Sunscreen is such an integral part of my routine. I've done many posts on the subject, even a few round up posts. I'm always on the hunt for the perfect sunscreen. I started with three of my favorite mineral/physical/inorganic sunscreens then had to make this post into five favorites. It's impossible to only pick three. Years ago I never thought that would be possible as physical sunscreens were always the worst when I was a kid (who else remembers the thick white stripe their mother put on their nose as a kid?).
Mineral sunscreens are always getting a bad rap for their notorious white cast. However they're usually the most gentle on sensitive skin. So it's always been a trade off, find the lowest white cast, less paste like physical block in exchange for oil control and no stinging or irritation. Luckily there's been quite a few good advances in technology lately and the innovation in sunscreen is skyrocketing. I discovered natural brand Julisis over a year ago on Cultbeauty. The Julisis Sun Emulsion SPF 30 is phenomenal. It manages to have no white cast plus it has an almost serum meets lotion texture with no heavy or greasy feel. It perfectly helps balance my skin in the summer by helping keep oil at bay all day without drying it out like other mineral sunscreens. It has apricot and almond oils, MSM, calendula, aloe and the Julisis silver essence (antibacterial). Granted no one wants to spend $135 on sunscreen but it did last a long time and it was really good. I would actually buy it again because it feels like nothing on the skin and helps keep oil at bay in the summer. Oddly it seems to have disappeared from many websites who were carrying it two years ago.
I have come across two tinted sunscreens I really like. I grabbed Alastin Hydratint Promineral SPF 36 last year after reading so many good things about it. It lives up to the hype. Alastin is a newer clinical brand. So far I've loved everything I've tried from them though this mineral sunscreen is by far their stand out product. It's like a tinted moisturizer, light foundation and SPF all in one. I love using this on the weekends and not having to worry about wearing anything else. I don't have to wear foundation after I wear this. Now if you like heavy matte makeup you might want to wear foundation but if you like light & dewy you'll adore this as it combines steps. This is never heavy or greasy nor drying for a mineral sunscreen. The tint in this is a bit darker so I can see for some pale people this might not be the best for unless you like a bronzer look. Otherwise it's fabulous and only $55 which is a steal.
I came across Priori on Instagram and happened to get lucky enough to win a tube of their Tetra fx251 Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50. Apparently there's a new tinted version and a non-tinted version. I love that they're SPF 50. The product is thin, has no white cast, no heavy or greasy feel, isn't drying and it also works as a tinted moisturizer. It also offers blue light and antioxidant protection. It also has the Priori DNA Repair Enzyme Complex with blue/green algae, microbes & mustard seed extract to help repair skin. This is a bit thinner than Alastin, a hint more emollient and more neutral toned. You can easily use this as a day lotion instead of a sunscreen. I really would love to explore their untinted version and whole skincare range one day. I find their line fascinating. Both of these tinted products do not pill at all. That's why I love them so much. Too many tinted mineral ones pill.
Top to Bottom-Alastin, Priori, Julisis:
I couldn't finish this post without talking about my favorite body sunscreen by Make P:rem. This is my second bottle of Make P:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Fluid. It's SPF 50 and has the most gorgeous fluid texture. In addition to having a low white cast and being a mineral block, it's super affordable and makes the best body sunscreen. It has a dry touch finish so it's never greasy. It does manage to reduce the heat on your skin while in the sun. It's quite phenomenal. Plus it's affordable. I use this as my go to for my daughters body sunscreen. She wears it everyday. It spreads easily with no pulling or tugging of the skin. It perfect for kids because you don't need to hold them down long to rub it in. Adults will like it because it dries down & nothing sticks to it so it feels clean. Highly recommend it as an all time favorite plus it's a huge bottle. I also use this on the face as there's no reason not to. It's alcohol free and virtually fragrance free (it has two essential oils but they're presence is so small).
I was just going to write this blog post when I bought the new Purito Comfy Water Sun Block. Within a short period of time this became an instant favorite. I'm a huge fan of the original Putrito chemical block so I was super excited to grab their new physical version. Comfy Water Block has no white cast. I don't know how they managed to accomplish that, but they did. It's phenomenal. It has no white cast and isn't heavy or greasy. It just disappears into the skin. This is a water based formulation that's not sticky and never heavy. No alcohol, and it's a pretty clean formulation. The only downside is the essential oils in it. But fear not, as of today Purito announced they are launching an essential oil free version of the Comfy Water Block soon. For less than $15 you must try Purito sunscreens. Whether it's the chemical or mineral version, both are utterly amazing and you won't be disappointed. They're absolutely the best cheap sunscreen on the market.
Top to Bottom-Make P:rem, Purito:
