Best sunscreen

My husband’s plastic surgeon (a flap was needed to close his super sized WLE) recommended a physical (titanium dioxide) sunscreen SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical Defense. My husband didn’t like it (harder to rub in than chemical), but I do. It comes tinted too, and rubs into the skin more easily than some other mineral sunscreens I’ve tried.

He likes the chemical sunscreen Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen/50. Cheaper. I like it other applying it more often since it’s chemical and it takes about 20 minutes to protect.

At a symposium put on by our melanoma center, one of the docs spoke about sunscreens, myths, and chemical versus physical/mineral. She said the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually use – and that almost no one puts on enough. Pros and cons of the two types were listed. If you’d like the handout emailed to you, just PM me. 

Someone asked for physical sunscreen recommendations, and she mentioned Neutrogena Pure & Free, Blue Lizard, Aveno Active Naturals, Cerave Invisible Zinc, La Roche-Posey, Anthelios 50 (tint). She and her kids use physical (mineral).

She also mentioned clothing with SPF (my husband has golf shirts) and an herbal supplement called heliocare that is taken once a day or twice if outside, but I don’t remember what she said about it. And maybe something that clothes can be laundered with. And physical and environmental concerns about sunscreens. 

Beth

The best sun screen – – – is the one you wear!!!  I deal with lots of adolescents and they don't want to be "gooey"!  However, the sun screen that satisfies this one…doesn't work for that one!!  Long sleeves (think cool rash guards!!!), hats, not being out between 10 and 2 go a long way as well.  As I tell my teens, "It doesn't work in the bottle!!!"  I have found that Neutrogena products do tend to tick more of the boxes.  Keep trying until you find one that will be worn!!!  best, celeste

Hi Kelly,

I dont think I am the right person to give these kinds of reommendations, but… I use whatever consumer reports recommends which has been coppertone water babies and pure sun defense. They also recommend some of the walmart own labels and the trader joes spray. I personally like neutrogena ultra sheen dry touch as when I sweat the other stuff runs into my eyes and causes problems, the neutrogena less so.

One reason why I am posting is that I bought some upf clothes from patagonia they came this week and they are pretty good – I tried them out in the heatwave and the trousers are much lighter than my usual jeans which are awful in the sun, plus the shirt felt lighter than my solumbra shirt and looks better too. So I would try the patagonia sun clothes, I was glad I bought these.

hope others have good recommendations as I hate this season and it scares me to go outside in the sun

best wishes Mark

We've tried a lot and settled on Blue Lizard.   My wife's melanoma specialist recommended a french physical sunscreen, can't remember the name, but it was very expensive.   I'm a chemist so started researching and Blue Lizard is just about identical and a third the price.   Does leave you a little washed out color wise, but very effective.

Like others said, "best" is pretty relative to your skin and what you can handle.  I really like Neutrogena Sensative Skin Broad Spectrum.  It's titanium dioxide based, and doesn't leave me feeling greasy or pasty.

I live in south texas by the beach and still spend a lot of time on the beach. I have lived here for 15 years and have tried lots of diferent brands. On the beach with the sun reflecting off of everything I have found Ocean Potion works the best for me. I have never burned where I had rub it on. It also smells really good. It is kinda hard to find and when I do find it I buy several.