Effective Sunscreens Without The White Cast (Honest!)
Summer’s here, the heat is here, and by all reports, things are only going to get hotter. Whether you love the heat or hate it, one thing unites us all: we need to protect our skin from the sun!
There’s no doubt: protecting your skin from the sun is critical for both preventing premature aging and protecting yourself from skin cancer.
But if you’re like me, finding a sunscreen that you like (and that also likes your skin) can be challenging.
So if you’re one of my patients who isn’t already strict about wearing sunscreen because you just don’t like it, I’ve got you covered! Keep reading to discover clean, Canadian-made sunscreens I have personally tested and personally love!
Why Regular Sunscreen Use Matters
We all love the sun, and in this time of COVID-19, we’ve all learned about the importance of Vitamin D, which our bodies make from sun exposure. So we should just soak up as much as we want, right?
Wrong! By this point, most of us are aware of the risks of skin cancer, which is caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (both UVA and UVB) caused by the sun. And yes, hats and sunglasses and sun umbrellas are great. But these only go so far. Good sunscreen is still the best way to block sunlight.
So just how good is good sunscreen? Regularly using SPF 15 every day can reduce your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40%, and your risk of melanoma by 50% (source).
Hopefully, that’s enough to get you lathering up, but there are so many more reasons to use sunscreen daily. Yes, the sun presents serious health risks, but it also presents more aesthetic risks, too.
Namely, sun damage causes aging of the skin by breaking down collagen. This leads to fine lines, sagging and wrinkles – all the issues I regularly help my clients treat.
In fact, a new study found that people under age 55 who use daily sunscreen have 24% less skin aging than those who don’t (source).
Finally, remember that sunscreen is not a summer-only necessity. Of course be sure to apply (and reapply) often when you’re heading to the beach. But the sun is powerful, and can wreak havoc even when it’s cloudy.
And don’t worry – you can still get your vitamin D while wearing sunscreen. No studies have ever found that sunscreen use is linked with vitamin D deficiency (source).
3 Beautiful Sunscreen Options
Thanks to campaigns by skin cancer organizations, many people seem to be aware of the risks of sun exposure, and the benefits of sunscreen. And many people seem to also understand that too much sun can lead to premature aging.
Yet so many of my clients still don’t wear their sunscreen daily, and I think I know why.
Most of my clients share my concern about low quality sunscreens (and other skincare products) with questionable ingredients. That’s why most prefer to use a mineral-based sunscreen instead of a chemical-based one.
And I know from personal experience how hard it is to find a reasonably priced mineral-based sunscreen that works. Many sunscreens have made me break out in the past. And mineral-based sunscreens often leave a thick white cast. On darker skin like mine, it can make my whole face look grey. But trust me – it’s not attractive on any skin tone!
That’s why I’ve done the personal testing to find three sunscreens that are now available in my clinic in downtown Vancouver.
Alumier Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF 40 (Untinted)
This is a sheer, moisturizing, 100% physical, broad-spectrum sunscreen. It’s made in Canada, and it is dye free, paraben free, sulfate free, phthalate free, animal cruelty free, artificial fragrance free and chemical sunscreen filter free.
This award winning sunscreen provides powerful broad-spectrum protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. It uses a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide while moisturizing with vitamin E. This formula is also packed with free-radical-quenching antioxidants, including a stable vitamin C, resveratrol, grape seed extract, and glutathione.
I love this price on this product ($48 plus tax), and that it doesn’t break me out!
Note that this product is best for normal skin, combination skin and dry skin.
Alumier Clear Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 42
This is a lightweight, non-comedogenic, 100% physical broad-spectrum facial sunscreen. It is also made in Canada, and it is also dye free, paraben free, sulfate free, phthalate free, animal cruelty free, artificial fragrance free and chemical sunscreen filter free.
This is a quick-drying physical sunscreen that provides powerful broad-spectrum protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays using a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It is recommended for normal, combination and oily skin.
Niacinamide soothes and relieves redness and sodium hyaluronate hydrates.
It also retails at $48 (plus tax). If you can’t decide which option is better for you, simply drop by for a visit (we’re in downtown Vancouver!) and we can help you choose what will work best for your skin.
Skin Better Science Tone Smart Priming Compact
The silky, soft primer provides light, yet uniform coverage. It can be used alone or as an elegant canvas prior to makeup application.
Because this primer contains 8.4% Titanium Dioxide and 10.0% Zinc Oxide, this primer also does double duty, helping you fight UVA and UVB rays and blue light.
I love this primer in its own right and that it has this extra layer of protection – it’s like a sun-fighting bonus! It is also a lovely option for post-treatment, when patients are not able to wear makeup for a few days. This is a product they can still wear, giving them sun protection and a little coverage, too.
Again, all these products are available at our clinic on 750 West Broadway in Vancouver, BC. Or if you would like a special link and code to purchase them online, please email us.
At the end of the day, whether you choose one of these products or have another you love, I hope this article has inspired you to be sure to put your sunscreen on every morning, and reapply throughout the day. And remember, we also have a VIP program that offers big savings on our innovative treatments plus other exclusive perks..
Happy Summer!