This weekend was hot, hot, hot, and we were outdoors a lot. Sunscreen is a must for every day, whether indoors or out. But now that the sun is getting strong by the day, I try to make sure my face is protected.
But truth be told, I don’t love sunscreen. Frankly, I don’t think there’s a perfect sunscreen. And what I like, you may not. There are chemical, mineral and hybrid sunscreens to choose from. Nevertheless, some feel heavy, some have a bit of a white cast, some look shiny, some feel like a glaze. Regardless, it’s necessary to wear it and reapply it throughout the day.
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A few words of advice. It’s easy to apply a new facial sunscreen and judge it within the first few minutes. Don’t. Let it sit on your skin for 15 minutes to a half hour before you make up your mind about it. I have found that a sunscreen I thought I hated settled down and became almost imperceptible.
I’m always in the market to try new-to-me sunscreens in search of the perfect one. But much of the time, I come back to my “old standbys”. Here are some of them.
Coola Sunscreens
Coola Sun Silk Drops Organic Face Sunscreen SPF 30
I have several different Coola sunscreens in my cabinet all the time. Except right now, one of my absolute favorites is missing. Coola Sun Silk Drops Organic Face Sunscreen SPF 30 (reviewed here). I’ve gone through at least 3 bottles of this stuff, but I don’t happen to have any now. What I love most about it is that it is a translucent liquid that I apply with the dropper. And I can wear it on top of the moisturizer of my choice or mix it in. It’s all good!
And now it provides blue light protection:
“…Formulated with our plant-derived BlueScreen™ Digital De-Stress™ technology, these lightweight drops do it all—provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and help mitigate the effects of HEV light (aka blue light), IR, and pollution. This nourishing formula can be used solo or blended with your favorite moisturizer or foundation.”
Because Coola Sun Silk Drops come in a glass bottle, it’s not particularly portable. I can’t bring it to the beach or when I’m traveling. So, it’s my at home sunscreen.
Coola Cucumber Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Matte Finish
Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Matte Finish is the poster child for why you must wait a few minutes. It’s a white cream, and when I first apply it, it feels oily, greasy…ugh. But a few minutes later, it’s matte with a velvety finish. It has a delicate cucumber scent that disappears on contact.
But oh, since I last bought it, Coola Cucumber Face Sunscreen SPF 30 has been reformulated as a chemical sunscreen! Alas, my mineral version seems to be gone. However, I am guessing that the new chemical formula is even lighter weight.
Coola Sport Classic Face with White Tea SPF 50
Sport Classic Face also requires patience. Truth be told, it isn’t my favorite of the three. It’s a decidedly thicker cream and feels heavier on my face. But because of the SPF 50 and the fact that it stays on, it’s often one that I reach for when I’m jogging in summer or the one I wear to the beach. Although it is loaded with plant extracts and oils, it is a chemical sunscreen. It’s also fragrance-free.
Now, Coola has dropped the “Sport” in the name, and it is Coola Classic Face Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50, Fragrance-free. Hmm, maybe I should try this new version?
City Beauty Skin-Perfecting Daily Veil SPF 39
City Beauty Skin-Perfecting Daily Veil SPF 39 (reviewed here) is one of my favorites. It’s a slightly tinted mineral sunscreen, tinted so that it doesn’t have a white cast.
It’s a peach-colored medium weight cream that I would describe as skincare with sunscreen. It blurs imperfections, promotes firmness and elasticity, and hydrates skin. Plus, it can be used as a primer under foundation!
I love it because it makes my skin feel so smooth. It really provides a smooth canvas for makeup. And it’s great that I don’t need to apply another primer 🙂
In honor of National Sunscreen Day, City Beauty Skin-Perfecting Daily Veil SPF 39 had a sale on the City Beauty website for 50% off, but it sold out on the first day! Nice for CB, not great for consumers who didn’t act super fast, sadly.
LaJeanell Daily Sunscreen Skin Protective
LaJeanell Daily Sunscreen Skin Protective SPF 55 is a relatively new-to-me mineral sunscreen. I’ve written previously about the fabulous LaJeanell Enhanced Retinol Treasure Anti-Aging Creme (reviewed here) and the lovely Autumn Leaves lipstick (reviewed here).
The high SPF sunscreen is a combination mineral and chemical sunscreen, and it provides excellent protection from the sun’s rays. It comes in an elegant and efficacy-protecting pump bottle. The sunscreen itself is somewhere between a light cream and a creamy lotion. It moisturizes as it protects skin.
Murad Environmental Shield Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30
What I love most about Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30 are two things: the delightful citrus scent and the lightweight but antioxidant-rich moisturizing cream that feels great right from the get-go. Not surprisingly, it is a chemical sunscreen so that’s why it’s lightweight.
I think I’m on my third tube.
Paula’s Choice Youth Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
I’m almost finished with my third tube of Paula’s Choice Youth Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 (reviewed here), and I have another one waiting in the wings. “Fluid” is the right descriptor for this chemical sunscreen. It is liquidy and runny and very lightweight. Frankly, though I love it, for much of the year, it isn’t moisturizing enough for me to wear it as moisturizing sunscreen. Because I have such dry skin, I have to apply a hydrating moisturizer on top of it. You may not have to.
The high SPF, the lightweight fluid and the fragrance-free formula make it one of my favorites.
So these are my current favorite sunscreens, both mineral, chemical and mixed. What are you wearing to protect your skin from the sun these days?
Excellent post, Allison! I really need to buy a bottle of the Coola Sun Silk Drops Organic Face Sunscreen SPF 30!
Lola Seicento recently posted…BITE BEAUTY GOING OUT OF BUSINESS 50% OFF SALE
I haven’t really been out of the house for the last month so I need to be especially careful about wearing sunscreen. Thanks for introducing new ones.
Marcia recently posted…My Favored Sunscreens & Sale!
I hope you’ll be able to be out and about soon!