I know this is not a a sexy topic but having recently been the victim of a bad burn due to product failure, I thought it would be a good idea to write a PSA on sunscreens.  Because I love you all and don’t want you to get burned too I’m giving you a rundown on some sunscreens that I have tried.  Just think of me as your guinea pig, but cuter.

Sunscreens for the face:

Neutrogena Ultra Dry Touch Sunblock (Most drugstores $8.99)

This is a hearty sunscreen that is sweat proof and won’t cause a breakout.  I always carry a tube of this in my handbag in the summer.  This works well for the body and face, but I like it best for the face.

Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50+ (Kiehls.com $36)

I received two itty bitty tubes of this awesome product last summer and they lasted me until a month ago.  I kept one in my beach bag and one in my purse and used them all the time.  Sun rays stand no chance of getting through when you wear this sunscreen!  Unfortunately, when I went looked into buying more I was stunned at the price tag.  So, as much as I like Super Fluid, I can’t justify the price.

Peter Roth Thomas Max All Day Moisture Defense® Cream ($42 Sephora)

This is a moisturizer that actually works amazing well as moisturizer AND as a sunscreen (which is rare in my experience).  I’ve never gotten a burn while wearing this stuff.  Great product if you want to skip a step in your morning routine.  There are all sorts of fancy anti-aging ingredients in this moisturizer too.  Good stuff!

Sunscreens for the body:

Yes to Carrots Hydrating Body Lotion with SPF 30  (Target $14.99)

I loved the idea of a double duty sunscreen/moisturizer, and I love Yes to Carrots Body Butter.  However, this product totally failed as a sunscreen so I would steer clear.  However, if you are looking for excellent body butter than check this brand out.  It  smells is delightful by the way.

Lubriderm Advanced Therapy with SPF 30 ($6.84 @ amazon.com)

This is great for when you first get out of the shower and don’t know where the day is going to take you.  In other words, it’s a good moisturizer with a little bit of protection.  It’s a puttering around the backyard kind of sunscreen, not heavy-duty going to the beach sunscreen.  You see the difference?

up & up Continuous Spray SPF-30 (2pk for 8.74)

This is an inexpensive spray that works well at preventing sunburn.  We usually stock up on this in the summer when we are out at the pool and beach a lot.  This has a noticeably “sporty” scent, but it’s not unpleasant.

Neutrogena Wet Skin Swim + Humidity + Sweat Sunblock Spray SPF 30 ( $8, most drugstores )

I picked up Neutrogena Wet Skin at Costco this summer on a two for one deal that also included two deluxe samples of the Utra Dry Touch Sunblock.  Such a good deal!  Anyhoo, this stuff works like a charm and is terrific if you have squirmy kiddos that don’t want to wait around to dry off so you can put on sunscreen.  This product is mainly for the body because this stuff is like Teflon once it’s on and you will need to do a superscrub to get it off your face. 

Coppertone WaterBabies Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 ($9.79 Target )

The label says that Waterbabies is  SPF 50 but it works more like SPF 20.  Also, it sprays out like a lotion so you will need to rub it in to your skin after applying.  Skip unless you are trying to work on your tan, then by all means spray away.

That’s the lowdown.  What sunscreens do you all like?