How to Choose the Best Sunscreen (and Why It’s Non-Negotiable)

April 27, 2025

Karen Black B.Ed., BHEc., CCPE
My Skin Coach – Virtual Consultation & Skincare Bible Ebook

How to Choose the Best Sunscreen

**(and Why It’s Non-Negotiable)**

If you're serious about your skin, sunscreen should be a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. Not just for beach days, not just for summer—every single day. Even when it’s cloudy, even when you’re just driving or sitting by a window.

The truth is: if you’re investing in your skin, sunscreen is the number one product that protects that investment.

Why Sunscreen is So Important?

UV rays are sneaky. They penetrate clouds, glass, and even your car windows. That means your morning commute, dog walk, or even working near a window can expose you to damaging rays that speed up aging, cause pigmentation, and increase your risk of skin cancer.

Blue light from screens can also impact your skin health, contributing to pigmentation and oxidative stress.

Chemical vs. Physical Sunscreen

Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays like a sponge. They tend to be lightweight, blend easily, and work well under makeup. Look for ingredients like avobenzone, octinoxate, or oxybenzone.

Physical (or mineral) sunscreens, sit on top of your skin and deflect UV rays. These often include ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They're great for sensitive skin and start working immediately but can sometimes leave a white cast—unless you pick a well-formulated product.

What to Look for in a Sunscreen

1) Broad spectrum protection (against both UVA and UVB)

2) SPF 50 or higher (every day, rain or shine)

3) Non-comedogenic if you're acne-prone

4) Tinted options can help with blue light protection and give a nice glow
Feels good on your skin—because the best sunscreen is the one you'll wear every day!

Make Sunscreen Part of Your Morning Routine

Apply it every morning as the last step in your skincare routine (before makeup, if you wear it). Don’t forget your neck, chest, ears, and the backs of your hands!

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Did you know that combining a Vitamin C Serum, such as Vivier's Serum 10 plus your sunscreen gives you extra UV and antioxidant protection (AND the antiaging benefit)

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Reapply every 2-3 hours if you're outside for long periods or sweating.

My Top Picks for Sunscreen That You'll Actually Love

Colorescience Faceshield Flex– A beautiful tinted mineral sunscreen that adapts to your skin tone and provides coverage

EltaMD UV Clear – A lightweight option, great for acne-prone or sensitive skin

ZO Skin Health Smart Tone SPF – A luxurious formula that adjusts to your skin tone and never feels chalky

Vivier Sheer SPF 30 Mineral- For those who want a natural mineral sheer sunscreen, this is a great choice.

Final Thoughts

Your sunscreen is your skin’s daily armor. It protects your collagen, prevents pigmentation, and keeps your skin looking younger, longer. You don’t need a million products—but you do need a sunscreen you love and use consistently.

Want help choosing the right one for your skin? Book a virtual skincare consultation with My Skin Coach, and let's find a perfect match that fits your skin, goals, and lifestyle.

myskincoach.ca

#colorescience #colorescienceflex #eltamd #eltamdskincare #zoskinhealth #zoskinhealthcanada #zosmarttone #medicalgradeskincare #myskincoach
#virtualskincareconsultation #onlineconsultation #customskincare #vivier

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How to Choose the Best Sunscreen (and Why It’s Non-Negotiable)

How to Choose the Best Sunscreen

**(and Why It’s Non-Negotiable)**

If you're serious about your skin, sunscreen should be a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. Not just for beach days, not just for summer—every single day. Even when it’s cloudy, even when you’re just driving or sitting by a window.

The truth is: if you’re investing in your skin, sunscreen is the number one product that protects that investment.

Why Sunscreen is So Important?

UV rays are sneaky. They penetrate clouds, glass, and even your car windows. That means your morning commute, dog walk, or even working near a window can expose you to damaging rays that speed up aging, cause pigmentation, and increase your risk of skin cancer.

Blue light from screens can also impact your skin health, contributing to pigmentation and oxidative stress.

Chemical vs. Physical Sunscreen

Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays like a sponge. They tend to be lightweight, blend easily, and work well under makeup. Look for ingredients like avobenzone, octinoxate, or oxybenzone.

Physical (or mineral) sunscreens, sit on top of your skin and deflect UV rays. These often include ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They're great for sensitive skin and start working immediately but can sometimes leave a white cast—unless you pick a well-formulated product.

What to Look for in a Sunscreen

1) Broad spectrum protection (against both UVA and UVB)

2) SPF 50 or higher (every day, rain or shine)

3) Non-comedogenic if you're acne-prone

4) Tinted options can help with blue light protection and give a nice glow
Feels good on your skin—because the best sunscreen is the one you'll wear every day!

Make Sunscreen Part of Your Morning Routine

Apply it every morning as the last step in your skincare routine (before makeup, if you wear it). Don’t forget your neck, chest, ears, and the backs of your hands!

Reapply every 2-3 hours if you're outside for long periods or sweating.

My Top Picks for Sunscreen That You'll Actually Love

Colorescience Faceshield Flex– A beautiful tinted mineral sunscreen that adapts to your skin tone and provides coverage

EltaMD UV Clear – A lightweight option, great for acne-prone or sensitive skin

ZO Skin Health Smart Tone SPF – A luxurious formula that adjusts to your skin tone and never feels chalky

Vivier Sheer SPF 30 Mineral- For those who want a natural mineral sheer sunscreen, this is a great choice.

Final Thoughts

Your sunscreen is your skin’s daily armor. It protects your collagen, prevents pigmentation, and keeps your skin looking younger, longer. You don’t need a million products—but you do need a sunscreen you love and use consistently.

Want help choosing the right one for your skin? Book a virtual skincare consultation with My Skin Coach, and let's find a perfect match that fits your skin, goals, and lifestyle.

myskincoach.ca

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How to Choose the Best Sunscreen

(and Why It’s Non-Negotiable)

If you're serious about your skin, sunscreen should be a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. Not just for beach days, not just for summer—**every single day**. Even when it’s cloudy, even when you’re just driving or sitting by a window.

The truth is: if you’re investing in your skin, sunscreen is the number one product that protects that investment.

Why Sunscreen is So Important?

UV rays are sneaky. They penetrate clouds, glass, and even your car windows. That means your morning commute, dog walk, or even working near a window can expose you to damaging rays that speed up aging, cause pigmentation, and increase your risk of skin cancer.

Blue light from screens can also impact your skin health, contributing to pigmentation and oxidative stress.

Chemical vs. Physical Sunscreen

Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays like a sponge. They tend to be lightweight, blend easily, and work well under makeup. Look for ingredients like avobenzone, octinoxate, or oxybenzone.

Physical (or mineral) sunscreens, sit on top of your skin and deflect UV rays. These often include ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They're great for sensitive skin and start working immediately but can sometimes leave a white cast—unless you pick a well-formulated product.

What to Look for in a Sunscreen

1) Broad spectrum protection (against both UVA and UVB)

2) SPF 50 or higher (every day, rain or shine)

3) Non-comedogenic if you're acne-prone

4) Tinted options can help with blue light protection and give a nice glowFeels good on your skin—because the best sunscreen is the one you'll wear every day!

Make Sunscreen Part of Your Morning Routine

Apply it every morning as the last step in your skincare routine (before makeup, if you wear it). Don’t forget your neck, chest, ears, and the backs of your hands!

Reapply every 2-3 hours if you're outside for long periods or sweating.

My Top Picks for Sunscreen That You'll Actually Love

Colorescience Faceshield Flex– A beautiful tinted mineral sunscreen that adapts to your skin tone and provides coverage

EltaMD UV Clear – A lightweight option, great for acne-prone or sensitive skin

ZO Skin Health Smart Tone SPF – A luxurious formula that adjusts to your skin tone and never feels chalky

Vivier Sheer SPF 30 Mineral- For those who want a natural mineral sheer sunscreen, this is a great choice.

Final Thoughts

Your sunscreen is your skin’s daily armor. It protects your collagen, prevents pigmentation, and keeps your skin looking younger, longer. You don’t need a million products—but you *do* need a sunscreen you love and use consistently.

Want help choosing the right one for your skin? Book a virtual skincare consultation with My Skin Coach, and let's find a perfect match that fits your skin, goals, and lifestyle.

myskincoach.ca

Leave a comment

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**(and Why It’s Non-Negotiable)**

If you're serious about your skin, sunscreen should be a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. Not just for beach days, not just for summer—every single day. Even when it’s cloudy, even when you’re just driving or sitting by a window.

4) Tinted options can help with blue light protection and give a nice glow
Feels good on your skin—because the best sunscreen is the one you'll wear every day!

Your sunscreen is your skin’s daily armor. It protects your collagen, prevents pigmentation, and keeps your skin looking younger, longer. You don’t need a million products—but you do need a sunscreen you love and use consistently.