The Summer Sunscreens: The Ultimate List

Written by Yasmine M

Is that time again, summer and sun exposure. With many of us using serums with vitamin c and acids as a part of our skincare routine, a good sunscreen is even more important. I have created a list with different sunscreens that are great for protection, sensitive skin and look good with or without make up. Read the list below! 

Makeup

Most of the sunscreens work under makeup, many on the list works perfectly under makeup as well such as Emma S, Supergoop! and Clarins sunscreens. But here is two more that are both smooth, easy to use and gives a perfect primer.

SENSAI Silky Bronze Cellular Protective Cream For Face SPF30+, A water-resistant multi-protection sunscreen protecting against various damage and oxidation from UV rays while addressing signs of sun-ageing. It's also availble in SPF50+, if possible choose the one with a higher protection during summer. And SPF30+ during fall and spring. 

Vichy Capital Soleil UV Age Daily SPF50Ultra-light sunscreen against photo-aging with very high protection SPF 50+. Enriched with probiotic fractions, peptides and niacinamide. Prevents the appearance of fine lines, pigmentation and oxidative stress of the skin caused by UV rays and impurities.

Reapplication 

It's very important to reapply sunscreen during sunny days. While I know it's hard to do, here are some really good alternatives, that don't destroy your makeup or need you to use your fingers on your face.

Supergoop Glow Stick SPF 50 A portable, glow-boosting, dry oil sunscreen stick for face, chest and shoulders. This Glow Stick is a travel-friendly SPF that you can pop into your handbag. It's totally invisible, majorly hydrating and perfect to use as a face or body highlighter, as it leaves behind a dewy finish without an oily residue.

Clarins Invisible Sun Care Stick SPF50 This is one of the best products for reapplication. It smells lovely, and is super easy to use on the road. You only need a quick swipe over the face. Best part, it's not sticky or gives me that shiny look. Good for oily and combination skin. 

Supergoop (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 35 If a stick is not for you, there is different ways to reapply sunscreen. This mineral powder is a way to do it. The 100% mineral, non-nano setting powder with SPF sets both your makeup and mattifies skin. Perfect for all skin types, and reduces shine. 

Sport / Activity

Emma S Hydrating Sun Protection Spf 50 Face One of few sunscreens that don’t get it to your eyes. A hydrating and very water resistant sunscreen that will give your skin a high and healthy broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection (Spf 50). It contains Hyaluronic acid, Squalane and Vitamin E that nourishes your skin.

Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport SPF50, is a great body sunscreen for outdoor sport activities. It dosen't dissapear and not greasy.

Sensitive skin + Body 

For us with sensitive skin, finding good sunscreens can be a challenge. But with immense testing, I have found a few new favorites that works for all skin types.

ACO Atoprotect Lotion SPF 50+, Intensely moisturizing sunscreen specially developed for dry and atopic skin. The sun lotion immediately protects against the sun's rays at the same time as it strengthens the skin barrier and makes the skin soft. It's a new favorite for this summer. 

ACO Sun Kids Active Mousse SPF 50 Mousse believe it or not, I actually use kids sunscreens sometimes when it's super warm outside, since they are kinder to the skin and usually have a very good water-resistance. This new formula is simple and easy to apply and is quickly absorbed by the skin without smudges. Contains Triple Moist Complex which provides immediate, intense and long-lasting deep hydration in the skin, as well as panthenol which helps to strengthen the skin barrier.

Eucerin Sun Actinic Control MD Sun Cream for Face & Body SPF 100 this is a sunscreen if you have very sensitive skin. The package is a bit smaller, so it's to be used on certain places on your body & face. It's a medical device with a high SPF, to help with sun protection and prevention of Actinic Keratosis and non-melanoma skin cancer. Shake well before using and apply generously. 

Eucerin Sun Allergy Protection Sun Cream for Face & Body SPF 50+ The new Eucerin Sun Allergy Creme-Gel SPF50 has a 3-dimensional superior protection system: UVA protection to help prevent premature skin ageing, UVB protection to help protect against sunburn and Biological Cell Protection to help strengthen skin cell’s own defences against the sun. Suitable for sensitive skin, even for allergies such as Polymorphic Light Eruption (PLE). Eucerin also has great kids sunscreens that are even kinder on your skin - perfect for activities. 

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sun lotion SPF30 provides a high broad spectrum and high UVA and UVB protection. Water resistant. Leaves no white marks. The sunscreen is also very moisturizing, and gives a nice glow. The packaging is also 100% recycled and in a paper package. The Sun Lotion is also available in SPF 50+ 

ACO Sun Ultra Light Face Fluid SPF 50+  is a good light weight sunscreen that is perfect if you are on the countryside working in the garden. Since it leaves a white cast, and good for reflecting the light. 

The Body Shop, Skin Defence Lip Balm SPF 50+  an advice from beauty editor Elva, is this lip balm that makes the lips soft with a nice pepparmint scent. Protecting our lips is just as important. 

Last advice and thoughts; For a sunscreen to protect against visible light, it must be visible on the skin. Inorganic filters (also known as mineral filters), namely, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are used in the form of nanoparticles in sunscreens to minimize the chalky and white appearance on the skin; as such, they do not protect against visible light. For darker skin tones, a perfect assistant is the tinted sunscreens – where you get the visible protection onto the skin for it to be reflected off your skin barrier.

Filters with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide reduced the transmittance of visible light more effectively than untinted sunscreens containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide alone or products containing organic filters. Currently available UV filters used in sunscreen products consist of 2 categories: organic (also commonly known as chemical) and inorganic (also known as mineral). These filters are designed to absorb, scatter, and reflect UV photons with wavelengths up to 380 nm but are not designed to reduce visible light–induced effects.