Now that the weather's finally warmed up a bit I figured the time was about right for the ever-important talk. You know the one I'm talking about. To sunscreen or not to sunscreen?
Sunscreen is an essential element of any beauty regimen. I know that applying SPF to your face adds an extra few minutes to your daily routine, and I'm not saying tan isn't beautiful, but the lower amounts of SPF contained in many of our skincare products such as lotions and foundations really don't cut it, especially if you spend a decent amount of time in direct sunlight.
Plus really, who wants to have prematurely aged skin?! Not me!! So here are my favorite ways to arm my face against the sun:
- This is one of my favorite sunscreens of all time! What do I love about it? Pretty much everything but the price and size. I have very sensitive skin, and most sunscreens cause a burning/tingling sensation that can range from pretty mild to a full-on redness causing burn. But the fluide extreme is a milky watery-textured sunscreen that has never so much as caused a tingle.
- Another great thing about this product is that it absorbs super-quickly, meaning you don't have to sit around all day waiting for your sunscreen to sink in, and you won't even notice that you have it on.
- A great alternative (and an amazing sunblock in and of itself) is Sofina's Perfect UV Lucent SPF 50+. I find the two products to be very similar, but prefer the La Roche because I can get it faster and have easier access to it.
- This is another great sunscreen, even if you're not on a budget. Studies have actually shown that individuals who wear cheaper sunscreens are better protected from then sun than those who spend lots of money on expensive high-end sun protection. Why, you ask? Because apparently a lot of us splurge on expensive sunscreens but then are too cheap to slather on the amount we need to be adequately protected! So if you're going to spend the money on protecting yourself from the sun, make sure you apply a layer that's thick enough for the sunscreen to actually do its job!
- The Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch is pretty much exactly what you'd expect from the name. It's not as much fun as the La Roche to apply because it's not as liquidy (this has more of the consistency of a moisturizer), but once it dries there's no greasiness whatsoever and it feels very light on your face. It doesn't cause the greasies or breakouts like many sunscreens out there, plus it's cheap, so it's a definite winner!
- I love the fact that this is quick and easy and great for on-the-go sunscreen touch-ups. I tend not to use this as my only form of sun protection because I'm paranoid and can never really tell how much or how little of this has actually gotten on my face (and I don't know how long it'll actually stay on my face)), but applying a quick dusting of this over my make-up before running out of the house makes my face fell all that much more protected.
- Another good thing about using a powder sunscreen on top of a liquid is that you need to apply liquids a good 30 minutes before actually going out into the sun. Now I don't know about you, but I'm usually running extremely late and don't have time to be sitting around inside my house for a half hour waiting for me sunscreen to kick in. So applying this powder as a last finishing touch provides me with the instant protection I need, and if it gets rubbed off I have the SPF underneath to protect me as well.
- The one thing I dislike about this product is the brush it comes in. It's the most prickly thing I've ever felt, and so I actually purchased a powder brush you can fill with the powder of your choice and transferred it.
- An alternative to the Peter Thomas Roth is the Colorscience Sunforgettable Brush SPF 30 ($50) which comes is both a clear and tinted form.
Sunscreen really is key to maintaining a youthful complexion and warding off those pesky wrinkles, so if you haven't found one that you love yet be sure to test one of these out!
Have you tried any of my favorites? Love them? Hate them? Let me know in the comments :)
6 comments:
Normally I wear tinted moisturizers (Laura Mercier, Stila, many other brands) that have SPF in them. But if I know I'm going to be out in the sun a lot for tennis or something I wear extra sunscreen. I tend to steal a lot of my mom's Shiseido..hehe. So I wear either Shiseido sunscreen or the Neutrogena dry touch sunblock. I love it..not greasy at all!
Thanks for the review on the La Roche Posay sunscreen. I was wondering about it. I have this non-greasy fluid thing of theirs that I use as a moisturizer sometimes, and I love it. It's great that their products are targeted for people with sensitive skin, since my skin is pretty sensitive to most products. The price scares me though, lol.
The only one I've used out of the ones you reviewed is the Neutrogena Dry Touch Sunblock, which I also have in SPF 55. This is the first sunscreen I use on my face that isn't greasy at all, and doesn't make me oily. Usually when I've worn sunscreen under my makeup I'm oily in no time, but not with this one! I think the price is great for the quality of the product.
hey frostedcouture :)
the shiseido sunscreens are really nice as well! LOL i'm always stealing products from my mother too :) it's a great free way to try out new products ;)
You're very welcome Nicole! It's really really a great sunscreen, even though it's pretty pricey, especially for its itty bitty size!
The Neutrogena is really great for its price, but the La Roche is really so great for sensitive skin-even the Neutrogena causes my skin to tingle a tiny bit sometimes.
If you have a CVS by you, I think many of them now carry La Roche and I know that sometimes I get CVS discount cards in the mail. Maybe you can try it during an event like that! :)
hi jen,
Because of your positive review of the sunscreen anthelios from La Roche-Posay I bought it today. Can't wait to try it. Here in Belgium (Europe) it's sold for 17 euro ( 20 dollars aprox.) What a difference huh! Probably becaus the brand is french and it's a neighbour country (no import costs)
Hey Anonymous!
You get such a great deal on it I'm so jealous! I hope that you love it and that you enjoy using it -- your skin will think you for it in 20 years!
I'm also currently loving Clarins' SPF -- it's even lighter than this!
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