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The Deal Breaker: It's a Sloppy, Gooey Mess
Why You'll Love It:
I have a major aversion to messy, goopy sunscreens. It's fine when I'm at home carefully applying it in front of a mirror. But outside, I'm spilling it, rubbing it over my swimsuit or clothes or getting it in my eyes. And once it's sat in the sun a few hours -- forget it. Enter: sunscreen sticks. This one from Honest Company is my favorite, because unlike some stick sunscreens, it applies with a gentle hand. The all-natural mineral-based stick warms easily on the skin and glides on. Plus, you can reach spots like your ears and the back of your neck without having to worry about dragging your hair through it. And okay, I like to think Jessica Alba would be proud of my choice.
Or Try:
Hampton Sun Continuous Mist 35, $32
This sunscreen mist comes in an innovative bottle that can be sprayed at any angle (yes, even upside down), and protects skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays. It also contains hydrating aloe vera and vitamins A, C and E.
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The Deal Breaker: Your Sunscreen Sends Your Makeup Running
Why You'll Love It: Can a facial sunscreen really be worth $70? Yes, yes it can. Every editor on our team who tried this sunscreen was immediately smitten with its silky, mattifying formula. To this day, that love affair is still going strong (it even won our 2016 TotalBeauty awards for best sunscreen). The second you apply it, it miraculously diminishes the look of pores and imperfections, and feels like you're wearing nothing. And as an added bonus, it makes your foundation last longer.
Or Try:
Elizabeth Arden Triple Protection Factor Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50+ Lotion
I've seen the horrible, scary photos of sun damage, but -- confession time -- I'm not a saint when it comes to everyday application. As vain as it sounds, I don't want my face looking super shiny all day at work or my makeup melting off because of the sunscreen on my face. Thanks to this new Elizabeth Arden sunscreen I can't make any more excuses. While you do have to go to a physician's office to get it, the product is a makeup savior --especially for women with oily skin. The lightweight formula applies like a serum and almost feels like a makeup primer. Once I applied my powder and concealer over it, you couldn't tell I was wearing any SPF at all. I had no extra shine and my makeup stayed on almost longer than when I wear it with nothing underneath. And thanks to the antioxidant complex and DNA enzyme complex I actually feel like I'm doing my skin a little bit of good. One downside -- the formula's "universal tint" isn't quite. I have fair to medium skin, but extra pale skin tones may not find the product as camouflaging.
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The Deal Breaker: It Smells Like You'd Fail a Breathalyzer
Why You'll Love It:
Spray sunscreen is fast, easy, convenient and feels so much nicer on the skin than thick, greasy lotions. But truth be told -- most of it stinks. After coating myself in spray sunscreen in my bathroom last weekend, my entire apartment smelled like it had been fumigated. The answer -- non-aerosol sprays like this Supergoop! one that don't have that alcohol scent. This one is full of essential oils and smells natural and earthy.
Or Try:
L'Oreal Paris Sublime Sheer Protect Sunscreen Oil Spray SPF 50+, $10.99
The light vanilla scent of this product is almost good enough to apply when you're staying indoors.
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The Deal Breaker: Reapplying Is a Pain in the Butt
Why You'll Love It:
Yes, reapplying when you just want to enjoy your nap on the beach is frustrating, but it has to be done (I'm turning into my grandmother every day). If I'm at a beach or pool you can usually find me in the water, meaning I have to apply sunscreen twice as often. Whereas most sport formulas require reapplying after 40 minutes of sweating or swimming, this Alba sunscreen gives you a full 80 minutes. It's not perfect, but it does make life easier (you can even pick it up on your nightly run to Whole Foods). And since it's packed with natural, nourishing ingredients like green tea, vitamin E and aloe vera, it feels more like moisturizing than reapplying sunscreen.
Or Try:
Avène High Protection Tinted Compact SPF 50, $34
I'm constantly concerned I'm going to run into someone I know while I'm out doing errands, so touch-ups are a must. This handy compact makes touching up both makeup and sunscreen a cinch. The formula is 100 percent mineral sunscreen and carries the Skin Cancer Foundation Active Seal of Recommendation. Unfortunately it only comes in Beige and Honey (Beige being the lighter of the two). Note to all the sunscreen brands out there -- darker skin and extra light skin need protection too. More shades, please.
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The Deal Breaker: It Makes Your Face Look Downright Reflective
Why You'll Love It:
This superlightweight sunscreen doubles as a makeup primer; it blurs fins lines, evens out skin tone and makes pores do a disappearing act. Its water-resistant formula is made with natural minerals and no preservatives (read: it won't irritate your skin). But best of all: It doesn't leave your skin looking greasy or shiny.
Or Try:
CeraVe Sunscreen for Face SPF 30, $14.95
One of our editors is adamant that although she tries to wear face sunscreen daily, if the product leaves her skin shiny, greasy or filmy feeling, she won't use it. This lotion doesn't feel greasy and wears well under makeup. And unlike most drugstore moisturizers that carry a puny SPF 15, this one gives you a full 30. For only $15, you get ceramides, niacinimide and hyaluronic acid -- a pretty solid anti-aging powerhouse for such a low price.
