In some ways, beauty products are like boyfriends. (Stick with us here.) For certain types of products it takes a search that spans years, decades...lifetimes in order to find the right one. And facial sunscreen is one of them.
With the caveat that personal preferences can make one person's best pick different from the next (some people just can't stand that sunscreen-y smell, for example), after trying dozens of formulas, we are thrilled to have found the one. And we just can't wait to share it with all of our friends (that's you): EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41.
When compared to fancy sunscreens or tinted moisturizers spiked with SPF, the clinical packaging isn't much to look at. And it's only sold in dermatology offices. But this love is real. How? Let us count the ways.
It's active ingredients are mineral based. In natural-driven 2015, chemical has become a dirty word. It's important to note that the chemicals used in sunscreen, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been deemed by the FDA as perfectly safe for use. Americans have been using these types of formulas for decades without recorded injury. However, a few studies have raised questions about whether they may disrupt our hormone systems. While the evidence shows the safe ingredients trump the few that aren't, we're erring with caution and looking for formulas like this one, which use mineral rather than chemical active ingredients—zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
It provides broad spectrum coverage. Bless our mothers for slapping sunscreen on our chubby little limbs when at the beach as a kid, but many of those old-school formulas—which focused on protecting against UVB rays, don't protect as well as today's sunscreens marked "broad spectrum." So-marked formulas protect from UVA and UVB rays—those primarily responsible for premature aging and burns and skin cancer, respectively. And this formula covers both.
It boasts a high SPF factor. There's no shortage of sunscreens that boast SPF 50+ protection. It's easy to assume that higher the SPF number equals better protection from harmful rays. But dermatologists and researchers say that SPF 30 is equipped to do the job, and higher factors only offer a negligible level of additional protection. (For that very reason, the FDA is considering a regulation that would cap SPF values to 50+.) With a value of 41, we feel as if we're getting ample protection without being taken for a ride.
It applies like tinted moisturizer and pairs well with makeup. Does anyone really enjoy applying a layer of SPF alongside their skin care and makeup? Especially when it's too thick, turns our face chalky or greasy—or both? No. But like running on an elliptical, we do it because it's going to help us stay healthy (and hopefully, skin cancer free). But THIS sunscreen contains a hint of tint and goes on smoothly, like our best tinted moisturizer—and don't be fooled by its clinical look—plays well with makeup (no beading up or cake-age). Plus, it happens to be made by a brand that dermatologists frequently recommend as a best sunscreen maker, which is about as good as it gets, in our book.