Sunscreen recommendations?

[KathrynY]

The "Sun Goddess or Vampire" thread got me thinking about sunscreens. I haven't yet found one I REALLY like. I'd love to find a good sunscreen for daily use on legs, arms, etc. and also a light facial moisturizer with sunscreen. I have VERY pale skin and red hair. Any recommendations? TIA!

(P.S. Please something that doesn't smell like coconuts http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif!)

[KValley]

Hi Kathryn (and Susan from the Goddess or Vampire post- you asked for recommendations)-
From another fair-skinned redhead...

I've been really pleased with Neutrogena Healthy Defense products- I use the Sensitive Skin UVB/UVA (it's VERY important to find a block with both) SPF 30. It's oil-free and odorless. I don't like it on my face, however- it streaks when I sweat. There are other Neutrogena sunblocks for face which I haven't tried. Neutrogena products are relatively inexpensive, so I feel free to slather them on.

As I mentioned on the other post, for my face I prefer Clinique's City Block 25 SPF. I believe there is also a 15 SPF. It is more expensive, but a little goes a long way and my skin is worth it! It is oil free and also a terrific moisturizer. I have oily skin, but live in a very dry climate, so I battle combination skin. The Clinique does dual duty (sun block/moisturizer) and it very light.

I rarely wear foundation, but when I do it's Neurogena oil free SPF 20.

Hope this helps! I'd love to hear other recommendations. Julie

[mightyh]

I can only recommend a facial moisturizer with sunscreen cause I don't have a favorite all purpose sunscreen, but I REALLY like Johnson and Johnson's Purpose lotion. My dermatologist recommended it years ago and I just can't use anything else (as I found out again when I was on vacation last week on a different trial size product and my skin changed). Anyway, it comes in regular and alpha hydroxy formulas and I like both and it has SPF 15. I wear it every day and apply it day and night. It feels semi-thick when it comes out of the bottle, but it is really a light noncomeodogenic lotion that's great for all types of skin--mine is combination and it has really made my skin type more uniform, I think.

Oh - it's sold at drugstores with the other facial lotions... Sometimes it's hard to find, though, as it's in a light blue box with a tiny green stripe.

[This message has been edited by mightyh (edited 05-03-2001).]

[Laura]

As an everyday moisturizer I use Oil of Olay complete. I believe it has uva/uvb protection and 15 spf and it is non-comodegenic. It is very light.

[JHolcomb]

DH hates the smell of sunscreen-too many long summer breaks spent working outside-so we have to use something that doesn't smell very much. We use Bullfrog, which is really waterproof and totally works-I used 45 this weekend and was out 7 hours in the sun and didn't get burned. I got no sun at all, in fact. Anyway, I like it for my body and it didn't seem to clog any pores on my face. I would recommend it.

[SusieO]

I use Clinique City Base compact foundation with SPF 15 on my face. It's nice because it's easy to apply. Also, if you catch Clinique bonus time, it's just expensive enough to get you a free gift. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

I use Blistex Herbal Answer SPF 15 on lips, and No-Ad products for the rest of me. I don't think it's unscented, but it also doesn't have the obnoxious coconut smell.

[lindrusso]

I use Coppertone Oil Free Lotion and love it. It's not greasy and does not have a strong smell - you can still tell the lotion is there, but you don't go around smelling like bananas!!

[KathrynY]

Thanks, everyone for the recommendations! I'm headed to the coast of Maine this weekend so I'll do some sunscreen shopping before I leave. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/cool.gif

[Lynn B]

An excellent resource I have found is Paula Begoun. Her books and website offer invaluable information on sunscreen products, as well as other timely topics, relating to skin and hair care, cosmetics, etc. Everything she says has been validated by my dermotologist and my skin and hair have honestly never looked better (or been less expensive to maintain!) You may not personally like her make-up style (that is pretty individual), but her skin care advice is, IMHO, first rate. Her website is www.cosmeticscop.com (http://www.cosmeticscop.com)
Lynn
PS Please forgive if this sounds like an infomercial... I don't work for her!!!! But I truly have found her books and newsletter to be more helpful than I can express.

[JulieM]

Since I live on a boat in Florida, you can imagine that I've used a lot of different sunscreens, and the very best so far is Neutrogena. My DH has very sensitive skin and he loves it too. Also, it contains Parsol 1789 which Dr. Weil says is a must in sunscreen.

[Lynn B]

FYI: Parsol 1789 IS avobenzone!
Lynn

[Susan]

Great list of recommendations! I am printing it off for my next trip to the store. Now I need to buy a hat too! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

~~Susan~~

[Mbart]

In addition to the sunscreen recommendations, I would love some recommendations on sunless tanners; I've tried a few but haven't hit on the perfect one yet, I don't think. The latest one I used, Coppertone, is no good. After every shower, my towel turns brown from drying off my skin...yuck! And my sports bra looks like I never bathe...sick! So, anyone have a keeper? Thanks!

[AmyLouise]

i just finished reading a wonderful book: "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me" by Paula Begoun. I'd highly recommend it because she researched many cosmetic brands and rated them... you'd be surprised!
For sunscreen, she recommended buying a brand that has one of the following ingredients for appropriate protection:avobenzone, zinc oxide, or titanium dioxide.
Anything below SPF 15 is useless and a couple of the best for normal to oily/combination skin are:
1)Estee Lauder, Advanced Suncare Block Lotion Spray
2) Yves St. Laurent, Hydra Fluide/Hydro-Light Day Lotion Oil-Free w/ SPF 15

Hope this helps!!
Amy

[sherri]

For daily sunscreen, I use Purpose moisturizer. I don't like the smell of sunscreen, so Purpose works, it is SPF 15.
For outdoor use, I like Neutrogena Oil Free sunblock for the face since I am break out prone. I works really well and comes in SPF 30.

[clairea]

I'm casting another vote for Clinique City Block as an everyday sunscreen. I've been using this for years and love it.

Also, for those of you who have very sensitive skin (I think on another thread somebody mentioned that most sunscreens sting or burn on her skin), another product to try is Mustela. You can find this in specialty children's shops and from various online sources. One of my children has incredibly sensitive skin, and this is the only thing he can tolerate. A word of warning though -- it is kind of greasy (so probably best if you have dry skin, and it is very expensive. Still, it may be worth a try if nothing else works.

[lschroth]

Coppertone Sport is the only one that I have found that I can wear when playing tennis or otherwise exercising and sweating. Any other one eventually makes it into my eyes so they sting badly. (I am very blond and can't go out without sunscreen)
Linda