The Ultimate Summer Guide to Sunscreen

Wear sunscreen.

Reason No. 1:

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Do you really need another reason?

Unless you want to look like a leather chair in thirty years, it’s time to start slathering on that gooey white stuff that doubles as an exfoliant when you’re at the beach. Lucky for you, I’ve gathered this year’s top picks in all things sunscreen related.

Consumer Report’s Top Picks

These sunscreens not only had the highest ratings according to Consumer Reports but they also didn’t break the bank.

1.Up & Up SPF 50 found at Target

2. Equate Ultra Protection SPF 50 found at WalMart

3. Coppertone Water Babies (this one earns extra brownie points for being approved by the Environmental Working Group).

4. Walgreen’s Continuous Spray Sport SPF 50

5. Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch SPF 30

6. Coppertone Sport High Performance

Keep an Eye Out!

These sunscreens were not recommended by Consumer Reports.

California Baby SPF 30+//No-Ad with Avobenzone, Aloe, and Vitamin E APF 45//Neutrogena Wet Skin SPF 45+//Kiss My Face with Hydresia SPF 40//Badger Unscented SPF 34//All Terrain AquaSport

Save Face

One of the best ways to prevent lines and discoloration is to add sunscreen into your daily make up routine. And, no, unfortunately, your make up that already has SPF 15 doesn’t count. Unless you are dumping that make up on hourly, the “helpful SPF” won’t last the day. Here are some sunscreen options that not only protect that valuable skin, but are also perfect for keeping your complexion clear.

1. Neutrogena Pure & Free Liquid Daily Sunblock SPF 50: This thin sunscreen is so light you will barely notice it under your makeup. It is also fragrance free for those who have sensitive skin (or a sensitive nose). (Allure).

2. Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion SPF 70: This sunscreen is perfect for swimmers. As a swimmer myself,   my skin gets crazy dry during the summer. This light and moisturizing sunscreen will definitely help keep my dry skin under control during those long swim meets. (Watson).

3. Coppertone Oil-Free Faces SPF 50: For those who are worried about getting breakouts from using sunscreen, this oil-free and fragrance-free version will help keep skin clear. (Allure).

4.Sunbum Babybum Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30: Is it just me or is this sunscreen name totally cute? I already want to buy ten bottles. This aptly named sunscreen is perfect for infants, but also adults who may have freckly or super sensitive skin. (Allure).

Get Active!

Sunscreens like the ones below are ideal for athletes who worry about their sunscreen lasting through a match, swim practice, or a game. These sunscreens also work to stay out of athlete’s eyes so that they can keep their on the ball.

1. SkinCeuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 50: This marathon-runner tested sunscreen is water-resistant, wear-resistant, and wipe-resistant. This sunscreen “backed by science” also is enhanced with a plankton extract intended to increase UV resistance and protect collagen. A favorite of both Allure and The Fashion Spot.

2. Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock SPF 55 (Watson).

3.Rite Aid SPF 30 Sport Continuous Spray: This sunscreen has been given the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation. (Watson).

4. Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Stick SPF 30: As someone who is lazy, but also cares about skin protection, this sunscreen stick is a favorite of mine to swipe on my face before practices. Quick & easy. Also given the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation. (Watson).

5.Ocean Potion Oil Free Sport Extreme Sunblock SPF 30: This sunscreen has also received the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation. (Watson).

Overachieving Multitaskers

These sunscreens work doubletime to not only protect that precious skin of yours but also prevent your skin from aging by containing antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients. One of these sunscreens can even cool down a sunburn.

1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50: This miracle worker not only can pass as makeup for the day (I prefer to wear just a tinted moisturizer in the summer) but it also can even out some imperfections in your complexion giving your face semi-matte coverage. (Allure).

2. Prevage Triple Defense Shield SPF 50+: This sneaky sunscreen can even out lines and skin discolorations from current sun damage. (The Fashion Spot).

3. AHAVA Time Age Control Even Tone Moisturizer Time to Smooth Broad Spectrum SPF 20: Whew! That’s a mouthful. Although this sunscreen’s name may be long, the description is not. This sunscreen protects skin while evening out uneven skin tone. (The Fashion Spot).

4.Sonia Kashuk Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15: This double agent is also perfect for summer; it keeps your complexion dewy while giving you some sun coverage (I would add another sunscreen underneath for extra protection). (The Fashion Spot).

5.Kiehl’s Activated Sun Protector Sunscreen SPF 50: This sunscreen is chock full of antioxidants such as goji berry, vitamin E, and einkorn wheat; these added benefits to the sunscreen give it an anti-aging boost. (Allure).

6. Banana Boat Sport Performance Coolzone Broad Spectrum SPF 30: This sunscreen is one of my go-tos when it is over 100 degrees! It has a cooling effect to also help with sunburns! (Allure).

Can I Get That Without Grease?

If you’re like me, then you hate, and I mean HATE, the feeling of sunscreen. Something about feeling slimy and greasy all day just grosses me out. These two sunscreens tackle that greasy feeling and keep your skin feeling clean.

1. L’Oreal Sublime Sun Sheer Protect Sunscreen Oil SPF 50+: This non-greasy sunscreen also has the added benefits of ingredients antioxidants such as argan. (Allure).

2. Vichy Capital Soleil Foaming Lotion SPF 50: A foaming lotion like this one (Wait, what? Foaming sunscreen??) keeps you from feeling sticky after application. (The Fashion Spot).

Eyes. Lips. Face.

Don’t forget about your peepers when it comes to sunlight! Throw on some of these cute shades to keep those eyes wrinkle-fee!

1. Urban Outfitters//2.Ray-Ban//3.Urban Outfitters//4.Yves Saint Laurent

When it comes to lips, I stick to EOS lip balm which has an SPF of 15. It keeps my lips hydrated, protected, and it’s not as easy to lose!

Face: Throw some shade!

No, seriously shade your face.

These types of hats are my go-tos right now.

1. This Panama Hat from J. Crew is perfect for a vacation. Throw a tunic over your bikini, add a panama hat, and you’re good to go.

2. Baseball hats are a classic for me. Whenever I’m headed to the pool or running some lazy errands, I pull on a baseball cap. Might as well rep my favorite team, and World Series Champions, with a worn-in baseball cap from PacSun!

3. Floppy hats scream beach. They also scream margaritas, watermelon, and maxi dresses. This floppy hat from J. Crew is the most essential summer item in my opinion.

Don’t Forget Your Clothes

This fact is easy to forget but UV radiation can work its ways through clothes. However, clothes with built in SPF will stop UVA and UVB radiation in its tracks. A good website to for this type of clothing is the SPF Store, and it is recommended by both the Melanoma International Foundation as well as The Skin Cancer Foundation.

Be Green

Check out Environmental Working Group for sunscreens that are environmentally friendly.

Stop Skin Cancer in its Tracks

The most important part of using a sunscreen is to reapply. I try to put on my sunscreen fifteen minutes before I leave the house and reapply hourly; however, the FDA just recommends reapplying every two hours. One of the reasons why skin cancer is on the rise is because people have a false sense of security. This fake security is contrived from the idea that if one uses a sunscreen with an SPF of 100+ it  won’t be necessary to reapply as often. However, this could not be more wrong. Even though the SPF is higher, we still need to make sure that we are reapplying often.

If possible, stay out of the sun during its prime hours (from 10 am-4pm). This time span is when UV radiation is at its highest. Try to stay out of the sunlight during this time no matter what the season is.

Melanoma Cancer is on the rise.  Women under 39 are more likely to develop melanoma than any other cancer (Skincancer.org).

Last but not least, over ninety percent of visible skin aging can be attributed to sun damage. If you want your skin to stay youthful, protect it. Stay out of tanning beds. Use sunscreen. Cover up. Check the UV index of your location before you head out for the day.

Save a family member. Save a friend. Save a stranger.

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Check out these references for more information.

“Skin Cancer Foundation.” Skin Cancer Facts. The Skin Cancer Foundation, 12 Feb. 2013. Web. 13 June 2013.

Callahan, Chrissy. “The 10 Sunscreens You Need This Summer.” TheFashionSpot. EVOLVE MEDIA, LLC. COMPANY, 31 May 2013. Web. 13 June 2013.

Colameo, Lindsay. “The 10 Best Sunscreens for Summer 2013.” Allure. Condé Nast, n.d. Web. 13 June 2013.

Doheny, Kathleen. “Sunscreens Not Created Equal: Consumer Reports.” WebMD. WebMD, 24 May 2013. Web. 13 June 2013.

Watson, Stephanie.  “Top 5 Sunscreens for Athletes”  20 August 2009.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/beauty/sun-care/5-sunscreens-for-athletes.htm>  12 June 2013.