Summer essentials for the Fourth of July holiday always include food and fireworks. And whether you’re going to the beach, the country, a rooftop bar or a neighborhood barbecue, there’s nothing that’s more important than sunscreen.
Since summer officially hit on the calendar a few weeks ago and the Southern California June gloom finally lifted, we have been testing some of the season’s best products, especially for face, where we actually use sun protection year-round. (The companies provided samples of these products.)
Here’s a look at some tried and true—and some new—products to keep you safe as you have fun in the sun.
Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreens
Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreens
We’ve long been fans of the Sun Bum family of sunscreen products. The company is based in Southern California and started off as a favorite of surfers before it branched out to a more mainstream crowd. (The products are available at retailers now from Bristol Farms to Bed Bath & Beyond to Ulta and of course on the company’s website.)
So we were thrilled to find out about their new mineral-based line of sunscreen products everything from lip balms and sticks to tinted facial sunscreens and of course, a range of SPFs for body, mirroring the original line, which ranges from SPF 15-70.
The mineral line is based on a a high-performance premium zinc formula that provides UVA/UVB broad spectrum protection and is oil free and fragrance free. Oh, and paraben and PABA free. It’s not water resistant like the original line so you may need to apply it more often. We are already big fans of the tinted facial SPF 30 sunscreen, which also serves as a mattifying base under makeup.
Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreens, $4-$18
Shiseido Suncare
Shiseido Suncare
Prestige brand Shiseido offers an entire suite of sun care products, about 21 of them, everything from a handy sunscreen stick (perfect for the car, purse and carry-on bag) to a fantastic SPF 34 eye cream. The products are available in high-end department and beauty stores as well as on the company’s website.
We urge you to check it out as it provides excellent information on UVA/UVB rays, the proper way to apply sunscreens and on sun protection in general. What’s also great is you can find out the UV forecast for your area right there.
Right now ours says “7/High. The sun is out in full force today. Find sunscreen. Apply it.”
We especially like the WetForce SPF 50+ line, which includes a face cream. The innovative technology used in the products becomes even more effective when exposed to water—or sweat–and is gentle and comfortable on the skin.
Shiseido Sun Care, $22-$62
Blue Lagoon Iceland Hydrating Cream
Blue Lagoon Iceland Hydrating Cream Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
All the way from Iceland, what better way to chill and not worry about your facial sun protection. This ultra-effective facial sunscreen is made with Blue Lagoon’s unique, mineral rich geothermal seawater, enriched with algae, silica and minerals. It protects and moisturizes while providing sun protection, giving your skin renewed vitality. It’s best for normal to dry skin, dermatologist-tested and fragrance free. The 1.7 fluid ounce tube is perfect for travel.
Blue Lagoon Iceland Hydrating Cream Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen, $89
