The sun and I aren't really friends. I always say that I'd be perfectly happy living somewhere with a gloomy climate like Seattle or London. Alas, I do not. While I've done a good job of avoiding the sun as much as possible over the years (save for some sunbathing lapses in judgment in high school), it's not entirely avoidable by any means. So I've armed myself with tools (i.e. sunscreens) to combat it on a daily basis, including cloudy days.
I'm now 35, but I quite often get comments about how young I look (that's me wearing Supergoop Glow Sunscreen above) and even get carded sometimes. I always say that my commitment to sun protection has a lot to do with it, but I'm not a doctor, so I spoke to one to get more intel on the link between anti-aging and sun protection. Nancy Samolitis, MD, is the co-founder and medical director of the popular Facile Dermatology in Los Angeles and has tons of insight about how the sun adversely affects your skin.
Samolitis confirmed the correlation between sunscreen and aging, telling me, "Damage from UV rays is the main culprit in the signs that we recognize as premature aging. The most common signs that I am referring to are wrinkles, dullness, brown spots, and uneven pigmentation. If you don't believe me, take a look at skin that doesn't get as much sun exposure like on the buttocks and tell me if you see any wrinkles and brown spots there." Good point.
Scroll for more of Samolitis's expert suncare advice and to shop the face and body sunscreens I swear by.
What's the ideal SPF number that people should be wearing on their faces on a daily basis?
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends an SPF of 30 or higher. This is based on scientific evidence that SPF 30 blocks a sufficient amount of UV light to prevent damage to the skin. Higher SPF numbers do block slightly more UV rays, and their effect may last longer. There is some controversy currently regarding the safety and efficacy of chemical sunscreens. In most products, a combination of these chemical sunscreens must be used in order to get a more complete UV protective effect. In contrast, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (the mineral or physical sunblock ingredients) have more complete protection, so sunblock containing those ingredients is what I typical recommend to my patients.
Besides just not wearing it, what's the biggest sunscreen mistake you see people making?
Many people forget to reapply sunscreen. It is known that chemical sunscreen ingredients break down, so reapplication every few hours is necessary to maintain the SPF level. Zinc and titanium sunscreens do not break down, but can come off with sweating, swimming, or transfer to clothing, etc. People also often think that if they are wearing sunscreen, they can freely exposure their skin to the sun and they are "safe." This simply isn't true. Physical protection from the sun including being in the shade, avoiding direct sun exposure, and sun-protective hats and clothing will significantly reduce sun damage effects.
Can you speak to the importance of sunscreen use for women of all different skin tones?
The rules of sun protection apply to people of all skin tones. Although someone who burns easily and doesn't tan may initially be more motivated to apply sunscreen to avoid a painful, peeling sunburn, the signs of sun damage often show up more gradually on people with darker skin tones as uneven pigmentation and melasma. Skin cancers can also occur on people with any skin color and are definitely preventable with sun protection.
What are some products you recommend to help reverse damage caused by the sun?
There are many ingredients that have been scientifically proven to reverse signs of sun damage and even reverse UV related changes at the cellular level (meaning reducing the risk of skin cancer). Retinol is the most well-known ingredient that does this. One of my favorite retinol containing products is Sente Bio Complete Serum. This should be applied at night to maximize skin repair. Antioxidants such as vitamin C help to protect the skin against some of the oxidative stress that occurs with sun damage. I really like Facile's Easy C, which contains a potent combination of antioxidants. This should be applied in the morning, right before SPF is applied.
Shop My Favorite Sunscreens for the Face
My mom first introduced this holy-grail sunscreen to me, and according to my Amazon account, I've purchased it nine times. The SPF is pretty high, but you wouldn't know it. It applies like a lightweight skincare product. I recommend this one to all of my friends.
This is a newer one in my arsenal, and I was instantly obsessed with it. It gives your skin the prettiest glow that lasts all day. I've yet to meet a Supergoop! product I don't love, for the record, and this new dewy one is no exception.
This lightweight water-gel formula doesn't leave a white cast, which makes it a great everyday option for all skin tones. Bonus: It was formulated to work well under makeup.
A luxurious option for sure, but all Tatcha products are worth the investment. If you want something that's going to leave a silky, matte finish under makeup, I highly recommend this. I fully plan on ordering a new tube as soon as mine is gone.
Getting sun damage on my eyelids is something I've worried about, so of course, I bought this genius shimmery eye shadow cream as soon as it hit the shelves last year. It provides the prettiest wash of crease-free color.
Samolitis recommends physical sunscreens, and this is one of the best on the market. Not only does it have a high SPF and a universal skin-evening tint, but it's also water-resistant (for 40 minutes).
Don't forget about your lips! That delicate area needs daily protection. Coola makes a lovely non-sticky one for wearing on its own or under other lip products.
Don't forget extra protection for the thin under-eye skin. It's actually pretty difficult to find eye creams with SPF, but I've been wearing this one for years, so why change that?
Behold the best tinted moisturizer on the market (in my opinion). This Nars option provides a bit of a fuller coverage than most, and you wouldn't know that it's formulated with a high SPF. That said, I still wear sunscreen under it.
This milky sunscreen applies so easily, and it's 100% mineral, which Samolitis would love. It gives a beautiful satin finish, making it a great option to wear under makeup.
If you're going to be outdoors for a long period and you want an easy-to-reapply extra layer of protection, this wildly popular, portable powder is your best bet.
Shop My Go-To Body Sunscreens
When I'm taking a trip that's going to include a lot of time in the sun, I prefer to pack a cheap sunscreen since I'll be applying a lot of it. I love that this one has a clean, non-sticky formula. It makes me forget that I'm covered in sunscreen.
If I'm going to be spending a lot of time in the water, this is my go-to. It's water-resistant for 80 minutes. Given that it's free of fragrance, oil, and parabens, I also use it on my face.
I was initially interested in this because I liked the name and the chic French tube, but after reading the incredible reviews and trying it myself, I can highly recommend it. Bonus points for being water-resistant, fragrance- and paraben-free, and safe for sensitive skin.
If you want your skin to be subtly sparkly while you protect it and you don't want to spend a lot of money, look no further. Even the tube is cute.
Sometimes you just want something simple and affordable that gets the job done. This is when I turn to Sun Bum products. This formula is moisturizing yet oil-free, and it comes in an eight-ounce bottle, so your money is going far.
This high-tech option is pricey, but it's described as "an invisible sunscreen veil that becomes stronger when exposed to heat, water, and sweat." It contains HeatForce and WetForce technologies that add an extra layer of protection when activated by the sun and water. No wonder it's so highly rated.
Applying sunscreen usually kind of sucks, but this mousse is the exception. Aside from it being fun to apply, it absorbs instantly and is packed with antioxidants. (I told you I love Supergoop!)
Next up, the nine sunscreens dermatologists recommend for sensitive skin.
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