7 of the best all-natural sunscreens on the market right now
It's been drilled into our brains for years: Wear SPF every day. Not only does sun protection help against visible skin damage, like burns and sun spots, but it also protects the skin from aging too quickly. And with the trend towards all-natural, everything, we tested 7 all-natural sunscreens to give you the what's what of the best on the market. Some are new formulations, along with some old favourites that really stood the test of time.
Before the dawn
Live Clean's latest launch is a line of sun care, which includes a mineral sunscreen for baby and an aloe vera after care lotion. The standout here is the mineral sunscreen for face. The thicker lotion goes on easily, without a chalky white look and leaves skin feeling hydrated without feeling greasy. Just let it sit on the skin for a few minutes before applying makeup to guarantee a flawless application.
Live Clean Face Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 45, $16.99, Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart
About face
New from Alba Botanica, this water resistant formulation is lighter weight than Live Clean's SPF, but is a bit slicker. The ultra fine lotion is perfect for acne prone skin, just make sure to leave about 10 minutes of time before applying any makeup so it won't interfere with what you're putting on. And careful while squeezing the bottle, because the liquid is thinner it can squirt out more than you need for your face. If you do have extra, put it to good use by applying to the backs of your hands and any other areas that will be exposed to the sun during the day.
Alba Botanica Facial Fragrance Free Sunscreen Lotion SPF 40, $9.99, Whole Foods, Loblaws, Safeway, Sobey's West, Well.ca and Amazon.ca
Stick it
If you're looking for a travel-perfect sunscreen, this stick from MyChelle should do the trick. It's reef safe and goes on clear, making it perfect to apply over top of makeup. It also includes avocado, jojoba and vitamin E oils to help moisturize the complexion while it protects.
MyChelle Sun Shield Clear Stick SPF 50, $16.50, beautyboutique.ca
Beauty benefits
If you are pressed for time in the morning (who isn't?), grab this multiple purpose CC Cream that offers SPF 30 while its antioxidant rich formulation moisturizes and perfects skin. This lotion acts more like a foundation and may require some blending. It also comes in five shades and thanks to the tint will not leave behind any white residue.
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream SPF 30, $49, holtrenfrew.com
Lip service
Don't forget to protect that pout! The skin on our lips is more delicate than skin on the rest of the face, so make sure to protect, and protect often, if you're going to be outdoors. This lip butter from Rocky Mountain Soap Co. is super hydrating, so you may need to let it sit or blot slightly if you want to apply lipstick over top.
Rocky Mountain Soap Co. SPF 15 Vanilla Coconut Lip Butter, $9, rockymountainsoap.com
A hint of tint
Consonant wasn't messing around when they called this The Perfect Sunscreen. This SPF 30 provides light coverage and contains natural mica to prevent a pasty finish. It is also formulated with aloe vera, grape seed oil and rice bran oil for hydration. Apply makeup if you want afterward, but it's not always necessary, as this provides a touch of coverage to all skin tones.
Consonant The Perfect Sunscreen SPF 30, $45, consonantskincare.com
Let loose
One thing many of us forget about when applying sunscreen is that they will need to apply again after a few well-spent hours outdoors. But who wants to reapply their makeup multiple times per day? Enter this powder SPF from Laboratoire Dr Renaud. Made to counteract the effects of the sun, while it adds a touch of bronze and helps to minimize shine, this is the perfect purse companion for those hot summer days. The brush applicator may be deceiving, so make sure you apply generously.
Laboratoire Dr Renaud Loose Powder SPF 50, $56, eskincarestore.com or head here for spa locations.