My 6 Favorite Sunscreens
Hi kids…happy Monday! Whew, after a week full of shoe celebrations, I’m all worn out. But now that I’ve reached my 5-year blogging milestone, I gotta keep going. You’re not tired of me yet, right? ๐ This past weekend was very (unusually!) cold for the south…we’re talking 50 degrees and rainy – yuck. So, rather than testing out sunscreens like I reallllly wanted to do, I was indoors in my PJs a lot doing laundry (booooo, I know).ย
With that being said, we leave for our annual beach vacay in just a few weeks and I can’t contain my squeals. I actually just got a new Schwinn bike, so we’re taking our family bikes with us! I know we’ll be in the sun a ton, and with little C. and I being so pale (really, it’s not fair that D. doesn’t have this gene), we’re always trying to figure out which sunscreen to pack and use on vacay. Believe me, if you combine our beach vacay with how much we use our backyard pool, we get a lot of sun in the summer and go through a lot of sunscreen!ย
Since it’s been dubbed Melanoma Monday (and since I once had skin cancer that was removed a few years ago after I had little C.), I thought I would give you a round-up of some of the best out there…not just for protection but (you know me) for you. The less chemicals the better, I say, and these will not only for especially good for your little one, but for yourself. Keep in mind, this is my perspective before actually using the products in the sun, and I’ll do another follow-up to this post in June after I’ve tested these on vacay. I also want to note, I was sent a lot of sunscreen, and I narrowed them down to these amazing 6 formulas…whew, it was a lot of work!
Supergoop! SPF 50 Antioxidant-infused Sunscreen Day Cream ($37)
I know it’s quite expensive for sunscreen, but, hey, you get what you pay for, folks. Preventing skin cancer is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves and our children, so…This is actually the brand they sell at the beach where we vacay and I’ve always wanted to try it. Not only is this formula a sunscreen, but it combats inflammation and redness, an extra perk. It’s water-resistant and oxybenzone free (a chemical possibly linked to cancer, go figure), so these are two major features for me. No parabens, either. It’s hypoallergenic and contains a high SPF. It, of course, protects against broad-spectrum UVA, UVB, and IRA rays. I’ve heard it’s a little white when applied (it is mineral-based, after all), so I’m anxious to try and see if I get the same results. Stay tuned!
MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Creme SPF 30 Broad Spectrum ($32)
Eek! I’m soooo excited to discover this brand. It’s brand-new to me, and I’ve actually found two sunscreens I think I’m gonna really love. This mineral version is touted for its more subtle tint (a plus if you don’t wanna look ghost-like), and it’s got the broad spectrum coverage that’s so important. It’s water-resistant, but also won’t clog pores. It’s infused with antioxidants and really goes on silky, so I feel like this is a great one especially to wear with makeup. The brand also says it’s “safe without” parabens, Aminobenzoic acid (PABA), Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Fragrance, Gluten, Allergens, Irritants and Animal testing. Ok, I’m in my sunscreen happy place now.
MDSolarSciences Quick Dry Body Spray SPF 40 Broad Spectrum UVA-UVB with SolSci-Xโข ($19)
Finally, a spray formula that’s safe! I guarantee you I’ll be using this lots. With a toddler? Oh, yes! And at just $19, it’s a steal. It has all the great properties of the one above, but it has the flexibility of a spray…and it’s fast-drying, too! It’s non-greasy, but again, the benefits here of just being able to spray and go are endless. *clapping my hands*
Episencial Sunny Sunscreen SPF 35 ($15)
This brand is great for kids (remember my last review?), but you know what? I plan on using this as well! It‘s really timeless because we don’t just want our kids to be healthy, we wanna be that way, too, right? This formula has organic green tea and zinc, so it has a really cooling/calming effect when applied. It has UVA/YVB protection and is water-resistant. It’s got all the right ingredients (many are organic) and you’ll love how it doesn’t smell so sunscreen-ish. ๐
Yes to Cucumbers Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 ($11.99)
I am in LOVE with this brand (hello, facial towelettes)…and not just cucumbers. Allllll of the Yes To…products! You can get them at Target, and they can do absolutely no wrong in my world (in fact, I’ll prob post again on some of the other products in the line-up, so stay tuned!). This is a broad spectrum sunscreen that’s water-resistant (although not quite as long as the others I’ve mentioned) and it’s 97-percent natural…ZOMG. Again, I’ll be curious to see how white it rubs in, so can’t wait to give it a whirl and update you. But I love, love, how it’s packed with organic cucumbers, green tea and aloe vera. And look how affordable!
Lavanila The Healthy Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 40 ($28)
We’ve been using Lavanila on little C. since he was a baby…great stuff! And I highly rec the “regular” sunscreen. But…if you’re looking for something especially for your face, this is the golden ticket. It’s ultra-sheer, fragrance-free and contains nothing but good stuff. Which is great if you’re putting it on your face, huh? It’s a great mineral sunscreen option for the face…simple as that!
BONUS!
La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water (10.1 oz. can: $16.99)
Ok, I can admit I’ve already been using this now. However, by beach time, this guy will be in my beach bag everywhere I go. If you can’t stand the heat…Not only does it just plain cool you down, it works as an antioxidant and is great for eczema- and rosacea-prone skin (which thankfully I don’t have). Just spray, pat and go. It’s very pure with additives and the largest can is just $16.99 (it’s huge! there are three sizes). Keep it in the fridge and you’ll love it even more. (Oh, and it’s also perfect after you’ve had a chemical peel or other in-office treatment.)ย
**Don’t forget to come back next month for another review on the actual testing of these products…I can’t wait to share! xo
Disclaimer: All of the products mentioned here were sent to me for review and testing. This, in no way, influences my opinion (obviously, since many of the ones sent to me are not listed here).ย
[Photos via Supergoop!; MDSolarSciences; Episencial; Yes To; Lavanila; La Roche-Posay]