This is so helpful, thank you—my previous go-to sunscreen (Supergoop PLAY SPF 50 PA++++) is unfortunately a chemical one that only got a so-so rating on EWG's Skin Deep, so I've been looking for alternatives and this is such a great roundup! I honestly got a bit overwhelmed trying to go back and forth between EWG and Sunscreen Tester—but it looks like your top products do well in both sets of criteria, which is great.
I would also love to know your thoughts/recommendations for UPF clothing—so much of it is synthetic, and the all-natural ones I've found are really expensive! Would be really interested in your take/recs in that area :)
Thanks for sharing that sunscreen tester website! Super useful.
One thing I want to add - I understand the potential concern about parabens but people are realizing they're actually not bad and that “paraben-free” products can have major side effects (including allergic reactions and irritation). This article explains it well: https://archive.ph/PwgQQ.
I now have more respect for brands that are willing to use parabens in their products instead of just following the herd (Stratia is a brand that proudly uses parabens and that earns my trust).
Thanks for sharing! So true that sometimes ingredients are omitted for more toxic alternatives ("vegan" leather comes to mind). I do use certain products that have a low dose of parabens, like the Cerave moisturizer, but avoid it for things on my face that I might breathe in.
Such good extensive info!! Great post. You may already be in NOLA (which I absolutely love and have been there multiple times. Jackson Square is neat, street art and fair, possibly daily. Stanley's right across the street is a good restaurant, great good and fair prices. Make sure to get a po-boy sandwich somewhere! And etouffée and gumbo. Take the St. Charles line to the end, and come on back. Drop off around cool Magazine street and take a stroll. I think the Lower Garden District is overrated. See the Mississipi! Get a beignet. Walk the streets, Royal, St. Anne, Chartres, down near French Market (go!), That area is great. Drop into Trashy Diva and buy a dress. Have oysters at Acme Cafe or Felix's (across from each other). Have a blast! And for sure, a Bloody Mary somewhere--they put the kitchen sink in!
Guise Tint Drops — mineral and SPF 50! Goes on so smooth, a little bit of coverage as bonus. A little goes a long way. Highly recommend.
Also I was just in NOLA! Standouts were: Vitae Market muffuletta, Fritzel’s/preservation hall/Pat o Briens for music on bourbon. Killer Poboys for said poboys. Rendezvous linen and love for the most luxurious pajamas and handkerchiefs.
I've been using the Badger Sport Sunscreen and am really happy with it.
Pros: It's in a tin, so travel and earth friendly, SPF 40 or 50, clear!, reef safe and works perfectly well alone or under make up.
This is the intel we need!!
This is so helpful, thank you—my previous go-to sunscreen (Supergoop PLAY SPF 50 PA++++) is unfortunately a chemical one that only got a so-so rating on EWG's Skin Deep, so I've been looking for alternatives and this is such a great roundup! I honestly got a bit overwhelmed trying to go back and forth between EWG and Sunscreen Tester—but it looks like your top products do well in both sets of criteria, which is great.
I would also love to know your thoughts/recommendations for UPF clothing—so much of it is synthetic, and the all-natural ones I've found are really expensive! Would be really interested in your take/recs in that area :)
Thanks for this great idea Katherine! I wrote about UPF clothing here: https://silkycrunch.substack.com/p/sun-protective-clothing-and-sandals
UPF clothing tends to be expensive, so other than waiting for sales, finding tight-knit hemp clothing could be another idea!
oh wow this is so great—thank you!! taking notes!
What Astaxanthin do you recommend?
I like the Hawaiian BioAstin!
Thanks for sharing that sunscreen tester website! Super useful.
One thing I want to add - I understand the potential concern about parabens but people are realizing they're actually not bad and that “paraben-free” products can have major side effects (including allergic reactions and irritation). This article explains it well: https://archive.ph/PwgQQ.
I now have more respect for brands that are willing to use parabens in their products instead of just following the herd (Stratia is a brand that proudly uses parabens and that earns my trust).
Thanks for sharing! So true that sometimes ingredients are omitted for more toxic alternatives ("vegan" leather comes to mind). I do use certain products that have a low dose of parabens, like the Cerave moisturizer, but avoid it for things on my face that I might breathe in.
Such good extensive info!! Great post. You may already be in NOLA (which I absolutely love and have been there multiple times. Jackson Square is neat, street art and fair, possibly daily. Stanley's right across the street is a good restaurant, great good and fair prices. Make sure to get a po-boy sandwich somewhere! And etouffée and gumbo. Take the St. Charles line to the end, and come on back. Drop off around cool Magazine street and take a stroll. I think the Lower Garden District is overrated. See the Mississipi! Get a beignet. Walk the streets, Royal, St. Anne, Chartres, down near French Market (go!), That area is great. Drop into Trashy Diva and buy a dress. Have oysters at Acme Cafe or Felix's (across from each other). Have a blast! And for sure, a Bloody Mary somewhere--they put the kitchen sink in!
Thanks so much for the recs!!
Sure!!!
Guise Tint Drops — mineral and SPF 50! Goes on so smooth, a little bit of coverage as bonus. A little goes a long way. Highly recommend.
Also I was just in NOLA! Standouts were: Vitae Market muffuletta, Fritzel’s/preservation hall/Pat o Briens for music on bourbon. Killer Poboys for said poboys. Rendezvous linen and love for the most luxurious pajamas and handkerchiefs.
Rendezvous looks so cool, I'll have to check it out. Thank you for the recs!!
ISDIN is my absolute holy grail— love it and the tinted version too ❤️🧡💚🩵💙🩷