I am somewhat of a fanatic when it comes to sunscreen these days. Before buying anything for me or my family to use, I research the brand and product on several sites, ewg.com being the most important. Gone are the days of scooping up whatever brand has cute packaging at CVS – these days I only use mineral sunscreens that are chemical free. I try to remember to use SPF on my face every single day (winter too) and whenever Georgie is going out in the sun, I slather her little body down (easier said than done with a wiggly toddler, but we get there!). Here are my current favorites.
Thinkbaby SPF 50+ // I had read a bunch of different places that the best sunscreen for babies once they pass the 6 month mark (check with your pediatrician on applying sunscreen before 6 months) is either Blue Lizard or Thinkbaby. When I was stocking up on bathing suits and tank tops for Georgie on Diapers.com before we went to San Diego, I noticed they sold Thinkbaby so added a big tube to my cart. It goes on remarkably well considering it’s packed with zinc oxide, smells faintly of papaya, and has staying power. Sometimes I use a little bit of this one on me too. Tip when putting sunscreen on a toddler: rub it in between your palms first, rather than applying right onto their skin from the tube. Trust me, it’s much easier.
Alba Botanica Very Emollient Sunscreen Sport SPF 45 // I used to tan with SPF 8 oil and lay out for hours, but as I’ve gotten older, that’s something my skin would never be able to handle. Plus, wrinkles. I usually switch up my sunscreen, reading a ton of articles and reviews and then settling on one and then trying another once that bottle is finished. But, I have already ordered another bottle of the Alba Botanica sunscreen because it’s good. It goes on so incredibly smooth (again, it’s a zinc oxide sunscreen, so could have a tendency to be really thick and chalky and white) and almost feels like a regular lotion. It makes my skin look so healthy and moisturized (and a little bit shiny and sparkly, in the best way possible) and isn’t at all sticky. It’s pretty much perfect.
La Roche Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Sunscreen // As I said above, I try to wear SPF on my face everyday, all year round. When the weather is warm and I know I’m going to be spending a solid amount of time outside, I use the La Roche Posay Anthelios (on cooler days, I use the CC cream mentioned below). It’s light and smooth, but does have a tendency to leave the slightest white sheen if you apply too much, so use sparingly. This one provides great coverage, and smells like summer.
Supergoop Daily Correct CC Cream with SPF 40 // On days that I won’t be spending a ton of time in the sun, or where my skin needs a little bit of a coverage pick me up, I use the Supergoop Daily Correct CC Cream (I use the light to medium shade). This is one of those miracle products that sort of does it all – evens out my skin, gives me a dewy summer glow and SPF sun protection. I would say that this little guy is a must have. Plus, the bottle lasts forever because the tiniest bit goes a long way. (P.S. For some reason, I can’t find the SPF 40 anymore, just the SPF 35, but it’s pretty much the same thing!)
Babo Botanicals Nutri-Soothe SPF 15 Lip Treatment // Finding a lip SPF that isn’t full of chemicals but actually goes on well and doesn’t taste terrible is surprisingly hard. I had started researching new ones to get (last summer I used one by Coola, which was ok but didn’t taste great and was a little sticky / hard to smooth on your lips) and then, like some sort of lip SPF miracle, I got a tube of this Babo Botanicals Nutri-Soothe in an event gift bag. The second I twisted the product up, I knew I found a winner. It smells like a smoothie, goes on so easily, tastes delicious and actually moisturizes my lips as it protects. As an added bonus, it’s safe for babies and kids too.
Sachajuan Hair After the Sun // The Sachajuan Hair After the Sun is a lifesaver for me when I’m at the beach. The salty air and rays of sunshine make my hair look great for a little while, and then totally lifeless and dry. After I wash my hair, I apply a big dollop of product all over and it really does work to bring back the healthy shine to my hair, especially the ends. It’s also a great one to use after a dip in the pool, and it smells amazing.
