What You Need to Know About Buying the Best Sunscreen

Melissa Goldstein

By Melissa Goldstein of Martha Stewart

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It's too greasy. It's too chalky. It stings my eyes. These are just a few reasons why people skip the SPF. But here’s the reality: Sunscreen saves lives -- and it's your best defense against all the signs of premature aging, from fine lines to skin spots. Luckily, there's a new generation of blocks carefully formulated to tackle every gripe under the, well, you know. Find your match and play it safe, starting now.

Photography: YASU+JUNKO

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It's too greasy. It's too chalky. It stings my eyes. These are just a few reasons why people skip the SPF. But here’s the reality: Sunscreen saves lives -- and it's your best defense against all the signs of premature aging, from fine lines to skin spots. Luckily, there's a new generation of blocks carefully formulated to tackle every gripe under the, well, you know. Find your match and play it safe, starting now.
Photography: Peter LaMastro

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The Excuse

"Sunscreen makes me break out."
Photography: YASU+JUNKO

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The Solution

Any connection between sunblock and acne has less to do with the SPF and more to do with the lotion itself. Avoid pore-clogging ingredients, such as coconut butter and coconut oil. Red, bumpy patches can also signal sensitivity. Go for a sunblock that's free of potentially irritating additives like fragrance and alcohol.
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For Your Face

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60, $20.
Photography: Brayn Gardner

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For Your Body

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion Wet-Force SPF 50+ for Sensi- tive Skin and Children, $42.
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The Excuse

"It looks chalky on my skin."
Photography: YASU+JUNKO

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The Solution

Even sunscreens with micronized particles can leave an ashy cast on darker skin tones. To guarantee clear -- better yet, glowing -- coverage, grab an oil. This may sound counterintuitive to anyone who used baby oil to sizzle by the pool
as a kid, but these lightweight, nongreasy formulas protect with avobenzone, a colorless, oil-soluble UVA and UVB blocker.
Photography: Brayn Gardner

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For Your Face

L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition Facial Oil SPF 30, $20.
Photography: Brayn Gardner

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For Your Body

Clarins Sunscreen Care Oil Spray SPF 30, $36.
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The Excuse

"I can't find a natural sunscreen I like."
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The Solution

Natural (aka physical or nonchemical) sunscreens contain zinc dioxide and titanium dioxide, which sit on your skin's surface, deflecting and scattering UV rays. The best ones feel emollient, not thick or tacky, and are also free of parabens, retinyl palmitate, and oxybenzone, so they're gentle enough for kids and extra-sensitive skin.
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For Your Face

Bare Republic SPF 50 Natural Mineral Sunscreen Stick, $10.
Photography: Brayn Gardner

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For Your Body

MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50, $39.
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The Excuse

"It's a drag to reapply."
Photography: Mike Krautter

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The Solution

Nice try, but that doesn't fly anymore. If you don't want to rub lotion on top of makeup, dust on a fine layer of translucent mineral powder made from zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Fresh outof the pool? No need to towel off (or hold wiggly kids still): Just spray on a non-greasy wet-skin formula, which adheres to even the slickest surfaces.
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Photography: Brayn Gardner

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For Your Face

Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45, $30.
Photography: Brayn Gardner

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For Your Body

Ocean Potion H2O Sport Wetskin Tech Instant Dry Continuous Spray SPF 50, $10.
Photography: Paul Sunday

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The Excuse

"It seeps into my eyes and stings."
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The Solution

Fear of running sunscreen shouldn't keep you from, uh, running. Nor should you avoid your eyes altogether, since 5 to 10 percent of skin cancers occur in the lid region. Seek out water-resistant sport formulas or blocks designed for this sensitive area: Both form an invisible sort of mesh that clings onto and moves with your face.
Photography: Brayn Gardner

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For Your Face

SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50, $30.
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Photography: Brayn Gardner

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For Your Body

Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport Lotion SPF 70, $12.

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