The best sports solar screens for the summer • Gear Patrol

The weather is warming up and diapers are coming off, which means it's time to start applying sunscreen during your outdoor activities. To help you choose products that can handle all your activities, we have hired a handful of experts. They know how to separate the hype from the truth in the world of sunscreens – and what to look for in every little bottle of protection. After all, sunscreen is your first defense against aging, and who really wants wrinkles right now?

To get a clearer idea of ​​which ingredients to look for and what to avoid, we talked to Beyond Coastal formulation chemist Tammy Lisi and Dr. Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, Senior Vice President of Skin Cancer. Foundation. We also spoke with Dr. Rachel Nazarian, M.D., F.A.A.D.

Active Ingredients

"For a sporty sunscreen, it should look for ingredients such as avobenzone and octocrylene," says Dr. Hale. When you're thinking about waterproof ingredients, zinc oxide probably comes to mind with all of those 80s sunscreen-faced lifeguards, but you need more than just that ingredient. "You should look for at least one mineral badet, [like] zinc oxide and / or titanium dioxide, "advises Lisi. "To achieve higher water resistance and SPF, these badets can not be used alone. [When] Used with badets such as octocrylene and homosalate, we start getting the desired coverage for an active lifestyle, "says Lisi.

"People feel more comfortable when they use physical blockers like zinc or titanium," says Dr. Nazarian. She also explained that for people concerned about specific ingredients, it is advisable to consult the American Academy of Dermatology because doctors constantly monitor the ingredients (and their effects on the environment) to make sure that everything is on. In particular, avobenzone effectively blocks the UV spectrum (A and B). Dr. Nazarian insists on the need for something that blocks the UVA and UVBpretty rays.

Regarding the ingredients to avoid, Lisi recommends that people "avoid PABA and oxybenzone for various reasons. Avobenzone can react with iron and turn your whites into orange. The use of zinc oxide is prohibited. so it is best to avoid sunscreens that contain it.

Stick, lotion or spray?

"Stick products often reach lower levels of SPF with more water resistance," says Lisi. And you have to be careful with the ingredients in the sticks if you have sensitive skin. "The big disadvantage of sticks is that people prone to acne can have problems with the high level of occlusive ingredients contained in these products," says Lisi. The use of a lotion type sunscreen is the easiest way to get good overall coverage. As for the sprays? "In a windless environment, sprays show the best skin coverage and the easiest use," says Lisi. But it warns that in windy weather, sprays are too light for proper application, and ecologists will say that there is more chance that this sunscreen is missing your body and ends up in the sand or ocean.

Choices

Coola Sport Body SPF 50 Organic sunscreen lotion

This formulation contains avobenzone and octocrylene, both recommended by Dr. Hale. The water resistant base filled with agave leaf extract and avocado butter is ideal for the skin. Just make sure to reapply every 80 minutes.

Beyond active coastal sunscreen

The mixture of avobenzone and octocrylene is reunited again, this time with an acai fruit extract, an aloe vera leaf extract and a rose hip oil. You will need to reapply this lotion every 80 minutes, but its attractive price and its non-greasy and quick-absorbing features will allow you to store it in your gym bag for these ultimate spontaneous frisbee games.

Bare Republic Sport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion

All Bare Republic products contain no chemical additives such as oxybenzone and are filled with perfect natural extracts. In this sunscreen SPF 30, the ingredient includes Kukui seed oil, seaweed extract, sloe juice and walnut oil. coconut. Again, be sure to reapply after 80 minutes of activity. It works as well during a race as at a beach volleyball party.

MDSolar Sciences Broad Spectrum Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 40

If you are looking to avoid oxybenzone, this all-natural mineral sunscreen will cover you. The lightweight solid lotion is easy to apply in public places, unlike some mineral sunscreens that apply to your skin. This SPF 40 stick is suitable for all skin types. It contains no oil or vitamin C. Make sure to reapply every 80 minutes.

Sport sunscreen lotion Neutrogena Cooldry Sport

Thanks to Micromesh technology, this SPF 70 lotion is chemically designed to allow perspiration to cross the skin, which means your body can cool without being extremely fat. Again, you will need to reapply every 80 minutes while swimming or sweating, but this one is also PABA free.

Supergoop! Daily sunscreen

If you like the smell of sunscreen, this spray is for you. SPF 50 protection is enhanced with Vitamin C to help protect your face and body from these free radicals. This non-aerosol fog is easy to apply everywhere. Do not forget to reapply every 50 minutes.

Coppertone Sport Water Resistant Sunscreen Lotion

Here is one of Dr. Hale's favorites. "I use a base coat of lotion, and then spray it to apply again," she says. It does not contain PABA or oil and has a protection index of 50. You will also have to reapply it after an intense game of petanque of 80 minutes.