Your Favourite Sunscreens Compared

Yesterday, we talked about sunscreen and what to look for when shopping for your next sunscreen to slather all over your body.

ICYMI, here are my Sun Tips:

1.       Wear a 30+ SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen on your face daily (rain or shine UVA rays are present causing photodamage, premature ageing, and may cause various skin cancers).

2.       Reapply every 2 hours of sun exposure, or after swimming or excessive sweating.

3.       Only purchase sunscreens with mineral-based ingredients ie. Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide or Mexoryl. 

4.       Look for a minimum of 5% of each mineral-based ingredient. This will help the sunscreen to keep stable for a longer period. Some with lower percentages will degrade quickly - you'll need to reapply sooner than 2 hours.

5.       We still don't know the full effects of some sunscreen ingredients. Therefore, only slather it all over if you are going to be in the sun and shower it off properly when you are back indoors. 

6.       Sit in the shade where possible, wear a wide-brimmed hat, avoid peak sun 10am - 4pm.

We also discussed some scary chemicals to be mindful of.

It’s also important to note there are many studies on the dangers of spray sunscreens, especially on children and people with respiratory illnesses. These sunscreens allow the particles to be sprayed into the air and therefore, can end up in the lungs. Take caution with these products; never spray directly onto a face, avoid windy areas. While we understand the convenience, be mindful of the potential hazards.

So, here’s what you’re here for. A sunscreen comparison cheat sheet. Use this handy chart when you are out shopping for sunscreen. 

Warning: you may be shocked to discover some of your favourite sunscreens aren’t the highest rated. We were.

 And some disclaimers:

Disclaimer #1: All the information in the chart is taken directly from each product’s packaging. Read your product labels.

Disclaimer #2: This is by no means a fully extensive list. Thank you to everyone who supplied their sunscreen photos. There are hundreds of products on the market, so read and research before buying.

Disclaimer #3: Everyone’s preferences are different. What some people love, others react differently.

To note: mineral-based sunscreens with high percentages of zinc may be thick and difficult to spread. Where possible, we have included these notes.

For our purposes, our scale is as follows:

Low Risk: contains mild-risk chemicals like Avobenzone and Octisalate (Remember, there are risks with all chemical ingredients)

Moderate Risk: contains Homosalate and Octocrylene

High Risk: contains Oxybenzone and Octinoxate (please never use these products, especially on your children.)

Our favourite sunscreens get a Glowing Seal of Approval.

The order is random, although we grouped brands together so you could see a side-by-side comparison. We are not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned.

Thanks again, to everyone who submitted their sunscreens for our comparison.

If you have any questions, please contact us. And if you’d like to purchase an AlumierMD sunscreen, which contains only Zinc and Titanium Dioxide, we can help!