Bishes be whining about aging and dreaming of future botox treatments but won’t wear sunscreen. Don’t get me wrong, no tea, no shade to anyone who opts for botox but I find it a bit ironic and a lot hilarious that when it comes to skin health and keeping that youthful look so many people neglect sunscreen. Meanwhile I cannot get enough. I walk to talk about and try new sunscreens all the time. Here are some of my faves divided into three categories: for the big spender, for the budget babe, and for something with a bit of colour.
Please note that for the most part most sunscreens are fine (tint-wise) for me to use, but that’s not the case for anyone. For deep-skinned babes my top recommendations are the Unseen Sunscreen from Supergoop, Blue Lotus Daily Moisturizer from Pūrlisse and the Hydro Boost from Neutrogena.
For the bad and bougie
These are pricy and I feel luxe whenever I use them.
SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50. This is my priciest sunscreen because this bottle is tiny and the price is not-so-tiny ($49). That being said, this sunscreen feels expensive. Like when I am applying it I feel like a rich, sun-protected lady. This is a sunscreen/sunblock and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who wants a moisturizing sunscreen but rather just sun protection. There is a slight tint to the product that runs a bit cool-tone/neutral so if I overdo application it can look a bit washed out on me.
Pūrlisse Blue Lotus Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30. If you want to splurge but still want a sunscreen that also can be your moisturizer, look no further than this sunscreen ($45). I love how gentle this formula is and this is my go-to when my skin is feeling particularly sensitive and after skincare treatments. It’s so lightweight and a little bit spreads so well.
Olay Luminous Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25. One of the priciest brands at the drugstore, you also get a legacy brand whenever you buy Olay. I love this updated addition to their Regenerist line with a lightweight formula and SPF protection ($42). It also comes in a fragrance-free version which I would probably opt for next time because I did find the smell fairly strong. This is my go-to when my skin is feel very parched because although it’s the lightweight version of the Regenerist, it’s still the heaviest in moisture of all of my current sunscreens.
For the ballin’ on a budget
Another thing I love about budget-friendly sunscreens is that they are usually easier to find. All of the sunscreens below are available at drugstores like Shopper’s or LD.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30. Perfect for poolside or beach lounging, this sunscreen lotion is hydrating without being heavy and contains purified hyaluronic acid. It applies like a dream and it’s always on sale, regular price is $20. It also layers so well under makeup and I always have a back-up bottle around. This is my go-to because of the price and I use this one head to toe.
Attitude Sunscreen Stick SPF 30. Listen, a lotion sunscreen will always be more effective to protect your entire body, but sticks are great for small, targeted areas, like your nose, ears and shoulders. I also love it for extra dry spots like knees and elbows. I have been loving this new one from Attitude ($20). It has the sweetest scent (but also comes in unscented!) and I love that it comes in a cardboard tube that can be composted once the product is used up.
Lotus Aroma Daily Face Sunscreen. Okay, so this one is a little bit of column A and a little bit of column be when it comes to splurging and saving a few dollars ($29). I am not that familiar with Lotus Aroma but when they offered to send some I found myself pleasantly surprised. It’s a new addition to the Lotus Aroma line and features both aloe vera and soybean oil for extra hydration. It dries down to a great matte finish making it ideal for oily skin types.
For a hint of tint
Perfect for days when you don’t want to wear makeup or keeping it minimal, I love a tinted SPF for coverage and protection.
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF 30. Tik Tok made me buy it. This tinted cream ($40) is hydrating and leaves a natural medium coverage. It applies so nicely with just my fingertips and it’s perfect for a no-makeup makeup look. I can’t speak for all the shades, but the shade I initially got (Bamboo 5.5) says its suitable for a golden skin tone and I found that it was a bit more neutral than my liking. I ended up opting for darker than recommended because it dries down to a more natural finish (I wear Desert 6.5).
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream. Let’s address the obvious, the shade range is terrible. Now on to things I love about this CC cream ($51). It provides a radiant finish, has a doe-foot applicator that makes application mess free, and it’s certified clean at Sephora. It’s a lighter coverage than the bareMinerals but leaves my skin looking like it has an IG filter on it. The consistency is a touch watery, I am assuming it’s the oils separating, once you get it going it’s fine. It also has something that makes it smell like fruit loops.
Supergoop Glowscreen SPF 40. I love the Supergoop Unseen, but in a game of ‘fuck, marry, kill,’ this sunscreen fucks. It’s ultra-hydrating and leaves a beautiful glowy finish and multi-tasks as a primer. While it makes a great first step to makeup, this is actually my go-to when I don’t plan on wearing any makeup to give my skin an extra dewy boost. She’s a pricy babe though at $48 but I love her.
