I Spent An Entire Day at The Beach and Didn’t Get a Tan

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The Most Sun-Proof Beauty Products in My Stash

Nope, this is not one of those clickbait headlines aimed to make you look only to be left disappointed. That really happened, you guys, and not on a plain ol’ cloudy day, but on a 90-degree cloudless boiler! As some of you may know, my mom and sister were visiting from Russia, so one day they decided to go to the beach and we ended up spending an entire day there. As a sunscreen-obsessed vampire, the idea of getting a tan was terrifying, so I brought products that I knew were the most sun-proof in my stash. The result: 6 hours at the beach [most of it out in the sun and playing in the water] with zero tan lines at the end of the day!

I started the day with Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 ($69 for 1.7 oz) as my daily moisturizer, because it’s more than a sunscreen. This sophisticated formula features a peptide complex combined with white tea, yeast extract, glucosamine and soy to help stimulate collagen synthesis, fight off free radicals, promote skin firmness, and even help prevent the signs of aging caused by sugar reacting with proteins in skin [what kind of a beach day would it be without ice cream?]. Dermalogica describes this as a ‘medium-weight formula’, which I tend to agree with. It has a creamy, milky consistency, and doesn’t absorb into the skin right away, leaving a very slight dewy sheen that is not oily nor dry. It just sort of looks like well-moisturized skin, nothing more than that.

You will LOVE it if:

• You are looking for an anti-aging moisturizer that offers broad spectrum SPF protection.
• You prefer fragrance-free skincare.
• You prefer the hygienic pump packaging.
• You have dry, normal, or combination skin.

You will HATE it if:

• You are sensitive to any of the ingredients.
• You avoid chemical sunscreens.
• You avoid oxybenzone.
• You have very oily skin.
• You’re on a tight budget. This is a pricey product.

Ingredients: Active – Avobenzone (3.0%), Octinoxate (7.5%), Octisalate (5.0%), Oxybenzone (5.0%). Inactive – Water/Aqua/Eau, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Nylon-12, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Allantoin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Glucosamine HCI, Squalane, Algae Extract, Yeast Extract, Urea, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Polysorbate 60. Cocamidopropyl PG_Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Healianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil. Titanium Dioxode (CL 77891).

Once we started spending more time in the water, I switched to COOLA Face Sport SPF 50 Moisturizer White Tea ($32 for 1.7 oz), because of its water-resistant properties. The brand guarantees water resistance up to 80 minutes, but I reapplied every 40 just to be safe. The texture is milky but not heavy at all, spreads easily, and absorbs right away without leaving the skin greasy or sticky. It has a pleasant aroma of white tea, which felt nice and refreshing on a hot day. Designed specifically for long active days in the sun, the formula is made of 70% organic ingredients, and can be used even by people with sensitive skin.

You will LOVE it if:

• You prefer more natural formulations with organic ingredients.
• You prefer skincare with no added fragrance.
• You avoid oxybenzone.
• You prefer chemical sunscreens.
• You have dry, normal, or combination skin.

You will HATE it if:

• You are sensitive to any of the ingredients.
• You avoid chemical sunscreens.
• You have very oily skin.

Ingredients: Active – Avobenzone 3%, Octinoxate 6.2%. Inactive – Acacia Farnesiana (ORGANIC Acacia) Extract, AcrylatesCopolymer, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract (ORGANIC), Camellia Sinensis LeafExtract (ORGANIC), Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius(Safflower) Oleosomes, Cirtus Aurantium Dulcis (ORGANIC Orange) Fruit Water,Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Euterpe Oleracea (ORGANIC Acai) Fruit Oil, Flavor, FragariaVesca (ORGANIC Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Glycerin (ORGANIC), Helianthus Annuus(ORGANIC Sunflower) Seed Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Linum Usitatissimum (ORGANICLinseed) Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (ORGANIC Evening Primrose) Oil, PlanktonExtract, Salvia Hispanica (ORGANIC Chia) Seed Oil, Trisodium EthylenediamineDisuccinate, Water, Xanthan Gum.

For the body I looooove using COOLA Sport Continuous Spray SPF 50 Guava Mango ($36 for 8 fl oz), it’s one of my favorite spray sunscreens, if not the favorite. Unlike most SPF sprays, this one seems to be more targeted, so it’s not like I’m spraying the walls with it. Also, it has the loveliest runny, non-sticky texture that makes it very easy to re-apply and spread on the skin even with all the sand flying everywhere. As an added bonus, thanks to all of those natural plant ingredients it smells like a basket of fruits. If the face sunscreen is more of a milk, this one is like a clear oil-gel that sinks in right away, and doesn’t leave white stains and streaks on clothing. And unlike other products in this roundup, this spray is actually suitable for all skin types, even super oily and sensitive.

You will LOVE it if:

• You prefer more natural formulations with organic ingredients.
• You prefer skincare with no added fragrance.
• You avoid oxybenzone.
• You prefer chemical sunscreens.
• You prefer spray sunscreen for body.

You will HATE it if:

• You are sensitive to any of the ingredients.
• You avoid chemical sunscreens.
• You don’t like spray sunscreen.

Ingredients: Active – Avobenzone 3.0%, Octinoxate 7.5%, Octocrylene 10.0%. Inactive – Alcohol (ORGANIC), Algae (ORGANIC) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (ORGANIC) Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus (ORGANIC Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Fragaria Vesca (ORGANIC Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Glycerin (ORGANIC), VA/Butyl Maleate/Isobornyl Acrylate Copolymer, Water.

The lips are covered with the thinnest skin on your body, so protecting them is absolutely necessary. I am not loyal to any particular brand, but I had the chance to try COOLA Liplux SPF 30 ($12 for 0.15 oz) so that’s what I’ve been carrying in my purse all of last month. In a typical COOLA fashion, the formula is 70% natural and organic, filled with antioxidants and botanical oils to nourish and protect the lips. The only thing I didn’t care for is the white cast it leaves on dead skin, so if your lips are dry and flaky, that’s where all the white stuff will gather. Other than that, I had zero issues with this balm, and my lips most definitely did not get burned.

You will LOVE it if:

• You prefer more natural formulations with organic ingredients.
• You prefer skincare with no added fragrance.
• You avoid oxybenzone.
• You prefer chemical sunscreens.
• You are looking for untinted sunscreen for lips to wear under lipstick.

You will HATE it if:

• You are sensitive to any of the ingredients.
• You avoid chemical sunscreens.
• You have dry lips.

Ingredients: Active – Avobenzone 3%, Octinoxate 7.25%, Octocrylene 2.8% and Octisalate 5%. Inactive – Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Beeswax (ORGANIC), Butyrospermum Parkii (ORGANIC Shea Butter), Carthamus Tinctorius (ORGANIC Safflower) Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (ORGANIC Coconut) Oil, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate, Flavor, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Persea Gratissima (ORGANIC Avocado) Oil, Rosa Canina (ORGANIC Dog Rose Hip) Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol.

I had this handy little stick for a while now, and I really like it for quick touch ups. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Targeted Sun Defense Stick SPF 50 ($20 for 6.8 g) is more suitable for combination and oily skin because it has a dry feel formula and it doesn’t feel particularly moisturizing. I use it on the tips of my ears, eyelids, as a lip balm, on my neck and hands, and any time I feel like I need to reapply my sunscreen but don’t have a tube of the usual stuff on hand. Just so you know, I definitely prefer traditional sunscreen lotions, but sticks are travel-friendly and don’t take a lot of space in the purse. Plus, there’s no risk of anything spilling out. Unfortunately, the stick seems to be discontinued, but you can still buy it at FeelUnique and maybe some of the bigger discount stores. Also worth mentioning that this little guy received the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation.

You will LOVE it if:

• You have very oily skin.
• You are looking for a travel-friendly option that doesn’t take a lot of space.
• You need a separate SPF product for quick touchups.
• You prefer chemical sunscreens.

You will HATE it if:

• You are sensitive to any of the ingredients.
• You avoid chemical sunscreens.
• You avoid oxybenzone.
• You have very dry skin.
• You prefer unscented beauty products.

Ingredients: Active – Oxybenzone. Inactive – Octyldodecyl myristate, Polyethylene, Phenyl trimethicone, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Benzophenone-3, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Tocopheryl acetate, Caprylyl glycol, Parfum/fragrance, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol.

Also, here are some basic sun safety tips that you probably already know anyway:

• Apply SPF 30 minutes before going out to the sun, if it’s a formula that includes chemical sunscreens. You can go out right away if it’s an all-mineral formula.
• Always re-apply every 2 hours, regardless if you were doing any activities or not. Your body is sweating lightly even if you are sitting in the shade the whole time, which makes the protection weaker.
• If you are swimming or doing any sports activities, make sure to re-apply sunscreen every 40 minutes.
• Don’t forget to protect the lips, lids, and ears!
• Wear a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing when possible, and try to spend more time in the shade.

Wearing Hydrochic  Slim Fit Long Sleeve Rashguard ($82) and a matching pair of Two-Toned Bikini Bottoms ($39).

Speaking of protective clothing, how cute is this set from Hydrochic? The brand is known for their modest swimwear & activewear that you can wear to the pool and to the gym. Started by two former educators and mothers, who felt like there was something missing in the swimwear market, Hydrochic delivers beautiful garments to women of all shapes and sizes. Covering my body at the beach is not part of my philosophy, so for me the real value lies in the fabric, which on its own offers the highest level of sun protection, or SPF50+ as it officially states on the website. I picked out this beautiful Slim Fit Long Sleeve Rashguard ($82) and a matching pair of Two-Toned Bikini Bottoms ($39). Not cheap, I know, but the quality is top notch, and there’s zero chance of any see-through.

I hope you all had an amazing summer! And those of you who get to enjoy beach weather for a little bit longer, make sure to stay safe and don’t forget to apply SPF. Your skin will thank you for it! 🙂

What type of sunscreen do you prefer, chemical, physical, or a mix of both? Do you have a favorite SPF product? Have you tried anything from my list above? Let me know in the comments below!