The 7 Best SPF Products
It’s that time of year! The sun is shining, UVA and UVB rays are in full force and while we may not be going anywhere, we still need to protect our skin. It’s so important to protect our skin, every. single. day. Even if I’m just sitting out on my patio, going for a walk, or running a quick errand, I always wear sunscreen! You can’t be too safe, and even if it isn’t sunny out, you still need SPF to protect against free radicals (and blue light if you’re on the computer, looking at your phone, watching TV, etc).
I have created and maintained a pretty strict skincare regime but one thing is for certain: it’s much easier to prevent further damage and wrinkles than it is to correct/fix existing damage. SPF is hands down THE best way to prevent further sun damage. Any board certified dermatologist will agree. The way I look at it is kind of like this: Botox to help get rid of lines and wrinkles, Skin care to help maintain my skin, and sunscreen to help PREVENT further damage. In my opinion, you need all three.
That being said, a lot of sunscreens are awful and I’ve had a terrible time with many products I’ve tested, particularly physical sunscreens. So here are seven tried and true favorites. Sun protection that doesn’t suck. Of course you could just go with regular old Hawaiian Tropic and be fine. The best sunscreen is sunscreen you will actually use. And you certainly don’t need all of them – pick one for body and one for face and you’re covered… but (per ush!) I like giving you lots of good options to choose from! So… from left to right, here are my 7 favorite SPF products.
Coola Coconut SPF Body Spray
This is my most used sunscreen when I’m out in the sun or at the beach. I like that it’s clean but not a full on mineral sunscreen so I can actually get it off of my skin later (yes, I know that “clean chemical sunscreens” are not perfect, but they are free of almost all the bad stuff so I go with it!). It smells great, it’s totally weightless… it feels good on your skin (which again, I can’t say about a lot of sunscreens!). It’s great for all skin types, including oily skin and sensitive skin. They also make a broad spectrum SPF 50 which I love as well.
Supergoop Glow Screen
My holy grail; I wear it every day in lieu of makeup. Leaves skin glowy and pretty and PROTECTED! Read my full review of Glow Screen. I’m not kidding when I say that it is the best beauty product I tried in 2020. Of all the face sunscreens out there, this is my personal favorite. Besides the added glow it ha a blend of hyaluronic acid and Vitamin B5 that leaves skin naturally supple and dewy. I try to always wear at least SPF 35 on my face and this is SPF 40.
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen
Whereas Glow Screen is for when I want to shine (which is pretty much all the time TBH), Unseen (also SPF 40) is what I wear when I want to protect my skin but not feel a thing. It has a nice matte finish. It’s fragrance free and the texture of this is amazing. It’s weightless and clear and feels so good on your skin… like you don’t have anything on! This is great before makeup and it’s so lightweight that it would be good for oily skin types as well… I am not sure if it’s totally oil free but but this is the one I always recommend for oily skin or acne prone skin.
Also, a funny story about this one with regard to that texture: when we were on Cape Cod, I witnessed my niece asking my sister to use this sunscreen… she calls it “the silky one,” and she isn’t wrong!
BeautyCounter Countersun Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Mist
If you are going to go the mineral / physical sunscreens route, this one is the way to go. Most mineral sunscreens leave my skin with a pale white cast that I have to scrub off for days. Rough. This isn’t perfect, but it’s very good – the best mineral SPF I’ve tried. It uses zinc oxide as it’s main active ingredient (the two main mineral SPFs are either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). And as a sidebar, it makes your legs look amazing. The tint is kinda like makeup for your legs (it def improves skin tone!) but it won’t rub off. (I recommend applying 30 min before going in the sun). Just don’t even think about wearing a white bathing suit! Read my full review here!
Supergoop Bright Eyed Eye Cream
This has become one of my favorite everyday eye creams as it brightens up dark circles AND it has SPF. The trick is to warm it up between your fingers before applying as it is a little bit tacky coming out of the tube, but as long as you do that, it’s fantastic!
Supergoop Glow Oil
I love a good SPF oil as it makes your body glisten in the sun while also protecting!!!! This one is so nice. Gives arms and legs the most gorgeous sheen, hydrates immensely… it’s amazing.
Supergoop Sunscreen Mousse
This is another body favorite! I love the mousse consistency! It is light as air and just glides onto your skin. I’m all about a weightless sunscreen which is why I love this so much! I had worried it would be sticky, but it is not.
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Photography by Carter Fish.
Supergoop is having a sale right now! I just got the email – 20% off w code SUNSALE 🙂
Haha you must have commented just as I was adding this to my post!
For a clean everyday mineral sunscreen you should try versed guards up!
Thanks for the rec!
I am in love with Supergoop’s yellow packaging! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
I agree! It’s so happy and FUN!
This was super helpful, Grace. Thank you!!
Don’t forget… if you have an FSA or HSA, you may be able to use that for these products because of the SPF!
Oh that is so interesting! Thanks for the tip!!!
LOVE the unseen supergoop sunscreen. I got some based on your recommendation during the Sephora sale and have been using it since then! I have a natural shine to my face so I didn’t want to enhance that so I got the unseen one. It has the same smooth feeling as smashbox primer, doesn’t feel like sunscreen at all. So amazing!!
I’m so glad you love it!!!
Love the roundup! Just curious – how do you reapply sunscreen when wearing makeup? Have you tried any facial sunscreen sprays or powders that you’d recommend? Thanks!
Supergoop has a great setting mist! To be totally honest, I don’t typically reapply if wearing makeup but I don’t wear makeup very often during the day! And back when I had an office job I would put it on in the morning and then by the time I left work it was dark. So it’s not something I’ve ever really dealt with… but I’d prob do a setting mist with SPF if I did.
I’m a teacher in TX and when I take my kids outside for recess I quickly mist with the supergroup SPF setting spray and it’s perfect for a reapplication! It’s been a life saver. My only issue is it can kind of make the hair right around your face a little crunchy (like a bad hairspray?), but I’ve found putting on a stretchy headband while applying resolves the problem.
That is so smart!
You can let your Canadian readers know Supergoop is now available on Sephora.ca! As of just over a week ago I think?
THANK YOU – that’s so exciting!
Oh I absolutely needed this post! I am looking for a great SPF x THANK YOU!
Lisa | lisaautumn.com
This is great! Have you heard of any clean after-sun lotions in case of a sunburn?
I can’t think of any off the top of my head (does Supergoop have one?) as I don’t even remember my last sunburn! I’d probably just use fresh aloe vera!
I tried the Beautycounter tinted spray last summer and it came off on everything. Never again! Brown streaks on your legs are not a good look…. the clear spray works well.
Oh no! I’m so sorry that happened to you. I didn’t have an issue but also was careful about what I wore when using it!!! Glad you did better with the clear spray.
Hey Grace! I don’t know if this matters, but just wanted to give you a heads up that the glowscreen link is broken. Just want to be sure you are getting credits for your recs!
Excited to try it.
Thanks!
Sorry about that! Here’s a better link! https://shopstyle.it/l/bqJQk
Hey Grace! This is great! Question about the supergoop products for SPF protection – are any of them a moisturizer as well as SPF protection? Thank you!!
Maybe Play? I have dry skin so tend to do moisturizer and SPF as separate steps.
Superscreen Daily Moisturizer! I have sensitive combo skin and I really like it! It makes me a little greasy in summer months but it’s perfect for Chicago winters.
These are great. I swear by EltaMD especially the Clear one for face. It has great skincare ingredients so I think it’s improved my skin as well as protected it from the sun!
I have heard such good things about the clear EltaMD one!!! May need to order to see how it compares to Unseen!
Agreed, I love that one! Elta MD is incredible (and not an MLM, which is an immediate no for me). I wear it every single day under my makeup and have super sensitive skin. Win win win!
I love the Supergoop Unseen; influenced by toi! And I use it with the Saie supergel (also influenced by you!) for a glowy, SPF’d look :).
Aw yay – two favorites! So glad to hear it.