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Facing Forward

by Organic Spa Magazine
facial sunscreens

Photography by David Taylor

Facial sunscreens that are good enough to wear every day

Finding the right sunscreen for the face can be a challenge, especially with so many choices out there. Texture thick or thin? Tinted or non? Mineral powder or cream? All of this is a matter of personal choice, but there are a few things that are mandatory if you expect to get the protection you need.

Make sure your sunscreen offers full-spectrum protection, which means that it will protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. Look for mineral sunscreens, with active ingredients zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, which sit on top of the skin and diffuse the UV rays, whereas chemical sunscreens, with active ingredients like oxybenzone, octocrylene, octisalate, octinoxate and avobenzone, absorb into the skin and end up in the bloodstream.

An SPF 15 or 30 is high enough for daily use, especially around town. As you go higher, the potential increases for skin irritation and the incremental increase in protection is very low. For example, SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of UV rays, SPF 30 blocks 97 percent and SPF 45 blocks 98 percent. Unlike chemical sunscreens, mineral sunscreens protect the skin immediately.

Here are lovely and effective everyday sun protection products for the face!

Derma E Essentials Sun Protection Mineral Powder SPF 30
With titanium dioxide and zinc oxide offering full-spectrum protection, this mineral powder protector is lightweight, mattifying, translucent, soothing and silky to the touch. dermae.com

Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream SPF 30
Lightweight, super-emollient and simply lovely, this nourishing day cream not only protects the skin from UV rays with non-nano zinc oxide, it is loaded with herbal extracts and luscious plant oils to keep skin soft, supple and healthy. joshrosebrook.com

Kimberly Sayer of London Anti-Oxidant Daily Moisturizing Cream SPF 30
With zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, along with nourishing cold-pressed borage oil and oat beta glucan, and a host of organic ingredients, this EcoCert cream makes me feel like I am surrounded by a lavender field whenever I put it on. For oily or combination skin, try her Ultra-Light Facial Moisturizer SPF 30. kimberlysayer.com

Marie Veronique Everyday Coverage Tinted Sunscreen SPF 30
A featherlight texture, in three shades, with non-nano zinc oxide for protection. The coverage is natural-looking and flawless, and it soothes and smoothes the skin beautifully, featuring sea buckthorn and rosehip seed oils, with a green tea antioxidant infusion. marieveronique.com

Kypris Pot of Shade Heliotropic SPF 30
Nourishing and protective, with organic, wild-harvested ingredients; a soft, velvety feel; non-nano zinc oxide, along with tamanu, sea algae, sweet iris stem cells, probiotics and sunflower; rich in fatty acids and beta carotene to keep skin soft, supple and hydrated. kyprisbeauty.com

Mad Hippie Facial SPF
Full-spectrum zinc oxide, with red raspberry seed, avocado and carrot seed oils, along with shea butter and vitamin C and vitamin E, rich in natural antioxidant protection. Light, non-greasy and good for even sensitive skin. Absorbs well, and a little goes a long way! madhippie.com

Eminence Sun Defense Minerals Water-Resistant SPF 30 Cherries & Berries
This mineral powder, loaded with antioxidant vitamins and anti-inflammatory ingredients, is easy to brush on and sweep all over the face for a lightweight and even fine finish. Active ingredients micronized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide offer full-spectrum sun protection. eminenceorganics.com


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