Best Sunscreens for 2021
Wear Your Sunscreen My Dear!
Every dermatologist, esthetician and wise mother will tell you—wear your sunscreen. But like so many things in life, a good one is hard to find.
Many of my 40+ clients tell me that one of their biggest regrets is not wearing sunscreen in their 20s and 30s, and that now they’re paying for it with premature age spots, skin laxity and wrinkles.
Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s never too late to start doing the right thing. By protecting your skin going forward, you will prevent further damage. There’s no better day than today to make the commitment to add an SPF to your morning routine.
“But every sunscreen I’ve tried is smelly, greasy, pasty, full of chemicals, or makes my eyes burn” you say.
I get it. It’s true. So many of them are and these factors combined are a huge deterrent to the everyday use of an SPF. A study conducted on 429 individuals offered up reasons why people don’t regularly apply sunscreen.
33.7% of people don’t like the way it feels.
15.3% of people don’t use it because they don’t have the time.
The good news is that there are winning SPFs out there! On my shortlist of favorites are mineral-based sunscreens—all with little to no heavy scent, minimal “greasy” factor, some with tints, others without.
What to Know About SPF
Before we dive into the brands I love, here are a couple more facts about sunscreen:
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. A higher SPF number only adds a smaller percent of benefit, but potentially higher chemical concentrations! For example, the difference between SPF 100 and 50 is 1% more protection and with the recommended SPF of 30, you obtain 96.7% protection (source).
Only 19% of Amercians use sunscreen daily. 56% rarely or never use it! (source)
Mineral sunscreens are much safer compared to chemical-based SPF products that are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream (source)—all the more reason to consider making the mineral sunscreen switch!
For the face you will need to use a generous ¼ teaspoon (or manufacturer's recommended amount) of SPF for complete coverage.
My Four Favorite Sunscreens
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 | This is a top-selling sunscreen for good reason: It’s lightweight, non-greasy and loved by dermatologists. Plus, it fights acne while it protects your skin from damaging UV rays, thanks to anti-inflammatory, redness-reducing niaminicide. It is oil-free, blends easily, is available in tinted and untinted, and leaves no white residue.
Environ RAD Sunscreen SPF 30 | Environ is a professional-grade skincare line that I swear by. It is offered only by skincare professionals and is a product I can special order for you. The Environ RAD Sunscreen SPF 30 is very effective and includes some beneficial ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, CoQ10, and aloe gel. It has no strong smell and is not overly greasy. It goes on a little white, but after 10 minutes absorbs into the skin. A favorite trick with this sunscreen is to mix it with a bit of your foundation for an instant tinted SPF!
Andalou Naturals Sensitive 1000 Roses CC Color+ Correct SPF 30 | Formulated with alpine rose stem cells, this tinted SPF provides soft, sheer mineral coverage with hydration and proven broad spectrum sun protection for a flawless looking complexion in one easy step. It is just a bit greasy going on but dries quickly and is not heavy. Available in Sheer Beige and Sheer Tan, this product really does give the skin a healthy, fresh glow. The light floral scent is not overbearing—some even call it their morning aromatherapy!
Beauty Counter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer | This sheer-coverage tinted moisturizer helps even skin tone as it protects against the sun’s damaging rays with SPF 20 mineral sunscreen. The formula features a blend of black currant seed oil, peony root extract, and vitamin C to help brighten while leaving skin looking radiant. With continued use, skin may feel firmer and look more luminous.
What Questions Do You Have?
I am happy to answer any questions you have about sunscreens or skincare in general. Schedule a complimentary Skin Care Consult. It’s easy to book one online.