Sunscreens...Which to pick?

As a fair-skinned female, I dread summer months. While I enjoy being out in the sun, my skin does not. As I tend to freckle, I am obsessed with sunscreen products and hats.

I recently bought a broad-rimmed hat that makes me look 80 years old. Whatever. It was at Eckerd's for $8.00 and keeps out the sun.





Here are some things I have found that work:

Neutrogena Summer Glow Daily Moisturizer SPF 20 for fair skin tones.

This product rocks. It gives me a hint of a tan while keeping the real tanning rays away from my body. So I can run and know I am being protected from UVA/UVB rays and come back darker (artificially of course). So it's like a self-tanner with great sunscreen. The smell is okay. Not great, but smells better than I do after a run!

Coppertone Sport Continuous Spray SPF 30

I use this when I am lazy and don't want my hands dirty. It goes on easily and you don't have to rub it in. The only thing is it can wear off so you have to apply it more often. But it's easy, so it doesn't really matter. My husband is a fan.

Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 55

This is an ultralight and clean sunscreen. Blocks both UVA/UVB rays. IT isn't sticky or greasy and goes on really smooth. I have used this on my face and had success with it. You can even wear it under makeup if you are going to be in the sun and want to wear foundation or powder. I think it is the best feeling sunscreen out there.

Lubriderm Daily Moisture with SPF 15.

I use this on my hand everyday all year. Your hands can really show your age, so it's important to use SPF on them all of the time. This is easy and makes them feel really soft, not chalky.

Blue Lizard SPF 30+

I use this when I am running, playing tennis, walking dogs, etc.
More for when you know you will be outdoors.
It is chemical free, fragrance free with Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
Designed for sensitive skin, this stuff works!
Awesome UVA protection.
It goes on a little white, but I'll take a little white over a little old in a few years.
The white fades after a while too.

Blue Lizard Sunscreen Daily Moisturizer Face SPF 30+

I use this when I'm going to be outside as well. It goes on white, but you can mix with with a tinted moisturizer and the color is not a problem. It has antioxidants green tea extract, caffeine, and Vitamin E. Oil and fragrance free. Known as an anti-aging sunscreen. It says you can use it under makeup, but I haven't tried. I just got it a few days ago, so I am still experimenting. I think this has great potential.

Banana Boat Sun Wear Daily Sunblock SPF 50

This has great UVA/UVB protection and says it has an ultra silky feel. I find this to be somewhat greasy. But it smells good and has anti-aging extracts of bamboo and pea to help skin elasticity. It also boasts antioxidants and AvoTriplex technology that maintains broad UVA coverage over time. It is also photostable.

The jury is still out on this one. I'm not sure if their claims are backed up by anyone except their scientists, so I don't know much about AvoTriplex technology.

So I have spent a lot of time trying NOT to get a tan. Well, I'm like most females and understand that a tan looks better than no tan.

So I have used many things on my face:

Olay Complete Touch of Sun Daily UV Facial Moisturizer plus a touch of sunless tanner

I like this. The color is believable and it has SPF 15 when you put it on. Doesn't smell too bad and doesn't make you look orange at all. I don't suggest putting this on your face every day though. Maybe every other day.

Neutrogena Micromist Tanning sunless spray

After several uses, I finally got a good tan. This is definitely an aquired skill and if you don't use it in a well-ventilated area, you will surely get high or pass out.
But, if you can hold it 6 inches from your body and contort your body to get all of the angles, you can get a great fake tan.

Loreal Sublime Glow daily Moisturizer for dark skin tones

Yes, I know I have fair skin, but this give me more color. Hard to mess up and smells pretty good. Not a lot of mica, so not much shimmer, which I prefer. THis is a staple for me. I always look for it on sale at a drugstore.