For some reason, I am only just figuring out how important sunscreen is for my skin. Yes – of course I know all about the dangers of skin cancer and the premature aging the sun can cause. But, I’m part vampire, part golem and I just don’t go outside that much. My job keeps me inside all day and I’m one of those people who thinks anything over 70 degrees is hot.
So, whereas most people need to limit their sun intake, I have to take Vitamin D supplements because I never go outside! I have pale skin, but I don’t burn that easily.
So, now I am starting to realize that acne scars and cat scratches (I have a lovable, but easily scared cat) turn brown and become more visible (and perhaps permanent) in the sun – the occasional outdoor lunch or even a car ride can cause a lot of damage – especially since I’m so pale to begin with.
If you look at celebs who have had tons of plastic surgery, fillers, etc., you can still tell their age by looking at their hands! So now I put sunscreen on my hands every time I go outside – even if just for a short time. I keep it in my purse to reapply after washing my hands.
Sunscreen for my hands is pretty easy. But, sunscreens on my face always seem to make me break out or worse – cause my lips to swell up or other weirdness. So, I always nixed the facial sunscreen unless I was going to the beach or going to be outside all day (pretty rare occasions!). I just had a VI Peel (review to come) and that made me realize how important sunscreen is for my face. Anytime you are using retinols, AHAs, glycolic acid, or other exfoliants, you need to use sunscreen or you can actually get MORE brown spots and sun damage! Also – if you’re taking the birth control pill, the hormones will cause you to be extra sun sensitive and you’ll notice a lot more brown spots appearing on your face and arms (or any area exposed to the sun regularly).
So, have a found the holy grail of facial sunscreens? Not really. But, here are some cruelty free sunscreens I’ve been using lately and the pros and cons of each.
Proactiv Solution Daily Protection Plus Sunscreen
- SPF 30 – protects against UVA and UVB rays (they also have an Oil Free Moisture SPF 15 that I haven’t tried yet)
- Absorbs quickly – low grease factor, but still leaves skin looking a bit shiny
- Non comedogenic and oil free
- Chemical sunscreen ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, oxybenzone
- Fragrance free (smell reminds me of plastic floats you use in the pool!)
John Masters Organics Natural Mineral Sunscreen
- SPF 30 – protects against UVAs and UVBs
- Low grease factor – not quite a matte finish but pretty close
- Natural, light scent (no artificial fragrances)
- Mineral/physical sunscreen ingredients: titanium oxide 7.5%, zinc oxide 5%
- Contains certified organic shea butter, green tea and jojoba and calendula to moisturize, heal and protect skin
- Contains sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid and allantoin to moisturize and protect skin
- I believe it is vegan, but I am not 100% certain. John Masters says they only use honey and beeswax and this product contains neither. John Masters products are PETA certified cruelty free.
bareMinerals Natural Sunscreen
- SPF 30 – powder protects against UVAs and UVBs
- Mineral/physical sunscreen ingredients: titanium dioxide 12%
- Portable, POWDER format – I love this because you can use it as a finishing powder with no grease! The brush applicator is embedded so it’s super easy to pack in your bag and reapply.
- The only problem is that it’s hard to tell where you’ve applied it and the powder tends to fly around a bit during application.
- Comes in 3 shades – light, medium and tan
- Doesn’t clog pores
- Contains aloe vera and Vitamins A, C and E
What are your favorite sunscreens for daily use? Found any good ones for combination/oily facial skin? Let me know!
Thank you! Summer is on its way here and I have been wondering which sunscreen to buy. I couldn't figure it out ,so this post has come just in time. 🙂
What about Marie Veronique? Have you heard of her line of products? I do believe that she includes emu oil in one of her products, but maybe you could contact her if you're interested in finding out more. I think you can find info at marieveronique.net
I have very congested oily skin and I use Peter Thomas Roth Uber-Dry Sunscreen. It is the only thing that has kept my skin from turning into an oil slick in the summer. It absorbs quickly and has a matte finish.
My favorite sunscreen is the 100% Pure Argan Oil Facial Hydration Moisturizer. It's all natural and cruelty-free. It absorbs really well and doesn't have that smell most sunscreens have. Love it!
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We absolutely love selling John Masters to people because it's safe, effective and all natural. It is a great brand and we trust that they always have an eco-friendly interest at heart.
alba botanica hawaiian green tea spf 45 sunscreen is vegan and cruelty-free and smells amazing! it does not leave a white cast to my skin (important as i am pale enough as it is!) and it does not anger my combination skin.
I've got very oily sensitive skin (and cat scratches) as well, Lol. I've used the Physicians Formula powder compact, it's orange with hot pink accents. I liked it but like you mentioned in the article, you aren't sure if the coverage is even enough with a powder. I like to use it WITH a lotion sunscreen since any sunscreen lotion I use on my face usually irritates it and makes me break out and or make my skin feel crawly.
Sometimes I use the Physicians Formula Organic tinted moisturizer ( I know, it's a moisturizer but it's sheer) and then I apply the powder over my nose, my upper lip and cheeks near the side of my face where I have sun spots from previously using Retin A and tetracycline (for acne) from my derm. Those 2 drugs make you super sun sensitive! I need SPF 70 when I took them!
In the 80's the used to be a gel sunscreen that was good & I haven't found one since. Most are too oily and goopy. Even the old sunscreen formulation of Pro-Active made me break out. (I hated the smell too.)
I have a physical sunscreen Ocean Potion Naturals Faces SPF 45 tinted sunblock. It's greasy but doesn't make my face sting or itch. I use it for the beach when I know I'll be in the sun for a long time and I use it with powder, so my skin looks less shiny.
Thanks for the tips Molly!
I'll have to try that – thanks Tina!
I LOVE the new Andalou Naturals Daily Defense Facial Lotion SPF 18. Sheer coverage, with nourishing ingredients, antioxidants, and fruit stem cells for super healthy skin.
It's hard to find a good natural face sunscreen. I wish I had started using one earlier, as I do have some sun damage I got while pregnant with my son. I really want to try the John Masters Organics one. I'm already a fan of that line of hair care products.
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My biggest problem with sunscreens is I always tend to break out. I've seen good results from John Masters sunscreen products.
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KUDOS to this website
Who does the advertising on the side of the page?
They are both companies that test on animals. Dove and Unilever. The ice cream bars are Unilever. 🙁
Thanks
Tracy
Thanks Tracy – it’s a Google Adsense ad, so it serves up different ads to different people. I’ll try to contact Google and ask that they be removed. Thanks!
I have oily sensitive skin and always broke out using sunscreen. I have been using eltamd clear sunscreen SPF 46 and it is amazing, dries to a clear finish, non-comedogenic and Cruelty Free- I love it.
THANK YOU for posting a cruelty-free, chemical sunscreen. Not all of us have complextions that take well to physical sunscreens (which are chemicals anyway, but of course with a different mechanism of action), and I’m glad to see there are companies who are creating ethical, safe chemical sunscreens that won’t whiten our skin.