If there’s one thing I hope you learn from following me, or reading this blog post today, is to start wearing SPF every single day on your face. I don’t care where you live, how little time you spend outside, doesn’t matter.
Wearing SPF on your face helps to do so much. It protects your skin against UV damage, reduces the visible sign of premature aging and reduces your risk of skin cancer and other skin issues. UV rays are everywhere. And yes, they’re even coming in to your home from the windows.
The sun emits various UV rays. The two that can reach our skin are UVB rays and UVA rays. UVB rays are ones that typically cause skin cancer and damage. Whereas UVA rays can cause early signs of aging, breakdown of the elasticity of the skin and collagen.
We want to protect our skin from both as much as possible. And the best way to do that is with daily use of broad spectrum SPF. And a minimum of 30, preferably 50. Oh and don’t forget to reapply! Especially if you’re out in the sun and sweating.
These UV rays also reflect off of surfaces like black pavement, pools, snow, and so on. So yes, even in the winter, I want you to wear SPF on your face. I personally do this with my daily moisturizer that has broad spectrum (that means it covers UVA and UVB rays) SPF 50. This way it’s one and done and I don’t have to think about it.
Whether you want to find a daily moisturizer that works for you, or simply an SPF that’s separate, that’s up to you. Either way, you will thank me later in 40 years when you look younger than everyone else and aren’t dealing with concerning moles or dangerous skin cancer.
Best Sunscreen for Woman’s Face and Body
I’ve tried quite a few brands over the years. From face sunscreens to powders, sprays and lotions. And a slew of options for sun protection on my body too. If I’m heading to the pool, I grab certain products over others.
And same goes for if I’m heading out to play some tennis, explore a new city, or just heading straight to the couch to binge some Netflix. SPF is part of my daily routine and it should be part of yours too.
Not all SPF is created equal. Some formulas are better for certain skin types from oily to dry. While you want to protect your skin, you also want to keep your own skin type and concerns in mind. Some of these products not only protect from the harmful rays of the sun but can also improve your skin texture and fine lines with the additional ingredients in the formulas. These are the best sunscreen products for a woman’s face and body that I love from the drugstore to high-end skincare brands.
Follain Vitamin C Serum
Okay before you slather on your SPF on your face, I want you to do something new. Start with a Vitamin C serum. This is like a little added boost to protect your skin from the sun. Once I started using Vitamin C as my base before my SPF, I have yet to get a burn on my face. I sweat a lot in the sun, and can very quickly sweat off my SPF. But serum really penetrates your skin and can be a good backup to your SPF. It’s like a natural sunscreen (but yes you still need SPF). I swear by this layering trick.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
A great face product that has a velvety finish, Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen is a cult favorite. It has SPF 40 and is fragrance free as well as being totally invisible. There is no oxybenzone in this product and with all Supergoop! products, they aim for reef-safe, cruelty free and as eco-friendly as possible when it comes to packaging. You can also use this oil-free sunscreen as a primer before applying your makeup.
COOLA Makeup Setting Spray
To set your makeup and provide a last minute dose of SPF, this COOLA makeup setting spray is perfect. Apply throughout the day too if you need a little SPF pick me up. This is similar to the setting powder from Supergoop! just pick one that you prefer in terms of makeup use. I think I like a powder since I’m oily and find it helps to mattify my skin a bit. If you’re more dry, you may prefer the spray instead.
Supergoop! (Re)setting Mineral Powder
I love this product so much I did a WHOLE post on it here. This is something I love to pack in my purse for when I’m out and about exploring new cities on vacation or know I’ll be out all day on a patio for a Sunday Funday. I want to reapply SPF throughout the day anytime I’m in direct sunlight or sweating at all. Since I usually have a full face of makeup on, this is the best way to do just that.
The (Re)setting 100% mineral powder is a setting powder that’s mattifying and gives you SPF 35 coverage. This loose powder has saved my face and shoulders (I mean who cares, just apply it where you think you need it in a pinch!) and on my part. I recommend the translucent so you don’t worry about using it in your hair if you need to, but it does come in a few shades.
Supergoop! Handscreen SPF40
Great to keep in your car to easily apply on the go. A sunscreen specifically for your hands can be great because sometimes SPF can be a tad bit greasy. This formula has rave reviews and has ingredients that hydrate like argan oil and glycerin.
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 Moisturizer
Finding moisturizers with SPF that you can use every single day will make this the easiest way to always protect your skin. For those with normal to dry skin, this Dermalgoica lotion is a great option for your morning daily routine. This rich lotion helps improve fine lines and wrinkles, dryness and loss of firmness and elasticity. Plus, the broad spectrum sun protection you need every single day.
Cosmedix Peptide Rich Defense SPF 50
For normal to oily friends, this oil-free peptide-rich daily moisturizer has SPF 50 in it. It also helps to tighten skin, hydrate and nourish with ingredients like moringa oil and palmitoyl tetrapeptide. This is my personal daily moisturizer that I put on before I do anything. It’s light and absorbs easily. If you have acne prone skin, I would recommend starting with this product for daily SPF.
Cerave Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen For Face
For an everyday drugstore moisturizer with SPF, look no further than Cerave. I love this drugstore brand and have a few of their products in my rotation. This is a great formula for everyday sun protection with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and ceramides to improve your skin texture and hydrate. Plus, it’s oil free and has SPF 30 to protect your skin from sun damage.
Banana Boat Ultra Sport
Sure this isn’t a fun fancy brand, it’s a classic drugstore SPF that gets the job done. It’s a great price point and has the SPF protection I need (an option of 30 or 50). This non-greasy formula is reef-friendly and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
This also comes in a spray formula, but I have learned that a lotion is much better for making sure you cover every inch. Be liberal with it! If you do use a spray, I recommend rubbing the spray in and spraying more than you think you need.
Beautycounter Coutersun Mineral Sunscreen
Going to be honest, not the biggest fan of this product for the white cast it leaves behind. But I know people swear by this for many reasons and wanted to include it. They also have a tinted version to avoid the white cast. So if you’re anything but fair, you may want to check out the tinted version. This mineral spray sunscreen is non-aerosol, reef-friendly and water-resistant up to 80 minutes.
Supergoop! Play Sunscreen
This is a pricy option but it does feel really great when you apply it. It isn’t super heavy and thick or make you feel like you have a sticky film on you. Which sunscreen inevitably can do. It also is considered clean at Sephora if that is something you are looking for.
Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Blam
And to round out today’s list of must have SPF, do not forget about your lips. Your lips can easily burn so protecting them when you’re out all day long is super important. And this also goes for the winter months too.
I’ll never forget the time I went snowboarding as a teen and my friend decided to rub some SPF lip balm on her face because it was SO bright out. I turned down the offer and paid the price. I have never been so burnt in my life. Blisters and all. So yes, you need SPF no matter what. Plus, I always have a lip balm on me so might as well make it one with SPF.
