When I was in my early 20s, my
Friends would balk at me skipping sunscreen. Didn't I care about protecting myself from skin
cancer or, at the very least, leathery wrinkles? The truth was, I hated applying sunscreen, especially on my face. Every formula I tried, no matter how much it promised to be non-greasy and non-comedogenic, left me with little pimples at the end of the beach day. It also made my already oil-prone skin even shinier. As I got older, I realized this is no excuse to not be vigilant about my skin health and resigned myself to carrying oil-absorbing sheets everywhere, especially during the humid NYC summers. In reporting a story about the best core skincare routine for most people , I spoke to Dr. Ivy Lee, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in
Los Angeles, who recommended the brand EltaMD , beloved by celebrities like Mindy Kaling and
Kendall Jenner . With most of its facial sunscreens around $40, it's pricier than most drugstore options. Still, I was curious to try it because it's a mineral sunscreen and contains ingredients like zinc oxide that physically block out the sun — something Lee said would be more effective than chemical sunscreens, which have ingredients that absorb into the skin to protect against UV rays. I was a bit overwhelmed with all the brand's sunscreen options , so I tried EltaMD UV Clear because it has the most user reviews on
Amazon (over 35,000), most of them overwhelmingly positive. Dermatologists I've spoken to recommended sunscreen that's at least SPF 30, so this one fit the bill at an oddly specific SPF 46. It also contains niacinamide (vitamin B3) which is supposed to lock in moisture. I use about one pump and I love how thin it feels. I don't have to worry about rubbing it in and unlike sunscreens I've used in the past, accidentally getting it into my eyes doesn't lead to stinging. But the best part is how it makes my skin look. Even before I apply makeup, my face feels soft and glowy in the best way, never veering into oily territory. While I usually feel self-conscious about going barefaced, having a more luminous, even skin tone makes me feel more put-together and confident. I have a fairly light skin tone, but I still notice (and loathe) when sunscreen gives me a white cast , giving my face an awkward, pinkish-lavender color that doesn't match the rest of my body. This sunscreen, however, feels lighter than my favorite lotion and goes on just as easily. While I haven't tried them yet, EltaMD also makes tinted versions of some of its formulas, including UV Clear . $39 is admittedly more than I ever thought I'd pay for something as basic as sunscreen, but until I tried EltaMD, I didn't realize how much of a difference wearing a good sunscreen makes. Now, I don't ever skip putting it on in the morning— and diligently reapply it mid-day, if only for how good it makes my skin look.