MY WINTER SUNSCREEN PICKS - BEST MINERAL SUNSCREENS FOR FACE FROM SUPERGOOP, FARMACY AND MORE!
There’s this wild misperception about the use of sunscreen that has always given me pause. It’s that sunscreen is only really important in the summer months, when the sun is at its brightest and most intense.
It’s somehow not as important to wear sunscreen in the winter, when the days are shorter and the sunshine dimmer. As if the sun’s damaging UV rays take a long vacation during the winter months.
Which is why I do my best to push the importance of sun protection throughout the year — even on cold days, on rainy days, and on cloudy, seemingly sunless days. I actually wear sunscreen whether or not I’m going outside — those damaging UV rays come through the living room windows, too!
So I’m eager to share my facial sunscreen picks for the colder, winter months — in the middle of January! My most recent article on what I consider some of the best mineral sunscreens was about three months ago — at the beginning of September. The piece was titled New Sunscreens I'm Crushing On For Fall - Best Mineral Sunscreens For Face From Farmacy, Purito And More!
In it, I featured some of the best sunscreens for face from a few of my favorite brands, including Ghost Democracy’s Invisible Lightweight Daily Face Sunscreen, the Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen and a terrific sunscreen for the eye area, the MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Stick SPF — which I’ve included again below.
I have used sunscreen religiously nearly every day since I was in my early 20s as a cosmetic department manager in Los Angeles. I was young and impressionable. And the older counter managers of the brands that I oversaw imparted in me the importance of daily sun protection.
I looked at these women, many of them in their 70s — a half century older than me — as true mentors. They were beautiful, they used sunscreen, and they had great skin to show for it. They set me out on the same course as they had taken — to the fountain of youth: sunscreen.
Just how crucial is sunscreen to healthy, youthful skin? I’ve said it often:
sunscreen is anti-aging.
Ask me for my recommendations on the best anti-aging creams and I’ll always share a favorite sunscreen — like the Solara Suncare Time Traveler Ageless Daily Face Sunscreen!
Many times over the course of the Skincarma Blog, I’ve shared the story of the real-life twins, Susan and Jeanne. If you need proof of the very real effects of sun damage on your skin, look no further than these two ladies.
The twin sisters looked exactly alike growing up. They look a lot alike now. But Susan has spent her life in Florida worshiping the sun (she’s also a heavy smoker!) while sister Jeanne lives in Ohio and has generally avoided overexposure to the sun (and smoking) throughout her life. While both were 61 when the photo was taken, a scientific study of Susan’s skin at Case Western Reserve University showed an 11-year age difference in skin quality. Susan has extreme hyperpigmentation, sun spots, deeper wrinkles and degradation in skin elasticity. Jeanne simply looks good for her age.
Me? When I turn 61, I prefer to be a Jeanne, not a Susan!
I know finding and using a good sunscreen isn’t easy. Which is why I’ve made something of a mission out of seeking out the best facial sunscreens and sharing what I love (and perhaps don’t) about them. For the most part, my sunscreen picks rely on mineral sunscreen filters. That’s not always the case. From time to time, I do find a sunscreen that blends both mineral and chemical sunscreens. It’s very rare that I recommend one that’s a straight up chemical sunscreen.
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF
COOL CLEAN FACIAL SUNSCREENS TO KEEP US SAFE AND SMILING IN THE SUN
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
What’s the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens?
For some real insights, there’s an excellent article by the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team titled, Mineral vs. Synthetic Sunscreen Ingredients. In the piece, the team explains the differences and benefits of mineral and chemical sunscreens — and dispel a myth or two.
“The two types of sunscreen ingredients are mineral and synthetic [chemical], and both are equally protective. Further reassuring is that each can be included in formulas created for every skin type. For example, if you have normal to oily skin, there are weightless, non-greasy options; if you have normal to dry skin, it’s possible to find skin-smoothing, hydrating SPF products.
What’s the Difference Between Mineral and Synthetic Sunscreen Ingredients?
The differences aren’t about which type is more effective; rather, it comes down to personal preference and how sensitive your skin is—mineral sunscreens are considered the most gentle options.
Mineral sunscreens: There are only two mineral sunscreen ingredients: titanium dioxideand zinc oxide. They work in skin's uppermost layers to both absorb and, to a lesser extent, deflect and scatter the sun’s harmful rays. These mineral ingredients are sometimes referred to as physical sunscreens or physical blockers, although that’s not a factual representation of how they work.
Synthetic sunscreens: There are over 30 synthetic sunscreen ingredients, all of which absorb into the top layers of skin, where they work similar to mineral sunscreens: by scattering and deflecting the sun’s harmful rays, and by converting UV rays into heat and “deactivating” them. (Don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing.) Common synthetic sunscreen ingredients include oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, and avobenzone. These are sometimes labeled “chemical sunscreens,” which is both misleading and false. All skin care ingredients, even water, are chemicals.
During the colder months of the year, I prefer heavier skincare that protects my skin from trans-epidermal water loss, dryness, redness and discomfort. That goes for richer moisturizers and sunscreens alike. If you’re interested in exploring my articles on my winter moisturizer picks, I invite you to do so here.
So, let’s take a look at some of my favorite heavier sunscreens for the colder, winter months — each a thicker formula that feels great on skin. With the exception of the Skinnies Conquer SPF 50+, each is formulated using 100% mineral sun filters. The Skinnies sunscreen relies on a blend of both chemical and mineral sunscreens. It’s the most innovative of the collection, which is why I couldn’t resist including it!
Supergoop! | Cloud 9 100% Mineral Sun Balm SPF 40
While I’d been immersing myself in cold weather moisturizers for my new seasonal skincare recommendations, I was paying attention to the kinds of sunscreens I’d want to be using on those cold winter days ahead of me.
I’ve pulled together five well formulated picks, four of which are conventional sunscreen products in tubes. So this one really stands above the rest.
And that sunscreen is the relatively new Supergoop Cloud 9 100% Mineral Sun Balm! First of all, anything called a “sun balm” sounds like it would be perfect for the cold, right? And guess what! Cloud 9 is a rich sunscreen treatment that’s perfect for cold weather!
Supergoop has some of the best mineral sunscreens for face that I’ve come across. In fact, the Supergoop! Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream is one of my favorite sunscreens for the eye area ever. It’s simply one of the best sunscreens for eyes and, dare I say it, pretty much a perfect formula. For the face, the Supergoop! 100% Mineral Sunscreen Mist is a longtime fave for touch-ups mid-day if I’m working from home and head back out into the sunshine.
What’s the percentage of UV rays blocked by sunscreen?
SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays
SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays
SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays.
So, the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 is about 1 percent.
The texture of Cloud 9 is amazing. It’s a thick, emollient balm that melts on skin to become more of a light, creamy oil. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Supergoop’s Cloud 9 reminds me of really cold butter when it first comes out of the fridge. You know, when it’s too hard to butter toast with — and it breaks the toast. That’s Cloud 9. (For the record, I haven’t tasted it and it hasn’t broken my face!)
Supergoop’s Cloud 9 is a 100% mineral formula comprised of 20.4% Zinc Oxide and 1.14% Titanium Dioxide. But the very first ingredient in the Cloud 9 formula is quite interesting and quite unexpected. Ingredient number one is Baobab Seed Oil — which very likely gives the formula its unusual texture.
How many products have you tried where baobab oil is the first ingredient? I’ve encountered exactly zero products with that high of a concentration of oil from the ancient African tree.
I first heard of baobab back in my days at Kiehl’s. We were building out the new Facial Fuel category of men’s skin care and wanted to create an advanced anti-aging product with firming properties. The baobab oil in the formula had firming benefits, so we marketed the product around that — and I named it Fortifying Baobab Skin Therapy. Regrettably, it’s been since discontinued.
If you don’t know much about the baobab tree from which the fortifying oil is sourced, it’s really quite fascinating.
What is baobab oil?
I found a cool article on what of my favorite beauty websites, Byrdie, titled, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Baobab.
While beauty trends may come and go, many are rooted in centuries of routine. That's certainly the case with baobab, a trendy ingredient with a lengthy history. Often referred to as the “tree of life,” the baobab tree is native to Africa, and the nickname certainly makes sense, considering that a single tree can live for over 500 years. Part of its appeal is that the pulp of baobab fruit—extracted from baobab pods and then transformed into raw powder—has been a favorite ingredient in wellness and beauty treatments for millennia.
Benefits of Baobab
Lightens dark spots: Baobab offers so many potential benefits to the hair, skin, and nails due to the vitamins and minerals it contains. "Vitamin C is commonly found in baobab, which helps relieve the skin of dullness and can lighten dark spots," notes Husain.
Boosts antioxidants: Believe it or not, baobab boasts the highest antioxidant content of all superfoods per serving (even surpassing goji berries and matcha). This, along with its ability to fight free radicals, makes it a perfect ingredient for aging skin.
Heals dry skin: Baobab’s moisturizing properties have been well-documented in scientific research. As a result, body oils and lotions formulated with baobab are the ideal addition to a skincare routine for those looking for a little added moisture.
Promotes a healthy skin barrier: "[Baobab] does contain skin friendly fatty acids such as omega 3, 6, 9 and a handful of vitamins," notes Ho. "Due to its omega content, it's considered a great ingredient for maintaining a healthy skin barrier."
Baobab has been around for millennia! And if you want to look more youthful longer, you’ll find a sunscreen that protects and nourishes your skin. Baobab oil is rich in vitamins B and C as well as skin-replenishing Omega 3 fatty acids — a common ingredient in my winter moisturizer picks. Naturally occurring in the skin, fatty acids have superb occlusive properties that prevent trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) through the skin barrier.
My skin loves Cloud 9!
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Supergoop Cloud 9 100% Mineral Sun Balm for $26.00 here.
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF
COOL CLEAN FACIAL SUNSCREENS TO KEEP US SAFE AND SMILING IN THE SUN
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
Solara Suncare | Time Traveler Ageless Daily Face Sunscreen
As I said, when people ask me my top recommendation for an anti-aging treatment, I always reply “sunscreen!” It never ceases to amaze me how uniformly taken aback they seem. As if I’m being sarcastic or glib. Maybe I am just a bit. But I mean it.
I always get some form of push-back. “No, really, I mean which anti-aging product do you recommend? I’m looking for something that really works.” I just rephrase and repeat.
Sunscreen, sunscreen! Sunscreen really works.
Seriously, what you want is a clean, well-formulated, anti-aging sunscreen like one of my favorites from indie brand, Solara Suncare.
I’ve shared about the Time Traveler Ageless Daily Face Sunscreen multiple times. The first time I introduced it was in my article titled, A Complete $175 Clean Skincare Routine With Herbivore, The Inkey List, Solara Suncare & More!
Yes, you can have a complete clean skincare routine, comprised of seven products, for under $200. Seriously, check it out!
Solar Suncare is a 100% clean, non-toxic, good-for-skin sunscreen brand. Solara was founded by Stephanie DiPisa, a fellow New Yorker who discovered on a family vacation to the Jersey Shore that her 8-year-old son was allergic to the chemical sunscreen she had lovingly applied to his skin.
Disturbed by his skin’s reaction, and inspired to do something about it, Stephanie created a clean, non-toxic brand for her family and for other moms who just wanted to protect their kids from the sun’s harmful rays — without poisoning them with toxic substances.
Solara identifies what they call “six common sunscreen offenders.” The list includes chemical sunscreens, PEGs, denatured alcohol, silicones and siloxanes, artificial fragrance and potentially irritating synthetics. I don’t want that in any of my skincare, let alone my facial sunscreen.
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
BRANDS I LOVE: SOLARA SUNCARE, THE BEST CLEAN FACIAL SUNSCREENS!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
The amazing part is Stephanie set out to create her clean sunscreen brand six years ago, well before the clean craze swept the industry. How prescient!
With its thick, rich, comforting texture, the Time Traveler Ageless Daily Face Sunscreen is a perfect option for the cold winter months. Time Traveler relies upon a 20% mineral concentration of non-nano Zinc Oxide. Remarkable that it uses a non-nano form of the molecule yet still leaves little discernible white cast on my skin after a few minutes. It’s kinda miraculous.
And the formula is packed with a terrific blend of replenishing, antioxidant and moisturizing plant oils including Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Oat Kernel Extract and a new skincare sensation, Ashwagandha Root Extract — a healthy medicinal herb.
What is Ashwagandha good for?
I found a cool article online titled, Ashwagandha: A Superfood For Stress And Anxiety. I found this interesting:
In the United States, 70% of adults report feeling stress or anxiety on a daily basis.
While there’s no way to eliminate all stress, ashwagandha may help!
Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen, which means it can help your body manage stress
During a 60-day study, 64 participants with a history of chronic stress took two 300 mg capsules of high-concentration full-spectrum ashwagandha root extract or a placebo. Those who took the ashwagandha reduced their stress and insomnia by 69%
Ashwagandha may also reduce cortisol aka the stress hormone, which is made in the adrenal glands. When cortisol levels are chronically elevated (or elevated for long periods of time), it can lead to storing fat in the abdomen.
But studies have shown ashwagandha can reduce cortisol levels, with one study reducing cortisol levels by nearly one third!
I’ve been a fan of Solara and the brand’s Time Traveler for nearly two years now. Aside from the fact that Time Traveler is clean, really well-formulated and effective — it’s got this unusual added benefit to it. It gives you an out-of-this-world radiance that’s hard to come by ing the cold, dry air. Not only does it protect your youth, it gives you life!
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Solara Suncare Time Traveler Ageless Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 30 for $42 here.
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
SKINCARMA APPROVED: THE BEST FACIAL SUNSCREEN PRODUCTS
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
Farmacy | Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
I’ve had a secret crush on Farmacy Beauty for years. Every winter, one of my favorite dry skin treats is the Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask. If you haven’t experienced Honey Potion, you’re really missing out. It’s super gooey, super soothing and superbly nourishing on the skin. When my skin is dry, irritated, uncomfortable — as it is the entire winter season — Honey Potion works its magic to ease my complexion back to a healthier vibrancy. Get yourself a pot here before the winter takes its toll!
If you’re unfamiliar with the breadth of the brand’s clean, natural product offerings, you can’t go wrong with the Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Cleaning Toner, which I reviewed in an article about the best exfoliating toners titled, Acid Toners – Some of the Best BHA / AHA Toners for Face from Paula's Choice, Farmacy and More. (You can catch the full piece here.)
Deep Sweep is a terrific, clean formulation with an ideal pH level — right in the range for its beneficial acids to exfoliate the skin. That’s not something I can say about many treatments formulated with Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid — including two of them that I reviewed in the article. All too often, they’re way off the mark, minimally effective — and bordering on nonsensical skin care.
But not Farmacy! The Deep Sweep formula effectively exfoliates the skin and deep cleans (make that deep sweeps!) pores, clearing them of any build-up that can stretch them out and make them appear more visible.
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF
COOL CLEAN FACIAL SUNSCREENS TO KEEP US SAFE AND SMILING IN THE SUN
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
Farmacy really gets it. It’s a cool name, implying pharmaceutical grade skin care, but what’s the brand about?
Well, Farmacy believes pure ingredients matter; that clean formulas matter. When these things are prioritized by a brand, skin care can truly benefit the skin. Farmacy locally sources and cultivates pure, natural ingredients for its clean skin care. And I’m consistently wowed by the brand’s products.
So, of course, I was excited when Farmacy introduced a new, clean mineral sunscreen — the Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen.
To start, Green Defense is thicker than expected. Surprisingly so — and the precise reason it’s perfect for my cold weather sunscreen recommendations.
The first time I slathered it on, I worried that it would leave a white cast. How could it not; it’s so thick and has a glowy iridescence to it. But, it blended right in and left me with a nice, healthy radiance.
It’s an interesting formula. With a combination of the two common mineral filters, Zinc Oxide (5.82%) and Titanium Dioxide (2.4%), Green Defense offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection — which will defend skin against 97% of UV rays. But it’s so much more than just its mineral sunscreen filters.
Green Defense is a wonderful melange of beneficial botanical extracts and nourishing, moisturizing oils. Some are expected, like the Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil and Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil. But, there are several natural extracts that I’ve rarely, if ever, seen in a skincare INCI! These include: Aronia Melanocarpa Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower and Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract.
Echinacea, of course, is a natural treatment for the common cold. I’ll assume it has some sort of detoxifying effect in addition to offering antioxidant protection. Verbascum Thapsus Flower, commonly known as mullein, is able to “harvest UV radiation and transform it into new visible light to appear brighter, becoming more visible in the meadow and therefore, having a greater chance to attract insects.” Unique, right?
But the Aronia Melanocarpa Fruit Extract, or Black Chokeberry, in Green Defense is most intriguing to me. I knew I’d seen it once before and recalled that I came across it in the COSRX Triple C Lightning Liquid. It’s a terrific antioxidant, and more.
What is black chokeberry?
Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) fruits are among the richest sources of polyphenols and anthocyanins in plant kingdom and suitable raw material for production of functional foods. The popularity of chokeberries is not only due to their nutritional value but also to the constantly emerging evidence for their health-promoting effects.
The current study presents detailed information about the content and composition of sugars, organic acids, and polyphenols in 23 aronia samples…Organic acids were represented by substantial amounts of quinic acid, malic acid, and ascorbic acid.
All this to say that while Farmacy’s Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen is defending skin against environmental damage with effective UV filters and antioxidants, it’s restoring and promoting skin health with nourishing natural substances.
Green Defense is everything you want in a mineral sunscreen — and more. It’s perfect for slathering on in the morning and hitting the ground running. Seriously, unless your skin is super dry, it’s probably all you need for a moisturizer, too.
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen for $36 here.
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF
ACID TONERS – SOME OF THE BEST BHA / AHA TONERS FOR FACE FROM PAULA'S CHOICE, FARMACY AND MORE!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
MD Solar Sciences | Mineral Crème 50
MDSolarSciences was founded by dermatologic oncologist Dr. Robert J. Friedman. The brand’s sunscreen products are top-rated by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) — with four formulas receiving the coveted rating of “1”. Among the four is the brand’s top seller, the Mineral Crème SPF 50.
I’m a big fan of the brand and reviewed it in the summer of 2019 in my article titled, Brands I Love: MD Solar Sciences Doctor-Developed Facial Sunscreen Products. It’s still available to read here.
The brand’s non-toxic, cruelty-free and reef-safe Mineral Crème SPF 50 is a 100% mineral sunscreen with a blend of 2% Titanium Dioxide and 17% Zinc Oxide — and leaves only a minimal grayish white cast on application that dissipates before I’m out the door.
That’s when it works its mattifying magic that keeps my skin looking healthy and fresh, not greasy and slick. It’s been torture-tested on the hot streets of Brooklyn on the most humid days of summer and on the least humid days of winter.
Because it’s so reliable, the MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 has earned its place as one of my sunscreen go-to’s — and why it’s on my list of the best sunscreens for face.
MDSolarSciences powered up their non-comedogenic formula with three of the most potent antioxidant botanical extracts — Green Tea Extract, Cranberry Fruit Extract and Pomegranate Extract. That’s some serious antioxidant power!
Perhaps the most intriguing of the formula’s ingredients is Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate — the stable oil-soluble form of Vitamin C that is similar in potency to L-Ascorbic Acid, the purest form of Vitamin C.
The MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 has a thick, rich texture and a little certainly goes a long way. That slightly thicker texture actually results from the addition of CoQ10 (Ubiquinone), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin C) and Squalane — one of the most skin-compatible non-fragrant plant oils. These make Mineral Crème SPF 50 an ideal option for colder months as the blend helps keep skin moisturized and comfortable in the dry air.
So what’s the deal with Ubiquinone, or coenzyme Q10? According to the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team, “it is a vitamin-like, fat-soluble substance naturally present in the body. Applied to skin, it can have antioxidant benefits due to its energizing effect on factors in skin that tend to slow down with age and cumulative sun exposure.”
With the addition of these three replenishing ingredients, I’d say that Mineral Crème SPF 50 is a near perfect sunscreen product.
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 for $30 here.
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
MY SUMMER EMPTIES : SUNSCREENS, VITAMIN C SERUMS & MORE FACIAL SKIN CARE!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
Skinnies | Conquer SPF 50+ PA++++
I consider sunscreen the most important skincare product I apply every day. And I’ve made it my mission to seek out the best sunscreen products the world over — having them shipped to me illegally. In the U.S., sunscreen products are considered drugs and it’s apparently illegal to ship them over the border. But who cares? I sure don’t.
There’s been a lot of innovation in the marketplace for sunscreens but, regrettably, it’s all happened outside the U.S. So contraband sunscreens it is!
For over a year, I’ve amassed some of the best facial sunscreen products from Asia and Europe — and in the case of the Rohto Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk, from what appears to be other planets.
Thank goodness for the internet or I’d only have access to sunscreen technologies that date back to the 80s. Granted, the formulas themselves have come a long way — as with all of my sunscreen product recommendations here.
But that’s where the innovation ends. Sunscreen filter technology is another story. While innovation in the U.S. is moving too damn slow, the rest of the world is bringing a lot of coolness and newness.
The latest sun filters are driven by A-beauty — with Uvinul A Plus and other filters that protect skin from the most insidious aging UVA rays, measured by the PA product rating on the packaging.
What does PA mean in sunscreen?
There’s an excellent piece from the Paula’s Choice Research Team titled, What Does the PA+ Sunscreen Symbol Mean? on the brand’s website here.
The SPF rating on a sunscreen bottle stands for Sun Protection Factor, a measurement of how long you can stay outside during the day and be protected from the sun’s burn-causing UVB rays (assuming you’re applying sunscreen the right way). UVA rays are present, too; this is where the PA+ rating system comes into play.
Some sunscreens include PA+ rating on their products. The letters “PA” followed by plus signs (PA+, PA++, PA+++, and PA++++) on a label are a rating system developed in Japan to represent how much UVA protection the product offers.
The sun’s UVA rays do not cause sunburn; rather, they cause skin to turn brown. UVA rays are known as the sun’s silent killers because you don’t feel them affecting skin. Despite the lack of pain associated with UVA rays, they penetrate deeply into skin, causing a somewhat different type of damage than UVB rays.
This is what each PA rating means:
PA+ = Some UVA protection.
PA++ = Moderate UVA protection.
PA+++ = High UVA protection.
PA++++ = Extremely High UVA protection.
One of the coolest trends in skincare is the removal of a single ingredient that often comprises up to 75% of a skincare product: water. Water is, in fact, useless to the skin and doesn’t offer much to a skincare product either. It’s simply a waste of money — and a waste of precious resources.
So I’m thrilled to share one of my favorite new sunscreen brands, Skinnies — a New Zealand-based brand that’s created waterless sunscreens! I’d been using the Skinnies Sungel SPF 30 throughout the summer and was eager to try out the Skinnies Conquer SPF 50+ PA++++ in the winter.
As with the brand’s Sungel SPF 30, it’s thick and rich and a little goes a long way. And, because it’s so thick, it’s perfect for colder weather — and ideal for winter!
The Skinnies Conquer SPF 50+ is formulated with a blend of both mineral and chemical sunscreens, including Uvinul A Plus, Bemotrizinol, Octocrylene and Zinc Oxide.
The water-free Skinnies Conquer SPF 50+ is a clean, vegan formula that feels great on skin and, because it’s water-free, stays on skin longer to deliver all-day sun protection and comfort. In fact, it has tremendous staying power. With most sunscreens, when I get home from a long day in the City, I know much of it is gone from my face. And gone with it? The anti-aging protection I had when I left the apartment in the morning. With the two waterless Skinnies formulas, there’s still a veil on my skin at day’s end. How cool is that?
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Skinnies Conquer SPF 50+ PA++++ for $49.95 here.
MDSolarSciences | Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Stick SPF
One of the mistakes we all make is to apply sunscreen to our faces in the morning and not think about sun protection again until the following day. The truth is, most sunscreens are absorbed, evaporate, rub off or get watered down by sweat throughout the day. By midday, there may not be much protection left — and if there is, it’s unlikely to be uniform, meaning some areas of your face remain protected while others are exposed. For the eye area, that can be particularly damaging.
So, a handy sunscreen product that’s easily carried around and can be reapplied midday as a touch-up is certainly welcome. And the MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Stick SPF 30 is exactly what you need to assure you’ve got ample sun protection at 2 p.m. — much like you did at 8 a.m.
The Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Stick is a superb formula with what the brand refers to as a “universally flattering light tint that easily applies to your skin and is perfect for on-the-go use.”
It seems so much darker in the tube than it actually appears on the skin. In fact, it blends in nicely and doesn’t (miraculously!) look like makeup when I’ve got it on. How that can be true is lost on me. But it’s a relief nonetheless.
The Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Stick formula contains a blend of mineral sun filters with 8.24% Titanium Dioxide and 6% Zinc Dioxide. It’s a simple sunscreen touch-up, an uncomplicated formula that feels really comfortable on the skin.
And, it makes the best sunscreen for the eye area, too!
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Stick SPF 30 for $19 here.
That’s it, guys! I hope I’ve helped you to discover a sunscreen you love so much that you’ll wear it in winter. Remember, it’s important on cloudy, seemingly sunless days, too.
Be a Jeanne, not a Susan.
💟 SKINCARMA
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF
COOL CLEAN FACIAL SUNSCREENS TO KEEP US SAFE AND SMILING IN THE SUN
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
The Ingredient List of the Supergoop Cloud 9 100% Mineral Sun Balm:
emo, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter emo, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter emo|vc, C9-12 Alkane solv, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Extract so|aox, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride emo, Cetyl Esters emo, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate emo, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil emo|perf 0 4, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil emo 0 0, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax emo, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil emo|vc, Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil, Polyhydroxystearic Acid emu, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil aox|emo, Rosa Alba (White Rose) Leaf Cell Extract aox, Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Fruit Oil emo, Silica vc, Stearic Acid emo|vc 0 2-3The Ingredient List of the Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen:
aox, Hydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower aox, Tagetes Erecta Flower Extract perf, Alteromonas Ferment Extract so, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil emo 0 0, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil aox|emo 0 0-2, Malic Acid exf|buff, Tocopherol aox 0-3 0-3, Myristic Acid surf|emu|perf 0 3, Glycerin 
sii|h 0 0, Hydrogenated Lecithin emo|emu, Panthenol so|h 0 0, Stearic Acid emo|vc 0 2-3, Microcrystalline Cellulose vc, Alumina vc|abrasive/scrub, Behenic Acid surf|emu 0 0, Stearyl Alcohol emo|vc|emu|surf 2 2, Caprylyl Methicone emo, Cyclohexasiloxane emo|solv, Isohexadecane emo|solv, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone emu|surf, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Behenyl Alcohol emo|vc, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid emu, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer vc, Cellulose Gum vc 0 0, Sorbitan Oleate emu 0 3, Butylene Glycol h|solv|vc 0 1, Phenoxyethanol pres, Caprylyl Glycol h|emo, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Sodium Benzoate pres, Potassium Sorbate pres, Sodium Citrate chel|buff, Citric Acid buff, Sodium Phytate chelThe Ingredient List of the Solara Suncare Time Traveler Ageless Daily Face Sunscreen:
sii|h 0 0, C13-14 Alkane solv, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate emu|surf, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter emo|vc, Coco-Caprylate emo, Propanediol solv|h, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil emo|perf 0 4, Hydrogenated Castor Oil emo|vc|emu|surf 0 1, Magnesium Sulfate vc, Copper Tripeptide-1 cci|so|aox, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4 h, Ceramide NG sii, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax emo, Squalane sii|emo 0 1, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil emo 0 0, Tocopherol aox 0-3 0-3, Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Root Extract, Perilla Frutescens (Mint) Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract aox|so|emo|abrasive/scrub, Gardenia Taitensis (Tahitian Gardenia) Flower Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate pres, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract aox|sb, Caprylyl Glycol h|emo, Phenylpropanol perf|solv, Sorbitan Olivate emu, Isostearic Acid surf|emu, Lecithin emo|emu, Cetyl Palmitate emo 0 0, Sorbitan Palmitate emu, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate emu|vc, Polyhydroxystearic Acid emu, Fructose hThe Ingredient List of the Skinnies Sungel SPF 30:
vc 0 0, Butyloctyl Salicylate solv, Coco-Caprylate emo, Dicaprylyl Carbonate emo, Diisopropyl Adipate emo|solv 0 0, Isopropyl Palmitate emo|perf 1 3-4, Polytetrafluoroethylene, Propylene Carbonate solv|vc, Silica vc, Stearalkonium Hectorite vc, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) aox 0 0, Triacontanyl Pvp h|vcThe Ingredient List of the Skinnies Conquer SPF 50+ PA++++:
sunsc, Bemotrizinol sunsc, Octocrylene sunsc, Zinc Oxide sunsc 0 1, Bentonite vc 0 0, Butyloctyl Salicylate solv, Coco-Caprylate emo, Dicaprylyl Carbonate emo, Diisopropyl Adipate emo|solv 0 0, Isopropyl Palmitate emo|perf 1 3-4, Propylene Carbonate solv|vc, Stearalkonium Hectorite vc, Titanium Dioxide sunsc|col, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) aox 0 0, Triacontanyl Pvp h|vc, Leptospermum Scoparium Oil (Manuka Oil) amic|aoxThe Ingredient List of the MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50:
sunsc, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer vc, Iron Oxides col 0 0, Peg/Ppg-18/18 Dimethicone emu, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate aox|sb, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract aox|so, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) ExtractThe Ingredient List of the MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Stick SPF :
Active: Titanium Dioxide 8.25% Zinc Dioxide 6%.
Inactive: Polyethylene, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Petrolatum, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Behenyl Olivate, Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone, Glyceryl Isostearate, Octyldodecanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Stearic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid. May Contain: Iron Oxides (C.I. 77491, Iron Oxides (C.I. 77494, Iron Oxides (C.I. 77499).
