Sunscreen season
Three things I’d bring on a desert island? Sunscreen, sunscreen, and sunscreen. Okay maybe not literally - but the right answer is sunscreen, fire starter, and water filter. Obviously.
Sunscreen is the only skincare product I recommend for absolutely everyone - no matter your age, skin type, or goals. And guess what? Sunscreen season is year-round! Yes, UV damage can occur with an index as low as 3. So, whether it’s a sunny day or cloudy afternoon, your skin is still at risk. This is especially crucial if you have a dedicated skincare routine or are newly starting one! Why? There’s a 99.9% chance you’re using at least one product that increases your sun sensitivity (don’t worry - I’ve got the full list for you at the end).
So let’s talk sunscreen benefits, because who doesn’t love a good list?
Prevent sunburn.
Reduce your risk of cancer (need I say more….?)
Reduce and prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and premature aging.
Maintains even skin tone by preventing hyperpigmentation, redness, and discoloration.
Protect against photosensitivity (again, full list at the end).
Okay so now that I (hopefully) have you convinced to start using a daily SPF, how do you know which one to choose? Here are my top recommendations, tailored to different needs and lifestyles. Because SPF is for everyone! And it’s SO important to pick an SPF that fits your daily routine, because consistency is key! (Cliche, I know). Just so you know, the links provided below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you.
Sensitive skin - Blue Lizard, my favorite Australian mineral sunscreen. And of course, I can’t talk sensitive skin without giving Vanicream a shoutout, which is always a great option as well.
Acne-prone - EltaMD UV Clear because it’s formulated for acne or rosacea-prone skin. It’s a mineral sunscreen, also available tinted and deep-tinted. For a more budget-friendly option, try Eucerin Clear Skin, as a bonus, it’s great for oily skin.
Easy to layer with makeup - Literally toss out your primer because now you have Supergoop Unseen. And if you prefer a tinted primer, go with Supergoop Glow Screen. You can thank me later.
But I just cant with the white cast - If you want to stay with a mineral sunscreen, tinted EltaMD UV Clear or Colorescience are the best out there. But again, Supergoop Unseen has its name for a reason so you can’t go wrong there either.
Natural sunscreen please - Try Badger mineral sunscreen made with 80% organic ingredients. It’s vegan and has all-natural inactive ingredients like coconut oil, seaweed extract, and vitamin E.
And while not needed daily, here are my favorite recommendations for those all-day in the sun type days!
Reef-safe - My favorite, easy to apply sunscreen that leaves no white cast, Blue Lizard Sheer Face. But keep in mind everything linked here is reef-safe except the Supergoop above, so check your ingredient labels to the ingredients listed with Save The Reef before thinking you need to buy something new!
Full body spray - The absolute best spray that wont irritate your skin is Blue Lizard Sensitive.
Full body lotion - And back to the best brand, EltaMD UV Pure. Its just so effective and versatile and contains additional antioxidants for anti-aging skin benefits - its chef’s kiss.
The only sunscreen I’ll give my kids - Blue Lizard Sport. It’s just all around, unbeatable. Affordable, available in lotion and spray, safe for babies and children 6 months and older, and a mineral sunscreen, which means it’s effective as soon as you put it on and water resistant for 80 minutes! That’s literally double what most sunscreens offer. It’s even available in their Sunscreen Stick for easier application for the little ones.
Lip SPF - The ultimate lip sunscreen with dual moisturizing to protect against dry and cracked lips, EltaMD UV Lip Balm.
Scalp sunscreen - I’m sorry, did you say scalp sunscreen? Yes I did. And while not necessary for everyone, if you have sensitive skin, apply actives to your scalp like Rogaine, or take any of the oral medications listed below, consider a scalp sunscreen when you have long-term sun exposure! For my favorite non-greasy spray, there’s RHRI mineral sunscreen spray, formulated specifically for scalp and hair health!
Alright guys, what did I miss? What questions do you have? Feel free to reach out. While not new to dermatology, I’m new to blogging and can’t wait to hear from my readers! And stay tuned for my next sunscreen blog where I’ll dive deep into chemical vs physical sunscreens!
As promised, your (almost) complete list of medications, ingredients and branded products that increase your sensitivity to the sun. Keep in mind, it’s impossible to include every single over-the-counter brand, so remember that many of these ingredients are featured in multiple products, including popular ones from Paula’s Choice, The Ordinary, The Inkey List, LaRoche-Posay, Naturium….. the list goes on!
Topical antibiotics - clindamycin, erythromycin, minocycline (Amzeeq, Zilxi), metronidazole, dapsone (Aczone), sulfacetamide (Plexion, Avar, Ovace)
Oral antibiotics - doxycycline (Oracea, Doryx, Targadox), sarecycline (Seysara), minocycline - and many many many others, just listing the ones used most often in derm
Tropical retinoids - OTC retinol, adapalene (Differin, Epiduo), trifarotene (Aklief), tretinoin (Altreno, Retin-A), tazarotene (Arazlo, Tazorac, Fabior)
Oral retinoids - isotretinoin (Absorica, Absorica LD, Accutane, Claravis, Zenatane, Myorisan, Amnesteem, etc.)
Acid exfoliants - BHA aka salicylic acid, AHA aka glycolic acid, lactic acid, or mandelic acid
Miscellaneous acids - azelaic acid (Azelex, Finacea), benzoyl peroxide (Epsolay, PanOxyl), hypochlorous acid (Tower 28 Rescue Facial spray)
Topical steroids - hydrocortisone, betamethasone, mometasone, triamcinolone, clobetasol, halobetasol, fluocinolone, desoximetasone, etc.
Combination RX products - Epiduo, Twyneo, Onexton, Duac, Benzaclin, Cabtreo, Tri-Luma, Veltin, Bryhali, Duobrii, Enstillar
Miscellaneous RX - spironolactone, minoxidil (including Rogaine!), finasteride, opzelura, tacrolimus, hydroxychloroquine, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine, enalapril and more!
Thanks for reading, let’s chat soon!
