Even though we’re all staying home a bit more right now as the weather turns, it’s important to keep our skin protected from the sun’s harmful rays…even if we’re just going outside for a bit!
Here’s the thing: sunscreen seems to be one of the trickiest products for people. There are constant complaints of breakouts, irritation, etc. so people end up not using sunscreen at all. Bad idea! The best thing to do is test out a few clean sunscreens to find one that works for you and your skin.
Fortunately for us, a lot of brands are getting really innovative with how they incorporate SPFs. Gone are the days of settling for a sticky, thick, residue-leaving formula. There are a lot of great options out there!
But first, what’s the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen?
If you’ve spent anytime sifting through SPFs on the market, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the terms “mineral” or “physical” and “chemical” to describe the active ingredients in each formula.
Chemical
A chemical sunscreen uses chemicals (duh) that absorb into your skin. Once those chemicals are absorbed (and you’ve waited the amount of time it says on the back of the bottle), they will absorb the sun’s rays and dissipate them, preventing damage to your skin!
Mineral
A mineral sunscreen creates a physical, protective barrier on the outside layer of your skin. Rather than being absorbed into your skin, active ingredients in mineral sunscreens sit on top of your skin and reflect the sun’s harmful rays away from your skin!
Make sense? If you want to learn more about why we need to wear sunscreen and the differences between mineral and chemical formulas, we have an entire blog post dedicated to it!
If you’re afraid of chemical sunscreen: It’s important to note that there has been a lot of development in the chemical sunscreen space and many brands are finding safe chemicals to use! Lots of them are featured below
Our Sunscreen Recommendations for 2020
Face Sunscreens
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
Price: $32 | Shop Now
Type: Chemical
Why we love it:
- Doubles as a makeup-primer
- Totally weightless, scentless and invisible
- Spreads easily and absorbs quickly
- Doubles as blue light protection for your skin
- Water and sweat resistant
Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte™
Price: $36 | Shop Now
Type: Mineral
Why we love it:
- Has a light tint to help even out skin tone
- Light and airy formulation
- Aids in the prevention of free radical and oxidative damage
COOLA Classic Face Sunscreen
Price: $32 | Shop Now
Type: Chemical
Why we love it:
- Super light and non-greasy
- Mostly organic ingredients
- Water-resistant (up to 80 minutes)
- Goes on sheer – no white residue!
COOLA Full Spectrum 360° Sun Silk Drops
Price: $46 | Shop Now
Type: Chemical
Why we love it:
- Totally weightless and invisible
- Applies like a serum
- Protects against visible signs of aging caused by the sun, pollution, and digital overexposure (blue light)
- Goes great under makeup!
Supergoop! Defense Refresh (Re)setting Mist
Price: $30 | Shop Now
Type: Chemical
Why we love it:
- Easy to re-apply throughout the day
- Feels amazing! Truly refreshing
- No sticky residue left behind
- Doesn’t mess up your makeup
La Roche Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen
Price: $19.99 | Shop Now
Type: Chemical
Why we love it:
- Great for acne-prone skin
- Absorbs pore-clogging oil from your face
- Oil-free
- Has a dry-to-the-touch texture once applied
Body Sunscreens
COOLA Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Spray
Price: $36 | Shop Now
Type: Chemical
Why we love it:
- Easy spray application
- Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes
- Fragrance-free
- Doesn’t leave your skin greasy
- 70%+ organic ingredients
Supergoop! Forever Young Body Butter with Sea Buckthorn
Price: $38 | Shop Now
Type: Chemical
Why we love it:
- Great for everyday use
- Very hydrating!
- No sticky or gross residue
- Absorbs quickly
COOLA Mineral Body Sunscreen
Price: $32 | Shop Now
Type: Mineral
Why we love it:
- Applies easily for a mineral sunscreen
- 70%+ organic ingredients
- Has a sheer finish so there’s no white cast behind
- Fragrance-free!
Our Sunscreen Recommendations for 2020: Wrapped
There ya have it, friends! We hope this guide, as well as our previous guide on mineral vs. chemical sunscreens helps you keep your skin safe from those UV rays this spring and summer! That said, you really should be using sunscreen everyday, no matter the season, because the sun’s rays reach us no matter what!
Here’s hoping you have lots of extra (protected) sunshine in your life!
