As you know, SPF is super important to protect your skin from damaging sun rays. Yes we all love the sun, but the ugly truth is that it is seriously aging you ever single time you stand outside without any protection! I have an in-depth post here that talks specifically about the importance of wearing SPF, but today I'm going to share with you my current SPF routine.
CoTZ Face SPF 40
This little guy is the absolute star of the show, I am seriously obsessed with it and don't think I will ever use another face SPF, it is just so convenient and amazing! It is the CoTZ Face SPF 40. CoTZ is a little-known sunscreen brand that is really on the rise, I first learned about them through BirchBox back when I was subscribed (have since switched to Ipsy MyGlam which is a thousand times better, fyi!) and I was sent a sample of this exact sunscreen. I was immediately intrigued because they call themselves "The Healthier Sunscreen" so I had to know just what it was about these sunscreens that made them so healthy!
The reason they are healthy is because they are 100% mineral sunscreen, using only titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. They are completely free of chemical sunscreens, which is great. As I've said before, chemical sunscreens are not the safest and I try to stay clear. My previous face SPF, the Clinique City Block SPF 25, was also mineral sunscreen, however this one is SO much better. The difference is in the texture. Clinique's City Block is described as a primer-type sunscreen that can be worn under makeup, which when you think about it, is EXACTLY what you want in a sunscreen!! It's usually the last step in most skincare routines, which means that if you rely on primer (like me!) you have yet another step before makeup. It's not hard to feel like your face is suffocating under all the product.
Which is why I was intrigued about the Clinique City Block, because I saw it as combining two steps in one. While it did work decently enough, in texture it is not really silky and smoothing like primers usually are. When I got a sample of this CoTZ Face sunscreen, I knew I had finally found the perfect combination of sunscreen and primer. In texture it literally feels like a primer, and a mattifying one at that, it is so silky and sheer. I've been using it ever since as the final step in my skincare routine before makeup, and I love how convenient and simple it is. In addition, it is SPF 40, which is much better than SPF 25. If you are looking for a good primer-sunscreen, THIS IS IT. You can buy it online or at most Ultas.
CeraVe Face Lotion SPF 30
CeraVe is one of few drug store skincare brands that I really like. The reason is because they use ceramides and niacinimides, which are really good for your skin. When I saw that they had come out with a face lotion that had mineral sunscreen, I knew I had to try it out. In case you weren't aware, ceramides are lipids that are naturally found in your skin cells. When they are low is when your skin has problems retaining moisture, so using a lotion with ceramide is amazing for ensuring your skin stays nice and moisturized!
The CeraVe Face Lotion also apparently has some patented technology that provides a controlled slow-release of the beneficial ingredients so that your skin stays moisturized all day. I'm not sure how that works and I can't say that I've noticed this slow-release in action, although my skin does feel super moisturized so it must be doing something! Overall this is just a really good SPF option. I don't really use it on a normal basis because I always use my CoTZ Face sunscreen, but whenever I am going to be outside running I make sure to slather my face and neck in this stuff.
CoTZ Pure SPF 30
Lastly we have the CoTZ Pure SPF 30, another healthy sunscreen option. This one is probably my least favorite of the bunch; yes it has the great mineral sunscreen that all CoTZ products have, however that's about it. Unlike CeraVe, it does not have any beneficial skincare ingredients which is kind of a bummer. It's just a basic, no-nonsense, healthy SPF option, which I would normally think is great, however, it does lose a few points for me in the texture department. This sunscreen is very thick and hard to smooth in, and it can definitely leave a chalky residue. I generally save it for my arms and legs when I'm going running.
On a daily basis I use Kiss My Face Everday Moisturizer SPF 15, which is super moisturizing and absorbs like a dream. It has mineral sunscreen and antioxidants, which I love. Definitely check it out if you want a daily moisturizing sunscreen for your arms and hands!
Alright guys, that's it for this post! Let me know in the comments what your favorite SPFs are!
xo Patricia
I love cerave but haven't tried their sunscreen, i need to!
ReplyDeleteHi Sienna, yeah all their products are really good!! I love how they all have ceramides, soo good for the skin! Thanks for reading :)
Deletexo Patricia