Sunscreen, we all should be using it. Yes, ALL of us! From the babies to the elder, from the pale to the richest in melanin everyone should be protecting their skin from the sun. Do you know how harmful UV Rays are? Yes, the sun gives us good old vitamin D, but the radiation is rather dangerous.

I understand all too well how hard it is to find sunscreen that is not too greasy, does not feel too dry and most of all does not leave a weird ashy gray or purple cast. So, I went on a hunt and below are the four sunscreens I can recommend. Some I have used before others are currently sitting in my cart waiting for me to hit checkout.

1.            Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Mist Sunscreen SPF 55 $17.49 USD

Ingredients: Active: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (10%). Inactive: Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone Trisiloxane, Diisopropyl Adipate, Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Fragrance, Tocopheryl Acetate.

Avobenzone also known as BMDM or butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane;is a chemical that offers broad-range protection against UVA rays.

Homosalate is a chemical UVB absorber

Octisalate is a UVB protector

Octocrylene is a UVB sunscreen with strong water-resistant properties and a rather broad-band absorption range.

What I like about this sunscreen is that it is a face mist. Sunscreen tends to ruin makeup, and this does the opposite. Think of it as a pre-setting spray. Beat your face, Spray on your sunscreen then spray on your setting spray. As for the sunscreen benefits, SPF 55 is awesome the active ingredients as you can see are doing exactly what you would want your sunscreen to do, protect you from UVA and UVB rays*.

*UVA rays age the skin, UVB rays burn the skin.

You can purchase this sunscreen at Ulta, Target or any drugstore.

 2.           Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 $18.99

Ingredients: Active: Avobenzone: 3%, Homosalate: 10%, Octisalate: 5%, Octocrylene: 2.75% Inactive: Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butylphthalimide, Carbomer, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Anuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Isopropylphthalimide, Lecithin, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Oleate, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Water.

We already know about the active ingredients but let us get into those skin loving ingredients.

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice also known as aloe vera is an emollient and film forming gum resin with hydrating, softening, healing, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also absorb UV light. In this product it has been diluted down to a juice. It has a relaxing effect making it suitable for sensitive, sun burned or sun exposed skin. It is widely known for its moisturizing capacity.

Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil contains beta-carotene and vitamin A, providing antioxidant properties. Also beneficial for treating dry, damaged skin.

Helianthus Anus (Sunflower) Seed Oil is considered a noncomedogenic raw material; sunflower seed oil is commonly used as a carrier oil, that softens and smooths the skin. It is high in linoleic acid and other essential fatty acid content.

Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil typically functions as an emollient and as a carrier oil in cosmetic preparation, helping transport active substances into the skin. Avocado oil has demonstrated sun screening characteristics and has been given the highest ranking by the Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology for sunscreen effectiveness when compared to other naturally derived oils such as peanut, olive and coconut.

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil is a moisturizer and emollient. It reduces trans-epidermal water loss without completely blocking the transportation of water vapor and gases, providing the skin with suppleness and softness. Jojoba oil gives cosmetic products excellent spread-ability and lubricity. It also is generally considered noncomedogenic.

Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter softens and lubricates the skin.

What I like about this sunscreen is how moisturizing it is based on its ingredients. I also like the reviews I have seen on how on it does not leave a white residue and is great for all sin types. Its one of the products that is in my shopping cart.

You can purchase this sunscreen at blackgirlsunscreen.com or Target.

3.            La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Body & Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 100 $24.99

Ingredients: Active: avobenzone 3%, homosalate 15%, octisalate 5%, octocrylene 10% inactive: POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE • GLYCERIN • DIMETHICONE • POLY C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE • STYRENE/ACRYLATES COPOLYMER • SILICA • CAPRYLYL METHICONE • ACRYLATES/DIMETHICONE COPOLYMER • DIETHYLHEXYL SYRINGYLIDENEMALONATE • PEG-100 STEARATE • GLYCERYL STEARATE • PHENOXYETHANOL • POTASSIUM CETYL PHOSPHATE • TOCOPHEROL • CAPRYLYL GLYCOL • PANTHENOL • ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER • TRIETHANOLAMINE • PEG-8 LAURATE • INULIN LAURYL CARBAMATE • CHLORPHENESIN • P-ANISIC ACID • CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE • XANTHAN GUM • DISODIUM EDTA • CASSIA ALATA LEAF EXTRACT • MALTODEXTRIN • SODIUM DODECYLBENZENESULFONATE

Cassia Alata Leaf extract according to manufacturers is has great anti-aging benefits that give DNA protection from UV rays and supports the natural repairing processes of the skin cells.

Panthenol acts as a penetrating moisturizer. Appears to stimulate cellular proliferation and aid in tissue repair. It penetrates the skin and gets converted into pantothenic acid, a B complex vitamin. Such an action could possibly influence the skin’s natural resources of pantothenic acid. It protects the skin against sunburn, provides relief for existing sunburn, and enhances the natural tanning process. It is considered noncomedogenic.

Now this sunscreen has the highest SPF I have seen in the products that boast about not leaving a white cast. It is Oxybenzone and Octincoxate free. Meaning what exactly? Oxybenzone also known as benzophenone-3 is an oil soluble UV absorber and filter with absorption rates within the UVA and UVB peak ranges. However, it has been reported to be associated with causing photo contact allergy.

What I like most about this product is that it is light weight and fast absorbing. You can purchase this sunscreen at laroche-posay.us or Target or Walgreens.

4.            Tula Protect + Glow Daily Sunscreen Gel Broad Spectrum SPF 30 $36.00

Ingredients: Active: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate Inactive: Aqua/Water/Eau, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Pentylene Glycol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Ectoin, Glycerin, Arginine, Hydroxyectoin, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract, Pyrus Communis (Pear) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract, Mica, Tocopherol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/PVP Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Propanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Ehtylhexylglycerin, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol.

Lactococcus Ferment Lysate is a probiotic ingredient that is obtained from the Gram-positive bacteria, Lactococcus lactis. It is said to positively influence both the speed and quality of epidermal growth that results in better barrier function and overall skin quality.

Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) fruit extract is said to have fruit sugars and amino acids that have soothing and moisturizing properties.

Carica Papaya (Papaya) fruit extract is said to help smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Lactic Acid also known as sodium lactate is a multi-purpose ingredient used as a preservative, exfoliant, moisturizer, and to provide acidity to a formulation. It has a better water intake than glycerin. As well as improving skin texture and feel.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract better known as green tea extract is a powerful antioxidant known to be antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and a stimulant. It can extend a product’s SPF.  It also possesses caffeine and phenolic acid.

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract is a botanical credited with soothing properties.

Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract contains vitamins B, and C and citric acid. It considered anti-bacterial, antiseptic, astringent, and toning.

Pyrus Communis (Pear) Fruit Extract is known as a skin protectant and skin conditioner.

Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract is claimed to have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also beneficial for dry skin.

Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract is known to exhibit properties able to protect the skin against harmful external agressors.

Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract is known to have skin-soothing, conditioning, protecting and smoothing properties.

Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract is usually used for fragrance.

Let me start by saying I have not tried this sunscreen personally. Do I want to? Yes! Do you see all those fruit extracts! I bet this product smells good. Also, this is designed to add glow hence the mica but if that is what you are looking for then you are n the right place. I like a product that I can wear as a stand alone and still get the glow I go for when doing my makeup.

While it may seem like a hassle to find then put on sunscreen everyday and reapplying every two hours while out in the sun, we must take this necessary step to preserve the health of our skin. It is the largest organ on our body, and it protects us from so much. What sunscreen are you using and would recommend to a friend?