Thank you all so much for your great questions in the “Taking Your Calls” comments section!! I promise to try to get to them one at a time as time permits. Just in time for the summer I was happy to have Rev. Gidget ask, “PeaceBang, how do I protect my precious punim from the harsh, damaging rays of the sun without getting all greasy and shiny?”
Oh boy, do I ever hear THAT! I burn so easily that I am always on the look-out for products that will really do what they promise to do, and since I rarely remember to reapply, I need them to not melt away in an hour.
Here, in my beautifully professional blurry photograph which you can enlarge by clicking on it, are some of the contenders (left to right):
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 70
This is a very good product but not my favorite, as I can always tell it’s on my sensitive skin. It does go on white and greasy but as promised, it really does absorb fairly well. I wouldn’t call it “ultra dry,” but it doesn’t leave a zinc oxide sheen and it does protect from burn.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
This was a great product for the winter, when I wasn’t outside very much. It’s moisturizing and has enough of a tint to smooth things out, and it’s by a cruelty-free company whose products I generally like and recommend. This isn’t recommended for hot summer climates, as it tends to melt off pretty fast.
Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer 47
I am always a sucker for cruelty free companies that claim to have a conscience. I like Josie Maran and I have found argan oil to be a good ingredient for me. This fluid is a little bit tough to work with — you have to warm it up in your hands a bit before blending it into your face — but I really like how clean it feels after it absorbs. I would much rather have this soaking into my pores than Neutrogena’s chemicals. This formulation seems to have good staying power but I just bought it recently and I need to use it several more times to really give it four stars.
Fresh Soy Moisturizing Cream SPF 20
I love Fresh products. They’re insanely expensive but I do buy their soy cleanser and occasionally treat myself to one of their masques. This SPF lotion is very nice to apply and feels and smells great. It absorbs well and seems to protect well, but not hard-core. This is the moisturizer I use when I’m going to be inside most of the day and not worried about actual burning, but want something protective on my face and chest while I run around going to events or appointments. It works under make-up but I would plan to powder over it to get rid of shine, as it is moisturizing.
LaRoche-Posay Anthelios 50 Tinted Mineral Ultra Fluid.
This is a fantastic product and I think the best of the bunch. It isn’t the most pleasant product to apply, as you must shake it well and blend it really well into your hairline. The tint isn’t the most gorgeous color and may not work for you, although it is subtle enough to probably suit many skin shades from white-pink to dark brown. It doesn’t smell delicious but it doesn’t smell horrible. I like it for its matte finish and its fantastic protection factor. I applied this on Saturday and went for a big beach walk with my dog. When we returned, my arms were very burned but my face was fine. The bottle seems small for the money but it lasts a lot longer than you think.
Too Faced Air Buffed BB Cream Foundation
This is a gimmick that I fell for, what can I say? Too Faced is a cruelty free company, and this products offers excellent coverage if you’re willing to spend the time applying it right. The little brush that comes with the compact doesn’t do diddly squat; it’s only good for applying the product in small spots like next to your nose or under your eyes. I wanted to see what the BB cream thing was all about, and I’m still not sold. I would definitely use this foundation as stage make-up, though, as it has serious coverage and feels really nice on my skin. I can’t tell it’s there once I get it on, and that earns big points with me.
Not pictured, Skinceuticals Ultimate UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30
I LOVE Skinceuticals products a lot and credit their CE Ferulic serum with turning my blotchy, inflammation-prone skin around after regular use. The UV Defense is a really good, protective sunscreen but I think it has a shiny side effect. I wouldn’t use it for any situation involving indoor lighting and photographs.
Okay, kids, your turn! What do you recommend? Whatever you use, just remember to use something! The sun is not your face’s friend!!
Love, peace and SPF, PB
My dermatologist recommended the Anthelios and I loved it, pricey as it was. (I have had too many skin cancers on my face to count, so I really needed something GOOD, and I was willing to pay for it.) Now that I’ve moved away from that dermatologist, I was having trouble finding it, so I appreciate the link, PB. Gonna get me some right now!
And by the way, PB, for heaven’s sake put sunscreen on your arms! Skin is skin. And don’t forget the backs of your ears if you are wearing your hair up. And the back of your neck.
Love, Not-your-Mom-but-might-as-well-be
Great post! I struggle trying to find the right combination of BB/SPF/Foundation too. I’m going to try some of these.
One tip (that I think I learned here) was to apply sunscreen as I got ready in the morning, so I don’t get a burned chest, arms, face, etc. later from forgetting to apply sunscreen. And I passed the tip on to my dad, who is bald, and he puts sunscreen on his head and says it has made a huge difference in sun damage to his head.
I use the Neutrogena product you mentioned and I also have been using Olay Fresh Effects BB cream on top of that. I noticed that almost all sunscreen says to reapply after two hours. Does anybody actually do that??! And is there a product that will last longer?
I am super pale and I have been using Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF 30 for years. It’s cheap, fragrance-free, good for sensitive skin, it absorbs quickly and it always works. It comes in a 4-oz. package so I can throw the whole thing in my airplane carry-on without decanting to fussy little bottles.
Neutragena’s Ultra Sheer Liquid 70 is perfect for layering under make up and did not melt in HI, Egypt or Jerusalem. I put it on first then tinted moisturizer. Very light. Didn’t notice it, wasn’t over-white, blended in easily, didn’t clog or feel heavy.
Mother P-B what I need is super sport strength for my arms, legs, neck & chest on those 5-7 mile hikes in HI. I wear Neutragena sports but it comes off after 3-4 miles. Between my hat/visor & the Ultra Sheer Touch, my face only got light bronzing sun, but the rest of me got over cooked – burned the back of my neck because I forgot I cot off my lox and my neck was nekkid. But my body was dark enough that I knew there was some damage.
THANKS!!! I have been bad and not using a daily sunscreen lately and I was just thinking about it, so this post is just what I needed. I also love the Fresh products – they’re expensive but they take a long time to run out in my experience.
How about eye creams? that’s another one I need to be more diligent about 😀
Thank you, dear PeaceBang! This post is most welcome. I am a fair, fair, fair lass and, since sunblock was invented when I was 25 or so, I have spent every day covering myself in the stuff — alas, never being able to undo the incredible damage to my skin from 25 years of nearly daily sunburns. Really. Anyway, decades later, I am still on the hunt for the perfect broad-spectrum non-Casper-Ghostly or patent-leather-shiny zinc-based block. I believe I will die on my way to the pharmacy for the latest and greatest concoction. That said, I have settled in the last few years on SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical Defense for face and entire body (rubbed in very, very well), followed by blotting papers for the face, followed by Cotz (Face). Honestly, it’s like a full-time job. I tried the argan oil product you recommended and it caused the worst case of acne I’ve had in the past 50 years. Glad it worked for you!
I also like the Eucerin (SPF 30) and have been using it for years. For arms, legs, and neck when hiking, kayaking, gardening, and the like, I am a big fan of Trader Joe’s spray on sunscreen (ha! When I first typed that, it came out sinscreen…if only I could get that!); the price is very reasonable and it lasts for hours even when I get wet or sweat.
Also worth noting is Rit Sun Guard as a good complement to sunscreen. Wash it into your clothes and it provides a fairly high level of protection (and double protection if you use two boxes). It stays in for quite a few washes, is low cost, and in no way affects the feel of treated items.
For readers in New Zealand and Australia (hello!), I would like to suggest Oasis Beauty products http://www.oasisbeauty.co.nz/afawcs0153575/CATID=68/Moisturisers.html They don’t test on animals 🙂
I have quite a shiny face and I found that the Knock-Out SPF25 moisturiser didn’t make me all shiny by the end of the day. However, my husband tried it and still got shiny. I am using the Apple a Day one at the moment because they had a cheap deal on a slightly dodgy batch. It’s good but I do get a bit shiny. It turns out you can even order them from other parts of the world (I don’t know how much shipping is): http://www.shopnewzealand.co.nz/brands/oasis-beauty
Just got back from confirmation camp (where, sadly it mostly rained) but wore the Neutrogena 70 under moisturizer and did not burn or even get pink on the sunny days. I’ve noticed that the SPF moisturizers do not protect as well as I’d hope.