All about suncreens + a few of my favorites

I've been a religious wearer of sunscreen since I hit my early 20s, once the research started coming out on just how linked sun exposure is to not only skin cancer but also photoaging, wrinkles, spots, and other sorts of things that are better off avoided. As such, I've probably spent thousands of dollars on both hyped upscale and conventional drugstore sunscreens, and wanted to pass along some of my knowledge. If you click on the sunscreen label you'll also find some of the older reviews I've done on specific sunscreens.

General tips

1. Chemical formulations are a must for lighter, lotion-like clear formulas with no white cast. That said, the challenge with chemical sunscreens is like many of the common ingredients like oxybenzone have known issues, causing skin reactions and functioning like an estrogen. For kid-safe nonchemical formulations, physical sunscreens are an absolute must. For me, as a time matter I don't like dealing with thick and goopy physical formulations, though if I do have those I'll use them on my legs / arms where the thickness doesn't bug me as much as on my face.
   
   
2. Use your FSA funds to reimburse purchases of suncreens with SPF 30+: This is huge, and something I only just realized this year (doh!). Basically, any sunscreen related product, INCLUDING foundations / tinted moisturizer / BB cream with an SPF of 30+ when clearly shown in the product name etc. can be submitted to your insurer to reimburse from money you set aside tax-free for health related purchases in an FSA. Seriously, this means you can essentially buy tax-free, and you do not need to get your sunscreens from any specific source
   
   
3. More expensive sunscreens do not mean better - look at the SPF, check the ingredients, but at the end of the day sunscreen is sunscreen. I've fallen to the ploy of $50 tiny bottles of sunscreen marketed by big high end cosmetics shops, and honestly a lot of those probably aren't even as good as your basic drugstore brands. My go-to recommendation for high quality and value are Korean sunscreens, which I purchase through Yesstyle (much better prices for any Asian beauty product, do not be overcharged at more hyped up places like SokoGlam or Sephora, which I've checked are and always pricier for the same items). You can also find sunscreens at TJ Maxx or other outlets (but check expiration per next point)
   
   
4. Check expiration dates: Most sunscreens expire after 12-18 months, particularly chemical ones as they denature and become ineffective. Physical ones you can get away with longer (as it's literally there are a physical block), but they do tend to start smelling and feeling less nice after they age too long. Point is, there's not much point to hoarding sunscreen since it will go bad if you don't use it up
   
   
5. Makeup with sunscreen is not enough: Put it simply, to get the labeled SPF, you need to use a full teaspoon of product on your face. Most of us are not putting on that much make-up, plus most make-ups only include low SPFs of 15.  
   
   
6. Layer your sunscreen after moisturizer and before makeup: It makes intuitive sense, as you want to go from thinnest to thickest formulations as a general skincare rule. Skincare products should go directly on your skin, then sunscreen will go on to protect (give it a couple mins to sink in) followed by makeup which is for coverage.
   
   
7. Look at the PA rating - this is a Japanese system, hence you're likely to find more on Asian beauty products. The more +'s, essentially the more UVA protection and hence anti-aging / cellular damage benefit there is. PA++++ is as high as they go and is what I always try to opt for in my facial sunscreens
   
   
8. Reapplication is critical: Most sunscreens denature or wear off after a couple hours, so if you're out in the sun throughout the day, be sure to reapply every few hours
   
   
9. The morning and evening light is heavy in UVA: So yes it may be dusk and the sun may seem to be faint, but UVA rays are long and are strong in the morning and evenings.
   
   
10. Protect the lips: It took me years to get good about this, but I've realized that the lips are every bit as important, if not more so, than the skin. Additionally, if you are prone to cold sores, the number one cause of them is unprotected sun damage to the lips. So pick up a zinc-based lip protectant and reapply often (after eating and drinking especially).

Recent favorite sunscreens

These are the current ones in my arsenal, though chances are I've tried any sunscreen you're looking at. Leave a comment if you want a review on anything specifically. Note for the Yesstyle items you can use my code PSWCKU for a discount on the products (disclaimer, affiliate link).

1. MISSHA - All Around Safe Block Aqua Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++: This is my current daily sunscreen. It's light, it's got a very high protection factor, and it applies so easily into the skin (a common theme you'll find in all of the sunscreens I'm showing here. It has a light and fresh scent
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   

   Post-application - totally clear

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. JMsolution - Marine Luminous Pearl Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++: The stick foundations from this brand have really impressed me. You can't feel it on your skin at all, and it rolls on so easily. I have the flower one as well, but between the two I think the Marine one is a better value and just as nice. They have a very light scent, with the flower version smelling like rose (which is lovely)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   

   Applies completely clear and can't feel a thing

3. Trader Joe's spray sunscreen: I don't love this, and the ingredients aren't by any means clean (has oxybenzone sadly), but nothing beats a spray sunscreen when it comes to applying to the body quickly in the summer. This is one of the few sprays I've found, and as I used to live close to Trader Joe's it was convenient and a good price (about $6 a bottle). Does the job.
   
   
4. Etude House - Sunprise Must Daily Lotion SPF50+ PA+++: This one I remember being pleasantly impressed by, as one of the other formulations was dry and chalky (think the natural version of this).
   
5. TONYMOLY - Intense Care Gold 24K Snail Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++: This was my go-to sunscreen for the better part of a year, because who can resist the claims of anti-wrinkle with snail and gold extract? Can't say I noticed a difference while using it, but it has a very pleasant texture and lightly tart scent. 
   
   
   Hope this review is helpful to folks!