My skin is Drake-level sensitive and when in doubt about ingredients, the safest route has always been baby products. For example, Johnson's Baby Head-to-Toe Wash, which has a lovely hypoallergenic fragrance and is dye-free/soap-free, has always been a go-to. It's ridiculously gentle.
So with summer approaching, I began to wonder if I should be going the baby-safe route for sunscreen. For one, nothing on this earth is more precious than baby skin, so having the same kind of no-nonsense shield over my own skin has to make it a solid anti-ager. And then there's the broke-girl appeal of it being more economical. But at what cost? For clarity on the matter, I asked Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and assistant clinical professor, Department of Dermatology at the George Washington University Medical Center.
"Baby sunscreen and sensitive skin formulations of adult sunscreen both use the active ingredient of zinc and maybe titanium," she explains. "This is a physical sunscreen ingredient in that it sits on the surface of the skin and doesn't get absorbed through the skin, which is why it's safe for babies. The only difference between the baby formulations and the adult version is the cosmetic 'elegance' of the product. The adult version has smaller particles of zinc or titanium so they go on clear and not whitish."
The casper looks is not ideal, but avoiding it can get expensive."The less-pasty adult versions are more difficult to manufacture, which is why they are a lot more expensive than the baby formulations."
Alas, my take on things is that if you're layering your sunscreen daily under makeup, pastiness is a deal-breaker. Buuuut if you're spending the day on the beach and slathering on SPF every two hours, a paler finish might not be so bad if it means having extra margarita money. It's all about where your priorities lie.
Either way, these are two of my favorite water-resistant, fast-absorbing formulas:
1. Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50, $9.97; walmart.com.
2. MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50, $39; shop.nordstrom.com.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Lauren is the former beauty editor at Marie Claire. She love to while away the hours at coffee shops, hunt for vintage clothes, and bask in the rough-and-tumble beauty of NYC. She firmly believes that solitude can be a luxury if you’ve got the right soundtrack—that being the Rolling Stones, of course.
-
My Bags Are Packed to Go OOO—These Are the Pieces I’m Bringing to Italy
“Sing to me, Paolo.”
By Humaa Hussain
-
I Spoke to a Jewelry Expert—Here's How to Make Your Silvery Jewelry Look Like New in Four Steps
Five minutes is all you need to bring the sparkle back to your favorite piece.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
Princess Kate Looked "Furious" With Prince William on Rare Occasion She Couldn't Mask "Negative Emotions," Body Language Expert Says
But it was all sorted out soon enough.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The 20 Best Hair Masks for Damaged Hair, According to Experts and Editors
Healthy strands, here we come!
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
How Often You Should Wash Your Hair, According To Experts
Keep it fresh, my friends.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 11 Best Magnetic Lashes of 2023
Go ahead and kiss your messy lash glue goodbye.
By Hana Hong
-
The 30 Best Hair Growth Shampoos of 2023, According to Experts
Rapunzel hair, coming right up.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 23 Best Beauty Advent Calendars of 2023
The gift that keeps on giving—literally.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 18 Best Natural Hair Products in 2023
Remember: Your curls are your crown.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 9 Best Hot Rollers for the Curls of Your Dreams
This is how we roll.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 12 Best Cream Eyeshadows, According to Makeup Artists
The best part? They’re so easy to apply.
By Samantha Holender