very, very sheer. It comes in one shade but unless you are super pale or very dark, you should be fine. The cap also contains a pot of SPF lip balm which is pretty nifty. The coverage is very sheer so it’s fine on its own or in conjunction with a BB cream or foundation. Perfect for a holiday by the pool or beach, reapplication won’t darken you up or create a white cast due to the very sheer tint plus it has the balm for your lips too. Because it stands alone or under makeup it’s a great all rounder for the travel or hand bag.
Buy from – Priceline, Modelco.com
La Roche-Posay Anthelious XL Extreme Fluid SPF 50+
This is lovely and thin, perfect under a full face of foundation. This is less greasy but does leave a whitish cast that almost completely disappears after 30 mins. It’s not greasy feeling and has not altered the look or performance of my foundation at all. I think it’s amazing under a full face and it’s not too greasy/smelly/stingy. La Roche-Posay make some very sophisticated sunscreeens for people with severe sun allergies, so those of you with sensitive skin might find this helpful. This also comes in a body formulation.
Buy from – Priceline, Terry White (limited stores but available online)
La Roche-Posay Uvidea XL Extreme Fluid SPF 30+
Very similar to the one above but less of a white cast on application. This has extra UVA filters and states that it helps hyper pigmentation. As that is my big issue, I prefer this particular blend. I use this under makeup and would recommend it if ageing, pigmentation and UVA are your big concerns.
Buy from – Terry White (limited stores but available online)
Natio Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30+
This feels like a lovely moisturizer, for day in, day out, incidental protection of arms, chest, legs – great! It’s got a nice texture, not to greasy but moisturizing. No weird smells either. I heard a great quote about daily sunscreen – ‘I do everything from the nipple up!’. I really like it for that, it’s just nice on the skin. There is a facial version but I haven’t given it a proper go yet.
Buy from – Priceline & select pharmacies
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray SPF 30+
Oh my! I love this stuff! I can reach my whole body because it’s a spray, it feels far less icky than regular sunscreen and I can reapply easily by the pool. A can of this is always in my travel bag. It’s just wonderful. I don’t need help for my back and it’s a cinch to reapply. Seriously, it will change your life. This also comes in a lotion but I love the spray. In fact you can also get a kids version which can be sprayed on wet skin!
Buy from – Coles, Priceline, Terry White & select pharmacies
And just a word on reapplication, if you do have your makeup on and don’t want to apply a liquid product again – think powder with an SPF. There are loads of pressed or loose powders with an SPF that are a cinch to apply over your makeup. You can even get travel brushes that can be filled with a loose powder for easy access on the go.
I hope you’re all primed and ready to get into (or even better continue) using sunscreen daily. The products I’ve talked about are the ones I love and I am happy to wear but there are so many, there’s bound to be a few that work for you. Was this helpful? Do you have something you love to add to the list? Let us know in comments so you can help others find a sunscreen they love xxxx
3 Comments
[…] one. I am currently loving tinted zinc in light but there is more about that and other options in this post. 2. Red Lipstick Why red? Well you can sheer it down as lipstain, ramp it right up to red or use […]
I’m a bit late to the party… For the second La Roche-Posay sunscreen, can you still use moisturiser with it? And if so, which goes on first?!
Never too late! Chemical sunscreen (like the one you mentioned) should go on clean skin first and be given time to absorb before adding serums, moisturizers or makeup.
Hope that helps, S xx