We all know we need to be wearing sunscreen, but it can be challenging to find sunscreens that are comfortable enough to wear every day and also look good under makeup. The challenge of finding the best sunscreens over 40 becomes even more complicated when we women are peri-menopausal and our skin is extra dry and dehydrated.
However, since the alternative is the breakdown of collagen in our skin, and/or possible skin cancer, it’s essential that we are taking this step every day. Let me help you by providing you with a guide to the best sunscreens over 40. I’ve tried many sunscreens and these are the ones that work the best on my mature, sensitive, skin.
What I require in a sunscreen:
- It needs to be moisturizing
- It needs to look good and not leave a cast
- It needs to protect form UVA and UVB radiation
- It needs to work well under makeup
- It needs to not cause a reaction from my sensitive skin
- It needs to not cause me to have a breakout
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1. DRMTLGY Physical Tinted Moisturizer SPF 44
In first place is my favorite, and most worn sunscreen, the DRMTLGY Physical Tinted Moisturizer SPF44. The truth is that all of the sunscreens from DRMTLGY are fabulous. They have really aced the sunscreen game. I prefer this sunscreen over the others simply because it’s physical. Meaning it blocks the suns rays using mineral blockers Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
Their website says that this protects from UVA and UVB radiation, as well as Infrared and Blue Light. That is great protection from one product!
This formula is just beautiful on the skin. On most work days this is what I use as both my sunscreen and face makeup. The tint is neutral enough that it evens out the skin and leaves a lovely glowy radiance. The glowy radiance is at least partially due to a list of skin-loving ingredients including Vitamin E, Glycerin, and Sodium Hyaluronate.
2. DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45
In second place is a chemical sunscreen from DRMTLGY, their Broad Spectrum SPF45. As far as chemical sunscreens go, this one is top-tier. It’s oil-free, suitable for sensitive skin, lightweight, and also leaves your skin with a healthy glow. This is my favorite sunscreen for my neck and chest because it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin there, and because it’s not tinted it doesn’t stain my clothes.
Another important consideration for me is how easily a sunscreen is to apply and blend into my skin (I’m not interested in walking around with white streaks on my face and neck) and all of these sunscreens meet that requirement.
3. CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
This is actually my second favorite sunscreen for my face. I love the way this looks and I feel like there is a little more coverage than the Physical Tinted Moisturizer by DRMTLGY.
There are two reasons this doesn’t take the first slot as my favorite face sunscreen. The first is because the tint on this one is a little dark for me except for during summer. If you are fair-skinned this is something to keep in mind. The second reason is because this drys down more matte than the Physical Tinted Moisturizer does, and since I have very dry skin I prefer a dewier finish.
This sunscreen is a physical mineral sunscreen. It has Titanium Dioxide and Zin Oxide. In addition to the sun blockers it also contains ceramides, Niacinamide, and Hyaluronic Acid. This sunscreen looks beautiful on the skin.
4. Naturium Dew Glow Moisturizer SPF 50
I have to admit that I have not tried a Naturium product so far that I do not like. This sunblock is not an exception. This is newer to me but quickly became a favorite. It is a chemical sunscreen that leaves the prettiest glow on your face. It’s also hydrating, which as we know is a requirement.
The Naturium Dew Glow Moisturizer is SPF 50 PA++++ which means you are getting the highest level of UVA protection. I love knowing that I’m getting great protection when I put this on, and I have found myself reaching for this one more and more often.
Another reason to love this sunscreen is that it has Niacinamide and Ascorbic Acid. You are getting the skincare benefits of Niacinamide while also adding extra protection from the antioxidant Ascorbic Acid.
5. Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
This chemical sunscreen with SPF 40 PA +++ is a new favorite for me. I have only owned this a couple of weeks but am so impressed that I had to include it in this blog. Now I am going to make a disclaimer–although this does have some great skincare ingredients, ( including Red Algae, Frankincense and Meadow Foam Oil) I don’t find it as hydrating as the four sunscreens listed above. If you have very dry skin I do recommend doing your full skin care routine and using a good moisturizer underneath this.
That being said, this layers beautifully under makeup and the primary reason I love it (well there are two actually) is because of how this feels and the fact that it’s completely invisible. It feels like silk slipping over your skin. I can’t think of a better way to describe it. It just feels luxurious. It comes out in a clear gel-like formula that literally disappears completely within mere seconds of rubbing it into your skin.
6. Supergoop Glow Screen SPF 40
I owned this sunscreen a couple of years ago and had liked it, but over time I forgot about it and moved on to other sunscreens. It wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that I saw my daughter wearing this and was like “that is beautiful, why don’t I own that sunscreen?” So I ordered a mini size of the Unseen Sunscreen and the Glow Screen to give them a try and see what I thought.
I guess the fact that they both made it on the list lets you know how much I like them. This leaves a radiant finish or glow on your skin that looks great without makeup and under makeup. They do say that this one can double as a makeup primer and I agree.
In addition to how beautiful it looks, it has a stellar list of skin care ingredients which include Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin B5, Niacinamide, Sea Lavender, and Cocoa Peptides which filter Blue Light. I love products that you can use on your skin which are actually going to improve your skin while you wear them!
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7. Color Science Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
Although this one provides superior protection, it is SPF 50 and has a rating of PA++++, it’s the last one on my list for two reasons. First, it is expensive. Second, although it has a nice makeup-like finish, it drys down matte and tends to lean towards an orange undertone.
This may not be a problem for you if you have a darker skin tone, but if you are fair like me proceed with caution. The formula comes out of the tube white and then changes color to match your skin tone (but as mentioned does lean orange). I also don’t find it to be very hydrating.
Over all this looks lovely on the skin and has a makeup-like finish. It does come in 4 shades which is very nice. It’s a mineral susncreen that shields from UVA, UVB, Blue Light, Infrared Light, and Pollution. It’s also water resistant for up to 40 minutes which makes it a great one for the beach. As far as skin care ingredients go it includes Niacinamide and antioxidants for extra protection.
In Summary…
All of the above are the best sunscreens over 40. These are sunscreens that work for me even with dry, sensitive, acne-prone skin. They all offer skin-loving ingredients while protecting you. Since the sun is reported to be the cause of 90 to 95% of skin aging, as well as skin cancer, it is very important that we protect ourselves.
I hope that you are able to find one in this list that works for you!
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