Let’s face it, we love spending time outdoors in the sunshine, but we don’t love the damage harsh UV rays can do to our skin! The solution? Double up on protection witha visor to give you instant shade on-demand and a well-formulated sunscreen to keep your skin safe. Think of this dynamic duo as your skin’s new BFFs for a gorgeous summer—and a heathy habit for a lifetime of beautiful skin.
THE VISOR
“The key with visors with to choose one with a wide brim,” Gigi says. “I designed our visor with a 5-inch brim so that it gives you maximum protection from the sun’s rays.” Hand-made with love in Columbia, these water-resistant visors are available in black or oat to go with any outfit and they feel super-comfortable even after a few hours of wear.
“I always have one in my bag,” Gigi says. “That way if I can’t reapply my sunscreen or if I’m outside during 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest, I know I’ll be able to keep my skin protected.”
THE SPFs
Make sure to choose a sunscreen that gives you Broad Spectrum protection. That means it will safeguard your skin from UVA rays—which cause long-term damage like sun spots, uneven skin tone, lines and wrinkles—and UVB rays, which cause more immediate effects like sunburn.Look for the words Broad Spectrum on the bottle or the Skin Cancer Foundation seal of approval.
“I tend to use formulas with Zinc Oxide, which is a mineral ingredient that provides a physical layer of protection from the sun,” Gigi says. “Zinc Oxide formulas today are muchbetter than they were in the past, but it still may take a little trial and error to find a formula that you love, so I wanted to share my favorites.”
EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46This lightweight formula is a great pick for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. It has natural mineral Zinc Oxide for sun protection, Niacinamide to help strengthen skin’s barrier and reduce the look of redness, as well as Vitamin E to provide anti-oxidant defense. It’s available in Clear and Tinted formulas and it’s a good pick for layering under makeup.
Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36With two forms of physical sunscreen—Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide—this all-mineral formula has a radiant tint that evens out skin tone and gives you a subtle glow. “One other thing I really love about this formula is that it has an ingredient called Ectoin, which helps protect skin from blue light and reduce the look of existing sun damage. I tend to wear this one on days when I’m spending a lot of time at the computer,” Gigi says.
Avené Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+High SPF? French pharmacy formula? Yes, please! This velvety 100% mineral formula has Zinc Oxide for ultra-effective sun protection, plus the brand’s signature thermal spring water and two skin-soothing ingredients (Bisabol and Allantoin) to help calm skin, improve the look of redness and even out skin tone. And for extra sensitive skin types, it’s also approved by the National Eczema Association.
Let us know any other formulas you love in the comments, and stay (beautifully!) protected.
