As late August temperatures reach unbearable levels and UV indexes soar into the high nines, it’s important to remember to protect your skin. However, no matter how many phenomenal products you incorporate into your skincare arsenal, whether it’s La Mer’s Crème de la Mer or Drunk Elephant’s B-Hydra Intensive Hydration serum, nothing compares to the end-all, be-all in moisturizing, protecting, and anti-aging: sunscreen.
Dermatologists, estheticians, and beauty editors all agree: nothing beats sunscreen. While most people only apply it when at the beach or by the pool, sunscreen should actually be applied to your face, neck, and hands every day. Not only does it prevent discoloration, hyperpigmentation, and sunburned skin, but it is the best general product for anti-aging. By adding a sunscreen to your morning skincare routine, you can prevent incidental sun damage—the sun damage you don’t see that causes fine lines and wrinkles—and delay the skin’s natural aging process.
I am a sunscreen freak. I used to despise putting it on when I was younger, worrying that applying it at the beach would ruin my ability to tan (myth bust: sunscreen actually helps you tan evenly). However, in middle school, after my Mom warned me that I would look like “an old baseball mitt” in ten years if I didn’t use sunscreen, I began applying it every morning on my face, neck, and hands and haven’t wavered since. Now, in addition to my serum-sunscreen combo I apply to my face and neck every morning, I put on sunscreen when I go to the pool, the beach, play tennis, or am just out for a long walk in Highland Park. I also keep two sunscreens and an SPF 20 lip balm in my cosmetics bag at all times. I mean, why risk the fine lines and wrinkles?
Whether you’ve never used sunscreen on your face or are looking to add an extra layer of protection, here are some of my favorite everyday sunscreens that will fit perfectly into any and every skincare routine.
1. The Mainstay: Neutrogena Visibly Even Daily Moisturizer, SPF 30
I use this silky sunscreen every morning along with Olay Regenerist fragrance-free Microsculpting Serum. A marble-sized squirt of this plus two pumps of serum gives the perfect, weightless foundation that will keep your skin hydrated and protected all day long.
2. For the midday refresh: Supergoop x Baron von Fancy Resetting Spray, SPF 40
Arguably the most innovative sunscreen brand on the market, Supergoop never fails to amaze me. This spray is perfect for touch-ups on especially high UV days. Whether you’re fresh faced or wearing full makeup, this lightweight spray is the perfect companion for your cosmetics bag.
3. The French Connection: La Roche Posay Anthelios AOX, SPF 50
For those who like multitaskers, this antioxidant-sunscreen combo is the perfect all-in-one addition to your morning skincare lineup. With antioxidants to enrich the skin and La Roche-Posay’s immaculate sunscreen formula, this serum is sure to keep your skin bright and happy.
4. The dermatologist fave: Elta MD UV Clear Broad Spectrum, SPF 46
Elta MD’s range of sunscreens, both for the body and face, have long been dermatologist mainstays. Fragrance-free and weightless, this professional-grade sunscreen is the perfect product to mix with a serum to give you all-day protection and glow.
5. For an extra dusting of protection: Supergoop’s 100% Mineral Invincible Setting Powder, SPF 45
Another of Supergoop’s ingenious products, this flawless powder is perfect for an extra layer of protection, especially over a full face of makeup. Whether you’re in the pool or eating al fresco, this luminous powder stays put to give you maximum coverage with minimal effort.
So, whether you’re sitting inside studying or lounging by the pool, remember that sunscreen is a must. Not only is it easy to incorporate into your skincare routine, but it helps prevent what should be everyone’s worst nightmare: wrinkles.
XOXO
The (Skin)ny
