Last month, there was this story about a woman who shared with her Instagram followers a picture of herself after receiving skin cancer treatments on her face. This story made the rounds on all media outlets and was a real eye opener to just how damaging tanning beds and the Sun can be on your skin.
I know for me, this story hit me hard. Not that I've had skin cancer, but that I have in the past (11 years ago) used tanning beds unprotected. I also played water polo and swam in my high school days without applying sunscreen to my face (a major regret in my life).
When I was 19 and went to esthetician school, my whole {skincare} world changed. We were able, as esthetician students, to have our skin looked at under an ultraviolet light. Holy moly, did my skin look horrible under the light. I was still a teenager and my skin looked almost completely brown, like one giant sun spot. I remember my teacher saying that those spots could easily be cancerous if not addressed and taken care of. I had no idea just how bad our skin could get over time just from the sun/tanning.
From that moment on, I started treating my skin so much better and have made an effort in preventing further sun damage and erase the damage that was already done.
Over the last decade, I have been able to see improvements in my skin thanks to daily application of sunscreen. Even in the cold, cloudy, winter months I apply a moisturizer with SPF or a second layer of sunscreen. Now, my first choice is always to go with a sunscreen that is made for faces. However, if I'm out, I will use regular sunscreen for protection, though not ideal.
I have tried many facial SPFs over the years and have heard many recommendations. Here is a list of some sunscreens and moisturizers that I think work great at protecting skin from the sun's harsh rays, but can also help in other areas of protection, prevention and correction.
Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 55
sold at most drugstores, $8-12
Supergoop Sun Defying Sunscreen Oil with Meadowfoam SPF 50 sold here for $12+
Mychelle Sun Shield Unscented SPF 28
JERGENS BB Protect Perfecting Body Cream SPF 15
sold at Target, Walmart and other drug stores for $9+
Philosophy, hope in a jar A to Z Complexion perfecting bb cream
sold at Macy's, $39
Coola Mineral Face Matte Finish SPF 30
sold at Nordstrom, $36
Kiss My Face Face Factor Sunscreen SPF 50 for Face and Neck
sold on Amazon, $9.50+
Clinique Sun Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Cream
sold at Sephora, $23
As a reminder, if you are planning on being in the sun for an extended period of time, you might need to reapply. Make sure to always read the label to know how long.
Sunscreen is more important than most people realize, thanks for sharing this post!
ReplyDeletexx, Mikkaela
The Southwestern Prepster
Thanks for this! My face got sunburned and I need one of this! Jergens is more my brand as its price is affordable for me.
ReplyDeleteHope you can join my linky too =)
The sun does more damage on the skin than good. These sunscreens would definitely help. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to try that Neutrogena! I love that brand! Great round up!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to find a good sun screen as some of them make me feel like a big greasy chip!
ReplyDeleteI've never had skin cancer, but my dad has, so those kinds of things hit home for me too! I really like the Coola sunscreen, but I also really the Neutrogena for a cheaper alternative. Thanks for sharing such an important post!
ReplyDeleteI needed this post! I have super pale skin and need to keep my face protected. Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteI love neutrogenia products and almost always buy tinted moisturizer with spf protection.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, I think we sometimes forget our face, luckily the foundation I use here in the UK has a built in sunscreen, but I often forget to put any on if I'm not wearing make-up #TwinklyTuesdays
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love Kiss My Face products!!! #twinklytuesdays
ReplyDeleteMy face is SO sensitive! So i am SO glad to see this list!! Can't wait to try some of them!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, thanks for all the info!
ReplyDeletethese look good! I am a redhead who also swam in high school and college and now windsurf and SUP. I don't leave the house without sunscreen. Have you tried Signature Club A "Hope in a Jar"? It's for older gals but it has hyaluronic acid, Vit C and 30+spf. Bought through HSN.
ReplyDeleteGreat list. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGreat informative post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the info.
Hi Ashleigh, I like to use a BB cream with a SPF as well, to protect my skin from the sun when out and about. Simple also do a great one, which is really reasonable! :) Lottie
ReplyDeleteI have been using DR. JART+ this season but all of these look good, too! Will have to look into some of them--thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you posted this! I have been meaning to get some sunscreen. Just ordered the Jergens BB Cream.
ReplyDeleteI'm into Blue Lizard sunscreen right now. I'll be having a review and giveaway for some coming this week. I really like it.
ReplyDeleteLove this post — I'm obsessed with wearing spf on my face! It's even in my foundation! :) Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday — hope to see you again next week! x
ReplyDeleteCaro | www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
So, so so important! Great round-up - Neutrogena is one of my faves!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this! I have been looking for a new sunscreen so I will definitely save this list! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThey grow up so fast! Congratulations to your kiddo!
ReplyDeleteWow! Great list. Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you stopping by to party with us. We hope to see you, tonight at 7 pm. Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
ReplyDeleteJust what I needed my current one is clogging my pores way too much!
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to take things like the health of our skin for granted! What a great reminder that we should be more conscientious of protecting ourselves!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us at #MommyMeetupMondays!
Thank you for posting this list, Ashleigh! Very, very important! My favorites are the Nutrogena and the Clinique. Pinned and shared! It's fun to co-host #OhMyHeartsieGirlsWW with you! Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this post, most people dont realise how important sun cream is until its too late.. Very good reminder to everyone, thank you for sharing and co-hosting this week OMHG Wordless Wednesday Link Party. Have a great day, co-host Evija @Fromevijawithlove x
ReplyDeleteI'm in my 40s and believe me, my past bad deeds scare the heck out of me. I've heard really good things about Hope in a Jar. I'd really like to try the Supergoop. The name has me intrigued! haha
ReplyDeleteI like others know how important it is to use sunscreen, this is a great review. Even when I use to lay out in the sun, I would keep my makeup on and I would cover my face with a towel. I dont know how I knew back then that I should, but Im glad I did.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ashleigh for Co-Hosting with us this month on Oh My Heartsie Girls!!!
Have a great week!
Karren
I worry about when I used to think tans were cool and went tanning all the time, numerous times a week. I worry about the damage I did to my skin,which was already damaged from 2nd degree burns I got when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this helpful post. I currently have a thing I use every day but I def want to look into the ones above.
Thanks for co-hosting this week's WW. Have a great weekend & see you next week.
Sarah-Ann @ Living Intentionally Simple
Sunscreen is so important. These are some great sunscreen options. Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned to the Bloggers Brags Broad.
ReplyDeleteI really hadn't thought too much of the importance of using sunscreen. I'm glad I read your post and thanks for sharing the different products to choose from. It's nice to co-host with you this week at OMHG WW.
ReplyDeleteThank you for putting together such a great list and for sharing it at the #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup!
ReplyDeleteI tanned for the longest time and worry about what effects I will see as I get older. Right now I'm using Honest sunscreen on myself and my son and I love it. I have sensitive skin and it works for me, but prior to that I was using the Clinique one which you listed! It's so important to reapply too, way to add that in there. Thanks for sharing at #MommyMeetUpMondays
ReplyDeleteThanks for this! I've been wearing regular sun cream on my face. Will definitely be incesting in one of these!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that ultraviolet light terrifying? I never realized what I was doing to my skin until I saw that. Also, I also swam and played water polo in high school, but it sounds like your pool was outside? That's so cool, I can't even imagine that because in CT, most of water polo season falls when there's still snow on the ground.
ReplyDelete