How to Pick the Best Sunscreen
Any client who has sat in my chair during a consultation has heard me preach the importance of SPF. Without SPF, all the money you spend on your skin is for nothing. It is so important to me to help you find a sunscreen that you are willing to use every day, and maybe even one you LOVE to wear!
So how do you find an SPF that will keep you protected when there are so many choices out there?
Here are the tips I give to all of my clients:
Choose an SPF of 50 or more. SPF 30 is the bare minimum!
The higher the SPF number, the more protection. Higher SPFs do not mean that you don’t need extra sun protection efforts (like staying in the shade and wearing a hat) but they can offer a longer period of protection when compared to loser SPFs. Protect that beautiful skin and prevent against further damage by choosing an SPF of 50+.
Find a texture that works with your preferences.
Unpleasant texture is one of the biggest reasons people choose not to wear sunscreen. But all this means is that you haven’t found the right sunscreen… yet…
At Even Esthetics we carry tons of different options for SPF and we will work with you to troubleshoot and find what you like! We can often supply samples or let you try out a tester to figure out what texture will work best for you.
Choose a sunscreen that works well with your other skincare products and makeup.
It is important to choose an SPF that plays nicely with others. You won’t want to use an SPF if it makes your makeup go on weird or feels greasy on top of your favorite moisturizer. Many clients have told me how frustrated they get with their drug store SPF. I always encourage them to try one of the medical grade products and often they are pleasantly surprised! While these are typically more expensive, the medical grade SPFs are made to sit nicely on top of the skin without leaving a greasy residue or causing your makeup to ball up.
I use Skinbetter Science’s Smart Tone SPF and when I choose to wear makeup it acts as a primer!
Have a plan for reapplying.
Reapply till you die. No, really!! One application of SPF is not enough to protect your skin, especially in the summer months or for those who are outdoors a lot. Most of my clients are always on the go, so I suggest getting a specific SPF to keep with them in their purse. My favorite products for reapplication are NOON’s Brush & Go SPF ($69) or the Skinbetter Science SPF compact ($65). Both products are easy to throw in a bag and reapply every few hours if you don’t want to tote your SPF lotion around. NOON Brush & Go applies nicely over makeup and the Skinbetter SPF Compact goes on similar to makeup so many of my clients use it in place of makeup!
Consider if you’d like a little tint or no tint at all.
At Even Esthetics we carry numerous types of SPF so you can find one that works for you. Many of my clients love a little tint to their sunscreen. Tinted SPF takes the place of make up for a lot of my clients and they enjoy the “finished” look that the tint provides. As an added bonus, tinted sunscreen usually has a higher SPF rating because the tint can help to scatter the UV rays and give an added layer of protection.
For those who prefer no tint to their sunscreen, there are many sheer options available as well. With tons of different textures available, we are sure to find the right fit for you!
Here is a list of the sunscreen options I carry at Even Esthetics along with current pricing (as of May 2024):
Skinbetter Tone Smart Lotion SPF 75* $75
*This is my personal favorite option and also the most popular choice amongst my clients!
Skinbetter Science Sheer Lotion SPF $75
ZO Daily Sheer SPF $70
ZO Smart Tone SPF $70
NOON MultiVit SPF $69
NOON Brush & Go SPF $69
Skinbetter Science Tone Smart SPF Compact $65
Skinbetter Science Sheer SPF Compact $65
