The Ultimate Summer Sunblock Guide

+ beachy air dry waves, natural nails, and dewy supple skin.

I’m doing something a little different today. Something summery, fun, and not all that deep. We’re talking SUNBLOCK. But also: beachy air-dry waves, natural nails, and dewy supple skin.

I am extraordinarily passionate about SPF. Like, bordering on a personality trait. Before I give you my holy grail recs, let me establish my credentials as the expert (I think) I am:

I’m 38. I spent my entire teens in tanning beds, gave up sunning far too late in life, and I’m obsessed with surfing (ocean and wake). I’m also deeply vain (but not like in an unhealthy way, I promise). I want glassy skin without a single wrinkle or age spot in sight (it has not been accomplished). Add to that two incredibly pale children who live in the water all summer, plus the fun combo of BRCA and a family history of skin cancer….

On the beach in Costa Rica with my all-time favorite pareo that I can’t recommend enough

All that to say, I think about sunblock a lot. It’s actually one of my favorite topics. I’ll give recs to anyone who will listen (whether they want it or not). I also have strong opinions on all the summery beauty stuff (hair, skin, nails), so I added that in at the end. As a bonus. You’re welcome!

Let’s get into it!

Illustrations by Mori Yūzan from Hamonshu, 1903 (Public Domain Image Archive)

Also, a caveat because I can’t help myself… The writing below is not great. I did not put my usual care into the way that the words were arranged, but this really doesn't seem like the time and place, so just imagine I am giving you my recs by mouth….

Best in Face:

Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46

This one is no secret. It’s one of the top derm-recommended sunscreens (it’s the only one my derm — Dr. Jaber of Washington Square Derm (shoutout) — recommends). And it’s just good. It calms and protects skin at the same time and is formulated for people prone to acne and rosacea. I have tried so many others over the years, but I ALWAYS come back to this as my daily sunblock. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it, right?

Birch Juice Moisturizing UVLOCK Sun Stick SPF 50

My girlfriend brought this back from Korea for me a few years ago, and it has been a favorite (of the whole family) ever since. Now it’s easy to find in the states! I always have this in my bag. Whenever I need to reapply, it’s with this. It goes over makeup beautifully and even enhances my glow. It’s my kids’ favorite because it feels so smooth and buttery going on. They generally fight me the entire time during the sunblock application process, and with this one, they are actually excited. It’s also super moisturizing, so it is great right after you get out of the water.

Note: I do not use this as a base for myself or for the kids. It’s so lightweight and buttery that I worry it won’t be quite enough protection. It’s also not waterproof.

Runner up: This is really similar, and I love it almost as much.

Best in Body:

Dune The Bod Guard SPF 30

I cannot emphasize enough how obsessed I am with this sunscreen. It’s different from anything I’ve ever tried. It is a moisturizer and sunscreen in one. Instead of a chalky cream, it is a smooth gel that feels sooo nice going on. I swear my skin glows when I am wearing this. Which is every day in the summer.

Note: I do not use this when I’m surfing in the ocean or if I am going to have a particularly long wake surf session. It’s only water-resistant for 40 minutes, and it’s pretty light. But it’s always the first thing I put on when I get out of the water.

Freaks of Nature Peak Performance SPF 50

This is my heavy-hitter body sunscreen. It’s what I put on if I’m surfing or doing any sort of water-based outdoor activity. Same for the kids. This is what I put on before I send them off to wake surf camp, and what they have in their bag. The brand was founded by Kelly Slater (world champion surfer) to be a high-performance, ocean-friendly solution for athletes. You will not get burned wearing this. We also like the sun stick for when we want a clear, smooth zinc stick)

The High-Performance Zincs:

If I am surfing, I am covering my face with zinc. I care way too much about wrinkles, sunspots, and skin cancer to worry about looking crazy. Yes, these clog my pores, yes, they are super hard to get off, but they are really the only option for long-term sun protection:

Sun Zapper Zinc Sticks SPF 50

I put these first because they are the family favorites. The kids like it because they can paint their faces in different colors before they start a day of surf camp, and it’s fun to do with their friends. I wear it because it’s often what I have in my bag for them. Any oil-based cleanser and a washcloth will take it off.

Avasol Surfers Barrier Stick SPF 50+

This is a more adult zinc stick. It is a surfer's favorite and comes in various shades of skin color.

People of The Earth Merface

Another option we got for the kids, because…sparkles, but I also like it for myself. This is the lightest weight of all the zincs I have listed, so personally, I won’t use it surfing in the ocean, but it’s great for a day on the boat when I can reapply.

A note on sprays:

I had a whole section on sprays, but I removed it because, truthfully, I don’t feel that passionate about any of them. A cream is always better than a spray, but let’s be honest, sometimes I’m lazy or have to get sunscreen onto the kids as they run away from me, so we have a handful of sprays we keep on hand, none of them anything special. The only caveat is the La Roche-Posay SPF 50+ Dermo-Pediatric Spray, which is really the only one that my son can use with his sensitive skin.

Makeup:

This is my everyday makeup base for any season, although I rarely wear makeup in the summer. This combo is the perfect weight and finish, leaving my skin dewy and protected:

It Cosmetics CC Cream SPF 50+

I use a tiny pea-sized dot of this, but if I need more coverage, I add a little extra. It is too heavy on its own.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral SPF 50

I circle the dot of CC cream with this (it is much lighter weight).

Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow

This is not SPF, but I love how it mixes with the two above. After I put the dot of cc cream and circle it with LRP, I coat it with this, then mix it all up and blend with my fingers (clean hands, of course).

Before I get into beachy hair, supple skin, and bare nails… I have to announce our sale at LES because it is the biggest (and only) of the season.

Enjoy 25% sitewide when you spend 250+ FOR ONE WEEK ONLY through May 27th!

Skin (body):

Hanni Splash Salve

I am an in-shower moisturizer gal, and this is heavenly

Hanni The Fatty Stick

This is one of the only ways my kids will put on lotion on their own. We all have it next to our beds for dry spots

Kate McLeod Body Stones

I am obsessed with these stones. I rub them all over my hands, arms, feet, and legs after any day spent in the sun and water. They come in lots of different scents.

Dune The LifeGuard

I loved the sunscreen so much, I bought this for nighttime use. It is the same feel and finish, just without the SPF.

I love a signature scent for the summer. Here are some of my favorites.

Hair:

I have been asked repeatedly recently what I am doing with my hair, and the answer is that I have started my air-dry summer early. I have a somewhat specific but easy routine… Here it is:

1. After I get out of the shower and dry my hair with this towel, I use the Roz Milk Hair Serum and brush my hair with this brush

2. I let it air dry for a while and then use the Crown Affair Smooth Dry Cream, and finally a bunch of pumps of The Crown Affair Texturizing Mousse ( Dianna Cohen is the queen of the air dry)

3. Then I take my front layers, twist them (away from my face), and clip them in front of my face. With the front layers out of my face, I part my hair and do two loose French braids, and then clip my front layers in the back. Then I spray it with the Roz Air Thickening Spray and let it dry

Upkeep — I only wash my hair once a week (occasionally twice), so here is what I do through the week:

• I don't brush it through the week, but will lightly comb it with this comb at night

• Each night, I will lightly coat my hair with water (with a spray bottle) and put a small amount of Roz Styling Oil on the ends, put it in two loose Dutch braids, and then spray it again with the Roz Air Thickening Spray

After I got my ovaries out, my hair really thinned out (despite the HRT). Hair growth vitamins made me sick, so I was resigned to thinner hair, but in the last year, it has started to thicken up again. Part of it is probably my body adjusting to my new normal (I am 3.5 years out), but I also think the braids at night make a huge difference in hair health!

(Bare) Nails:

Finally, the nails! I was a powder nail girl for years, and then when that became too time-consuming, I transitioned to regular polish manicures, which, while being less time-consuming than the powder, was still way more time than I wanted to spend getting my nails done. So in the last year, I decided to go bare, and it’s the best decision I've ever made. I do, however, still care about how my nails look, so I make sure to take extra good care of them. This is what I use:

A Glass Nail File

Any will do, but it must be glass

A Chamois Buffer

For shine

A Nail Brush

Again, any will do, and you most certainly do not need one this expensive (I do not own this, but it would make an excellent gift) — but it is extra chic for your countertop

Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover

It works, but not as well as a professional manicure

Clarins Hand Lotion

My current favorite

Hard as Hoof Strengthening Cream

Cuticle Oil

So many recommendations! I am not sure I’ll ever do a beauty post like this again, but I hope you enjoyed! Let me know if you tried anything or if you have your own holy grail!

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