Protect your skin from the sun with these expert-recommended formulas. Dermatologists always talk about the importance of having the best sunscreen, but have you ever wondered how it protects you?
The first thing you should know is that there are two types of sunscreen: chemical and physical (or mineral). The first involves using chemical filters to “absorb UV rays and prevent them from penetrating the skin,” explains Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, contain inorganic compounds like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to block UV rays,” he says. Because of how mineral sunscreens work, you might associate them with a thick, white plaster. However, many of today’s formulas are nearly clear, making it difficult to blend your SPF, even if you have darker skin. Plus, experts say mineral sunscreens are great for sensitive skin because they generally don’t cause irritation. Angela Casey, a dermatologist and skin cancer specialist at Ohio State’s Dermatologic Surgery Center, says many experts consider mineral sunscreens safer than chemical formulas. Both types of sunscreen are approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but last year the FDA called for more research to examine the safety of certain chemical sunscreens once they’re absorbed into the skin. Mineral sunscreens don’t have the same effect. However, there are a variety of mineral sunscreens on the market, but don’t worry: We’ve done all the hard work for you. After consulting several dermatologists and checking countless online reviews, we found the best mineral sunscreens for every skin type and tone. Looking for a sunscreen that’s safe, effective, and requires reapplication all summer long? Below, dermatologists have ranked the best mineral sunscreens for face and body. 1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Liquid Broad Spectrum SPF 50: This liquid mineral sunscreen comes highly recommended by several dermatologists we spoke to and Emily Goldman, editor-in-chief of Prevention magazine. It has a lightweight formula that absorbs right into the skin and blends seamlessly. It’s also non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, so it won’t clog pores or cause unnecessary irritation. Another plus is the higher SPF and water resistance. Goldman calls it “super lightweight” and emphasizes that it feels great on her skin. “My skin feels perfectly hydrated, even in the colder months. This is a sunscreen that works year-round.” 2. CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50: This mineral sunscreen contains ceramides to help the skin retain moisture, which is what Meghan Feely, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey and a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai in New York City, recommends. The oil-free, noncomedogenic, nongreasy formula also contains niacinamide to soothe redness, making it a great facial sunscreen. Goldman is also a fan of CeraVe, which is a must-have in my medicine cabinet. It’s super gentle for my sensitive skin but still very powerful at SPF 50, and it’s pretty affordable. I wear it every day. ”
3. Eucerin Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50: If you’re looking for a sunscreen that can be used anywhere and is also suitable for sensitive skin, this one from Eucerin is your best choice.
“This ultra-light sunscreen uses only mineral filters and can be used on both the face and body,” says Dr. Illustrator. “It spreads easily over large areas of the body and is completely absorbed into the skin, leaving no harsh white residue. It’s also water-resistant for 80 minutes.” ”
4. Coppertone Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50: Coppertone’s mineral sunscreen lotion has a high SPF value and is relatively inexpensive. It’s perfect for your days by the pool.
The formula contains zinc oxide and skin-strengthening botanicals like tea, kelp, and lotus extracts to keep your face and body hydrated and happy even in the hot sun.
5. Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive SPF 30+: This mineral sunscreen “contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in a particle size that’s too big to penetrate the skin, so it won’t cause irritation,” says Marisa Garshick, a dermatologist at MDCS in New York City.
“We’ve been here before. It offers broad-spectrum protection at SPF 30, and the bottle changes color when exposed to UV rays to remind you when to apply.”
6. EltaMD UV Elements Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 44 This option is great for everyday use. “Its universal tint is perfect for most skin types and provides the most coverage possible for all skin tones,” says Dr. Cathy. It also contains skin-hydrating hyaluronic acid and antioxidants for extra protection from environmental impacts. “EltaMD’s tinted sunscreen is great for those looking for an SPF and foundation combo,” says
Goldman. “I wear this when I want to achieve a fuller look and am out longer than planned. Think daytime weddings.”
7. Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Oxide Dry Facial SPF 50 Neutrogena Sheer Zinc sunscreen uses the brand’s Dry Touch technology to prevent your face from looking and feeling greasy. Waterproof, fragrance-free, and lightweight
Finish. The oil-free, non-comedogenic, non-greasy formula makes it worry-free to use on oily or even acne-prone skin. “This is my favorite spot on a long beach day,” says Goldman. “The broad spectrum SPF 50 protects me when I’m at the beach, and it’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes, so even if I’m swimming in the ocean, I’m protected. I’ve been using the Neutrogena variant since I was a kid, and it hasn’t done me any harm.”
8. Dr. Jart+ Every Sunday Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ Are you looking for a high-quality mineral sunscreen from a Korean cosmetics brand? This product from Dr. Jart is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and reviewers love its absorbency, lightweight feel, and matte finish. “I finally found my perfect sunscreen,” one Sephora shopper wrote. “The product is lightweight and blends easily into the skin. My skin is light brown and it doesn’t leave a white film… My face feels hydrated but doesn’t feel sticky or look greasy.” ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Ultra – Light Emulsion Sunscreen SPF 50+ This zinc oxide sunscreen is “a favorite among women and men because it applies well and doesn’t leave a white film on the skin,” says Dr. Shari Marchbein, a New York City dermatologist, FAAD. “It’s a physical sunscreen, so it’s great for people with sensitive skin,” she adds. It also contains other ingredients, including DNA repair enzymes and vitamin E, for extra protection.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
