The search for the perfect sunscreen
by Claudia Graziano
Ever since my aesthetician’s first utterance of the words “sun damage,” I’ve been on the lookout for a natural sunscreen for my face that also doubles as a moisturizer—and that doesn’t cost more than a bag of groceries at Trader Joe’s.
Like many women suspicious of the chemicals listed on most drugstore-brand ingredient lists, I turned to organic and so-called luxury brand sunscreens to shield my sensitive, freckle-prone face from the sun’s harsher rays. But not only are these sunscreens expensive (the Jan Marini brand my aesthetician recommends costs $28 for a small tube), they also often feel greasy or heavy on my skin. Worse, I found that some—geared toward wrinkle-conscious women my age (over 30)—contain such rich ingredients they can bring on complexion trouble.
A few months ago, however, I discovered Beyond Coastal, a sunscreen that has become a staple of my morning beauty routine. This organic, mineral-based sunscreen is a respectable $11.99 for a 2.5oz tube, and uses zinc oxide and titanium oxide to provide factor 30 sun protection. Best of all, this creamy, non-greasy wonder-blend contains vitamins A, C and E, alpha lipoic acid, shea butter, and aloe, algae and green tea extracts, which my skin seems to so apparently love that I now use it in place of my moisturizer.
Beyond Coastal does have a few downsides, however. First, even though the label says it is water resistant, I have found that it slides right off at the first sign of moisture. Second, it’s not what I would call an all-day sunscreen (although I do use it as such). Because it absorbs so nicely into your skin, it really doesn’t last more than an hour or two. If you’re going to be sitting out in the sun for any length of time, its best to reapply or use an alternate sunscreen with better staying power. But for incidental sun exposure—going from home to office to the corner café with your work friends—it’s the best I’ve found.
September 12th, 2008 at 9:10 am
There is another sunscreen on the market that is preservative, paba, paraben, oil and alcohol free in a spray form: KINeSYS Performance Sunscreen. It’s easy to apply and reapply (as you must reapply all sunscreens, even the ones that say ALL day protection). It feels like nothing on your skin and goes a long way with just a fine mist spray. I hope this helps,
Jeff
October 5th, 2008 at 4:02 am
Thanks for the the tip, Claudia. I’m also convinced you don’t have to spend a lot for good skin and hair care products. I swear by Coppertone Oil Free Faces SPF 30. You can get it at most drug stores and it costs about 9 bucks for 3 oz. I use it as my daily moisturizer.
http://www.coppertone.com/coppertone/products/oilfree/detail_of_30faces.jsp
November 12th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
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August 21st, 2009 at 2:10 am
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