You guys know that I am a huge stickler for wearing sunscreen every day, and I often buy makeup products that have SPF in them because I always want to keep my skin protected. In California there’s no escaping the sun! It’s always important to wear sunscreen, especially during the summer months when the sun can be more intense. You NEED to protect yourself from harmful UVA and UVB rays that can cause irreversible damage. UVA rays can be dangerous because they can penetrate the layers of your skin, causing wrinkles and aging. UVB rays will hit the top layers of your skin and can cause burning and skin cancer. You need to lather up, but I know you also don’t want to walk around with a heavy, pasty film all over your face, because that’s never a good look. So today I want to share a few of my favorite face sunscreens with you guys. I even wear these if I am not planning on going out, because I get lots of natural light in my living room and office. If you are in an work/live environment that gets natural light coming through your windows, you should know that windows don’t protect you from all UV rays. That sun streaming inside your home isn’t necessarily as harmful as it is outdoors, but you are still exposed to UVA, which can harm your skin.
Now that you know why you should always protect your skin, here are a few of the best face sunscreens and why I recommend them.
Clarin’s Sunscreen Multi-Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 50
This is by far my favorite sunscreen. If you’re going to be outside for a long day of hiking, chilling at the beach, or lounging by a pool, this is the sunscreen to have on you. It protects you from UVA/UVB rays, pollution, and free radicals, but it also contains ingredients that will improve your skin’s texture and tone. What does this all mean? Well, it’ll keep your skin young and healthy, reducing your chances of dark spots and wrinkles due to the sun. You’ll also love how lightweight it is. Plus, it never looks greasy or leaves a white cast if you accidenty apply to much product. It’s a little bit costly at $42, but SO worth it! My husband and my brother love this stuff too so we go through a lot of it.
Kiehls Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50
This sunscreen is another nice lightweight formula with SPF 50. This product contains Vitamin E which helps nourish and protect your skin. It also claims to protect against 90% of aging signs, like wrinkles and uneven skin tone. While I love the texture of this formula I’m not a huge fan of the scent, but we all have our own fragrance preferences, right? It’s still a great sunscreen that I would definitely recommend.
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30
I am a huge fan of a moisturizer with built-in SPF. It’s not necessarily the only SPF I use each day, but it’s super helpful to incorporate this moisturizer with spf into my beauty routine. This would be one I would recommend to wear under your makeup, or on days you want to go makeup-free. There’s a little bit of mica in this moisturizer, which gives your skin a subtle glow that is so lovely. This product helps to even out your skin tone and improve typical signs of sun damage. It’s also oil free so it won’t make your skin look greasy.
Quick Tip: if you’re at a summer party and you’re going to be taking lots of pictures, a sunscreen with an SPF higher than 15 will cause flash back. Keep this in mind at night, if you’ll be using your camera flash.
Summer is such a beautiful season, and there are too many fun things to do than to stay inside all day because of the sun. Just make sure to use a great face and body sunscreen to protect yourself indoors and outdoors. Your skin will thank you (so will your health!).
What are some of your favorite summer activities? Let me know in the comments!
Image by Imaxtree via Byrdie
34 Comments
I’ve been using the Clarins sunscreen for my acne prone skin, since you suggested it to me on your video about fighting acne. And I’ve never had a sunscreen work so well before . No white residue, no oiliness, and best No breakouts! Thank you!
YAY!!! I’m so happy to hear that Geetha!! It’s my favorite sunscreen!!!
I just saw ur screenshot on snapchat! Yey to that :)
Lots f love❤️ Keep doing what ur doing!
Hi Sona!
Quick question are all those sunscreen lotions you recommend good to put under make up?
Yes! Especially the first two.
Love this post!!! The one thing I struggle with the most are sunscreens that can be your every day moisturizer and work well under makeup!! You mentioned the Aveeno was a good option curious if you or anyone else have tried others?
If you don’t mind using a tinted moisturizer everyday instead of a foundation, you should try the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizers because they have one for every skin type with SPF (UVA and UVB). As for just plain moisturizers with sunscreen built in, Elizabeth Arden also makes one that’s great for normal to dry skin. Hope this helps.
Awesome!!! Thank you so much! Just adore you and you make me want to buy new goodies everyday. Much love xoxo
Does the clarin’s suncreen make your skin oily? I have oily skin and can’t seem to find a good sunscreen that wont make me look more oily.
Not at all. This stuff is seriously AMAZING!! I got my hubby and my brother both hooked on it too and my brother has very oily skin and he’s very happy with it.
Great post and perfect timing, i’m off to Costa Rica on Monday and will definitely need good sunscreen! I’m familiar with Kheils and i like it, but i think i’m going to give Clarins a try for this trip!
Thank you!
How exciting!! Have lots of fun and stay protected!! Kisses!
Sona pleanse can u tell me what to use for my skin i am 23 years old and i just wanted to know which moisturizer is best for me and i have dry skin .. i wanted to ask u about my eye cream and sunscreen .. please help .. i really appreciate everything u teach us .. maybe drugstore will be better or smth like bare m or clarins because in my city i cant get laura mercier
Can u suggest a good spray sunscreen for the face? As it’s hard to replying lotions when u have a full face of make up on.
Hmm… that’s a hard one. I’m not really sure to be honest. I’ll update you if I find one.
Over the years, I have used the Clarins, yet when it was spf 40. I might wanna try Kiehl’s, it’s a very good brand and the price is right as well. My drugstore fave us CeraVe–spf 50, lightweight, oil free, and water resistant. I have sensitive skin as well, so, we’re always picky with our skincare products ?
Thanks for the suggestion love. I’ve never tried that one.
I love the Kiehls sunscreen, use it every single day!!!!
It’s really amazing I just don’t love the smell haha.
What a lovely informative post, I didn’t know the difference between UVA & UVB rays, so this really does help me understand better. These look like lovely products. Since I live in AZ now, I wear sunscreen every day on my face cuz I do not want premature aging on my skin so I’m right there with you girl! xx Adaleta Avdic
:)
im from Middle East “Arab ” and ur blog is the only blog that i visit thank you so much sona and i appreciate ur info.
Awww… you’re so sweet. Thanks a bunch. I’m so happy you like visiting my blog!! Kisses!!!
We don’t get Clarin’s & Aveeno Products here ..but will try Kiehls sunscreen . I have oily, dehydrated & Acne prone skin & I’ve been using La Roche-Posey & Eau Thermale Avene sunscreen and its really good too.
I love your recommendations .
I bet the La Roche – Poche sunscreen is amazing. That’s such a great skincare brand.
Hi Sona! how reapply sunscreen? Recommend a dermatologist 2-3 hours, but it is hard to do it.
Have you tried the mineral sunscreen?
Yes Doctors recommend reapplying sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours but I think that’s more if you’re in the sun like by the pool or beach. If you’re going to be indoors working or just doing your daily routine, once in the morning before your makeup should be ok. At least that’s what I do.
Thanks you Sona. Saludos desde México!! <3
I love Skinceuticals Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30 to wear under my makeup everyday. Also, every year I purchase the Sephora Sunscreen Summer bag with 15 different products of sunscreen and in different forms. It lasts all summer and I get to try new products. This year the MDSOLARSCIENCES Mineral Crème SPF 50 has totally made me happy and I will buy the large size.
Seriously love your blog Sona! Thank you for all your tips and for posting very frequently!
I used to always use sunscreen and kind of fell off the wagon when I switched moisturizers – so glad you advocate and preach it. I just picked up the Clarins one from Ulta today and can’t wait to try it. <3
I never know WHEN to apply sunscreen! I moisturizer with rosehip oil right after I get out of the shower. When I do my makeup, maybe an hour later, I should put sunscreen on before using my foundation/tinted moisturizer?
As someone who has red hair and super fair skin I will fully support this! Sunblock is my best friend! LOL
I am guilty of forgetting sunscreen ! I am putting this together.. I havent tried yet none of the products you mentioned.. but later I will pick the clarins . looks interesting!
Kisses Sona!