Are you confused by what is available in your dermatologist’s office, online or at the store?  This is a breakdown of what some of the most popular dermatologist recommended sunscreens contain.  I hope that it helps when you are trying to make the decision about what sunscreen to purchase.  We all need to wear it, but you won’t wear it if you don’t love it- so find one you love.

Z-Silc SPF 30 contains micronized zinc oxide, goes on clear, and is fragrance free.  This sunscreen is great for sensitive skin, children and all over body usage.

Ti-Silc SPF 45 contains micronized zinc oxide and is waterproof.  This sunscreen is essential for those long days on the boat or those mornings at the tennis court.  This is also what I keep in my car to put on my hands while I am driving.

Journee Bio-Restorative Day Cream SPF 30 is my favorite sunscreen for daily use on my face, neck and chest.  It contains three of the essential four ingredients we should be putting on our skin.  Green tea (antioxidant), PSP (processed skin cell proteins, also known as human growth factors), and SPF 30.  I advise all of my patients to make sure that their daily sunscreen is SPF 30 or greater, if it is not, it’s protective abilities are gone by lunch.    I love this sunscreen because I think of it as my anti- aging cream, it does not smell and I am actually doing something good for my skin when I put it on (reversing the signs of aging as well as preventing damage).  It is slightly pricey, but so is anything with human growth factors, and this bottle will last at least six months if not nine.

Anthelios SPF 40 is a light non-greasy, fragrance-free daily use moisturizer with broad spectrum sunscreen.  It combines Parsol 1789 (Avobenzone) with an innovative ingredient, Mexoryl SX (the most effective FDA approved organic filter designed to protect against UVA rays), with high photostability, a key factor in sunscreen protection efficacy.   This high photostability means the sunscreen will maintain a higher UVA protective ability longer and not degrade as quickly as other FDA approved UVA filters when exposed to the sun.  This moisturizer/sun block is great for daily wear and specifically for those who are exposed to the sun for extended periods of time without the ability to reapply.

Replenix CF Advanced Anti-Photoaging Complex SPF 45 has been formulated with Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) and Micronized Zinc Oxide to block UV radiation and provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.This advanced sun protection product also delivers a unique antioxidant free radical quenching and neutralizing complex composed of Silymarin, Activated Vitamin E, Bisabolol, Green Tea Polyphenols, Ectoin and Caffeine.  Studies have shown that both green tea and caffeine help decrease the visible erythema (redness) seen in rosacea patients, therefore this sunscreen is a great option for those patients with rosacea.  This is one of our most popular sunscreens largely because it has no unpleasant odor, goes on clear and smooth, but most importantly has two of the top four recommended ingredients for our skin green tea (antioxidants) and sunscreen (spf 45).

Skin Medica’s Environmental Defense SPF 30.  This sunscreen contains mineralized zinc oxide that provides both UVA and UVB protection in a single ingredient.  It is transparent, therefore invisible on the skin and will not stain clothing. It also contains Parsol MCX (octinoxate) an FDA approved organic sunscreen (chemical sunscreen) that provides additional UVB absorption.  Green tea extract and caffeine which have proven antioxidant and UV protective qualities, studies have shown that this duo does wonders for decreasing erythema (redness) of the skin.  Hyaluronic acid, a natural moisturizer, provides instant hydrating and skin soothing properties. Vitamin E, one of the most active, natural, free radical scavenging antioxidants.  Ceramide 3, a plant-derived, lipid that helps to rapidly restore the skin’s lipid barrier and greatly influences the water-holding capacity of the skin.

This sunscreen is fantastic for all skin types, it is oil-free and therefore great for acne-prone or rosacea skin types, also great as a post procedure sunscreen. It is one of our most popular sunscreens as it contains 2 of the top 4 recommended ingredients for our skin, antioxidants and sunscreen.

Obagi C Sunguard is an SPF 30 UVA/UVB Broadspectrum Sunscreen that is part of the Obagi C RX System Skin Care Regimen.  It has 9 % Micronized Zinc Oxide and 7.5% Octinoxate as active ingredients and goes on extremely smooth.  I recommend this sunscreen for oily, acne prone skin.

Obagi NuDerm SPF 35 Sunscreen is step 6 of the Obagi NuDerm System.  It is a broadspectrum UVA/UVB Sunscreen which includes 9 % Micronized Zinc Oxide and 7.5% Octinoxate as active ingredients.  Users of Obagi NuDerm are lovers of this sunscreen.

SkinCeuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45 is a fantastic sunscreen for a day out on the boat, the beach or the golf course.  It is waterproof and sweatproof to deliver maximum protection during high-energy activities.  This sunblock contains 4.5 % transparent zinc oxide as well as 7.5% octinoxate to block both UVA and UVB rays and help prevent the premature signs of aging while enjoying the great outdoors.  All ingredients are encapsulated in dimethicone to provide increased SPF with fewer chemicals, thus reducing the chances of irritation.

Sport UV Defense contains transparent zinc oxide as well as other active sunscreens to help protect against damaging UVA rays proven to cause premature signs of aging. All sunscreen ingredients are encapsulated in dimethicone to provide increased SPF with fewer chemicals, reducing the chances of irritation.  It is PABA-free, oil-free and fragrance-free, thus great for any skin type.

Last but certainly not least, is Anthelios SPF 15 with Mexoryl.  This was the first sunscreen released in the US with the ingredient Mexoryl. Like the Anthelios SPF 40, it is a light non-greasy, fragrance-free daily use moisturizer with broad spectrum sunscreen.  It combines Parsol 1789 (Avobenzone) with an innovative ingredient, Mexoryl SX (the most effective FDA approved organic filter designed to protect against UVA rays), with high photostability, a key factor in sunscreen protection efficacy.   This high photostability means the sunscreen will maintain a higher UVA protective ability longer and not degrade as quickly as other FDA approved UVA filters when exposed to the sun.  This moisturizer/sun block is great for daily wear and specifically for those who are exposed to the sun for extended periods of time without the ability to reapply.  You know me, I prefer SPF 30 or higher for daily use, but for darker skin types, this sunscreen is ideal.  It is invisible when applied and does not leave a white residue like many of the other sunscreens available on the market.

I am actively researching a GREAT sunscreen for kids, and have stumbled on one that I personally love so far, stay tuned to learn more about it.   My goals in this quest: easy to apply (so a spray of some kind would be great), not expensive, large bottles so that you don’t run out after one weekend on the boat with two kids and two adults, broad-spectrum; you would think this sunscreen would be easy to find but believe me it is not.

I hope that this helps you in your quest for the perfect sunscreen.  If you have any questions, regarding a sunscreen that you personally use or have been researching , please feel free to leave your comments and I will get back to you.