Best Sunscreens for 2019
It’s that time of year again when we have to make the tough choice on what kind of sunscreen we are going to use… and if we are even going to use it at all. As your savvy, sexy sun safety savant, I am here to help you navigate which sunscreen (or sunscreens) will best fit your earth-loving, toxin-hating, outdoor lifestyles!
There are a lot of interesting sun safety ideas going on out there, and I appreciate that the conversation keeps going!
Here are the top 4 comments/concerns I hear from clients, friends, and at community gatherings
- Sunscreen is full of chemicals and gives you cancer anyway, so why bother?
- I hate the way sunscreen feels.
- I’m only out for a couple of hours; I’m just getting my vitamin D.
- The sunscreen is killing the reefs.
My Responses:
1. Sunscreen and Cancer
What is this 2010?! WE KNOWWWW! That is why if you are on the up and up you are using SPF that is zinc and titanium dioxide based. These are the cleanest and safest SPF’s for our bodies and our planet. Zinc is naturally water resistant, and the only time titanium dioxide is harmful to us is if it is in powder form and we inhale it (so don’t do that).
Chemical sunscreens breakdown in the sun more readily, are known carcinogenic, and in the opinion of many scientists and formulators, less effective than our physical form of SPF (our good friends Zinc and Titanium Dioxide). Of course, there are companies that only use Zinc and Titanium, but they might use some lesser quality preservatives and fillers to help with “the feel” of the SPF.
*Here is a great article explaining the difference between chemical and physical sunscreens.
*Even better (or worse?), if you love reading “what’s going to give me cancer” porn, here is a full article from the EWG with a great chart.
2. Cosmetic Elegance
If you are a connoisseur of physical sunscreens you know zinc can feel like you’re rubbing your skin off to apply it (queue crying kids at the pool). Can you still get skin cancer if you don’t have any skin left?This is what we in the biz call “cosmetic elegance.” A product either has it, or it doesn’t. Everyone has a different preference when it comes to the texture of products; some people want to have a super velvety soft texture, some want a creamy, some want to feel nothing. Well, lucky for you I have all of the above!
If you want velvety silky soft, then you are going to want something with silicone. I hear your thoughts now… “isn’t silicone bad for you.” The rumor is silicone clogs your pores and traps bacteria. That is true and false. It does occlude the skin for about 30 minutes and but then dissolves into small ball-like structures that are too small to clog or trap anything in your skin. It is also what helps products not feel thick and stiff.
As always, your body your choice on this one, and I have multiple choice that is “non-silicone.” For a creamier option, you want to choose a sunscreen that has additional moisturizing ingredients like oils and shea butters. If you want to feel nothing, then a powdered SPF is going to be your best friend.
3. Vitamin D Misconception
You guys are killing me with this one! Every time I hear a 27-year-old say, “I’m just embracing my wrinkles they are beautiful” I want to give them a collective slap from every 35+ woman who wishes she just wore a hat a little more often! While I am on the subject, why do we want to keep our insides young and vibrant for as long as possible, but we say “eff it” to our skin? I will never understand this mindset.
Anyhow, the fact of the matter is that if you are unexposed in the sun for more than 20 minutes at a time you are going to be experiencing the adverse effects of sun exposure. I should write an entire different, boring science blog about what exactly that is, but the long and short of it is, you’re going to age faster and put yourself at a higher risk of skin cancer. So slap that SPF on and stay young and healthy forever.
As for the vitamin D sitch, Dr. Steven Lin says, “While the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin D is around 600 IU daily, I recommend more. Myself and many other experts agree that an ideal range for vitamin D in healthy individuals is between 1,000 and 2,000 IU daily. This is the equivalent of about 20 to 30 minutes of sun exposure (without sunscreen) three times a week if you have fair skin.” Read more about how to optimize your vitamin D here.
4. Earth Friendly Sunscreen
Absolutely!!! Stop using that cheap ass shit from the drug store and get yourself some reef and earth-friendly SPF! There is seriously no excuse not to!
Okay, now that you know that you know all of that info, you might be wondering, well which clean sunscreen is right for my lifestyle? After years of field research, here is my list of bests (of course, these are all my humble, yet expert, opinion):
Best all-purpose:
Best texture:
Best non-silicone formulas:
Best for lips:
Best for hiking and biking:
Best for water activities:
Best for dry skin:
Best for oily/acne skin:
Best for office work:
Best for traveling in the car for work meetings:
Best for patio drinking:
Best for kids:
Best for gardening:
- Osmosis Protect (if you can wash your hands and reapply)
Best for city living:
If you have another activity I did not mention comment below and I will give you my best answer!
And now, below is the master list of Sunscreen and Ingredients for your deep dive pleasure:
Tizo 2
PRIMER / SUNSCREEN
NON-TINTED SPF 40
TIZO2® is a non-tinted facial mineral sunscreen that offers cosmetically elegant sun protection with a matte finish. TIZO2® layers invisibly under makeup to replace one’s foundation primer.
- Non-Tinted
- Physical broad spectrum protection; great for post procedure use
- Gentle enough on ALL skin, even the most sensitive skin
- Photostable, will not degrade in sunlight
- FREE of chemical sunscreen filters, dyes, fragrances, oils and preservatives
- Reef Friendly
KEY INGREDIENTS:
- Titanium Dioxide – Sunscreen
- Zinc Oxide – Sunscreen
- Antioxidants C & E – Neutralizes Free Radicals
Tizo 3
PRIMER / SUNSCREEN
TINTED SPF 40
TIZO3® is a sheer, tinted facial mineral sunscreen that offers cosmetically elegant sun protection with a matte finish. TIZO3® layers invisibly under makeup to replace one’s foundation primer.
- Tinted
- Physical broad spectrum protection; great for post procedure use
- Gentle enough on ALL skin, even the most sensitive skin
- Photostable, will not degrade in sunlight
- FREE of chemical sunscreen filters, dyes, fragrances, oils and preservatives
- Reef Friendly
KEY INGREDIENTS:
- Titanium Dioxide – Sunscreen
- Zinc Oxide – Sunscreen
- Iron Oxide – Tint used for all skin tones
- Antioxidants C & E – Neutralize Free Radicals
Tizo Sheer Botanicals
PLANT BASED MINERAL SUNSCREEN
NON-TINTED SPF 45
TIZO® Sheer Botanicals Sunscreen is a silky, plant based mineral sunscreen for body and face. Spreads easily to a soft, virtually invisible finish.
- Non-Tinted
- Titanium and Zinc Oxides are non-irritating and highly protective
- Plant based, silicone free formula
- Photostable, will not degrade in sunlight
- FREE of chemical sunscreen filters, dyes, fragrances, gluten and preservatives
- Reef Friendly
KEY INGREDIENTS:
- Titanium Dioxide – Sunscreen
- Zinc Oxide – Sunscreen
- Antioxidants C & E – Neutralize Free Radicals
Tizo Body and Face
MINERAL SUNSCREEN
TINTED SPF 40
TIZO® Ultra Zinc Body & Face Sunscreen is a moisturizing mineral sunscreen suitable for all skin types and tones. Sheer and virtually invisible on even the darkest skin tones. Smooths onto skin leaving an elegant dewy finish.
- Tinted
- 20% Zinc Oxide formula calms and soothes
- Gentle protection is ideal post procedure use and sensitive skin
- Photostable, will not degrade in sunlight
- FREE of chemical sunscreen filters, dyes, fragrances, oils and preservatives
- Reef Friendly
TIZO® Tinted Lip Protection
This is the ultimate lip protection without the use of chemical sunscreen filters. Using only Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, TIZO Tinted Lip Protection reflects the sun away from one of the most sensitive areas, the lips. Gentle kiwi, lime and ginger flavor.
- Tinted
- Physical broad spectrum protection; great for post procedure use
- Gentle enough on ALL skin, even the most sensitive skin
- Photostable, will not degrade in sunlight
- FREE of chemical sunscreen filters, dyes, fragrances, oils, preservatives, phthalates, and parabens
- Reef Friendly
KEY INGREDIENTS:
- Titanium Dioxide – Sunscreen
- Zinc Oxide – Sunscreen
- Iron Oxide – Tint used for all skin tones
- Antioxidants – Neutralize Free Radicals
Osmosis Protect
Healthy skin is always in! Protect your skin and our planet with this eco-friendly sunscreen that is non-nano coated and zinc oxide-based offering broad-spectrum protection without causing harm to our bodies or our oceans!
- Zinc Oxide 13%- sunscreen
- Heliathus Annus (sunflower) Seed Oil – essential fatty acids, good for acne and sensitive skin
- Phytic Acid – increase moisture, decrease oil production, lightens pigmentation, antioxidant that reduces inflammation
Lilikoi Light Defense face Primer
This lightweight illuminating face primer with SPF visibly improves the appearance of skin exposed to blue light stress and helps prevent sunburn. Layer this mineral primer after your moisturizer or use it as a protective base before you apply foundation or tinted moisturizer. Subtle illuminating properties give the skin a healthy, “lit-from-within” effect, resulting in the appearance of a glowing, radiant complexion.
- Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide: natural minerals block UV rays to protect skin from sunburn.
- Lilikoi (Passion Fruit) Seed Oil: contains Vitamin C and antioxidants which help with the visible signs of aging
- Cocoa Seed Extract: a blend of cocoa peptides, saccharides and polyphenols to help minimize the visible effects of aging and blue light stress.
- Larch Tree: moisturizer. Protects skin from drying environmental stressors.
Lilikoi Mineral Defense Moisturizer
Protect your skin from the sun and drying environmental stressors with this lightweight SPF 33 mineral sunscreen moisturizer. The easy-to-apply formulation shields your skin from the appearance of the damaging effects of pollution and environmental elements. Suitable for all skin types, this moisturizer leaves a natural finish, so the skin looks healthy and radiant.
- Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide: natural minerals block UV rays to protect skin from sunburn
- Lilikoi (Passion Fruit) Seed Oil: contains Vitamin C and antioxidants which help with the visible signs of aging
- Satsuma Mandarin Peel Extract: protects against drying pollution elements and helps to minimize the look of hypersensitivity
- Larch Tree: moisturizer. Protects skin from drying environmental stressors
Lilikoi Minerals Defense Sport
An easy-to-apply sport formulation for face and body, this SPF 30 mineral sunscreen is non-greasy and water-resistant up to 40 minutes. Highly effective for outdoor activities like swimming and high-performance sports where perspiration can impact standard sunscreen efficacy, this zinc oxide sunscreen protects from head to toe.
Zinc Oxide: natural mineral blocks UV rays to protect skin from sunburn
- Lilikoi (Passion Fruit) Seed Oil: contains Vitamin C and antioxidants which help with the visible signs of aging
- Raspberry Seed Oil: moisturizer. Antioxidant and rich in Vitamin C which minimize the appearance of aging
- Aloe Vera: moisturizer; soothes dry skin, alleviates the appearance of damage from sun exposure, hydrates and softens the skin
Sun Defense Minerals
These hypoallergenic, non pore clogging natural minerals provide water-resistant SPF 30 sun protection to women and men alike. They are excellent for post-treatment use, especially on red or blotchy skin. Darker shades can be used as a bronzer.
- Minerals
- Micronized Zinc Oxide (Sunscreen)
Rosehip and Lemongrass Lip Balm
SPF 15Moisturize and protect dry lips with this hydrating lip balm stick. All natural SPF15 defends dry lips against harmful UV exposure, while soothing rosehip oil relieves dryness and rejuvenating lavender restores softness. Dry, weather-ravaged lips are perfectly moisturized and protected from future damage.
Key Ingredients:
- Rosehip Oil: Primary constituents are EFAs, Vitamins C and E and beta carotene which improve skin’s moisture, tone, texture
- Comfrey: Emollient, antioxidant. Supplies skin with Vitamin E, gently lubricates, improves elasticity
- Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Rich in Vitamin A and E, helps to tone, repair and refresh dry, tired lips
- Lavender: Rejuvenates the look of skin
- Zinc Oxide: Natural SPF protection
- Yarrow: rich in nutrients; promotes healing by moisturizing
BONUS: For getting to the bottom of this blog you get advanced access to my 48 hour FLASH SALE! Use code SEXYSUNSAFETY at checkout to get 20% off your entire sunscreen order!(6/28 8 pm- 6/30 8 pm)
What about sensitive skin? Nearly every sunscreen I have ever tried burns and exacerbates red skin when applied (I haven’t tried any you mentioned above). Currently using EltaMD at the recommendation of my dermatologist and it does NOT burn and it works great, but I am not particularly fond of the way it feels so I only wear on the weekends when hiking/skiing/going to be outside for an extended amount of time. I don’t wear sunscreen on the normal weekday. Thoughts?
Hi Gina, great question! I would recommend trying the Osmosis Protect or the Tizo 3. Both of these options are designed to work with compromised or “sensitive skin.” The textures are totally different, Tizo is a velvety soft texture that sits on the skin like a primer, and Protect feels more like a lightweight lotion. Hope this helps!