Sunscreen

[poe]

What’s the best sunscreen? Supergoop? Cools? Drunk elephant or do I go European? I’m looking for more natural...everyone raves about supergoop but my H said it’s has too many chemicals (Sephora calls it green). Is he being overly crazy?

[cosmowife]

I actually started using my kids’ sunscreen on my face and I love it. Been using it for years. It is thinkbaby. I get it on amazon. It has the highest percentage of zinc that I’ve seen (i think it is zinc). I have very sensitive, rosacea prone skin and it does not bother my skin at all. It does not contain bad chemicals to my knowledge. It is a little thick and white, but it seems to work as a pretty good primer for my makeup. I used to use Shisedo and eventually I looked like I had a constant sunburn because my skin was so irritated.

[ESF]

I am not sure what you mean by having too many chemicals. Can you elaborate?

[NewOrleans]

For the body— La Roche Posay Anthelios is the gold standard.
For the face— I love Biore Watery Essence and am excited to try this new one for the summer, Biore Athlizm.

I like chemicals. They generally keep me alive.

[secretlyevil]

I’ve been using Bare Republic and really like it.

[Pippin]

Biore Watery Essence for face. I like the gel version. Available on Amazon.

[starlily]

Supergoop made my face itch.

I use Tatcha most often. It's a little pricey, but can also serve as a primer. I also liked Coola, but it pilled on me when I applied makeup.

[mortomo]

I just started using the Paula's Choice super light wrinkle defense SPF 30. It doesn't make my face look greasy/shiny and so far has worked well under make-up. It has a light tint to it that pretty much disappears. I'm pretty fair and it works well for me.

[eddy]

I love neutrogena face stick. It works great with sweat and doesn't make me break out.

[poe]

May 30, 2019 10:59:22 GMT -5 ESF said:

I am not sure what you mean by having too many chemicals. Can you elaborate?

I think he means more organic/clean. Sunscreen that’s not harmful to coral, etc.

[bowies]

I generally only use Korean/Japanese brands on my face. On my body I’m using the Simply Protect version of Banana Boat. I used Bare Republic for the first time a couple of months ago and it gave me a severe allergic reaction - I still have some scarring on my arms. If I see Badger brand on sale I’ll grab it, but I’ve been pretty happy with the BB.

We use a lot of sunscreen in our house so I’m not in the habit of paying $30+ a bottle.

ETA: Simply Protect is on Hawaii’s list of reef safe sunscreens, though Consumer Reports recently came out with an article that said “reef safe” claims are mostly bullshit. I figure it’ll do in the absence of better options.

[secretlyevil]

Jun 1, 2019 11:46:22 GMT -5 bowies said:

I generally only use Korean/Japanese brands on my face. On my body I’m using the Simply Protect version of Banana Boat. I used Bare Republic for the first time a couple of months ago and it gave me a severe allergic reaction - I still have some scarring on my arms. If I see Badger brand on sale I’ll grab it, but I’ve been pretty happy with the BB.

We use a lot of sunscreen in our house so I’m not in the habit of paying $30+ a bottle.

ETA: Simply Protect is on Hawaii’s list of reef safe sunscreens, though Consumer Reports recently came out with an article that said “reef safe” claims are mostly bullshit. I figure it’ll do in the absence of better options.

Can you tell me a little more about your reaction. Was it immediate or had you been using it for awhile? Now I’m nervous after reading about your reaction. Did you identify a specific ingredient?

[majesty318]

I despise how sunscreen feels so I love the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. Obviously it's $$$$ but I don't spend much time in the sun so don't have to buy much.

[doctoranda]

I use Walgreens SPF 50 Hydrating broad spectrum sunscreen that is hypollergenic, and oxybenzone and paraben free. It is cheap and works well and does not make me feel sticky or oily. I have no idea if it is bad for coral... I have tried many others but actually like this cheap one a lot.

Edit: I just checked and no it does not harm reefs!

[bowies]

Jun 4, 2019 10:16:29 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Jun 1, 2019 11:46:22 GMT -5 bowies said:

I generally only use Korean/Japanese brands on my face. On my body I’m using the Simply Protect version of Banana Boat. I used Bare Republic for the first time a couple of months ago and it gave me a severe allergic reaction - I still have some scarring on my arms. If I see Badger brand on sale I’ll grab it, but I’ve been pretty happy with the BB.

We use a lot of sunscreen in our house so I’m not in the habit of paying $30+ a bottle.

ETA: Simply Protect is on Hawaii’s list of reef safe sunscreens, though Consumer Reports recently came out with an article that said “reef safe” claims are mostly bullshit. I figure it’ll do in the absence of better options.

Can you tell me a little more about your reaction. Was it immediate or had you been using it for awhile? Now I’m nervous after reading about your reaction. Did you identify a specific ingredient?

It was pretty immediate - developed within an hour of application. I broke out in a horrible rash on my arms and chest, deep red spots on arms and large hives on chest. It was fragranced so I attribute that to the reaction - mixing with sustained sun exposure it made me react. I have hardy skin so it caught me off guard. I put it on my legs too but because I was wearing a maxi dress, I didn’t have the sun exposure that my upper body did so I was fine there.

[hazelden]

I love Ocean Potion Face Zinc. I burn super easy but I don't love the feeling of sunscreen, this product feels good on my skin and works really well. I like that I don't have to use much and it has a matte feel to it.

Ocean Potion Protect & Nourish Face Potion Clear Zinc SPF 50 1oz ( 2 Pack ) www.amazon.com/dp/B00J7G4JXC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SVZ9Cb03PGXQC

[secretlyevil]

Jun 4, 2019 21:21:12 GMT -5 bowies said:

Jun 4, 2019 10:16:29 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Can you tell me a little more about your reaction. Was it immediate or had you been using it for awhile? Now I’m nervous after reading about your reaction. Did you identify a specific ingredient?

It was pretty immediate - developed within an hour of application. I broke out in a horrible rash on my arms and chest, deep red spots on arms and large hives on chest. It was fragranced so I attribute that to the reaction - mixing with sustained sun exposure it made me react. I have hardy skin so it caught me off guard. I put it on my legs too but because I was wearing a maxi dress, I didn’t have the sun exposure that my upper body did so I was fine there.

Yikes, that sounds horrible and painful. Thanks for the details. Neither H nor I have had a reaction. I had to stop using the face version as the fragrance was a bit much.

[jeaniebueller]

Biore Watery Essence is greasy on my skin but I'll wear it if I'm just going to be outside

I like the Biore perfect face milk but believe that it can be drying if you already have dry skin (I obviously do not), so this is my every day sunscreen.

[redheadk]

I like Elta MD for a regular day. It works very nicely under makeup. I did not love the texture/feel of biore eatery essence or the skin milk (disliked the feel of it once dry).

For being around water or sweaty activities, i haven’t found anything I like better than the Shishiedo WetForce for face. I highly doubt it is reef safe but it works incredibly well.

For body, we mainly use blue lizard (whatever they are calling their sport sunscreen these days) then reapply with the banana boat simply protect spray.