Recently, on a trip to Canada to visit my family, I spent almost $60 on sunscreen. I'm going to need some good shit for the coming year, because at the end of this month I'll be moving to Texas for 3 months, and then from there to southern California for 9 months. It'll be an adventure, and a sunnier one than the last decade I've spent in the Midwest (my entire life in the U.S. to date!). It seems a little odd to stock up on sunscreen in Canada for travels in the hottest parts of America, but there are some formulas and ingredients that are available there and not here. More on those another day!
Before my trip, however, I had already run out of my previous sunscreen and tried a new one that I wasn't feeling (reviewed here). So I decided to buy something local, affordable, and accessible: Neutrogena. Neutrogena must be one of the best-selling sunscreen brands in North America, and they have come out with a lot of new products in the years since my go-to facial sunscreen was their Dry Touch Lotion. That's a decent product, but after some consideration, I decided to try the Ultra Sheer Liquid SPF 70, which comes highly reviewed and recommended.
It is a liquid formula, as you can see below, and the narrow dispenser works very well. It's not too runny, which makes it easy to apply without making a mess.
It's spreadable, but not super-slick. I wouldn't be able to spread the amount shown above over my entire face, for instance, which I would probably be able to do with most sunscreens. It absorbs quickly, so you will need to work in sections. I think this is actually a good thing--it ensures that you apply enough product to cover your whole face in a good layer, instead of spreading it too thin. I do find that even though it absorbs well, it leaves my face looking and feeling a bit greasy, so I like to set it with a translucent powder even if I'm not wearing any other makeup. It works well under makeup, too, and I haven't noticed any balling up/pilling like you can sometimes get with sunscreens (though that will probably depend on what other products you use under it). It's also effective--I've worn it for prolonged periods in the sun with no burning or tanning.
Overall, the Ultra Sheer Liquid is very similar to most other "chemical" sunscreens I've tried from Neutrogena. It has a strong sunscreen smell and it burns slightly, especially around my eyes, when I first apply it. Both of those things subside after a few minutes. It is somewhat prone to smear into my eyes and sting if I make the mistake of touching them, though not as easily as some other sunscreens. Its advantage over the regular Neutrogena lotions is that, as their SPF rises, the lotions tend to get greasier, heavier, and less pleasant to use. This SPF 70 sunscreen feels about as comfortable to me as an SPF 30-45 lotion. If you like those, I think you will like this one too. I didn't enjoy it as much as the Bioré Water Gel (reviewed here), though the Neutrogena has the advantage of no fragrance or alcohol and being available just about everywhere for around $10 (I got mine at Walmart). This sunscreen won't be my new staple, but it was a great stopgap option.
What's your favorite facial sunscreen? I have pretty strong preferences, but I'm always interested in what else is out there!
Any facial sunscreen suggestions that don't bleed into the eyes over time and burn? I know I shouldn't skip sun screen but my God, the struggle of trying to not go blind.
ReplyDeleteI usually just settle for Jouer luninizing tinted moisturizer with spf 20 but that's a joke, especially considering how little I actually apply to get a look I like.
The eye smearing is probably my most hated sunscreen problem! I get itchy eyes sometimes and can't help but touch them. It's hard. The Bioré sunscreen I linked here doesn't do that much, and the others that I've had the best luck with are clear liquid formulas, like the ones from Kinesys and bu. Unfortunately, since the Bioré has to be shipped from Asia and the other two are only currently available on the brand websites (in the US), they're not the most convenient. Something more expensive that I used recently and had great results from was Dr. Jart UV Sun Fluid SPF 30. No smearing or burning!
DeleteBut if you're really struggling to wear sunscreen at all, and you want to, I would probably recommend the Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15. I reviewed it quite a while back. It's super comfortable, non-smeary, and I think you're better off wearing SPF 15 every day than nothing at all (or SPF 50 once every couple of weeks, etc.). My sister just asked me for an easy skincare routine, and that's what I'm going to suggest to her.
I've been using L'Oreal's UV Perfect Even Complexion 50 spf for the last month & I quite like it. It's light, comfortable, non greasy, and seems to blur my pores & fine lines a bit. It even seems to work like a primer under my makeup with no pilling or splitting. I think it's developed for the Asian market ( I live in Nepal) so you probably can't get it in the US.
ReplyDeleteWhen I get back to the US I want to try ELF's new Beauty Shield line. They have a 50 spf Skin Shielding Moisturizer and a Skin Shielding Primer for about $12. I like ELF's moisturizing primer & like the idea of a product that does double duty. Living in the Hima;layas I have to wear sunlock evey day!
I've heard that L'Oreal sunscreens are good (outside of the US at least?). I actually haven't tried any of e.l.f.'s skincare products yet, so I'd be curious to hear how that works out for you, when you get your hands on it.
DeleteMy two favorites are expeeeeensive. I got them both in Sephora play boxes and am going to repurchase next summer. Murad oil-controlling mattifyer spf 15 and coola makeup setting spray spf 30. Murad feels like elmers glue when you put it on, but in a hot and humid location, it's longevity outweighs the fact that it's not the highest spf. The coola spray is not a pleasant experience lol but it also doesn't destroy my makeup which spf usually does. Basically, I go for ones that last and don't make me oily.
ReplyDeleteI'm moving somewhere hot and humid, so I wonder if my preferences will change. Thanks for the suggestions!
DeleteI loved this until it stung my eyes like hell. The stick sunscreens from Vichy or La Roche-Posay are pretty good around sensitive areas though!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can imagine it would hurt pretty bad, but I've managed to keep it out of my eyes so far! I haven't used a stick in a while, but I remember the Clinique stick being good around the eyes. I will keep those in mind, thanks!
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