Looking for high quality moisturisers with sunscreen
October 5, 2015 4:28 PM Subscribe
It looks like I'm starting to develop skin cancers on my face. Ugh. I've always been careful to slip, slap and slop when outside playing sports. But probably not as careful for daily activities. That needs to change.
I generally don't like the feel of the higher SPF, bulk products. It doesn't bother me so much when I'm playing, given I'm already getting sweaty and dirty anyway. But I really don't like the feel of it for daily use, plus I need the moisturiser for my dry skin.
I've used Lancome products for ages and I know they have a skin cream with SPF 15. But it's $80 AUD for a small tub. Much too much to use heavily on my face, much less my arms and neck.
What can you recommend?
I generally don't like the feel of the higher SPF, bulk products. It doesn't bother me so much when I'm playing, given I'm already getting sweaty and dirty anyway. But I really don't like the feel of it for daily use, plus I need the moisturiser for my dry skin.
I've used Lancome products for ages and I know they have a skin cream with SPF 15. But it's $80 AUD for a small tub. Much too much to use heavily on my face, much less my arms and neck.
What can you recommend?
I like Oil of Olay's SPF 30 lotion. It sinks in well and doesn't make me feel overheated, like most sunscreens do. It's a little more expensive and a little harder to find, but the higher coverage is worth it to me. (do note that the amazon link is for a 2-pack)
Sometimes I mix it with some concealer to turn it into a DIY BB cream.
posted by homodachi at 4:44 PM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Sometimes I mix it with some concealer to turn it into a DIY BB cream.
posted by homodachi at 4:44 PM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
I have fairly sensitive skin and have been using Earth Science Almond-Aloe Moisturizer SPF 15+ daily for over a year now and I love it.
posted by mont the drifter at 4:49 PM on October 5, 2015
posted by mont the drifter at 4:49 PM on October 5, 2015
Sigh. I've tried them all... the only one I can reliably get myself to use daily is L'Occitane's Immortelle Brightening Shield. In winter it dries my skin out just a little, so I put my favorite moisturizer on first (Ole Henrikson's Sheer Transformation) and then the sunscreen.
posted by AliceBlue at 4:50 PM on October 5, 2015
posted by AliceBlue at 4:50 PM on October 5, 2015
I've used Oil of Olay Complete (SPF 15) for at least a decade. Works pretty well, can't even feel it when it's on.
posted by suelac at 5:02 PM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by suelac at 5:02 PM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Japanese sunscreen was recommended to me in a prior AskMeFi question and is now my holy grail for light coverage and HIGH UVA+UVB protection. If you only need it for daily activities without too much time spent in the sun, there are tons of formulas that will feel weightless and leave no white cast or greasiness.
Here's Ratzilla Cosme's top picks list for 2015 (Japanese sunscreens are frequently reformulated annually). You don't need to order from Ratuken; I can find everything on Amazon or eBay for competitive prices after factoring in shipping. The products tend to be for sport vs. daily wear (not all daily-wear sunscreens are sweatproof, be sure to check) and moisturizing for dry skin vs. mattifying for oily skin.
You seriously have tons and tons of choices with SPF50+, the highest legal SPF label in Japan. For skin cancer protection, you'll probably also want to choose PA++++ (four plus'es) for maximum UVA filtering, but still plenty of options especially in 2015 when a few brands have reformulated PA+++ to be PA++++.
posted by serelliya at 5:04 PM on October 5, 2015 [6 favorites]
Here's Ratzilla Cosme's top picks list for 2015 (Japanese sunscreens are frequently reformulated annually). You don't need to order from Ratuken; I can find everything on Amazon or eBay for competitive prices after factoring in shipping. The products tend to be for sport vs. daily wear (not all daily-wear sunscreens are sweatproof, be sure to check) and moisturizing for dry skin vs. mattifying for oily skin.
You seriously have tons and tons of choices with SPF50+, the highest legal SPF label in Japan. For skin cancer protection, you'll probably also want to choose PA++++ (four plus'es) for maximum UVA filtering, but still plenty of options especially in 2015 when a few brands have reformulated PA+++ to be PA++++.
posted by serelliya at 5:04 PM on October 5, 2015 [6 favorites]
I like Biore Sarasara Uv Aqua Rich Waterly Essence Sunscreen 50g Spf50+ Pa+++ for Face and Body and Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++. Both feel thin and non-greasy.
The thing is you need to reapply sunscreen often and most of us aren't doing that. (I barely wear makeup and I still don't want to reapply. I can't imagine someone wearing foundation or bb cream is reapplying.) For midday sun protection I use E.l.f. Studio SPF 45 Sunscreen Uva/uvb Protection Loose Powder. It's cheap and gets the job done.
posted by 26.2 at 5:19 PM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
The thing is you need to reapply sunscreen often and most of us aren't doing that. (I barely wear makeup and I still don't want to reapply. I can't imagine someone wearing foundation or bb cream is reapplying.) For midday sun protection I use E.l.f. Studio SPF 45 Sunscreen Uva/uvb Protection Loose Powder. It's cheap and gets the job done.
posted by 26.2 at 5:19 PM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
The Biore Watery Essence sunscreen is amazing. It's also easily available on Amazon, and I will never go a day without it. Goes on like a light moisturizer with absolutely no grease, whitecast, or sticky residue. And the price is right, too.
Definitely remember to reapply if you're outside for more than a couple of hours!
Also learn to love hats.
posted by erratic meatsack at 5:35 PM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Definitely remember to reapply if you're outside for more than a couple of hours!
Also learn to love hats.
posted by erratic meatsack at 5:35 PM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Looks like you're in Melbourne, so an Australian rec... my go-to/daily facial sunscreen is Mecca's To Save Face SPF30+. I'm not sure what gender you are or whether you wear makeup, but I find it matte enough to wear under foundation (with or without primer), just over the top of my regular moisturiser. I only wear this on my face, since it's a little expensive; I'm still on the hunt for the perfect choice for neck & arms (currently a Cancer Council SPF50+ but I don't recommend it because it's extremely greasy—once the tube is done I'll look for something else).
Last time I was in store at Mecca they showed me a new SPF50+ facial sunscreen as well, but I found it just a little bit greasier, and it's more expensive, so I'm sticking with the 30+. They also make an SPF50 "body" version, but I haven't tried it so I'm not sure how it feels to wear on the neck/arms.
posted by snap, crackle and pop at 6:09 PM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Last time I was in store at Mecca they showed me a new SPF50+ facial sunscreen as well, but I found it just a little bit greasier, and it's more expensive, so I'm sticking with the 30+. They also make an SPF50 "body" version, but I haven't tried it so I'm not sure how it feels to wear on the neck/arms.
posted by snap, crackle and pop at 6:09 PM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
In addition to all the product recommendations that are pouring in here, this is a great question to ask your dermatologist. I was turned on to the two sunscreens I most often use by my dermatologist, each for different scenarios (e.g. a work day one and then a hardcore, greasy one for outdoor playtimes when I don't need to look quite so office presentable).
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 6:12 PM on October 5, 2015
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 6:12 PM on October 5, 2015
(Oh, by the way, moisturiser underneath the To Save Face SPF30+ is optional—I only wear it because I have a special anti-acne medicated one.)
posted by snap, crackle and pop at 6:13 PM on October 5, 2015
posted by snap, crackle and pop at 6:13 PM on October 5, 2015
I like the LaRoche antihelios SPF 60 ultralight. It's not for body use (pricey). But it's great in the face.
posted by persona au gratin at 12:14 AM on October 6, 2015
posted by persona au gratin at 12:14 AM on October 6, 2015
I like Paula's Choice moisturizers; they're only SPF 15, but if you also wear liquid foundation and/or powder with SPF, then the coverage is quite good.
posted by neushoorn at 12:57 AM on October 6, 2015
posted by neushoorn at 12:57 AM on October 6, 2015
Nthing Oil of Olay Complete Defence SPF 30+. I'm pretty sure that I bought my bottle of it in Coles. If not there, then Priceline.
SPF 15 just really is not enough for Australia, especially since we're heading into Summer.
The SPF is tested under conditions in which at least a quarter of a teaspoon is used for the face. So keep in mind that if you are using less than that, you are not getting the full number listed on the bottle.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 2:35 AM on October 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
SPF 15 just really is not enough for Australia, especially since we're heading into Summer.
The SPF is tested under conditions in which at least a quarter of a teaspoon is used for the face. So keep in mind that if you are using less than that, you are not getting the full number listed on the bottle.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 2:35 AM on October 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Paulas Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30. It is mineral base so you don't need to reapply as often if you aren't sweating to wash it off, they have an Australian online store with prices in Australian dollars & local shipping. The formula goes on like a moisturizer, it has a faint tint to the product which blends in beautifully with light & medium skin tones (not sure about darker skin) the tint helps hides the white sheen you get from most mineral sunscreens. Dries lovely & light, if you wear make up it makes a great primer, if you don't no one can tell you are wearing it anyway.
I've heard good things about the Shesidso sunscreens from Japan, but not under Aussie conditions only from US users and have also used the Olay Complete defense with good results too.
Make sure which ever brand you use you use enough. I have similar problems from a life under Aussie sun even with sunscreen use I just never took the sunscreen right to the hair line so have problems along there and around my eyes, so wear UV proof sunnies too.
posted by wwax at 7:47 AM on October 6, 2015
I've heard good things about the Shesidso sunscreens from Japan, but not under Aussie conditions only from US users and have also used the Olay Complete defense with good results too.
Make sure which ever brand you use you use enough. I have similar problems from a life under Aussie sun even with sunscreen use I just never took the sunscreen right to the hair line so have problems along there and around my eyes, so wear UV proof sunnies too.
posted by wwax at 7:47 AM on October 6, 2015
I really like the Blue Lizard facial moisturizer with SPF.
posted by Medieval Maven at 11:03 AM on October 6, 2015
posted by Medieval Maven at 11:03 AM on October 6, 2015
SkinCancer McGee here. My specialist recommends EltaMD and I really love it. I'm not sure if it's available where you are, but it's great, doesn't stink, no animal testing.
posted by getawaysticks at 11:43 AM on October 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by getawaysticks at 11:43 AM on October 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mollymayhem at 4:35 PM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]