Leaves are changing, nights are longer, necklines are getting higher and scarves are getting thicker, but there’s one thing that hasn’t changed…the need to care for your skin and protect it from sun damage. As we move into autumn and face winter, it’s the perfect time to revive your skin regime and take extra good care of your biggest and most exposed organ. Luckily, most sunscreens are available for purchase year-round, and there’s something for everyone.
When roses drop their summer petals and prepare for winter hibernation, they create a gorgeous fall fruit bursting with vitamin C called a rose hip. Rose hip oil is a key ingredient in Avalon Organics’ Vitamin C Sun-Aging Defense Moisture Plus Lotion with SPF 15 (4 fl oz for $16.95). The formula for this citrus-scented lotion reads like an herbalist’s apothecary – lavender, chamomile, white tea, arnica, sunflower, aloe, kelp, calendula, borage, flax, coconut, and more. All of these natural goodies add up to make the perfect fall moisturizer. It’s light, non-oily, soothing, and very hydrating. Whether you’re out apple picking or just walking to the subway, this quick-absorbing, pro-organic lotion will protect your face and neck from damaging free radicals and guard against sun aging.
In keeping with the organic theme, MelanSol Natural Skin Care makes a 100% Natural Sunscreen for Face & Body (6 fl oz for $20.95). Free of chemical UV filters, synthetic preservatives, colors, and scents, this natural and hypoallergenic sunscreen lotion contains the active ingredient Titanium Dioxide for SPF 30 that’s retained even after 40 minutes of water activity. Even though we have some time to wait before we’ll be at the beach again, it’s easy to work up a sweat when raking leaves, so consider this product for outdoor activities this season. Inactive ingredients include sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, jojoba seed oil, cocoa butter, and natural vitamin E. These nourishing ingredients make this sunscreen a great moisturizer, as if natural sunscreen wasn’t enough! If you want some additional moisture as our skin takes a seasonal beating, consider adding MelanSol Natural Skin Care’s 100% Natural Antioxidant Moisturizer (6 fl oz for $16.95) into the mix. Safe for both face and body, this product is packed with potent antioxidants including bio-melanin, green tea, and vitamin E. The silky texture feels great, even on sensitive skin, and although it’s technically unscented, this lotion’s many herbal ingredients make for a fresh, green fragrance that layers well under heavier autumn and winter perfumes.
CellCeuticals Biomedical Skin Treatments’ PhotoDefense Anti-PhotoAging Daily Skin Protector SPF 55+ (2 fl oz for $45.00) is an ultra-light hydrating formula with a patent pending element called Photoplex, which provides anti-aging protection against sun exposure and oxidative stress. The sleek yellow tube is compact enough to slip into even your smallest purse, so you’ll always have SPF at the ready. The lotion is quick-absorbing and free of many of the things we try to avoid in our products – fragrance, parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, and color. PhotoDefense can be used on your face and body, and when you’re done using it in the pumpkin patch, bring it to the ski slope! This is definitely a year-round SPF.
Aveeno Active Natural’s Hydrosport Sunblock Lotion (3 oz for $11.99) packs a punch with SPF 85 broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. The best feature of this lotion is that you can apply it to wet skin. It harnesses the water-repelling ability of the Natural Lotus Complex (a special blend with naturally-derived ingredients), so as soon as you hop out of the shower and towel off, this can be your go-to to prep for time outside. Planning a hike to catch the fall colors? Hydrosport Sunblock Lotion is sweatproof, waterproof, non-greasy, and lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about hiking hard or getting a good outdoors workout in this crisp autumn weather.
This summer, Neutrogena came out with a new product called Wet Skin (5 oz for $11.49). This SPF 85 sunblock spray can be applied to wet or dry skin without whitening or dripping off. It’s unique twist top protects the spray nozzle and makes it safe to tuck into even your nicest purse. If you’re a person who enjoys outdoor activities through the seasons, this might be the perfect product for you. The even, continuous spray makes it perfect for applying on the go, so bikers, hikers, or dedicated corn maze contestants – you won’t need to stop for long to keep your skin protected all day.
As many of us have learned the hard way, you can still get sunburned once summer has past. Better to dress like a lobster for Halloween than to look like one because you skipped the SPF on a gorgeous fall day.
*many,many thanks to Johanna Thomsen for her AdviceSisters review
