As I’ve gotten older, my skin has become more sun-sensitive and burns more easily so I have to be really careful. I love being outdoors on a sunny day, and whether I’m out walking on the beach or hiking in the mountains, I have to be diligent when it comes to protecting my skin.

It’s estimated that 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun! That makes your sunscreen, your hats and your UPF clothing your anti-aging BFF’s. Sun protection is a must for all of us and daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen and appropriate clothing is critical to protect our skin from its dangerous ultraviolet rays. 

We have all heard the terms SPF and UPF but we may not know the difference between the two. These terms are the standards used to measure sun protection. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and measures the time it takes for sun-exposed skin to get red. It is the standard used in sunscreens. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and it measures the amount of UV radiation that penetrates a fabric and reaches your skin. If a piece of clothing has a UPF rating of 50, this means that wherever you are wearing this fabric, it will reduce your skin’s UV radiation exposure by 50 times. 

There are so many different brands of sunscreen out there that it becomes confusing. While we all want to try to use cleaner and more natural products, it’s tricky when it comes to sunscreens. The question that I ask myself a lot is, “are the “natural” sunscreens as effective as chemical sunscreens?” For me, effectiveness is key. When you see a label that says “natural” sunscreen, this means it’s a mineral sunscreen with only titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide as UV filters. After doing research, I decided for myself that it was best to use natural sunscreens on days when I’m mainly indoors or am running errands in and out of my car. Believe it or not, UV rays do come in windows and I know that firsthand. I actually got tan lines while driving long distance a few years ago, and was shocked at what my arms looked like. It was a great lesson for me and for those of you taking road trips this summer, do keep this in mind. 

Below is an assortment of sunscreens and tinted sunscreens that have all been tested by me. Some I have used for years, and others are new finds that I’m currently loving. I’ve also included some helpful reminders when it comes to using sunscreen properly.

SUNSCREEN

Elta MD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46: This mineral-based sunscreen is what I use daily on my face, neck, and chest. It is transparent, oil-free, lightweight and the #1 doctor-recommended sunscreen. It is calming and perfect for skin types that are prone to acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. It’s second nature for me to apply this every morning because I have been using this product for years.

Supergoop Everyday Sunscreen: Supergoop Play is another sunscreen that is perfect for everyday use on your skin. With 40 different products in this line, there’s a perfect product for every skin type. This SPF 50 sunscreen lotion is hydrating and fast-absorbing and provides high-performance protection from harmful UVA, UVB, and IRA (Infra Red) rays. Another Supergoop product I love is their Unseen Sunscreen.

It’s unscented and is a completely clear, invisible broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 40 that leaves skin with a velvety finish. Supergoop doesn’t use oxybenzone (a chemical that irritates skin, disrupts hormones, and damages coral reefs) in any of their products. They actually have a No List featuring over 100 ingredients that they will never use in their formulas, and they publicly disclose their testing results which a lot of companies don’t do. The company’s mission: sunscreen is not only for the beach. It should be used every day and it doesn’t have to be a sticky mess. 

LaRoche Posay Anthelios Melt-In Sunscreen Milk SPF 60: This award-winning sunscreen is perfect for a full day at the beach or by the pool while outside in full sun. On days like this, I want to use the most effective sunscreen on the market with advanced protection. This sunscreen is non-greasy, oil-free, paraben-free and full of antioxidants that protect the skin from harmful UV rays. It’s fast-absorbing and has been tested for skin tolerance even on sensitive skin. This product is always in my beach bag. 

ColoreScience Sunforgettable Broad Spectrum Brush-On Shield SPF 50: This broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen is a great product when “on the go”. I always have it in my belt bag for my beach walks and throw it into my beach bag as well if I need to reapply sunscreen. It’s just so easy and great for travel too since you just brush it on. It offers complete protection and is perfect to use alone or can easily be layered and brushed on top of your usual sunscreen or makeup for extra protection. 

TINTED FACIAL SUNSCREEN

Elta MD Skincare: This tinted sunscreen is oil-free and has no chemical UV filters. It is a mineral sunscreen that uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to filter out the harmful UVA and UVB rays. It provides broad-spectrum sun protection and is easy to wear on a daily basis. 

Revision Skincare Intellishade Original: I use this tinted moisturizer with sunscreen all the time. It provides broad-spectrum SPF 45 protection, moisturizes, and blends naturally with the color of your skin which is what I love. It’s perfect for everyday use.

Colorescience Even Up Clinical Pigment Protector SPF 50: This non-chemical lightly tinted mineral sunscreen brightens, corrects, and protects your skin with SPF 50. It evens out skin tone, blurs out brown spots, and minimizes skin discoloration with its patented formula. It’s a thicker formula than the others but if your goal is to protect your skin and even out your skin tone all at the same time, Even Up will do the trick. 

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer: This oil-free broad-spectrum tinted moisturizer can be used daily in place of foundation. Its lightweight formula provides sheer coverage for a healthy, no-makeup look with SPF 20. There are numerous shades to choose from, and it is an award-winner year after year. 

SUNSCREEN TIPS

• Wear sunscreen even if you’re not outside. If you’re near a window or in your car, the glass will block out most UVB rays, but most UVA rays do pass through the glass putting you at risk for sun damage. 

• Get the QSun app in the app store. It will help you track the UV index in your area, give you personalized recommendations on how much sunscreen to use, and advise you on balancing your vitamin D intake with sun safety. 

• Apply way before exposure to the sun. It takes 20 - 30 minutes for any type of sunscreen to soak into your skin.

• It’s better to use lotion rather than a stick or a spray. Lotions will give you a more even application.

• Be sure to shake your sunscreen before use to mix the ingredients up that may have separated.

• Check the expiration date of your sunscreens. According to the Mayo Clinic, if there is no expiration date on the sunscreen, it should be replaced every 3 years. 

• Reapply. All types of sunscreen even water-resistant ones should be reapplied after swimming or excessive exercise. 

• Don’t assume a higher SPF means longer protection time. SPF indicates the proportion of UVB rays blocked, not the duration of protection. Sunscreens with higher SPF values block out more UVB rays than sunscreens with lower SPF values, but they don’t last longer!

SUN HATS

I love hats and whenever I’m out in the sun, you’ll always find me wearing one. They  provide the sun protection I need on my face when I’m outside doing any kind of activity. They also help to prevent my hair color from fading! There are so many different styles out there to choose from at all different price points for you to not only protect your skin but to also achieve a chic summer look. Just remember, the larger the brim, the safer your skin!

Cabana Life - Blue Tassel Fedora: A hat with sun protection! This hat has UPF 50+ sun protection and is adjustable. The blue tassels add a bit of pizzaz for a chic look on sunny days. It has a 4.5” brim.

Cabana Life - Seaside Black Hat: This hat is made out of UPF 50+ 100% cotton material. It will keep your face safe with its 3.5” brim and is adjustable to fit your head. It’s soft, packable and washable so you can literally take it anywhere with you.

Brixton - Joanna Straw Sun Hat: I have this hat and love it. It comes sized which works great for me because I have a hard time finding hats that fit the size of my head. The only negative is if you’re one who likes to pack and roll your hats in your suitcase for travel, this hat is not soft. It is stiff and structured, so you’ll have to put it in the overhead bin. It’s also great because it comes in different colors. 

Janessa Leone - Simone Hat: For all of the Janessa Leone hat fans out there, this classic straw Panama hat is made out of material that makes it packable, and it looks just like the original. It’s made out of a durable fiber and can be rolled and packed for up to 1 day. It will return back to its original shape which makes it a great choice for travel. 

SUN PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

If you’re serious about protecting your skin while you’re out in the sun, you’ll want to look for clothing with a high UPF rating. There are a number of companies that provide sun protective clothing options and a really cute line that I just discovered is Cabana Life. The brand was started by two friends. When one of them was diagnosed with melanoma at age 26, they realized their lightweight clothing wasn’t protecting them like they thought. They soon discovered that there really weren’t many stylish protective options out there. Not wanting women to have to choose between fashion and function, they created a new trend: sun protection that you want to wear even in hot climates!

Protecting yourself when you’re outside in the Summer months (and during colder months too) is of the utmost importance. Your skin is your largest organ and deserves to be treated with the same care you give to your heart. Protecting your skin does not need to inconvenient - It can actually be fashionable! I hope you all get to spend as much time as possible outside this summer - just be safe!

Enjoy!

xx Barbara