Let's Find You The One
On Saturday I had my first Fully Vaxxed Day Out. It started with brunch outside, then a birthday party on a roof and ended at an outdoor bar. It was exhilarating. I wore sunscreen head to toe. Plus on my scalp. Plus an obnoxiously large and perfect UPF 50 hat. I reapplied more than once. And yet, I still woke up the next morning and noticed some freckles. The sun is extremely powerful and there is no escaping it. It is going to get you. Unless you live in a literal cave (call me!) there is no escaping it. As the weather is getting warmer and many of you are likely planning or attending your own Big Day Out, I thought it was a good time to talk sunscreen.
The resistance to daily sunscreen still mystifies me, but I think that’s the reality of many public health initiatives – you don’t really see them working in the way that other skincare products do. The magic of wearing sunscreen happens at and below the surface of your skin. You won’t notice wrinkles or sun damage until it is too late. Sunscreen is entirely proactive. It’s the best anti-aging tool that exists. As I mentioned last week, there’s not even any point in using other skincare products if you don’t wear sunscreen because they literally will not work! Your skin can’t reap the benefits of whatever else you’re using if it is actively fighting the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) rays are known carcinogens. Let me say that again. The rays from the sun are proven to cause cancer. UV is a carcinogen, just like formaldehyde, asbestos, and a bunch of other horrible things that you wouldn’t just accept if they were present. Beyond causing skin cancer, UV rays are responsible for pigmentation, wrinkles, sagging skin, the breakdown of collagen and elastin, cell death, tissue damage...you get the picture. There are so many daily actions we do to be healthy, so many ingredients we avoid for myriad reasons, but for some reason, we can’t all just get it in our heads that wearing sunscreen every single day is a significant health measure? Sit with that while you sip your alternative milk!
I get asked for sunscreen recommendations more than any other product and I get it. Sunscreen is hard to get right, from a chemistry to a user standpoint. It’s difficult to make a product that protects you from the literal power of the sun that also feels nice. It’s hard enough to make a product that does one of those things. Luckily, the options for sunscreen are constantly expanding and all it takes is one. The best sunscreen is the one you’ll wear everyday. Personally I don’t worry much about what kind of sunscreen I’m using because no ingredients in sunscreen are more dangerous than UV rays. I guarantee there is a sunscreen for you and my goal today is to help you find The One.
What does The One mean? It’s the one you’ll want to wear every single day. That you like applying and never feel like it messes up your makeup, makes you look greasy, or causes breakouts. The one that you’ll happily apply the correct amount of – that’s ¼ teaspoon for your entire face, ½ teaspoon if you include your neck and ears! It’s the one that makes sunscreen become a habit. To help you find The One, I took into account the dozens of sunscreens I’ve tried, countless internet roundups and asked my followers for their tried and true products. Below you'll find the 23 that made the cut.
Another day we’ll talk about the other ones – for heavy makeup, beach days, reapplying etc. Another day we’ll also talk about the science behind sunscreen, how and why it works and what the different ingredients mean. In the meantime, you can find some answers to sunscreen questions here and here.
All of the recommendations are SPF 30+ (what’s recommended for everyday use) and broad spectrum (meaning they protect against both UVA and UVB rays). I’ve indicated if they are chemical, mineral or both. The skin types I’ve noted are based on my notes and others observations, but that never means something won’t work for you. Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive and I love nothing more than learning about your sunscreen holy grails. Have you already found The One? Let me know here.
Most popular!
Skin types: all, especially good for acne-prone skin. May pill under heavy makeup.
Chemical & mineral filters
SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense, SPF50
Fan favorite worth the splurge
Skin type: all
Mineral
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen, SPF40
Fan favorite for everyday & under makeup
Skin types: all
Chemical
Ok to use as both moisturizer and spf as long as you use enough
Skin types: dry/dehydrated, normal, combo (might be too heavy for some)
Chemical
Garnier Green Labs Serum Creams, SPF 30
Canna-B: combo, oily
Hyalu-Melon: dry, dehydrated
Pinea-C: all
Chemical
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk, SPF60
Skin type: all, including sensitive and acne-prone skin
Chemical
Supergoop! Mineral Matte Screen, SPF 40
Skin types: combination, oily
Mineral
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
Skin types: all, might be too thick for very oily
Mineral
Tula Protect & Glow Daily Sunscreen Gel, SPF 30
Skin types: all, including acne-prone
Chemical
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
Skin types: all, especially sensitive
Mineral
Skin type: all
Mineral
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence, SPF 50
This sunscreen is a bestseller and very popular favorite from Japan. Make sure you are buying from an authorized retailer (like the one linked, or here and ask for a verification certificate).
Skin types: all
Chemical
Similar to the above, this is from Japan, so make sure to buy from an authorized retailer. Also here.
Skin types: all
Chemical
SkinMedica Tinted Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Tinted
Skin type: all, especially sensitive and post-procedure
Mineral
SkinMedica Essential Defense Everyday Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 47
Skin types: combination and oily
Chemical
La Roche-Posay Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Serum, SPF 50
Skin type: all, especially sensitive
Chemical
Skin types: all, especially dry and acne-prone
Mineral
Pro-tip: buy a sampler!
Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream, SPF 50
Skin types: all, especially dry
Chemical
Thank You Farmer Sun Project Light Sun Essence, SPF 50
Skin types: all
Chemical
Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid, SPF 50
Skin type: all, especially dry
Chemical
Paula’s Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense, SPF 30
Skin types: all, especially oily
Mineral
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 30 or 50
Skin type: combination, oily
Chemical
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunscreen, SPF 70
Skin type: all
Chemical
Good luck with finding the perfect match! I can't wait to hear about your new relationships. Be sure to keep me posted.
A cool thing: Soko Glam has launched their new AAPI Founders Collective, which features community-loved products from AAPI founded brands. They're donating a portion of the proceeds through May 31st. The aforementioned Cocokind SPF is part of this launch, as well as one of my new favorite skincare launches: good light. I'm in love with the toner (a milky, hydrating toner for acne-prone skin? Iconic!) and the serum (incredibly soothing & great for barrier repair).
See you in two weeks!
xoxo, Jolie
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