Face Sunscreen For Every Season

It’s easy to forget to wear sunscreen in the fall and winter, but the sun’s rays can still cause skin damage–like aging and skin cancer–even on cold and cloudy days. That’s why it’s important to find a sunscreen you’ll happily wear year-round. Wirecutter health writer Nancy Redd joins us to explain what to look for in a face sunscreen and how to find one that feels good on your skin. She breaks down mineral versus chemical formulas, how to layer sunscreen with makeup, and when you can get away wearing body sunscreen on your face. Plus, we discuss Nancy’s early testing of two sunscreens that include an ingredient newly approved by the FDA. This episode covers: The difference between UVB and UVA rays: These two types of ultraviolet rays damage the skin in different ways. UVB causes the skin to burn, while UVA rays play a bigger role in aging skin. Nancy reminds us to think of B for burning and A for aging. Why you need a minimum of SPF 30. SPF 30 should shield 97% of the sun’s UVB rays, and is the minimum the American Academy of Dermatology recommends for daily wear. Look for “broad spectrum” on labels: This means the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Reapply according to the label, generally every two hours. The best sunscreen is the one you’ll use consistently. Mineral and chemical sunscreens can both protect your skin effectively, but their textures, finishes, and ingredients feel different from person to person. Sunscreen should go underneath makeup. Apply moisturizer first, then sunscreen, and let it absorb before adding makeup or tinted moisturizer. Makeup with SPF is a useful extra layer, but it shouldn’t replace your primary sunscreen. Give sunscreen time to settle before judging it. A formula that initially feels greasy or looks shiny may change as it dries down. Testing how it wears with your skin and skincare routine can help you find a better fit. A new ingredient: The FDA approved a new chemical sunscreen ingredient (bemotrizinol or BEMT) for the first time in 25 years. Wirecutter is currently testing the two brands with versions on the market so far. Products we recommend: A crowd-pleasing lotion in an economical jug: Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 A lightweight, fast-absorbing lotion: Bioré UV Aqua Rich Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 50 A gel that doubles as a makeup primer: Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 An unobtrusive mineral lotion: Hero Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 A daytime moisturizer with SPF (mineral): Vanicream Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30 An ultra-blendable, fragrance-free lotion: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 100 A daytime moisturizer with SPF (chemical): CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 A face-specific lotion that costs less than our other fragrance-free picks: Banana Boat Sheer Sensitive Face Lotion SPF 50 An inexpensive body sunscreen in a big pump bottle: Equate Sport Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Value Size SPF 50 Nancy loves: CyberPower LE1000DG Additional reading: The Best Face Sunscreens The Best Sunscreens The Problem With SPF Makeup (and How to Solve It) This Trader Joe’s Sunscreen May Be Even Better Than Its Much Pricier Counterpart We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and Website Instagram: /wirecutter Threads: /@wirecutter Twitter: /wirecutter Facebook: /thewirecutter TikTok: /wirecutter LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/ Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel. Studio support from Maddy Masiello, Nick Pitman, Kyle Grandillo, and Samantha Winter. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Daniel Ramirez, and Sophia Lanman. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset. Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.