Hi All! I was wanting some opinions on sunscreen. What are your favorites? I've heard alot of controversy on protection and I just wanted some input. Is added sunscreen necessary with minerals? I have acne prone/yet normal/dry skin and am active outside. I want to protect my face best I can. Any suggestions?

This is a very individual decision. I myself only use additional sunblock on the rare occasion I will be in direct light (outdoors) for many hours more than usual. Most days (probably 95% or better) I don't wear an additional sunscreen. I feel that the minerals offer quite a good dose of protection on their own and I rarely burn while wearing my minerals, but without them I'd be pink in about 15 mins. Now that's not to say that I don't get a little summer color, I really do. I typically go from a nearly straight level 1 in my winter pallor to somewhere bewteen a 3 and 4 level in the peak of summer (at least for the past 2 years).

I think this is a hot button topic in today's society. I personally believe the sun is not an evil to avoid entirely. You know the old adage of "everything in moderation", well I believe much of that to be true. I know personally that if I ran and hid from the sun, I'd be a sorry excuse for a human let alone a very good mother or wife. I believe the sun does more good than harm when dosed appropriately. I'm personally just as cautious of all those chemicals in sunscreens and again moderation is my MO.

Now as to a recommendation: if you feel you need one whether it's infrequently/ occasionally/ sometimes/ mostly/ always. The one I've heard mentioned the most with good results (mine too) in almost all skin types and weather/activity conditions is the Nutrageona Dry Sunscreen/Sunblock . Hopefully Jane or one of the other great AL Diva's will be along soon with some added input.
HTH,
Ella

Whatever you pick, you have to make sure there's either titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or avobenzone listed in the ACTIVE ingredients section (not just the ingredients section). These are the only three ingredients in the U.S. that protect against UVA rays, not matter what it says on the front of the bottle about protecting against UVA and UVB rays.

Neutrogena makes a good wearable line, or you could query for "Paula's Choice" on Google and you can see exactly what ingredients she puts in and what each ingredient does. I prefer Paula's Choice for my skin care.

quote:

skin types and weather/activity conditions is the Nutrageona Dry Sunscreen/Sunblock . Hopefully Jane or one of the other great AL Diva's will be along soon with some added input.

I have used the Neutro. Dry Sunscr/block for years. Works great, non greasy.. and never breaks me out.. Also no irritation around eyes which is another prob for me with most suncreens/blocks.. I wear it Every day too..

Un-lurking for a second.

The only suncreen/block I've been able to wear even when sweat is running down my face is the Mychelle Sunshield. It's also the "cleanist" when it comes to other ingredients.

It's not oily and it doesn't clog my apartment sized pores. (I really should just go work for this company - I already sound like I do

Last year I wore it through out the summer and loved it.

Hope this helps!
Lelia

i LOVE two sunblocks...Ocean Potion (they make a face specific one that i have not tried), and a small company called Absolutely Natural. AN is completely comprised of physical blockers, while OP is chemical based. Both are cruelty free, which is important to me (Neutrogena is, sadly, not cruelty free). AN's highest SPF is 25, though...whereas OP goes up to 50 i believe. hth!

I like the MyChelle sunblock too. Also, like one from Zia that doesn't make your skin oily. Both are great.

Loida

MyChelle also gets my vote. It absorbs nicely, does not sting the eyes and smells wonderful, definately not too "sunscreeny".
honeyb

Thanks for all your input! I run outside 5 miles every day and it's very important for me to find something that doesn't melt or slip around on my face or break me out. I appreciate everyone's opinion! Thanks!

I thought mineral makeup had natural sunblocking ingredients. For example zinc oxide which is in this makeup is also a sunblocker. Anyone ask madame kristen yet?

jent, you are right - zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are both physical blocks. The trick is in how much is applied - that's crucial to sun protection. Also, since Aromaleigh is a small company and SPF ratings testing is so super costly, no claims for sun protection can be made on the products.

Regarding the issue of amount, consider this: TO achieve the protection factor rating on a label, the recommend amount of sunscreen or sunblock used on the face is a WHOLE TEASPOON. I don't think it would be possible for me to apply that much lotion to my face at any time, for any reason, let alone under makeup. To cover an adult body, you need to use A FULL OUNCE to achieve the SPF listed on the label. I don't think many, if any, people are able to do that. We'd be going through sunscreen at the rate of a full bottle each week if we did.

Just two things that affect the SPF rating/protection level of a product. So while AL definitely contains the necessary ingredients likely in substantial enough percentages to provide sun protection, it can't be claimed. And if a person is serious about her SPF, then a separate block applied directly to the skin is in order. Layer the minerals on top for added protection and for beauty.

hth -
-b.

If you want to spend the big bucks, Kinerase has a line of moisturizers with SPF 15.
pinky

This week I was looking around trying to find a very light moisturizer to use during the day. I live in Texas, so it can get pretty hot and humid this time of year.

The product I have settled on is a common brand at Wal-Mart, etc. and the type is - Oxygenating Ultra-Light Moisturizer with SPF 15.

Unless you are really tied to your current moisturizer, you might consider switching to one that contained an SPF. I figure with the combo of the SPF in the moisturizer and in the makeup that I am doing pretty good. If I had to put on a separate sunscreen, there is no way I would remember to do so. In addition, I just wouldn't have the time to let it soak in before applying my makeup.

MAC has a wonderful oil-free moisturizer with SPF 15 in it that I use now and it's perfect. Very soothing. I've found that my skin simply cannot tolerate more than SPF 15, clogs up something fierce.

As a super pale girl I'm very careful about my sun exposure. I keep out of it during the hottest parts of the day, and if I must be outside I stay in the shade, wear a hat, and have even been known to use a parasol. You do need sunlight to help process certain vitamins so no sun isn't healthy...but it should be limited and NEVER that sun-bathing type.

I find that SPF 15 works fine for me year round with my limited sun time...I never burn, tan, or get freckles. I've been religious about sunscreen since I was about 14, and before that my mom was pretty on about it too. She had skin cancer when I was 13 on her face and it made an impression. She had to have part of her nostril and cheek removed because of basil cell cancer that was working its way into the deeper layers of the skin. Thankfully they were able to pull skin over from her cheek and though she has a small scar, no one notices unless they knew her before. She tells everyone to be careful and mindful of any changes in their skin, which is how she caught hers early. She was a beach baby as a kid and teen and was incouraged to get sunburns because of her adolescent acne. It could have been a lot worse but it made a significant impression on me.

-tiredfairy

I wear Wal-Mart's brand equate beauty lotion spf 15 normal skin. For my normal days when not working in the garden or sweating up a storm with the horses. When I actually have to be outside in the Tennesee heat and humidity I use Baby Blanket 50+ spf. I doubt that it can possibly offer that much protection but it works for me! I never go a day with out sun block on I have already had two rounds with skin cancer. I am the typical Irish girl reddish curly brown hair and fair freckled skin blue/grey eyes. I was not meant to be in the sun but unfortunately I love riding my horses and gardening. I also wear a big hat while gardening. It helps. I am sure I look silly as all get out but I would rather look silly than have half my nose cut off thanks to cancer! Here is to staying sun safe!
Kelly

If anyone knows of a toally non-greasy sunscreen for the face, please let me know. I have yet to find one that I like. Clinique City Block worked the best, but it had a peachy tint that didn't look good on me. If that were available in an untinted version, I'd use it.

IMO, Zia's Solar Intelligents SPF 30 Gel (with oil absorbing micro-beads) is awesome. No greasiness or oiliness at all for this oily gal.

Loida

Have you tried Neutogenia Dry ?
I tried Total sunblock but did not like it , but it did not get oily either.

Jane

Thanks for the recs, friends.

I haven't tried any Zia products for several years. The Zia foundation was greasy and my face broke out with what seemed like a million zits. I didn't like their skincare products, either. I've never tried their sunscreen, though I might.

I haven't tried Neutrogena Dry. I have to go to Walgreens this week, so I'll look and see if they have it.

Drew. I have gotten the Neut. Dry at Walgreens, Walmart, Target and CVS. Very easy to find which is another plus factor.