My qualifications: I live on a beach (literally! I am writing this with an obstructed view of the ocean, which I could hit with a softball or volleyball right now, if I tried my hardest. BLESS!) with super reflective white sand where everyone ends up getting way more sunburned than they possibly realize they could in New York State…
My other qualification is that I hate sunscreen and the application of sunscreen. So if I like it, you know it’s gotta be as easy and accessible as they come!
My criteria for an “ideal” facial sunscreen: Smooth, sheer, sits nicely on the face and makes me forget that I’m wearing anything at all. Ideally not too pricy, or at least comes in a size where I don’t go through them so quickly that I am constantly feeling annoyed about how much I’m spending on reordering sunscreens.
Also important: accessible to buy! If I have to order it from Korea or France or something, it’s not happening.
My number one: Dune’s Mug Guard. It’s a jelly like texture that blends out perfectly, sits well under makeup, and feels light and almost cooling on the skin.
Bonus: it’s available at Ulta, Revolve, Nordstrom, and plenty of retailers that offer free shipping.
You might also try…
Dune’s Mineral Melt. If you’re a mineral sunscreen person, this is probably one of the top 3 facial sunscreen options I’ve tried in terms of blendability and white cast. I’m not going to say it’s 100% sheer and undetectable— I notice a slight matteness to my skin that I think would be more visible on darker skin tones— but it’s probably the best I’ve encountered for a mineral formulation.
For whatever reason, I was very convinced this “worked” more than many other sunscreens. I noticed radical differences from where I applied it on my face and where I did not apply it (my chest)— it held up at a really high UV without frequent re-application.
Not the mineral sunscreen type but looking for another workhorse that can go on under makeup on the daily? I recommend Prequel’s Solar Shade! Well-priced, goes on invisible, and sensitive-skin friendly… bingo!
My favorite spray-on: when I’m on the beach, I hate putting sandy fingers on my face. I also find that there are places I “miss” when applying with my hands without a mirror. Perhaps, most honestly of all, I am lazy.
Vacation’s Super Spritz SPF 50 is my favorite. It’s non-aerosol, perfect for reapplying, and is small enough to fit into any purse or pouch. I keep a basket with these on my crow’s nest, my patio, and also have them stashed by the front door to grab before we go to the beach. (I told you, it’s a lifestyle!)
You can find Vacation Inc’s wares at almost any retailer— they’re super popular, I’m sure they’re inside your local boutique or shoppy shop— but also on their site and Amazon, where I scored recently on an 8-pack for less than $7 per spray…
You might also try…
It’s the hands-free re-application of a mist that you’re after, I really like Supergoop’s “Re-setting spray” in SPF 40. It’s so tiny that you can keep it in your purse and really easily reapply with great frequency. It’s not widely available, so I stock up when I can find it.
Best lip balm or gloss with SPF: It’s gotta be Prequel’s Lip Visor, which is no-nonsense, simple to apply, clear, and really, really reasonably priced for how it performs. (Under $15!)
You might also try…
There are many decent runners up, but Supergoop’s SPF 40 GlowGloss is as solid as they come! I just sort of keep these scattered across bags and pouches in my life and trust that one is always going to find me.
Better news: Supergoop is doing 20% off— through May 18th!
If you’re a balm more than gloss kind of person— and I don’t blame you— you might find that Vacation’s lip balms give you that delightfully nostalgic Lip Smackers energy that you didn’t realize was missing in your life…
Too old to giddily apply a Lip Smackers esque treatment? (Who is? Though I mean metaphorically, of course, since no one is ever too old to do anything.) Try Vacation’s Chardonnay Lip Oil, which has an equally nostalgic and delightful applicator. I have nothing but good things to say about both!
Honorable mention, ol’ faithfuls…
Supergoop’s GlowScreen— sometimes I find that products oriented around “glowing” kind of just make me look greasy when I’m already sweating my ass off in the summer sun. If you don’t have that problem, this bad boy is 20% off at Supergoop!
The Vacation Inc Chardonnay Oil is a solid travel-sized option if you are unable to pack an aerosol spray. It’s technically for body, but I’ve used it on my face and neck in a pinch before with nothing but good things to say!
I’m dying to try…
Good Weather Skin sent me their new formula, the SPF 50 “All Over Sun Milk”, which is formulated for both face and body. It comes in Cool Girl packaging that I think would look great peeking out of a beach tote and is a new-to-me brand that some readers recommended!
The new (to me at least) whipped coconut scent of Supergoop’s aerosol spray, which is 20% off rn…
The Vacation Inc x Pepsi Wild Cherry Tinted Lip Gel with SPF… do I even have to explain this one? It’s pure fun!
The Caudalie Vinosun SPF 50 Sun Water. This seems hard to track down in America, and so I will probably try to buy it in Europe! We go through body sunscreen so fast in the summer, especially hosting guests on the weekend that I tend to not buy pricier stuff for body sunscreen… but this one has me tempted.
Vacation’s new Coconut Oil SPF… though it’s only SPF 15, so this is almost more like a body fragrance?
Lots to try in my patio basket…
What did I miss? I feel like everyone has their own favorite go-to, and I want to know yours!
Caudalie in Europe is the proooo move
Just got caudalie Vinosun and prequel! Excited to try them both