TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.2*
Why it's great: "Effective," "easily-absorbed" and "hydrating" are a few choice words readers have for this popular drugstore sunscreen. "This is perfect -- lightweight, non-greasy and it doesn't sting my sensitive skin like so many sunscreens do," raves one reader. "You do not have to use much," says another. "It absorbs quickly and isn't greasy." Most reviewers would "definitely buy it again."
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.6*
Why it's great: "One of the things I hate most about sunscreen is the smell," one reader says. "This product is close to scentless. It goes on clear and isn't thick or oily. Plus, the bottle is tiny -- perfect for stashing in a purse or makeup bag." Other reviewers appreciate the product's non-irritating formula and "matte, silky finish, which actually evens out skin tone."
Not to rain on your summer parade, but here are a few facts that should wake you up from your margarita-and-sun-induced coma, forcing you to take a big whiff of sunscreen: The incidence of melanoma (a deadly form of skin cancer) isn't going anywhere — an estimated 73,870 new cases of invasive melanoma will be diagnosed in the US this year. If that doesn't scare you, this will: 80 percent of the aging that dermatologists see is due to excess sun exposure, since it can break down the collagen and elastin in your skin and cause more wrinkles.
But enough of the doom and gloom — let's talk safe sun. Luckily, there are a slew of facial skin care products with SPF, and our readers have put them to the test. Shelve bad memories of your parents smearing thick, white, pasty zinc oxide on your nose and toss the idea that you can't wear sunscreen on your face if you have oily skin — this is the new generation of facial sunscreens. These products don't leave a white film on the skin, won't cause breakouts or an overly shiny face and can be applied seamlessly over or under makeup. See the best sunscreens for your face now.
Before we get going, here are some safe sun tips for healthy skin:
—Apply a shot glass full of sunscreen to cover your whole body. (At least SPF 15 daily, and for prolonged sun exposure, use a water resistant SPF 30 formula). Reapply every one to two hours while outdoors, says Heidi Waldorf, M.D. of Waldorf Dermatology & Laser Associates in Nanuet, New York.
—Use products containing zinc or avobenzone, which will help block UVA light so you don't accumulate more UV damage, says Katie Rodan, co-founder of Proactiv and Rodan + Fields Dermatologists.
—If you're spending a lot of time outside — especially during peak sun hours — wear a large brimmed hat (in addition to sunscreen) to shield your face and hair from sun damage.
If you're worried that all this sunscreen will keep you from your bronzy summer glow, you can reach for one of these top-rated bronzers. or self-tanners.
