Are you SPF ready? Summer has arrived here in Northeast, USA and we are stocking up on all our favorite CLEAN sun skincare items for the beach, pool, and more! Below are our MUST-HAVES for every occasion:
Best for Everyday Use – especially under Face Makeup:
SUPERGOOP! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
What it is: A totally invisible, weightless, scentless, and makeup-gripping daily primer with SPF 40.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily
Price: $34
Review: I use this every workday. The texture is SO smooth & silky and makes my face feel like a baby’s bottom haha! I apply it as the last step in my AM routine (and throughout the day if necessary). It acts as a primer to my foundation. It doesn’t pill or change the consistency of how my foundation sits on my face either!
Best for Face Beach, Pool & Outdoor Day:
EltaMD UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
What it is: EltaMD UV Daily facial sunscreen offers potent sun protection and moisturization. This mineral-based formula contains hyaluronic acid to boost moisture retention and diminish fine lines.
Skin Type: Normal, Combination
Price: ~$30
Review: My grandma, Oma, actually uses this product. She washes her face and puts this on every morning and throughout the day. It provides just the right amount of moisture to her skin. It’s your “basic” face sunscreen that is perfect for all ages and occasions.
Best for Face Beach, Pool & Outdoor Day – Tinted edition:
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 for Sensitive or Acne-Prone Skin
What it is: Tinted EltaMD UV Clear facial sunscreen is recommended by dermatologists because it helps calm and protects sensitive skin types prone to acne, rosacea, and discoloration. This tinted mineral-based face sunscreen is lightweight and silky.
Skin Type: Sensitive, Acne-prone, Rosacea, Hyperpigmentation, Combination, and Oily
Price: ~$30
Review: I use this product during the spring and summer when I want to enjoy a day outside without face makeup but still want to feel like I have some coverage. I apply it as my last step in my AM routine and reapply as necessary. Since it is tinted, no foundation is needed for me. The tint blends nicely with my natural skin tone.
EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid for Dry Skin, Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
What it is: EltaMD UV Daily tinted facial sunscreen offers potent sun protection and moisturization. It contains hyaluronic acid to boost moisture retention. This lightweight moisturizer can be worn alone or under makeup.
Skin Type: Normal, Combination, Dry
Price: ~$30
Review: Much like myself, my mom uses this product for some of the same reasons. She uses this product while gardening and it stays PUT. She occasionally puts this product on her arms, chest, neck, and face and loves the coverage it provides. Nothing like looking natural and sexy on a hot summer day!
Best for Body Beach & Pool Day:
Goddess Garden Daily SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Continuous Lotion Spray – Sensitive Skin, Reef Safe, Sheer Zinc & Titanium, Water Resistant, Vegan
What it is: Certified-organic sunscreen! More sheer, easier to apply, and less likely to clog, the air-powered spray is unscented and water-resistant for 80 minutes. Natural, non-nano minerals offer broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30, while soothing aloe vera and coconut oil hydrate and nourish, making it gentle for even the most sensitive skin.
Skin Type: Designed for all skin types and tones, including sensitive and fair skin
Price: ~$16
Review: This product is our go-to body sunscreen. My mom, Nora, is particularly a fan of the spray sunblock and loves this brand. It sprays on really well but fair warning, even though it says sheer zinc – she has found it takes a little rubbing in to get rid of the white hue. Nothing too crazy though as this is usually the case with most healthier sunscreens!
Kiss My Face Sun Spray Lotion SPF30 Sunscreen 8 oz
What it is: Our Sun Spray Lotion is convenient and easy to apply – great for kids, too! Sun Spray Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 is a remarkably effective sunscreen easily dispensed from a unique trigger spray. This creamy lotion offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection that is water-resistant.
Skin Type: Designed for all skin types and tones, including sensitive and fair skin
Price: ~$17
Review: I love this product and usually start my summers out with it. I like the higher SPF so I do not fry like a french fry (love those). There is no white hue when applied and it is not heavy or greasy. The spray nozzle can be tricky at times but worth it.
Badger SPF 30 Lavender Sunscreen Cream – 2.9 fl oz Tube
What it is: Go out and enjoy the sun, but only after applying this broad spectrum SPF 30 mineral sunscreen. Formulated with good-for-your skin ingredients like organic Seabuckthorn, vitamin E and Sunflower oil, it delivers effective protection against UVA and UVB rays with Zinc Oxide, a safe, physical blocker. Did we mention that it’s also coral reef safe, sweat and water resistant for 40 minutes, and has a sublime lavender scent?
Skin Type: Designed for all skin types and tones, including sensitive and fair skin
Price: ~$14
Review: I use this product if I know I want something more heavy duty. It has zinc oxide in it – so it will take me longer to rub in. I never really had a sunscreen that was not your typical coconut smell (makes me want a pina colada on the beach) but then I found this lavender scented one. It smells great and the lavender just helps you relax even more!
Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spray SPF 15 | Vegan and Reef Friendly (Octinoxate & Oxybenzone Free) Broad Spectrum Moisturizing UVA/UVB Sunscreen with Vitamin E | 6 oz
What it is: Dermatologist and Sonny approved, this non-comedogenic sunscreen delivers UVA/UVB protection and is packed with Vitamin E. Our oil-free, water-resistant and reef friendly SPF 15 Spray is great for all skin types.
Skin Type: Designed for all skin types and tones, including sensitive and fair skin
Price: ~$15
Review: I typically like to start out with the Kiss My Face 30 SPF above then transition to this and the browning lotion below once I have a good “base” built up. It is super easy to apply and leaves your skin feeling nourished.
What it is: Shea butter, natural beeswax, vitamins, and natural oils protect and nourish lips. SPF 30, long-lasting lip protection for active adults and children. Smooth, soothes, and protects lips naturally.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily
Price: ~$15
Review: Many people forget to apply sunblock to their lips but it is just as important as any other part of your body. Both my mom and I use this product and love it – particularly the cranberry orange. It smells and tastes great too (not that we encourage eating lip balm 🙂 )
What it is: All natural browning lotion made from a secret Hawaiian formula. Yields a beautiful natural tan by accelerating the sun triggered the tanning process.
Skin Type: Designed for all skin types and tones, including sensitive and fair skin
Price: ~$30
Review: I love this tan add-on. It’s a quick and easy tan fix with not much sun time needed. I typically use a normal sunscreen then layer it with Maui Babe for the last 30 mins to an hour of my “tanning” session. It is powerful so beware when you first try it out – baby steps. It smells like coffee and works great for when you have a wedding to go to that night or a party or any place you want to be looking hot and dark!
If you are like me, you may also suffer from Hyperpigmentation and/or Melasma; which gets worse with increased sun exposure. You MUST try Musely – Spot Cream which has saved me tons of money and unnecessary downtime from cosmetic procedures! I hope you enjoy it!