If there’s one thing you need for Memorial Day weekend and the months ahead, it’s sunscreen. I don’t need to remind you that it’s imperative for avoiding sunburn—but I will remind you that it’s essential for preventing skin cancer. Living in South Florida, sunscreen is a year-round affair, but I bet many of you are busting out the beach bag and probably finding half-empty bottles from last year. My advice: Trash them and start fresh because sunscreens aren’t good forever. And one more thing to remember… If you make it through a season without finishing a bottle, you’re not applying enough! So with all of this said, here are my picks for Summer 2015 (so far!)
iS
Clinical Extreme Protect SPF 30
Strong enough to stand up to a day spent by the pool or at
the beach, this super-hydrating broad-spectrum sunscreen has become my daily
go-to. Blending both chemical and physical sunscreen ingredients, plus
DNA-repair enzymes and antioxidant vitamin E, it works wonderfully under makeup
and takes the place of my regular moisturizer. And if you prefer a 100% mineral
sunscreen, the Eclipse
SPF 50+ provides superior UV protection without white or greasy residue,
and leaves skin with a matte finish—and it’s perfect for everyday as well.
Supergoop
City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30
No one likes a sunscreen that makes your skin feel like it’s
suffocating, and Supergoop’s serum formulation might have the lightest texture
EVER. Beyond the broad-spectrum SPF 30, this can stand in for your moisturizer
and makeup primer as well. It also contains vitamins E and B5 for an anti-aging
effect plus high-tech ingredients that help your skin maximize the benefits of
antioxidants and repair DNA damage.
Palmer’s
Cocoa Butter Formula Eventone Suncare Moisturizing Sunscreen Balm
I’m obsessed with cocoa butter, so when I came across this sunscreen-infused
version (which may have the longest name I’ve ever seen), I kind of freaked
out. I do realize it’s only SPF 15 (I usually go higher) but there’s definitely
a time and place for this, namely cloudy days, early morning, late afternoon
and when I’m perched in the shade. Since it’s a solid-to-oil formula it gives
your skin a gorgeous gleam, and it’s great for travel since it can be used as a
post-sun moisturizer as well.
NO-AD
Sport Body & Face Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
I always have a stick in my sunscreen stash because a really
hot and humid day can compromise your sun protection—and do a number on your
eyes. Sticks also come in handy when you don’t want your hands to get all
greasy, and they also make it easier to “screen up” my squirmy six-year old and
make sure I get the area under his eyes that I frequently miss. At $6.99, this clear,
residue-free stick is proof that you can get superior sun protection without
spending a bundle—and since I’ll probably blow through five of these this
summer I appreciate the price.
Bullfrog
Surf Formula Gel Sunscreen SPF 36
Sunscreen and lots of time in the water don’t generally mix,
but this advanced gel will put your mind at ease. Formulated with a
patent-pending extract of pine rosin that is said to boost water resistance,
this alcohol-free and fragrance-free gel provides a high level protection both
in and out of the water.
Ocean
Potion Protect & Renew Face SPF 35
Personally, I like a dedicated facial sunscreen in my beach
bag (in addition to the multiple options in my medicine cabinet). This
broad-spectrum sunscreen doubles as anti-aging skincare thanks to
collagen-boosting peptides, and since has already received the stamp of
approval from my super-picky husband, you know it’s good.
Is your beach bag all packed and ready for the long weekend?
