Sunscreen Options
What if I really don’t like wearing sunscreen?
If you are like me, you don’t really like the feel of sunscreen or the white film it can leave on the skin. There are now more options than ever before for those who don’t like sunscreen lotions:
Sunscreen Sticks
These are like deodorant sticks. Most go on clear (instead of white), and they stay where you put them (no dripping). I find these are the best option for quickly applying sunscreen to my kids’ faces and keeping it out of their eyes. These are a bit too pricy for full-body application.
Sunscreen gel
My personal favorite is an alcohol-based gel sunscreen by Solbar. It goes on like hand sanitizer and dries clear within seconds.
Sunscreen sprays
Another great option for kids (or lazy adults like myself) is spray sunscreen. Every brand sells one now, and some are zinc-based. I prefer sprays for re-application of sunscreen after 1.5 to 2 hours of outdoor play.
Sunscreen Lip Balms
Don’t forget to protect your lips. Most sunscreens for the skin taste terrible, so companies have made lip balms that include sunscreen (SPF 30+).
Is a more expensive sunscreen better?
When I was a resident, Consumer Reports released a ranking list of the best sunscreens after their extensive testing. That year, their highest-rated product was a fantastic but pricy sunscreen by La Roche-Posay. The next on their list was an Equate (Walmart-brand) sunscreen for much cheaper.
When it comes down to it, the best sunscreen is the one you will actually use!
European Sunscreens:
Sadly, Europe is far ahead of the US in developing new sunscreens. Europe classifies sunscreen ingredients as cosmetics, and the US classifies them as medications. So, the newest sunscreen ingredient was approved in the US nearly 20 years ago.
Two key sunscreen ingredients (TRIAZINE and TRIAZONE) are in nearly all European sunscreens because they 1) rub into the skin much easier, 2) do not leave a film, and 3) last longer without needing to reapply. I recently bought several sunscreens in Amsterdam – all of them (even the $2 store brand) are nicer and work better than any sunscreen I have tried in the US. I have not found an affordable way to get European sunscreens to the US (high shipping costs). If you have any friends, family, or neighbors going to Europe, give them $30 or so and ask them to pick you up a couple of sunscreen bottles from a local drugstore or the airport. My favorite has been La Roche-Posay Anthelios Milk SPF 50+ Eco Tube, but make sure it has TRIAZINE and TRIAZONE in the ingredient list.
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