My Go-To, Covers Everything, Clean-ish Sunscreen Guide
I am a bit of a sunscreen junkie and in my defense I have very fair skin that burns instantly in the sun and I can even get pink on cloudy days. In order to help protect my fair skin I am constantly trying and using a wide variety of sunscreens. As I have mentioned on here a few times I try to use clean, non-toxic products on my body and so many of the sunscreens I love and recommend are primarily mineral, zinc based sunscreens. Luckily science has significantly improved upon the zinc sunscreens of old that left your skin with a white tint and many of them are now are essentially clear.
You all know the importance of wearing sunscreen so I won’t go into all that, but I can say as an equestrian we all spend a fair amount of time out in the sun and it is so important to protect your skin and to keep re-applying sunscreen throughout the day. Definitely keep some sunscreen in your groom tote or tack trunk so you can keep yourself covered.
Let’s get to it! These are all sunscreens that I have used extensively and still use everyday. I like a little variety and rotate what I use, so it is a pretty big list! Here are some of my favorite sunscreens:
Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50:
This is a chemical sunscreen but one that is relatively clean and I definitely use it along with my favorite zinc sunscreens for double coverage. This one is lightweight, moisturizing and sinks in immediately. It is water and sweat resistant for 80 minutes, a must for those hot, humid riding lessons.
Supergoop Play Antioxidant Body Mist SPF 50:
It does not get any easier than this non-aerosol, water proof sunscreen, just point, spray and off you go. Keep one in your beach bag, groom tote and tack trunk. It is perfect to have on hand if you forgot to put on sunscreen before heading to the barn or to add an extra layer to your shoulders and arms. Don’t forget your hands too!
This is a new one to me and I have quickly fallen in love with it. If you don’t want to slather another thing on your face in the morning just add a few drops of this silky, plant based sunscreen to your daily moisturizer or liquid foundation. It blends in beautifully and provides provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and helps mitigate the effects of HEV light (aka blue light), IR, and pollution. You can also wear it alone too.
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40:
This is the original OG chemical sunscreen from Supergoop. It is a totally weightless, invisible, scentless sunscreen that leaves a velvety finish. This is for all the sunscreen haters that don’t like sticky residue that sunscreen can sometimes leave behind.
Acure Radically Rejuvenating SPF 30 Day Cream:
This is a zinc sunscreen/moisturizer packed with skin nourishing turmeric, ferulic acid and vitamin c. It is a one and done, use it as your daily moisturizer and sunscreen, no need to layer multiple products. Plus it leaves your face super smooth and looking better.
Kinship Self Reflect Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen:
This is another new brand for me and I was instantly hooked because it leaves my skin protected but with a dewy, glowing finish. It is a 100% mineral sunscreen that blends into skin seamlessly. This reef-safe, non-nano zinc oxide formula is gentle on skin while providing UVA/UVB protection as well as blue light protection. This sunscreen is made using KinbiomeTM, Kinship’s plant-based probiotic that supports a strong skin barrier + clear, glowing skin. Throw this on in the morning and then use as a touch up after you leave the barn to make your skin look better.
Solara Suncare Pout Protector Moisturizing Lip Serum SPF 15:
Don’t forget your lips need protection too and this clean, non-toxic formula plumps, hydrates and protects the delicate skin on your lips. Apply all summer long in place of lip balm.
Supergoop (Re)Setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 35:
This is my go-to for on-the-go touch ups and those hard to reach areas like the tops of my ears and the part on my head. I also brush it along my forehead, nose and the tops of my hands to add an extra layer of protection. I keep one in my purse, my car and in the barn.
Suntegrity Natural Mineral Body Sunscreen SPF 30:
I love everything Suntegrity makes and am a huge fan of their clean, non-toxic sunscreen (free of harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, synthetic dyes, sulfates, nanoparticles and chemical UV absorbers). This body sunscreen is my go-to to use all over while hanging out at the pool and it is what I slather on my arms and neck before lunging horses in the outdoor arena. And it comes in an eco-friendly sugarcane bottle.
This super thick, super strong, super clean (top rated by EWG Skin Deep for ingredient safety) sunscreen is the real deal for when you are going to be spending a lot of time out in the sun (ie beach vacations, pool days etc…). It goes on super thick and very white and does take some rubbing in to get the white cast to go away but it’s clean protection is worth it. I took this to the Bahamas and it kept me from getting a sunburn and lasted way longer than all my other sunscreens.
Biossance Squalane and Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30:
I bought this right before our trip to the Bahamas after hearing so many good reviews and I can honestly say I am hooked. This powerful, broad spectrum, non-toxic zinc mineral sunscreen protects even the most sensitive skin. This lightweight, deeply hydrating sunscreen lotion blends in for all skin tones fast without leaving a trace. It calms and cools sun-stressed skin and leaves absolutely everyone with a soft, dewy finish. I wore it everyday on my face while we were at the beach and my face did not burn or even turn pink. It soaked in quickly and left my face soft and moisturized.
Suntegrity 5 in 1 Tinted Sunscreen Moisturizer:
This is what I grab when the dog days of summer have set in and I can’t stand layering products on my face. This all in one renews, hydrates, protects, primes and covers the skin. Similar to a cc cream but with SPF and free of toxic chemicals. It provides light all over coverage that makes your skin look good while being protected from the sun.
Suntegrity Pressed Mineral Powder Compact SPF 50:
This multi-tasking, zinc oxide based, mineral pressed powder blends effortlessly into most skin tones providing Broad Spectrum SPF 50 sun protection while leaving skin with a natural matte finish. This lightweight translucent formula also helps minimize the appearance of pores, blurs imperfections, evens out skin tone and controls shine. I dab a little on over the Suntegrity Tinted Moisturizer to control shine on my forehead, nose and chin and keep one in my car for touch ups.
This was one of the first clean sunscreens I purchased and it is perfect if you have dry skin because it is super moisturizing and leaves your skin heathy and glowing. If you have dry skin and like a dewy look, this is the sunscreen for you. It is packed with omega fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins as well as the ever important non-nano zinc oxide. You can replace your daily moisturizer with this product all summer long.
When my face needs a little radiant boost I reach for this fun sunscreen. Glow Screen perfects skin, creating a totally dewy base layer. The sheer liquid texture gives my skin a healthy dose of pearlescence, to add instant, glowing protection with no visible glitz or glitter. It also has an added boost of hydration with a blend of hyaluronic acid and Vitamin B5 that leaves skin naturally supple and dewy from the inside out.
Don’t forget to protect your eyes with sunglasses and hats or helmets with a visor are a must!
Do you have any peppermints for me??
