By popular request I have my summer sunscreen roundup with all the formulas I’ve tried and loved recently! I have mainly used formulas from Supergoop!, Shiseido and Chanel but finally put more formulas to the test. My skin is very sensitive to extreme heat and sunscreen so I test with extreme caution. Here is what I’ve tried and thoughts. Up first are formulas for the body!
Sunscreens for the Body
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion with SPF 50 ($25 to $65, Bloomingdaleās, Sephora, Ulta Beauty)
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.3% Sunscreen Homosalate 10.0% Sunscreen Octisalate 5.0% Sunscreen Octocrylene 5.0% Sunscreen
This is my all-time favorite sunscreen for the body. Itās the best Iāve tried that has a velvety dry down, longest lasting even in water and easy to spread even over wet skin (although I recommend applying on dry skin). It also helps protect against heat. Itās also formulated to use on the face but I use this one only on the body, neck, arms, legs. Love this value duo at Sephora.
Supergoop! Glowscreen Body SPF 40 ($42, Sephora, Nordstrom, Supergoop!)
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.3% Sunscreen Homosalate 10.0% Sunscreen Octisalate 5.0% Sunscreen Octocrylene 5.0% Sunscreen
Iāve loved and used this formula since the day it launched (have also repurchased numerous times). It has superfine light reflecting particles (itās smooth, no chunky texture) and adds the prettiest shimmer and to the skin. Love that itās smooth and hydrating.
Revive Soleil SuperiƩur SPF 50 ($165, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bluemercury)
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3% Sunscreen Homosalate 10% Sunscreen Octisalate 5% Sunscreen Octocrylene 2.6%
This was one of my latest splurges ā for me it was hard to find as it was almost always sold out but seems to be back in stock a few places. Itās one of the most expensive sunscreens Iāve tried and it is pure love. It glides on the skin smoothly. Has an anti-oxidant complex to nourish and hydrate the skin. Has a very subtle sunscreen scent which smells like summer to me. Love that it has a pump applicator. There is also a Soleil Superieur face version which Iāve used and loved before but itās also quite expensive.
Vacation Inc. Classic Lotion SPF 30 ($18, Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty, Vacation Inc.)
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (2.5%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (8%)
This formula wins for the best scent. It has a nice smooth application. No pilling. Smells like a fun summer vacation. I love how the formula wears and performs. Two things though: I do wish it had a higher SPF and it doesnāt apply well on wet skin. If youāre in the water or super sweaty you will need to towel off before applying otherwise it doesnāt adhere. It has coconut oil, aloe vera, banana extract, Vitamin E and Niacinamide.
Jack Black Oil-Free Sun Guard SPF 45 ($21, Jack Black, Nordstrom, Bloomingdaleās, Sephora, Ulta Beauty)
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 3.0%, Zinc Oxide 8%
This formula is Andrewās favorite and the only body sunscreen he uses. Itās the longest lasting even in water and with sweat. Itās one I order in bulk because Andrew goes through so much. Anytime we have guests in town we give them a bottle of this Jack Black formula (or Supergoop!) to use while theyāre here because itās the best at protecting skin and preventing sunburns.
Itās also available in 3-Pack of Minis at Jack Black. The only downside is that itās so effective it is very hard to remove at the end of the day. Youāll have to give your body multiple scrubs with a washcloth or sponge. Iāll sometimes have to use a cleansing oil all over and let it sit to break down the formula before using a regular body wash. Andrewās favorite is the Jack Black Turbo Wash (which I also borrow from time to time). The Big Sir Body and Hair Cleanser is also pretty good.
If youāre looking for the men in your life to up their grooming game, I highly recommend Jack Black. They have some good starter sets. Iāve bought this for Andrew, his brother, my brother, etc.
Sun Care Face Formulas
For the face I have stuck with a very small select group of formulas for the past three years. I am very sensitive to heat and sunscreen. With the wrong formula my face often reacts with red spots and flare ups when exposed to extreme heat. I still get review requests every week to review/test different formulas from you! This year I finally branched out and tried more after careful research and am thrilled to report that I have some new winners.
Iāve loved and used La Roce-Posay for a long time. Itās one that most of you love and use too. Three formulas I started using recently include the following:
The Anthelios Ultra-Light SPF 60* ($30.99) has a lightweight texture and semi-matte finish. Itās a white fluid but has no white cast on my skin. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5% and Octocrylene 7%.
The Anthelios Mineral Tinted SPF 50* ($34.99) is an excellent mineral formula I actually like and love. I find most mineral formulas donāt work for my skin type with the texture, but this is a really good one with a brown-beige tint. It disappears into the skin. Active Ingredient is Titanium Dioxide 11%.
The Anthelios Melt-In-Milk SPF 60* ($24.99 to $36.99, face & body, chemical sunscreen) is a great formula for the body. 100% recommend. Has a high SPF, melts into the skin, absorbs quickly. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5% and Octocrylene 7%. See them in action below!
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Two other mineral formulas that I like are the Tatcha Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 ($60) and the Summer Fridays Shade Drops Mineral Milk Sunscreen SPF 30 ($36). I bought both from Sephora and absolutely love how they melt into the skin and donāt feel heavy or pill.
The Tatcha formula works under makeup nicely and it has a velvety feel. The packaging could use a bit of work as the product sometimes will squirt out of the top once you open it. I havenāt had any flaking issues that you see online (not yet). This is more fluid in texture compared to their Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen with SPF 35.
The Summer Fridays formula is a really nice one I found works with me. Reviews seem to be mixed ā definitely try a patch test first. I donāt think itās the best long-wear formula if youāre outside for an extended period of time.
The Chanel UV Essentiel SPF 50 ($55) and CC Cream ($55) have been in my top picks for years. I love the ultra lightweight texture of the UV Essentiel and I donāt sweat a lot on my face so this works for me (it didnāt work for Andrew, he sweats more). Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Titanium dioxide 3.8%, Zinc oxide 17.1%.
My most-worn sunscreen is the Chanel CC Cream with SPF 50. Itās a tinted product with medium coverage and wears so well on my skin. Lasts all day. It is on the semi-thick side so application is key. Itās not one I recommend applying with fingers. Use a sponge to work it into the skin and blend. This method works best for me when applying any CC cream. So many of you have told me you have kept referring to my review from 2018!
Active Ingredients: Active ingredients: Octinoxate 6.8%, Titanium dioxide 4%, Zinc oxide 15.2%
Supergoop! is one of my favorite brands for sunscreens in general. I love all of their chemical formulas and one mineral. My recommendation for formula would be based on your skin type and preference. Each one has a different texture and purpose.
Out of all the Supergoop formulas I love the Every.Single.Face Watery Lotion SPF 50* and the CC Screen SPF 50 the most. The CC Screen is an excellent tinted option with pretty good coverage. The Daily Dose Vitamin C SPF 40 is a great option and the Unseen SPF 40 is one of the best matte finish formulas I’ve tried.
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30* ($30 to 42) was one of the highest rated/most loved formulas from you based on messages I received on social. So many of you love this skincare line and after finally trying it this year I 100% agree. No white cast on me (although there is a very subtle white tint), no pilling, lasts on the skin. Definitely reapply every hour (as with all formulas) but love that itās not sticky or goopy and it doesnāt have any smell or weird sunscreen scent.
The last two I wanted to highlight are the Shiseido Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen SPF 42 ($38, Bloomingdaleās) and Urban Environment Sun Dual Care Oil-Free Broad Spectrum SPF 42 Sunscreen ($35, Nordstrom, Sephora).
Both are great formulas for the face. The Shiseido Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen has a beautiful hydrating feel. Itās formulated with hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture. Leaves the skin feeling smooth and slightly plump. It has enough moisture that I can use this as a moisturizer.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.3%, Homosalate 10.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 5.0%.
The Shiseido Urban Environment Sun Dual Care Oil-Free Sunscreen is also a recent winner. It has a more fluid thin texture with a velvety dry down. Super lightweight, long lasting, has a slight pale peachy pink tint when you apply it on the skin but disappears after blending.
Active Ingredients: Ensulizole 1.0%, Homosalate 15.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Zinc Oxide 15.5%
There is also a Mineral Version of this formula but I have not tried it.
That wraps up my summer sunscreen roundup! I would recommend any of these to anyone. If I had to pick my absolute top favorites, these are my top 6:
- Best Body Sunscreen: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion tied with Revive Soleil Superier
- Best Long-Wear Formula: Jack Black Oil-Free Sun Guard
- Favorite Sunscreen for the Face (with tint): Chanel CC Cream
- Favorite Non-Tinted Face Formula: Tatcha
- Favorite Hydrating Sunscreen for the Face: Shiseido Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen
What are your go-to sunscreen formulas?
Press samples have a * next to them. All other formulas purchased and frequently repurchased by me.
