The best sunscreens for every skin tone and skin type

Health canada recommends using a generous amount of broad spectrum sunscreen with a minimum spf of 30, but finding one that doesn't leave white steaks, irritate your skin, or look greasy can be tricky. Beauty expert Nneka Elliott is helping us all stay sun safe with this guide to the best products for all skin types and skin tones!

The Canadian Cancer Society recommends that the average adult use approximately two to three tablespoons of lotion-formulated sunscreen to cover the whole body, and a teaspoon to cover the face and neck. There are two main types to choose from: mineral and chemical. Mineral sunscreen or physical sunscreens they sit on the skin and reflect or scatter the sun's rays. Chemical sunscreens absorbs the sun’s rays into your skin and chemically breaks it down. 

Dark skin

Don’t forget damaging uv rays can penetrate all skin tones. That means regardless of what you've been told, even people with dark skin need sunscreen.

Look for: broad spectrum sunscreen formulas that are lightweight, invisible and fast absorbing. The problem is many sunscreens, particularly mineral sunscreens, is that they leave that dreaded white or grey cast. Yet another reason why many people with darker skin continue to forgo sunscreen all together.

One great option is Black Girl Sunscreen. It is filled with natural ingredients like avocado, jojoba and sunflower oil. That gives sun protection, and also moisturizes your skin. It dries clear so its great to use all over your body, including your face, and works great under makeup!

Coppertone Sport Clear is another great option for invisible protection. This is great for people who are active. It is sweat and water resistant for 80 minutes and rubs in quickly without leaves a white residue. When you put it on, it feels cool and hydrating.

Additionally, people with darker skin can opt for a tinted moisturizer with SPF in it. Rodan & Fields makes one that comes in 10 shades from light to dark and helps give smoother skin by repairing the natural moisture barrier. It gives a great glow and does not weight skin down.

Sensitive skin

Some people with sensitive may experience reactions in the form of tiny pimples or rashes from some sunscreens. People with fair skin or red hair tend to have skin that is easily irritated. Sunscreen can also aggravate existing skin conditions like acne.

Look for: natural sunscreens, products labelled "chemical‐free". The zinc in them is actually a remedy for acne. Also fragrance-free, oil free and non-comedogenic sunscreens.

A great option is Aveeno's Sensitive Skin Mineral Sunscreen. It is mineral-based so it combines naturally-sourced zinc oxide and oat and vitamin E to protect sensitive skin. You can wear it under makeup or alone, and it's fragrance-free, paraben-free and phthalate-free and sweat-resistant and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Oily skin

The rubbing and emulsifying ingredients in sunscreens can increase oil production leaving your skin super greasy.

Look for: Oil free formulations, avoid mineral oils - gels base sunscreens are a good option.

Vichy's Anti-shine Dry Touch Lotion with SPF 60 is perfect for oily skin. It has a powdery texture that mattifies skin. Made with silica and volcanic perlite, it dries instantly and absorbs sweat and oil.

Mature skin

Mature skin is generally more delicate and therefore susceptible to sun induced spots, dryness, hyperpigmentation. It's important to remember that if a sunscreen doesn't have "broad spectrum" protection, it's not as effective against the effects of UV rays including premature aging from sun damage.

Look for: Sunscreens with antioxidants and active ingredients that can repair signs of sun damage and guard against sun-induced spots. Hydrating sunscreens and those that aid in collagen production.  Zinc oxide has been known to dry out the skin. Sprays or gels contain alcohol which can be super drying.

Cerave's Ultra-light Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30 not only helps prevent sunburn, but also has ceramides and hyaluronic acid in it to help restore the skin barrier and retain hydration. It is non-greasy and leaves skin with a matte finish.

Kids

The skin on our little ones is delicate and can burn easily, and should also be protected from harmful ingredients. 

Look for: Fragrance free, paraben free products. Avoid using a spray as it’s difficult to get an even distribution.

If your little one is younger than 6 months old, contact your doctor to see if applying sunscreen is safe for them.

But for toddlers and kids who are older, Aleva Naturals Baby Sunscreen Stick is a great option. It has natural and certified organic ingredients and great for kids who may have eczema-prone skin as it has jojoba, coconut and avocado oils in it. It has 25% zinc in it for a protective barrier from the sun. The stick is great for travel and easy application.

Pregnancy

It can be challenging to find a pregnancy safe sunscreen, especially for dark skin. Pregnancy safe sunscreen is essentially mineral sunscreen. Any of the mineral options already mentioned can be used, espeically the Aleva stick, but Supergoop Zincscreen Mineral Lotion SPF40 is great for full coverage with no white residue!