The Best Sunscreens for Your Face (and Body), as Recommended by Beauty Insiders
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We all know the importance of a good moisturizer, but SPF is also a daily necessity for retaining a radiant complexion. “Sunscreen is your best friend,” says injector and laser specialist Aubrey Mench of Cassileth Plastic Surgery & Skin Care in Beverly Hills. “Even if you don’t go outside and you’re just driving in your car, sunscreen is a must. I recommend a minimum of SPF 30 and reapplying every two hours for ultimate protection.”
Mench is among the beauty insiders and Hollywood makeup artists who recently shared their go-to summer skincare products, including the best face and body sunscreens for head-to-toe protection during the summer and all year long. Many of these picks are environmentally friendly (meaning they’re safe for coral reefs) and cruelty-free — read on for beauty experts’ favorite sunscreens below.
Starting off strong with EltaMD, this is one of the best sunscreens on the market for your face (and a favorite of Andy Cohen’s too).
Beverly Hills-based board-certified nurse practitioner Jennifer Hollander told THR that EltaMD’s Broad Spectrum SPF is “effective, [glides] on beautifully and [contains] skin-soothing antioxidants.”
Drew Barrymore and Laura Dern are among the Hollywood stars who use Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Total Protection brush-on sunscreen powder, which offers SPF 50 protection and is perfect for dusting over makeup throughout the day.
“If you’re looking for a tint with your SPF, I love Revision’s Intellishade,” says Jamie Makeup founder and celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg, whose clients include Kristen Stewart, Rashida Jones and Kaley Cuoco.
The tinted moisturizer has broad spectrum SPF 45, while ingredients such as a three-peptide blend; white birch, yeast and plankton extracts; and coenzyme Q10 help protect the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
For those who prefer clean beauty brands, “opt for Pür’s 4-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer,” adds Greenberg.
“For the body, check out Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow SPF 50 and thank me later. It is the ultimate goddess glow oil, but with sunscreen! Genius,” says Mench.
Nudestix founder Taylor Frankel recommends using her brand’s reef-safe, 100 percent mineral non-nano zinc oxide SPF 30 sunscreen for an effortless no-makeup look.
“Skin prep is so important for a summery no makeup look. For no makeup days, I make sure to use our Lemon-Aid Detox & Glow Micro Peel ($36) to deeply exfoliate and brighten the skin, the 5% Citrus Fruit & Glycolic Glow Toner ($32) to help reduce the appearance of dullness, finishing off with our Citrus C Mask & Daily Moisturizer ($40) and Nudescreen Daily Mineral Veil SPF 30 to hydrate and protect.”
Costume Design Guild Award-nominated wardrobe designer Donna Berwick previously told The Hollywood Reporter that Eucerin’s SPF 50 anti-aging sunscreen performed well while shooting Da 5 Bloods in Thailand, “where it was very hot, some days over 100 degrees.”
Mench recommends SkinCeuticals’ Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen with SFP 30, “[which] is my favorite sunscreen for the face. It sits perfectly under makeup and looks radiant on its own.”
“I love Chuda’s SPF because it’s so glowing and radiant,” says Greenberg.