Glamorous Skin Protection
The time of year when the days become longer and the temperature becomes warmer is approaching us. The sun shines so bright, begging people to emerge outdoors and soak in some good ole vitamin D. The exciting news is that many of us will get a glimpse of this during spring break. Traveling to the beach is an event where people only want to look their best. In the rush of preparation week, it’s exciting to get bikini waxes and order chic swim cover-ups, but don’t forget to purchase SPF. We have all been nagged at by parents, teachers and doctors to wear and reapply generous amounts of sunscreen, but no one wants to apply a white casted, stench-filled goop to their face. With that being said, when your mom tells you to “remember your sunscreen,” it is for a good reason! Sunscreen helps prevent painful sunburns, signs of premature aging, reduces the risk of skin cancer, diminishes the chances of developing sun spots and dark spots and reduces inflammation. People who live by phrases that emphasize ~living in the now~ may brush this off, but take a look at this 69-year-old truck driver whose face shows just how much damage the sun can do.
Image by Jennifer Gordon, NEJM
The right side of this man’s face is the result of massive amounts of sun exposure as his left side was shielded from the sun from the positioning of his truck. Taking care of yourself now will reflect in your confidence, health and wellness later in life.
In traditional fashion, sunscreen is not fun, no matter your view on the product. It’s sticky, may cause irritation to sensitive skin, and leaves an unwanted white cast during the season of luminous, tan skin. Effective sun protective products that give you a glow, making you feel like you belong at the beach, are necessary to implement in your routine.
Best Tinted SPF: Complexion evening products that exist for sun exposure.
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 ($48)
Winning awards with Allure, Elle and Glamour, Ilia’s skin tint has been created with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and plant-based squalene. The added SPF coverage creates sun protection that leaves your skin looking effortless.
Supergoop CC Screen 100% Mineral CC Cream SPF 50 ($42)
This 100% mineral sunscreen is buildable enough to cover up imperfections yet lightweight enough to embrace that summer-skin feeling. It consists of powerful sun-fighting ingredients that absorb UVB rays and reflects UVA rays. It also contains apple extract and red seaweed extract which contributes to nourishing and soothing the skin.
EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 ($32)
Worn by Kourtney Kardashian, Drew Barrymore, Hailey Bieber, and Ashley Graham, Elta Md’s tinted moisturizer includes a chemical-free formulation that uses the natural mineral UV protection of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It is designed for extra-sensitive skin, leaving an even complexion.
Cerave Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Sheer Tint ($11)
Protecting your skin with the right ingredients doesn’t have to break the bank. This Cerave tinted SPF uses a mineral formulation that gives your skin a healthy, non-greasy glow including ceramides that contribute to moisturizing and restoring the skin’s protective barrier.
Non-Tinted SPF: For those who don’t like a tint, here are the best skin benefitting beauty sunscreens.
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 ($34)
With oily skin thriving in the heat, this matte finish sunscreen prevents the skin from developing a greasy look. The sun-protective properties work with an ingredient called frankincense, introducing a soothing effect to the skin resulting in a unique textured product unlike any other SPF on the market. It can be used as a gripping makeup primer or worn alone to fight unnecessary oils.
Supergoop Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF 40 ($36)
The Glowscreen Sunscreen is Unseen Sunscreen’s yin to its yang. This product welcomes the same blend of clean chemical actives that shield skin from UVA and UVB rays as Unseen while providing a pearl finish illumination. A blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 and niacinamide creates a major glow with a healthy dose of pearlescence shine.
Image from Supergoop
Versed Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35 ($21)
This oil-free product provides lightweight moisture while incorporating protection against electronic pollution, environmental pollution and of course, the sun. Versed sunscreen provides a natural finish made up of non-nano zinc oxide.
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Sunscreen SPF 50 ($11)
Classic Neutrogena SPF products don’t ever seem to fail. This Zinc based sunscreen provides a gentle formula with strong protection against UVB and UVA rays. The dermatologist-tested product ensures a quick-drying, non-greasy finish that is mild even on sensitive skin.
Powder SPF: Beat the grease in the heat.
Tarte SEA Set & Protect Mineral Sunscreen Powder Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($29)
Reapplying a sunscreen powder throughout the day will give you the easy extra protection that you need while blotting excess oil the heat gives to your skin. Tarte’s vegan formulation sets makeup for up to 12 hours while defending the skin from UVA/UVB rays. Famous New York City dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss highly recommends making this product a habit. Check out this video!
Ilia ($34), Supergoop ($30) and Derma E ($22) have SPF setting powders with similar ratings, prices and protective properties.
Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Translucent Sunscreen Powder Brush SPF 30 ($17)
Absorbing the excess oil creating a matte finish, this product has a non-comedogenic, lightweight formula that is easy to use at a satisfying price. This 100% mineral product creates beneficial added protection.
Self Tan with SPF: A double whammy- protect yourself with a sunless tan.
Supergoop Healthy Glow Sunless Tan SPF 40 ($38)
This buildable, sunless tan creates a natural sun-kissed glow while shielding the skin from harmful sun rays with SPF.
Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drop ($36)
Including this product with a non-tinted sunscreen introduces a lightweight glow to your sun protection regimen. The sunshine drops benefit the skin with pollution-fighting antioxidants while giving it a bronze– just make sure to mix it into a sunscreen!
Tower 28 BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush ($20)
For a sunburnt, rosy-cheeked look, try this clean tinted balm. The ultra-glow that can be added to your cheeks or lips includes green tea and aloe vera extracts. Applying this in addition to an SPF product will complete a fresh summer face.
Scalp: The top of your head faces the beating sun constantly, so why not protect that too?
SunBum Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30 ($15)
This fast-drying scalp mist does not weigh your hair down and avoids making it greasy. It goes the extra mile and protects the area that is typically forgotten about when it comes to sun protection. You could use an SPF powder mentioned above for this purpose as well.
Asos Bucket Hat ($20)
As we wrap up, The Edge Beauty and Wellness Team hopes you have gathered that sun protection can be cute. Incorporate a bucket hat into your beach ensemble to increase sun protection while sticking to a trendy look.
Warm weather calls for sunscreen because of the incredibly powerful UVB and UVA rays that can be so damaging to the skin. Along with the severe harm that the sun can cause to the skin, discovering beautiful ways to incorporate SPF into a routine will only push people to wear it more. Sunscreen is necessary year-round including in the fall, winter and spring. Start with avoiding exposing skin to the sun’s most powerful state, and The Edge team will try to convince you to wear sunscreen when it is snowing another time.