Our conception of sunscreen has changed a lot as it has adapted to our most up-to-date understandings of UV rays (UVA and UVB) and the appropriate protection against them.
Way back in the ’60s, USA-made "Coppertone" sunscreen was all the rage, and it essentially deep-fried you like a chicken while promising "a darker tan." Thankfully, our research into the long-term effects of sun damage has evolved, and people soon realized that mindless tanning was dangerous, and that wearing anything less than SPF 30 was basically useless.
Now, we're being advised to wear sunscreen even if we're stuck indoors. A recent conversation we had with top New York City facialist Sofie Pavitt highlighted the fact that UVA rays can penetrate through windows, so if you're working from home with a view of the outside world you used to belong to, you should be wearing sunscreen. It's not like you're going to tan, but you're not going to do your skin any favors typing away unprotected.
With that in mind, we geeked out on sun protection to spare you the hassle.
Here are the best facial sunscreens out there right now
Teutonic Tanning
Sun Drops
DR. BARBARA STURM
This German brand has taken a more chemical approach, allowing a few "Sun Drops" to be added into your daily face cream for SPF 50 protection, along with added cassia alata leaf extract, beta-glucan, and vitamin E for promotion of cell regeneration.
Rise & Shine
Rain or Shine Daily Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50
JAXON LANE
Jaxon Lane's SPF 50 sunscreen works for all weather conditions (the sun will still penetrate through clouds) with an added bonus of vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, green tea, licorice root, and ginseng to nourish the surface of the skin.
High Fashion, Higher Protection
Super Active Correction Complete Sunscreen SPF 50
Chanel
"Are you wearing th-"
"The Chanel Super Active Correction Complete Sunscreen SPF 50? Yeah, I am."
This extremely luxe edition of sunscreen contains a subtle CC pigment to even out skin tone as well as a dose of murunga plum extract to enhance skin's texture. And lastly, it has the all-important hyaluronic acid to pack the surface of your skin with moisture.
Editor's Pick
UV Protector WetForce SPF 50+ Sunscreen
SHISEIDO
“Let’s face it, putting sunscreen on your sandy hands sucks. This one is an essential, and the packaging is tops.” - Thom Bettridge, Editor-in-Chief
The Instant Retouch
Super Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30
RESIST
American skincare brand Paula's Choice has developed an effective SPF 30 daily sunscreen lotion with a subtle tint that works on all skin tones to mattify and smoothen out uneven pigmentation. It also, essentially, is like instantly photoshopping your face (in a great way).
The Uncomplicated & Invisible Option
Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
Supergoop!
Despite what a name like Supergoop! might imply, this find is designed to be as invisible as possible, leaving no white cast on your face whatsoever. Which is ideal, as not all of us like to get to the beach with Marilyn Manson face.
The Emergency Après Sun Moment
Carnal Flower After Sun Balm
Frederic Malle
In the unfortunate situation that you forget to apply sunscreen, you can use Frederic Malle's extremely hydrating, quick moisturizing after-sun balm to soothe the burn and restore your skin back to normalcy with an added floral scent.
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