As you’re spending days out in the sun, it’s more important than ever to keep your skin protected. So we sat down with our favorite skin care guru and SkinSpirit’s Aesthetic Director, Karen Fernandez, to get her advice on what to look for in an SPF. Here’s what we learned.
How to Choose the Best Sunscreen
When choosing a sunscreen, there are a few things to consider…
Broad Spectrum - This is the most important thing to look for when choosing an SPF, because it indicates that your sunscreen provides complete protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
SPF - The number of your perfect SPF varies based on your lifestyle. A golfer who spends his days outside in the sun, for example, may need a higher SPF than someone who’s in an office all day.
If you’re mainly indoors, an SPF of 30 works for almost everyone, offering protection against interior UV lights. Karen likes Colorescience Even Up, which acts like a makeup while also providing great coverage. Then when you are in direct sunlight or going in the water, you'll want to wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 50.
Physical vs Chemical - We generally suggest physical sunscreens for reducing damage to the skin and environment. When shopping for a physical sunscreen, look for the active ingredients Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide.
However, there may be cases where a chemical sunscreen is a good fit; there are good chemicals, for example, that can help improve the wearability of a sunscreen. We can provide you with some recommendations during your complimentary consultation. You can read more about the differences between physical and chemical sunscreens here.
Reef friendly - With Hawaii and Australia recently banning sunscreens that are not reef friendly (or environmentally friendly), this is a consideration that is becoming more important. We offer a variety of reef friendly SPF products at SkinSpirit and would be happy to offer a recommendation that's both reef-friendly, and a great option for your skin and lifestyle.
Skin type - Those with oily skin will want to go for a lighter texture, oil free sunscreen. If you’re acne prone, you’ll want to be especially careful to choose an oil free SPF and may want to consider powder options. Those with dry skin, on the other hand, can tolerate a thicker texture, but will need a deeper exfoliation afterwards to keep their skin clean.
Tinted - An increasingly popular option, tinted SPFs keep your skin protected but can also serve as your makeup. In fact, Karen says, “My goal is for you to only need tinted SPF, to not need makeup, to not need foundation. Your tinted SPF becomes your SPF and your make up all in one.”
You can also add sunscreen to any makeup with SPF in it for deeper protection - don’t be afraid to mix!
Complementary products - Always use your antioxidants in the summer. Your first layer of defense is the vitamin C in the morning.
The important thing to remember for anyone using SPF on a daily basis is that you’ll want to exfoliate a couple of times a week to remove any residue.
“Sunscreen only works when it’s on, so the most important thing is to find something you love”
-Karen Fernandez, SkinSpirit Aesthetics Director
Shop SPFs at SkinSpirit
We have a great selection of SPF products for all skin types at SkinSpirit and you can shop your favorites online! Need help finding the right sunscreen for you? We’d be happy to help you choose the best one for your skin and your lifestyle. Schedule a complimentary consultation at a SkinSpirit near you.
Ready to shop online? Browse our sunscreen products here.
Related Posts
