Secret Weapon Sunscreens That Also Act As Skin Care
If you don’t apply sunscreen every single day—it doesn’t matter if you live in the remote mountains of Montana or smack in the middle of Malibu—you’re doing yourself a major disservice. As far as obvious measures go, sunscreen is imperative for protecting your skin against the sun’s rays that age and burn the skin. But SPF is also key in limiting premature photoaging and preserving the skin’s natural collagen.
To make the most out of your daily skincare routine, opt for a sunscreen that’s formulated with good-for-your-skin ingredients, too—think antioxidants, moisturizing agents and even oil absorbers to keep breakouts at bay. This way, you’ll get protection plus skin health benefits in one fell swoop along with the added benefit of time because we all love a multi-tasker, right? And don’t forget to apply it to your neck and hands in addition to your face.
BUILD THE ULTIMATE DOUBLE-DUTY SPF COLLECTION
Elizabeth Arden Prevage got it right when they launched their City Smart Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Hydrating Shield ($68). Besides the fact that the brand was one of the first to meld sunscreen with skincare, this lightweight formula defends against pollution with a serious sunscreen factor.
I love the Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 ($42) for its anti-shine and pore tightening abilities. Oily skin is never a concern with this formulation.
Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 35 ($65) is a super lightweight sunscreen that delivers a nice matte finish. It also contains silk extract, which leave skin smooth, and antioxidant-rich loquat leaf extract to help calm red, irritated skin.
Supergoop City Sunscreen Serum ($42) combines the sun-defending power of SPF with the anti-aging benefits of a vitamin E- and B5-rich face serum sans any of the unwanted white residue. I buy this one in bulk.
Beloved all over Europe—and for good reason—La Roche-Posay Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Serum with Sunscreen ($42.50) is the epitome of sun protection with skin-loving ingredients. I stockpile this affordable formulation for the mere fact that it never clogs my pores and always floods my skin with a dose of antioxidants.
A color corrector first, Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment ($75) helps protect against environmental aggressors while also offering up SPF 30 in the semi-thick cream.
Beauty benefits are abound in Shiseido’s White Lucent All Day Brightener Moisturizer ($69). Not only does it protect skin from the sun’s harmful rays, but it also brightens dark spots while hydrating.
Not only is Elta MD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum ($38) give a sheer wash of color to the skin, but it also works wonders on limiting breakouts and irritations, which are common with sunscreen. The ingredient list reads more like a supercharged anti-aging cream than a SPF: niacinamide to reduce redness, hyaluronic acid to hydrate and make skin feel soft and supple, lactic acid to control breakouts, and vitamin E to protect against free radical damage.