What you can’t see can harm you!
If you read Part I of “the most important skincare article you’ll ever read on advicesisters.com” you already have the facts about the sun and how to protect yourself from its damaging rays. When it comes to serious sun protection from sun screens, you can find them in all sorts of formulas including: lotions, gels, powders, sprays. The Advice Sisters have reviewed literally dozens of good sun protection products. Check our our recent article about multi-tasking beautifiers that contain SPF but are not straight sun screens. These are fabulous for everyday use, but if you’re going to be out in the sun for any length of time, you need a broad spectrum sun screen for your face and for your body.
In Part II of this article: “The Most Important Skincare Article You’ll Ever Read on Advicesisters.com” we are suggesting 9 different sunscreen that will appeal to different personalities, needs, and skin types.
When it comes to sunscreens, the best product for you is the one that you will actually wear. Find a sun screen product (at least one) that suits you, buy it, and use it. Feel free to add your favorite sun protection product suggestions below in our comments section so other readers can find products that YOU have tried and recommend.
Hawaiian Tropic’s Temping SPF 30 Trio! Hawaiian Tropic has lotions for Face and Body in a variety of formats. I’m selecting three with broad spectrum protection SPF 30 which I think is a good choice for daily use, and all three are Srp. $8.99: Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration SPF 30 Face; SPF 30 Dry Oil Clear Spray Sunscreen; and Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30. The Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance SPF 30 protects, softens and adds a bit of luminosity to your skin. But the most important thing to know about this product is that it has SPF 30 water resistant to 80 minutes, with actives 5.5% homosalate; 2% avobenzone; 4.5% octisalate and 4.0% octocrylene. It also has an exclusive blend of papaya, guyava and plumerica extracts to soften your skin., plus special pigments that refelct light. I like the light, slightly tropical scent and the lightweight feel. This is also available in SPF 15 and SPF 50. I would go for the SPF 50 if I was planning to be outside for any length of time.
The Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Face SPF 30 is an oil-free sunscreenin a pump bottle that offers (what H.T. claims is 12-hours) moisturization plus a non-greasy SPF 30 sun protection thanks to actives of 2.0% avobenzone; 5% octocrylene and 3% oxybenzone. There are also antioxidants and botanicals to pamper the skin, but this is not a BB/CC cream — I’d still use my regular skincare products with this. If the men in your life are reluctant to use a facial sunblock, this one might win them over. The lotion is light, unscented, easy absorbed, and gives you skin a matte finish and no sticky or greasy residue. It’s dermatologist tested and water resistant up to 80 minutes. It’s a total winner. On a personal note, I loathe facial SPF products and tend to use BB/CC creams instead, but this is my new favorite sun protection for every day use.
Dry Oils are all the rage, and I love sun protection in spray formats. Hawaiian Tropic Dry Oil Clear Spray Sunscreen SPF 30 delivers oils, botanicals, vitamins and aloe vera to soften your skin as well as to protect it with broad spectrum SPF (actives are 2.0% avobenzone; 7.7% octocrylene; 3.0% oxybenzone). Naysayers may warn that SPF in sprays don’t cover well, but they are clean and pleasant to use (again, my warning that the only effective products are those you actually put on your skin), and if you are by yourself, at least you will be able to apply it to places you can’t reach without a partner. This oil has the classic Hawaiian Tropic coconut scent, which I actually love. The product is water resistant to 80 minutes. To use it properly, hold the container 4 to 6 inches from the skin to apply. Spray liberally and spread evenly by hand 15 minutes before sun exposure. Do not spray directly into face. Spray on hands then apply to face. Do not apply in windy conditions. Use in well-ventilated area. Reapply: After 80 minutes of swimming or sweating. The dry oil is a nice format for those with extra dry skin, and for those who just want something new and pampering. These products are sold in drug stores and mass market retailers and online. For more information visit the Hawaiian Tropic Web Site
High SPF and Affordable Price: Dermatologist and device inventor, Dr. Brian Zelickson is the creator of MD Complete. This Mayo Clinic graduate has created an affordably-priced, premium skincare line exclusively for Target that focuses on anti-aging and skin clearing products. $24.99 brings you his MD Complete Youthful Skin Sun Shield SPF 50 that gives good sun protection along with ingredients that help to improve your skin’s tone and texture. The flip top tube dispenses a sheer, fragrance-free sunscreen with a matte finish, has Vitamin C to help brighten skin tone and essential fatty acids to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. The press information claims that the product will last for up to 6 hours, but even with actives of 7.5% octinoxate and 10.5% zinc oxide, no sun screen will last that long in my opinion without touching it up, especially if you touch your face or perspire. Still, this sun screen moisturizes, and has beauty benefits beyond just SPF protection. *if your skin is deep, note that the product has quite a bit of zinc oxide which can sometimes leave a bit of white residue. If that’s the case with your skin, add a tinted moisturizer or foundation on top of this excellent sun screen.
What’s really great about this line is that it provides consumers with good quality products but at reasonable prices, without having to go to a doctor’s office (these are available in Target and Target.com, where plenty of people do shop) with a price range of $16.99 – $39.99 . Buy yours at Target or on the Target Web Site
Clear & Lightweight Formula, Oil-Free and Affordable: I have been a huge fan of CeraVe skincare product ever since my dermatologist recommended them after a skin procedure. But when it comes to sun protection, CeraVe has a lot of really good full spectrum sun blocks in both chemical and physical varieties. Two I really like are in different formulas, but are both lightweight, oil-free and water resistant.
CeraVe Suncreen Body Lotion SPF 30 for Body ($16.99 3.5 oz. tube) is water resistant up to 40 minutes and features good for your skin ceramides to help repair and restore the protective skin barrier as well as hyaluronic acid attracts moisture to the top layer of the skin. But the sun protection comes from3.5% zinc oxide featuring CeraVe’s “Invisible Zinc.” It is clear and a new, highly micronized form of zinc oxide. This technology helps deliver a unique dry, clear finish on the skin, meaning that you won’t end up with that ugly, ashy, white coating that you can sometimes see when you’ve used a sun screen containing zinc. There is also 3.67% Titanium Dioxide. Good for all skin types, it’s a great sun protection product that the entire family can use. My only complaint is the cap — you have to screw it on and off. A flip-top tube or an all-in-one delivery system would have been a much better choice. 
I also like the higher SPF of CeraVe Sunscreen Wet Skin Spray SPF 50 ($16.99 5 oz). This product also has ceramides and hyaluronic acid but once you spray this on your wet or dry skin it forms a barrier that visibly repels water and retains ultimate protection up to 80 minutes, and dries with a clear finish. 15% homosalate, 3% avobenzone, 5% octisalate, 10% octocrylene and 6% oxybenzone packs a powerful punch against the sun’s damaging rays. Again, this one is really a good product for beach and pool and when you’re going to be out in the sun and sweating. No matter which one of thse products you choose, you will get a pleasing formula and good protection and do so at an affordable price, with any sort of excuse that it’s “unpleasant” so there’s no excuse not to use CeraVe! To learn more about the new products, visit The CeraVe Web Site or call 800-321-4576
Good SPF Protection/Beauty Bennies: A bit pricier at $31.00 but packed with good for your skin ingredients, is Glo_Therapeutics’ Oil Free SPF 40 Suunscreen with 7.5% zinc oxide; 7.5% octinoxate and 2.5%octisalate for SPF 40 sun protection, plus D-Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) Helps increase the skin’s hyaluronic acid content and assists in stabilizing the moisture content of the skin; L-hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hylauronate) Attracts and maintains hydration to hold 1000 times its weight in water. Prevents transepidermal water loss and protects against free radical damage caused by environmental aggressors and Vitamin E (D-alpha Tocopherol) A naturally occurring fat soluble form of Vitamin E. An antioxidant that protects from oxidative stress and has anti-inflammatory benefits. What I like about this product (besides the sun protection and skin benefits) is that it is in one of those air-free pumps and at 1.7 fl. oz. is also travel friendly. If you find yourself having to slim down your beauty bag when traveling, this all-in-one gives you good spf protection along with the kind of moisturization and skin benefits you’d bring along in different bottles if you could. The lightweight, unscented formula is non sticky or greasy and is good for the guys too. It works well under makeup. The only downside is that it is not waterproof, so if you are going to be at the beach or pool, bring along another product as well for your face. Get more information at the GloProfessional web site
Use Over/Under Makeup: An SPF product that doesn’t mess up your makeup is a real plus! That’s the big feature of Dr. Goldfaden’ s Sun Visor Ultralight Oil-Free SPF 30 Mist sunscreen ($45.00 2.7 fl. oz.). The fast absorbing, oil-free, PABA-free and fragrance-free SPF 30 sunscreen has actives of 2% titanium dioxide, 3% octinoxate and 3.1% benzophenone (aka. oxybenzone) to protect your skin. The product also has organic red tea for antioxidant benefits. This advanced, revolutionary, ultralight translucent oil-free, fragrance-free and even smear-free formula is a must for all skin types.
What I particularly like about this product is that you can apply it after your foundation, which means you can re-apply it at intervals during the day without having to wash off your makeup to do so! While one or two pumps will do the job, The product is mainly clear, but it does have a bit of a “milky” cast to it. So shake the container well and hold it far away from your face to distribute the product evenly, otherwise you’ll see some “white residue” that you’ll need to smooth into your skin (which might disturb your “handiwork”). Others suggested blotting with a tissue, which works as well, or simply let it set for a while and the white spots will disappear. For more information visit the Goldfaden M.D. Web Site
For Very Sensitive Skin: Finding sun protection can be a real chore if your skin just can’t handle the chemicals or irritants in a lot of sun screens and moisturizers. Although The Gentle Nourishing Day Cream SPF 15 by Desert Essence ($18.99) has an SPF of only 15, I am including it here because it is good for dry and sensitive skin. The extra gentle, soothing, silky formula has moisturizing Argan oil with Aloe Vera and antioxidant-rich White Tea Extract. But it’s the fragrance free formula and the all-natural mineral sunscreen that helped convince me to add it to this list for those who simply can’t use most anything else. The product is pleasant to use, but it is thick, so you have to rub it in a bit, and you will have to wait a moment or two for it to absorb. This isn’t going to be an issue for those whose faces need extra TLC. On the plus side, even with the low SPF it’s better than nothing, and this product has all the right bells & whistles for those who need them (you know who you are): NO: Animal Derived Ingredients; • Animal Testing • Parabens • Artificial Fragrances or Dyes • Petroleum Compounds: Mineral Oil, Petrolatum or Paraffin SLS • PEGS, PPG, MEA, DEA or TEA • Glycols • Phthalates. YES TOl • Vegetarian/Vegan • Recyclable • Gluten Free • Biodegradable • Renewable Sources • Cruelty Free • Soy
For those who really need to know what’s in the product, I’m listing ALL the ingredients here : note the Active Ingredient is Zinc Oxide (Mineral Sunscreen), Other Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Coconut Derived), Cocoglycerides (Coconut Derived), Squalane (Olive Derived), Glycerin (Vegetable), Cetearyl Alcohol (Plant Derived), Arachidyl Alcohol (Plant Derived), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Butter, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil (Argan Oil), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (White Tea), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Xylitylglucoside (Plant Derived), Anhydroxylitol (Plant Derived), Xylitol (Plant Derived), Isostearic Acid (Plant Derived), Behenyl Alcohol (Plant Derived), Arachidyl Glucoside (Plant Derived), Cetearyl Glucoside (Plant Derived), Xanthan Gum (Corn Derived), Sodium Phytate (Plant Derived), Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Levulinate (Plant Derived), Sodium Anisate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Share, Learn, Explore! If you found this feature to be useful, inspiring or think it might be interesting to someone else, please repost it, tweet it, or share it. You are also welcome to send in your relationship questions to my other (relationship and intimacy related websites), Leather and Lace Advice (and Spice). There is a secure Privacy Policy and nothing you write will ever be divulged. Every letter’s details are removed so only the core of the question remains. The Q&A is meant to help a wide variety of people so if you believe you’ve recognized the letter or situation of someone you know, keep in mind that each question is really a compilation of those situations.
To learn more about Leather and Lace Advice (and Spice) Click Here
Learn more about Alison Blackman
