2011 Sunscreen Buying Guide
You've heard it a million times before -- cover up! And no, we're not talking about the command your mom and pop gave you before heading out the door on a typical teenage weekend night out on the town. We're talking about lathering on the sunscreen to keep your pretty complexion just that: pretty!
In addition to keeping your skin cancer-free, sunscreen moisturizes, promises a more even complexion and prevents the appearance of leathery skin years down the road. Some sunscreens even contain ingredients that reverse the signs of aging. If that's not worth a five minute pre-sun lather, nothing else is!
Not all sunscreens are created equal. Some contain harsh parabens (toxic preservatives), a variety of harsh chemicals and ingredients that clog pores. If au naturale is important to you, we suggest some of the following products.
1. Nature's Gate Sunscreen Lotion in Tropical Scent 30 SPF, $6Natures Gate Sunblock Lotion absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy finish. Includes Aloe Vera Extract, Rosehips and Cucumber to help nourish and soothe sun exposed skin.
2. Organics SPF 30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen, $32
John Masters Organics SPF30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen provides all over skin protection from harmful UVA & UVB rays. John Masters Organics SPF30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen contains vitamins and minerals that help hydrate, moisturize and replenish the skin.
3. All Natural Sunscreen 30+ SPF By Soleo Organics, $14
Soleo Organics brings you 5.3 oz of all natural sunscreen for only $14. Contains an SPF 30 and was designed as a consumer friendly and safe alternative to synthetic-based sunscreen products.
4. Vanicream Sunscreen Sport SPF 35 - 4-oz. Tube, $11.95
Vanicream Sunscreen Sport SPF 35 is free of dyes, fragrance and masking fragrance, lanolin, parabens, formaldehyde and other preservatives. This unique formula with transparent zinc oxide and octinoxate provides a light, elegant, transparent film that minimizes white residue. Ideal for daily use.
Find more au naturale sunscreen here:
You heard right -- the skin care market is loaded with sunscreen products that both prevent aging and reverse it. These are found in the form of lotions, sprays, cosmetics and beyond. Here are a few of our favorites.
1. L'Oreal Age Perfect Day Cream for Mature Skin SPF 15 Sunscreen, $17This multi-action lotion is enriched with essential elements to restore a youthful appearance. The calcium microspheres plump skin, soy strengthens it and natural marine collagen deeply hydrates. The SPF 15 is perfect for regular day coverage.
2. MD Skincare Skincare All-In-One Tinted Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 15, $35.20
This is truly a multi-tasking product. Dr. Gross believes less is better in terms of the number of products used on the skin. That is why this product combines a moisturizer with a sunscreen and tint. Ideal for everyday wear, it softens and hydrates skin, fights aging with antioxidants, and provides sheer, skin-perfecting color.
3. ZO Skin Health Oclipse Sunscreen Primer SPF 30, $65
Fight the #1 cause of wrinkles age spots and loss of firmness. To say that this is not your ordinary sunscreen is an understatement. Multi tasks as a makeup primer, tinter, SPF and age-fighter.
4. TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 15, $20
Help reduce the visible signs of aging with TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 15. It helps protect your face from UVA and UVB rays and hydrates for up to 10 hours. Contains our patented TimeWise complex and helps even out skin tone, firm and soften as it reduces the appearance of fine lines.
If you're anything like moi, your translucent complexion is probably super sensitive to the sun's rays. In these cases, super coverage is the way to go. Note that SPF 15 blocks out 94 percent of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks out 97 percent and SPF 45 blocks 98 percent. However, if you apply less than the recommended amount or don't apply enough sunscreen, you won't get that coverage. To prevent burns and to make up for inadequate application, opt for a high SPF of at least 45.
1. Posay La Roche SPF 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Lotion, $21This La Roche sunscreen product offers high UVA protection down to the cellular level. It's a synergistic combination of patented high efficacy sun filters and powerful anti-oxidants that further protect your skin. Additional anti-oxidant helps protect skin from environmental aggressors.
2. Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF 85 Sunscreen Spray, $11.99
Protect yourself from any angle with Banana Boat's Ultra Defense Sunscreen SPF 85 Continuous Clear Spray. It provides fast and even coverage for even tough to reach spots. It's also enriched with Aloe Vera and vitamins A and E , is very water resistant, rub free and dries quickly.
3. Aveeno Sun Hydrosport SPF 85 Lotion, $11.99
Aveeno 85 SPF sunscreen is perfect for an active day out. Wear it while playing sports, swimming hiking or a day full of walking.
4. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock SPF 100+ 5 oz, $12
This 100+ SPF spray on sunscreen from Neutrogena goes on thinly and evenly. it won't clog pores or cause breakouts and is dermatologist recommended. Contains Helioplex 360 full spectrum UVA-UVB comprehensive protection.
If your skin is especially sensitive, we highly recommend opting for an additional sunscreen that's made specifically for your face. Facial sunscreens are often non-comedogenic, meaning they won't clog pores and are less likely to cause breakouts. Sunscreens made specifically for your face also prevent rashes and that greasy feeling associated with many other sunscreens.
1. Blue Lizard Sunscreen SPF 30+, Face 3 oz, $12Blue Lizard Face Suncreen SPF 30+ protects the face against harmful UV rays. It is a non-greasy formula, making it perfect not only for oily skin but all skin types.
2. Coppertone Oil Free Faces Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30, $8.99
This oil-free sunscreen was made specifically for your face. Apply evenly and liberally before sun exposure to ensure complete coverage. Reapply as needed or after towel drying, swimming, perspiring, or vigorous activity.
3. Aubrey Natural Sun SPF 15 UVA Saving Face Sunscreen (Unscented), $9.95
This natural sunscreen by Aubrey's contains an SPF 15 and is unscented. Apply liberally at least 30 minutes before sun exposure.
4. Chapstick Merry Hempsters Vegan SPF 18 Hemp Lip Balm, $2
Sunburnt lips are no fun. Prevent a pouty pucker with an SPF lip balm. Merry Hempster's are made with certified vegan ingredients, no harmful preservatives and no artificial fragrances. Contains SPF 18.
Still craving a tan, but don't want to mess with the sun's powerful rays? Opt for an easy breezy sunless tanner. Over the years, sunless tanners have improved a ton, so don't be afraid of an orange streaky mess. Purchase a quality sunless tanner, like Nature's Gate Sunless Tanner Self Tanning Lotion ($6.40), California Tan Tinted Self Tanner Foam ($13.95) or Bioglycolic's Sunless Self Tanner ($28).
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Photo Credit: Aimanness Photography
Comments page 1 of 1
Highest Rank
Not Safe said 6-20-2011 @9:44AM
I am really happy to see that not only were safer sunscreens covered in this article, but they were also listed at the top of the page! Something is better than nothing, but it would be worth noting that the sunscreens in the other categories contain harsh chemicals worse than parabens. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently released a guide to safe sunscreen buying that rates them on their safety. It is worth checking it out.
replyHighest Rank
PJ said 6-20-2011 @1:59PM
If only EWG was accurate and consistent in their assessments. There is nothing "natural" about these sunscreens, and to allude to this is tantamount to violating FDA guidelines. AOL should be more careful about who is allowed to pen articles of this nature, and who's allowed to post inaccurate information. All FDA approved sunscreens are synthesized, not picked from a tree. BTW, parabens do not clog pores...they may be deemed inappropriate preservatives in the future, but they remain non-comedogenic and safe for intended use.
Neutral
Not Safe said 6-20-2011 @4:14PM
PJ, I'm really not sure where you're coming from, but in regards to "natural" being used to describe ingredients, I think I agree with you in that it really means nothing. All it essentially means is that it initially started out with something in its original form, but who knows how it's been processed and altered.
The FDA is not doing their job in properly regulating products sold to consumers. The EWG is one group that is trying to make up for that. The FDA and other governmental groups are headed by people who used to work for the same industries they're supposedly regulating now. What group are we supposed to trust then, if not the EWG??
As far as parabens are concerned, I could care less about clogging pores. They are linked to causing cancer, as are many other ingredients used in supposed FDA approved sunscreens. That is why it is important to buy organic, to avoid exposure to these carcinogens. Where do you get your stats from regarding parabens? Who funded the study you are citing as your source? Are you using a study that has looked at them in tandem with other carcinogens and how those combined affect people? Probably not, because most studies do not look at the use of ALL the different hygiene and cleaning products used in one day (week, month, year, etc.).
Neutral
PJ said 6-20-2011 @5:25PM
Several studies showed a tendency for parabens being hormone mimics, which could cause increased cancer rates in complex systems(JID, August 2001), but they are not, repeat not carcinogenic in and of themselves, unless you inject them into the livers of mice at 200x their absorbed rate, which, again, is not their intended or common use. It's folks like EWG, who throw up words like carcinogenic, and trash an entire area of useful chemistry, to attain notoriety and possible funding from god knows who, and in the process, scare consumers from using safe products and ingredients, working from a poor database.
Neutral
Ron said 6-20-2011 @4:25PM
If your sun screen dose not contain Zink, it is a worthless expense, this from a heart doctor.
replyHighest Rank
Sally said 6-20-2011 @10:45AM
Neutrigena is only listed once but their products get top ratings from Dermatologists. I live in Florida where the sun is more brutal than anywhere else in the states except Hawaii. You can just feel it frying you espically in the summer. I try to avoid it whenever possible but it's often impossible as my passion in life is riding and working with horses. So I slather myself with sunscreen and have found Neutrigena Healthy Defense which is oil free and so many of the products cause excessive sweating which this product doesn't.
replyNeutral
readerroz said 6-20-2011 @11:45AM
For at-home daily use the high end products ($15+) listed here are good, but way over the top for a few weeks at the beach where a person can go through a 8oz in a week or less what with having to reapply a few times throughout the day.
replyNeutral
Don said 6-20-2011 @12:00PM
Cancer, spend a little more, cancer, spend a little more?
Highest Rank
Don said 6-20-2011 @11:57AM
Only a few products were listed as protecting agaist both UVA and UVB. We will automatically eliminate those products from consideration. If this was a omission, it might be good to revise the article and reprint it.
replyNeutral
Cathy White said 6-20-2011 @2:12PM
I have more of a question than a comment. I am african american with a medium to dark complexion. I need a sun block, but not sure what is best for my skin. I have allergies to citrus and use Cetaphil Cream daily to hydrate and protect my skin. I use covergirl brand make-up daily for my face. What would be the best sun screen for my body and face?
replythank you
Neutral
PJ said 6-20-2011 @3:46PM
Try to find something that has a blend of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. It may look a little "whiter" on your skin as you rub it in, but in the long term, it's less likely to cause reactions than traditional sunscreen chemicals. Clinique's City Block is one that's been around for awhile with a good reputation for lack of reaction, Neutrogena has a few like this, as does Shiseido.
Or, get used to big floppy hats !!
Neutral
Judy Delk said 6-20-2011 @6:51PM
The Mary Kay product listed has the incorrect price listed. Should be $22.
replyNeutral
Cynthia said 6-20-2011 @3:41PM
Self-tanning: Banana Boat Everyday SunDial seems to be the only one which does not turn you orange...I've tried them all! Are you listening John Boehner?
reply