I know summer is not the only time we’re wearing sunscreen — and the folks in the Southern Hemisphere right now can certainly attest that SPF doesn’t stop being necessary just because it’s cold out, as can every single ski-related sunburn my kids have ever gotten. But the change of seasons, no matter where you live, CAN make you want to switch up what you’re using. We did a post like this with Your Holy Grail Serums, a list of which I added to our ShopMy page for easy reference (there is also a link to the post itself in there). We did that because sometimes it’s easier for folks to find something they remember in that format, rather than digging around for the original shopping post. They are handy references for ME, at least, and can be for you even if you don’t want to use our links! And I’ll do the same with whatever we come up with here.
For a long time, I’ve used the Kiehl’s Purple Moisturizer — fine, “Super Multi-Corrective Cream” with the SPF 30 built in, and it will always be there for me, but I admittedly do tend to prefer the texture of moisturizers that don’t have SPF built in (case in point: I loved their Ultra Facial Cream but not the one with sunscreen in it). So I’m trying the two-step process instead: separate moisturizer and SPF. Supergoop is a classic, both for the Unseen Sunscreen and the Mineral Mattescreen, but those are not exactly well-kept secrets and I’m also not so loyal that I wouldn’t date around. I’ve had good luck with Dr. Loretta’s, which is tinted; like the Supergoop, it’s highly portable for when you, say, have to take only a small clear bag to Dodger Stadium. But I wonder if I can do better for the price. FRÉ sent us some of its Glow Me, which is SPF with a lightweight moisturizer; it’s a much larger pump and therefore not as portable, but the formula itself is less heavy than the tub of Kiehl’s. The light/medium freaked me out for a second because it went on darker than I expected, but it dried down to my skin tone very quickly, and it smells surprisingly kind of fresh and nice?!? To me this is really more of a swap for occasions when I’d also want a skin tint, rather than an everyday sunscreen product, but I like it. We actually have a discount code for FRÉ — it’s DWB for 25% off. (Jessica is using this Merit product for the same purposes and really likes it, too.)
There are a few I’ve heard people talk about but haven’t tried yet, like InnBeauty’s SPF 43, Glowrecipe’s Dew Shield, and anything by Ultra Violette — that one, there are quite a few different options, and my main concern is whether they’re too small for the price. Oh, and Tower 28! How is that one? Allure tells me it’s great but I never know whether Best of Beauty is secretly pay-for-play these days.
Okay, what should I be using? Please let me know and save my skin. And folks, put that SPF on your neck and chest. And ears. OMG, the ears are silent killers.
PS from Jessica: Related: I like this Doré facial cleanser for when it’s really hot and you’ve got face sunscreen on and worked up a sweat, and need to get it off.
PPS from Jessica: I really DO like that Merit product and also need to throw in a rec for my beloved Vacation Chardonnay Oil. I like the Vacation sunscreen a LOT — plus all the packaging is a serious hoot.
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