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Despite my slowdown in blog posts over the last few years, the one thing I love doing every summer is a rundown of new sunscreens I am using. Yes, I am still using some favourites featured over the years like the Biore UV, Tocobo and La Roche Posay Invisible Touch, but this year I've got a whole new set of new-to-me UV blockers to share with you!
Starting with the Aussie brand we CANNOT get enough of! When it comes to sunscreens, Australia is a continent I trust! There was a lot of talk about Ultra Violette on my Instagram feed, but I have been getting really careful about buying sunscreens since I have loads to work through every year based on expiry date. This chemical sunscreen claims to have skincare benefits as well, like squalane and kakadu plum to brighten, but considering these ingredients are near the bottom of the ingredients list (squalane is midway), I'm not sure how much of a benefit they truly provide. All that matters is that SPF protection and I am happy!
There is a slight tint to this sunscreen, but the formula is quite creamy so I found that it blended quickly into my skin. The only thing I don't really like is that the cap doesn't actually click. I have a habit of picking products up solely by their caps so I have dropped the tube a few times. Other than that, I am able to use this as a moisturizer as well which I love as I prefer my moisturizer and sunscreen step to be one.
KIEHL'S | Beyond Sunscreen UV Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 50+*
I am using this chemical sunscreen right now and have been enjoying it! It is lightweight, creamy and blends into the skin quickly. This sunscreen also contains peptides (at the bottom of the ingredients list) that promise to reduce the look of fine lines, uneven skin tone and dullness. I am using this as a moisturizer/sunscreen in one and while for the most part it is hydrating enough for my normal/dry skin, there have been a few occasions when humidity has been low that I have felt a bit dry just using this on its own. It has made my skin look brighter over the last couple of week so maybe it is doing something, but again with sunscreens if I get additional skincare benefits out of them - amazing! It's not something I actively look for though as I think of serums as the step in my routine that is actually doing something.
LA ROCHE POSAY | Anthelios Body Lotion Eco Tube SPF 50+
This Anthelios Body Lotion is the new kid on the block with new eco-tube packaging. This is a hydrating, thicker cream that is water resistant and non-greasy. I didn't actually find it THAT non-greasy, but it did feel more like a body cream. I generally have a hard time finding non-greasy body sunscreens and often use facial sunscreens on my body because THOSE are truly non-greasy!
The main thing I do not like about this sunscreen is actually the new packaging! The cap is so incredibly "short" and I am convinced I will rip it off because it feels so flimsy!
NENA SKINCARE | Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30*
Next up, is our lone mineral sunscreen contender from BC-based NENA Skincare! I love most of NENA's products so I was looking forward to trying this sunscreen out, but it has a white cast that I found challenging to work into my skin. It also has a slightly sticky residue that I did not enjoy on my skin. One fun thing about this sunscreen though is that because NENA always uses 100% Canadian Glacial Clay, this product comes out with a green tinge! Unfortunately though, this will be a sunscreen for the body as I do not have the patience to work in a mineral sunscreen or hope that my foundation will even out the whiteness.
The Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30 has both zinc oxide (mineral) and octocrylene (chemical) in it so the texture is definitely thinner than a full mineral sunscreen, but it still needs a teensy bit more massaging to work onto the skin. On me, this still left a hint of a white cast which I wasn't thrilled about and it pilled a little bit when I applied stick foundation. Maybe if I used a liquid foundation it would have been better? On the positive, it was hydrating as a moisturizer and did not feel thick or heavy even with the presence of zinc oxide.
It's a shame we don't carry the the Protect Your Light Moisturizer in Canada because this has been one of my most favourite moisturizers with SPF! It is lightweight yet moisturizing, doesn't pill underneath ANY of my foundations and as it is a chemical sunscreen, obviously leaves no white cast. I am using the last bit of moisturizer and I will be so sad when it is gone because I actually picked this up through Ipsy for $12 USD which was an amazing price!
Have you tried any of these sunscreens? Are you trying anything new this season that I should try?
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