Excessive sun exposure increases personal risk of developing skin cancer, and prematurely ages the skin. For this reason, daily sunscreen use is an essential component of any complete skincare routine. With so many available sunscreen choices on the market, however, it can be difficult to decide which products to use. We here at Dermatology West want to help you make an informed decision on which sunscreens are right for you. Read on for Tyler McKinnon, PA-C’s top picks!
Top Daily Face Sunscreens
The face is usually the skin surface that is most prone to excessive sun exposure and premature aging, and as such, finding a good “everyday” face sunscreen is paramount.
A great starting point for most patients is EltaMD’s UV Daily untinted sunscreen. This sheer, fragrance-free and paraben-free, non-greasy sunscreen uses a combination of zinc oxide and octinoxate to provide both physical and chemical absorptive protection from the sun at an SPF of 40. Although physical sunscreens can sometimes leave a white residue after application, EltaMD uses a micronization process that breaks the zinc and titanium oxides into smaller particle sizes, helping UV Daily to avoid the white cast while retaining all the benefits of physical blocking sunscreen. The product is also non-comedogenic, meaning it will not clog the pores and cause breakouts and incorporates hyaluronic acid, which leaves the skin feeling hydrated and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Elta MD also produces the same UV Daily sunscreen in elegant tinted and deep tinted tones that may complement your complexion even better.
For those with sensitive skin or who prefer brush-on sunscreen, I recommend Colorescience Brush-On Sunscreen Mineral Powder. This is a great option for patients who have sensitive skin, as there is no chemical sunscreen component, and the product is non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, gluten-free and fragrance-free. It also comes in multiple shades and tones to match all skin types and hues, and carries an SPF 50 rating.
Skin Better’s TONE SMART SPF 68 Sunscreen Compact is fantastic under makeup, has a high sun protection factor for extra protection, uses %100 mineral actives with no chemical blockers, and adapts to different skin tones for amazing flexibility. If a patient has some redness or uneven tone on the face, this sunscreen is a superb choice to even things out. The increased SPF rating is also a nice touch to add some extra protection that will pay off with healthier, younger looking skin over time with consistent use.
Top Daily Sun-Protective Lip Balms
The lips are a skin surface that is often neglected as far as sun protection goes. Sun protection here, however, is vital as they often receive very direct sunlight, are susceptible to premature aging and lines, and are a common site for precancerous skin changes and even squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer. What’s more, skin cancer on the lips is more dangerous than skin cancer occurring on other skin surfaces due to a higher rate of metastasis. Here are the best picks to protect your lips!
My go-to sun-protective lip balm, Jack Black’s Intense Therapy SPF 25 Lip Balm, is hydrating and smooth with several great tasting options (but try not to eat it 🙂). The Natural Mint is a fan-favorite, and like the other choices (Black Tea and Blackberry, Grapefruit and Ginger, Lemon and Shea Butter, Pineapple Mint) it comes without the gritty sensation or chemical flavor that are common with other sun-protective lip balms. So, you’ll want to reapply frequently. And no, it’s not the same Jack Black 😂.
For a little bit more protection, consider EltaMD’s UV Lip Balm. It again utilizes micronized zinc oxide for less of a white caste upon application, and octinoxate for a combined SPF 36 physical and chemical sun protection. It’s water-resistant, hydrating, and avoids the chemical taste of many other sun-protective lip balms, making it a solid choice for extra protection when you’re out in the sun for long periods of time.
Top Daily Body Sunscreens
The arms, hands, legs and neck are other areas that frequently receive sun exposure, and are at risk of skin thinning, pigment changes and development of skin cancer without adequate sun protection. The following daily moisturizing sunscreens are ideal for use on any exposed body surface from the neck down (they can also be used on the face in a pinch, however).
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen is a dependable solution to protect the skin of the body and face. It has great protection at an SPF of 60, it’s non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, paraben-free, and oxybenzone-free and it goes on super-smooth and invisibly. La Roche Posay also formulated this sunscreen with their Cell-Ox Shield technology, which uses Senna Alata leaf extract antioxidant to help prevent premature aging of the skin. This is an excellent choice for a daily sunscreen, with sufficient protection even for prolonged periods of outdoor activity when reapplied every 90 minutes.
Last but not least, EltaMD’s UV Lotion body sunscreen is another outstanding pick for a daily body sunscreen. This sunscreen utilizes micronized zinc oxide and octinoxate for a combined SPF of 30, which is sufficient for daily use, though not recommended for all-day trips to the beach without frequent reapplication. It doesn’t leave a white caste even though it incorporates mineral protection, and EltaMD did include hyaluronic acid in the formulation, which leaves the skin looking and feeling hydrated. Like the previously mentioned EltaMD products, it is fragrance-free, paraben-free and noncomedogenic.
At Dermatology West, we would love to help you personalize your skin care routine, including sunscreen options, in order to help you achieve healthier, happier skin! Call (801)917-6177, text (385)308-5133 or visit dermatologywest.com to schedule an appointment.
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