actually good... sun care
from a picky girl who knows SPF is a must
Welcome to Actually Good, a series that has been sitting in my drafts and brain for a while and is finally getting sent out into the world. As someone who makes a living thinking about and learning about food, bev and consumer brands, I try a LOT of stuff. And as a very opinionated gal, more often than not, I am not repeating a purchase or going back for seconds. This series is about the stuff that’s actually good so you can stop wasting your time and money on the meh. There are no rankings, no ratings or detailed rubrics and reviews, just sharing the tried, tested & trusted stuff. Not just buzzy or trendy, not just pretty packaging—it’s actually good!
xx Delaney
The best sunscreen is one you’ll actually wear.
Let’s kick the elephant out of the room—my grandpa died when I was 5 from skin cancer that metastasized, he was a pilot before planes had UV protection and most of his life was before sunscreen was popularized. Needless to say, the power of the sun has always been something I’ve understood. But even with that family history, annual derm appointments and sunscreen I don’t think I really started taking sun safety seriously or wearing sunscreen every day until recently.
I was blessed with “grandma genes” aka both of my grandmothers have olive skin and tan easily while my sister has “grandpa genes” aka both of our grandfathers had fair and freckly skin (ginger-adjacent!) and burn easily. Because I “never burn” I was a little more laissez-faire with the sunscreen. I still am not perfect but whether it’s skin cancer or a youthful glow, we all should be protecting our skin!
I can help with that!
As a very picky product gal, I know that if it’s not easy, it won’t be part of my routine so finding products that make it effortless and feel good are a must. And throw some sensory issues in there for good measure—I will not be sticky. I alternate my sunscreens so I’ve tried a bunch and these are the ones I will happily use again and again. With a hot hot hot, outside-heavy weekend coming up, no better time to lather up and protect yourself out there.
Face:
The perfect toss-in-your-purse, touch-up, sunscreen. I wouldn’t use this as my only sunscreen throughout the day—since it is just a mist it doesn’t feel like it’s doing as much as a traditional lotion—but throughout the day it’s perfect and feels like a refreshing mist when it’s toasty. It also smells AMAZING and feels more spa-like than SPF.
I’m picky about a tinted sunscreen but the Dr. Loretta one is great. My esthetician put me onto the Dr. Loretta moisturizer and I love the texture of their tinted one. It’s just enough to even out my skin and have a bit of a blur effect without adding any real color.
One of my besties (hi mik <3 ) dragged me, willingly, to Senti Senti, a beauty store in Chinatown, a couple years ago and introduced me to Round Labs and the world of K Beauty! It’s super lightweight and dewy without being oily and is just the perfect everyday sunscreen.
I love a Costco haul and have been loving their beauty section lately. Last trip I split a 3-pack of this spf with my sister and one of our besties. This sunscreen is really thin and goes on smooth and feels really hydrating as well. It has a bright lightly floral fragrance to it which is nice to wake yourself up a bit. (One note, I’m not sure if it’s my eyes being sensitive or my mascara but I wouldn't wear this on a heavy sweat day since it did sting a little in my eyes on a particularly hot walk to my pilates class! Maybe use another one on your sporty girl day!)
This little cutie has been in my cosmetic bag for a while! I’ve gone through multiple and especially as a non-makeup makeup girlie, I often opt for this + concealer + blush and call it a day. It doesn’t have a ton of coverage but evens things out and gives you a nice glow! It comes in two shades, I use the original one which I love, I find the other a little too shiny/dark for me.
Sun Serum peaked my interest! While, unfortunately, it isn’t a double duty active like a vitamin c, it has a serum-like texture that makes it feel like a natural part of your skincare routine. It is really light and has a satin finish, not super dewey. Because it’s mineral it does have a bit of a white cast so you have to work it in or use as a base—nothing crazy but if you have a darker complexion I’d go for one of the other ones.
A new addition to the collection. I picked up this one from Sephora in Palm Springs and loved it. It’s super compact so it’s easy to toss in a bag. And it’s so cute. I use the Future Screen!
**If I could only use one or was starting from scratch I’d go with Round Labs for everyday and Dr. Loretta for tinted!
Body:
If you want to GLOW, this is for you. I really like this for legs or a finishing mist for my arms/décolletage before going out. It’s more of a spritzy oil so I so spritz it on myself in the shower/tub just in case (this one has a little shimmer too). I’d say this one probably should be a topper to a tradish lotion sunscreen if you’re going to be out for a while.
Before there was Vacation (love) there was Arizona Sun. We had a gallon pump of this in our house after discovering it on a vacation. It is the best smelling sunscreen and feels great too, no sticky-ickiness.
You know her, you love her. Cool for a reason. But I opt for the classic lotion over the whip or gelée!
After Sun:
KORRES Greek Yoghurt Cooling After-Sun Gel
From the greek gods themselves! My parents lathered my sister and I in this after a long day in the California sunshine and it’s been a medicine cabinet staple since. More of a lotion or light gel than a goopy aloe and super light on your skin. It is especially great if you get some color on your face since it’s gentle and can help heal you up without crazy peeling.
Fruit of the Earth Pure Aloe Vera Gel
I read an article last year that said many French women use aloe as body moisturizer, not just for burns, so of course I picked this one up from the local pharmacy. This one is really simple, no added color or fragrance and while it is a bit “tacky” at first it goes away quickly and doesn’t have that sticky I-can-feel-my-pjs-sticking-to-me feeling that a lot of aloe does.
Lather up buttercups! Have a great holiday weekend friends!
xx,
Delaney
I am so here for this series!
Senti senti supremacy forever