4 Reasons Why I Prefer Tinted Sunscreen

To protect your skin, you should use sunscreen every time you go out. Unfortunately, messing around with makeup and sunscreen can also be a hassle, especially when you’re in a hurry to get out the door. The good news is that a relatively simple solution makes life easier and keeps skin safe simultaneously: tinted sunscreen.

What Is Tinted Sunscreen?

As the name suggests, an important part of tinted sunscreens are ingredients that help filter out sunlight. These minerals, mainly titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, are the same ones found in traditional sunscreen. They help reflect harmful UV rays.

What makes tinted sunscreen different is the combination of pigments designed to match any skin tone. So whether you’re looking for a rosier or tanner complexion, it’s not hard to find the color you love.

Tinted Sunscreen Versus Beauty Creams and Color-Correction Products

Choosing between beauty creams with SPF-boosting ingredients, tinted sunscreen, foundation, color-correcting creams and other skincare products can be confusing. Each one excels in different areas.

Beauty creams generally provide better hydration and skin-repair ingredients but don’t offer the same UV protection. Ideally, you want an SPF of 30–50 for the face, but many beauty creams only reach SPF 15, which isn’t good enough for something your skin depends on every day.

Color-correcting creams offer maximum complexion control but little help against UV rays. On the other hand, tinted sunscreen provides good coverage and exceptional sun protection, but the tone results don’t quite compare to foundation.

How Safe and Effective Is Tinted Sunscreen?

Tinted sunscreens are just as safe as regular sunscreens. Unless you have an allergy to common ingredients in mascara, beauty products or sunscreen, you shouldn’t have to worry about a thing. Many health professionals and dermatologists, including the Harvard Medical School and the American Academy of Dermatology, recommend using sunscreen for UV protection. Tinted sunscreens are an effective option that can provide several benefits for people with sensitive skin.

Why Use Tinted Sunscreen?

Tinted sunscreens are accessible, convenient and helpful for protecting your skin against sun damage. Here are some of the ways they can help you:

  • Making it easier to wear sunscreen regularly: Applying sunscreen is one of the most important ways to prevent skin cancer. Sadly, it’s easy to overlook when you’re busy. Tinted sunscreens are a breeze to put on, so they may be easier to include in your daily routine.
  • Avoiding the white sheen associated with mineral sunscreens: Many people prefer mineral sunscreens instead of chemical ones, but traditional options leave your skin with a white tinge. Going with tinted sunscreen can give you the beautiful, balanced complexion you want.
  • Reducing dark spots: Unlike chemical sunscreens, tinted sunscreens that contain iron oxide can block visible light, including artificial light. This can help people with skin conditions involving hyperpigmentation, such as being prone to dark spots.
  • Camouflaging blemishes: There’s nothing wrong with wanting to cover blemishes, spots or other imperfections. However, tinted sunscreen products give you the best of both worlds — excellent UV protection and an even skin tone.

What should you look for when selecting brands? Go with something at least SPF 30. Iron oxides offer extra protection against visible light and dark spots. If possible, look for other nourishing skincare ingredients, including moisturizing hyaluronic acid and protective antioxidants like green tea.

Why You Should Never Store Sunscreen in the Car

As ironic as it sounds, sunscreen and sunlight don’t mix. Elevated temperatures cause the ingredients in sunscreen to break down, making it less effective at protecting your skin against UV rays. That SPF 50 suddenly becomes SPF 15 or worse without you knowing. To keep your skin safe, take good care of your sunscreen.

Common Mistakes When Storing Sunscreen

If you’ve ever ended up with a sunscreen that looks like cottage cheese, overheating is the reason why. Here’s how it usually happens:

  • Keeping sunscreen in the car: On paper, this sounds like a great idea. The problem is that vehicle interiors get insanely hot. Comfortable 70-degree weather outside translates to 104 degrees Fahrenheit inside the car, and that’s in just half an hour!
  • Leaving the bottle in direct sunlight: At the beach, some people slap on sunscreen, toss the bottle on top of their towel and jump into the water for a swim. Unfortunately, direct sunlight cooks sunscreen like an egg on the sidewalk.
  • Storing sunscreen near sunny windows: A cool house doesn’t mean sunscreen is safe from the sun’s rays. Keep your sunscreen somewhere else if the sun shines on your desk or nightstand during the day.
  • Forgetting to close the cap: Leaving the sunscreen bottle open can let hot air, bacteria, sand and salt inside. This combination isn’t good for your skin. When sunscreen smells funny or looks yellow instead of white, it’s time to buy a new bottle.

Tips for Keeping Your Sunscreen Cool at the Beach

At home, it’s pretty easy to keep sunscreen at the right temperature. However, things are trickier when planning to spend all day at the lake or the beach. Follow these tips to keep sunscreen cool when it’s blazing hot outside:

  • Wrap the bottle in a towel: Layers help insulate your sunscreen from the sun. Fold the towel in half and wrap away until your bottle is snug as a bug.
  • Use a large tote: Instead of a small purse, opt for your mammoth beach tote with snacks, water, sunglasses and other beach essentials. This gives sunscreen an extra barrier against the sun.
  • Take along a beach umbrella: Shade is your best bet for keeping sunscreen cool. At the lake, set up camp under a shade tree. At the beach, make your own shade with an umbrella. Beach umbrellas also protect your skin if you decide to nap on the sand.
  • Bring the ‘screen with you to the bathroom: If you need to run off to the bathroom, take your sunscreen with you, so it gets a chance to cool off. You need to reapply every few hours anyway.

Every Day Is Skin Protection Day

Using sunscreen every day is a great habit for skin health. At home, store it somewhere easy to reach and comfortably cool, such as a bathroom countertop or bedroom dresser. At the office, keep it in clear view instead of stashing it in a drawer. That way, it’s easier to remember to apply sun protection regularly.

To enhance your barrier against UV rays and keep skin moist, make sure you’re getting plenty of antioxidants. These natural cellular protectors are found in blueberries, black raspberries, strawberries, goji berries, pecans, red cabbage and leafy greens.

Three Ideal Destinations for an Adult Vacation

Big Sur

If you need inspiration to plan an incredible getaway, look no further. Whether you're solo and seeking adventure, planning a romantic couples trip or traveling with a group of other adults, consider one of these three unforgettable locales for the kid-free trip of a lifetime.

Big Sur, California

From five-star farm-to-table dining to challenging hikes, spa retreats and wineries galore, adults will find no shortage of recharging activities in Big Sur. Fall is the ideal time to visit this seaside central California region thanks to the stunning weather and reduced crowds compared to the summer high season. Natural beauty abounds, with endless coves, rivers, creeks, meadows, beaches and mountains to explore.

Big Sur Bridge

At Julia Pfieffer Burns State Park, traverse the short Waterfall Overlook Trail to access McWay Falls, a secluded beach that's one of the most popular Big Sur destinations. This park also features towering redwoods, the chance to glimpse migrating whales and one of the few places in the region with scuba diving access for the truly adventurous in your group.

When it comes to lodging, you'll have your pick of luxury resorts and remote campsites alike. Don't miss dining at Nepenthe, a Big Sur institution since 1949, or the Big Sur Coast Gallery Cafe, where you can browse works by more than 250 local artisans while you await your meal. You'll see why writers from Hunter S. Thompson to Jack Kerouac have been driven to document the laid-back coastal lifestyle of Big Sur.

2 Minute Ritual

Alsace, France

Named as one of the best 2019 destinations by Travel + Leisure magazine, Alsace is a mountainous region best known for producing some of the world's most renowned wines. But it's not all about the vino. Dine at Michelin-starred restaurants like Villa Rene Lalique, housed in a five-star hotel with six bespoke suites overlooking the countryside. Stop at just about any local restaurant to taste a tarte flambée, a local specialty that consists of a flatbread topped with crème fraîche, ricotta, thinly-sliced onions and bacon.

Alsace

Stroll the streets of the quaint small towns and villages of this region, which are resplendent with floral blooms throughout the spring and summer months. Visit Strasbourg for boutique shopping along with restaurants and bars that offer a taste of the local nightlife. On a rainy day, head to Mulhouse to browse a diverse array of museums. Tour a well-preserved relic like the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle or explore the ruins of countless others.

Costa Rica

If you're planning a winter getaway, it's hard to beat the luxurious ecoresorts, diverse wildlife and adventurous spirit of Costa Rica. Residents live by the slogan pura vida, or pure life, which epitomizes the relaxed, laid-back attitude of this Central American nation. You'll be surrounded by stunning scenery whether you take a death-defying hike up to the Arenal Volcano, go ziplining at the Monte Verde Cloud Forest Preserve or take in the sunset on the white sand beach at Nicoya Peninsula. At La Paz Waterfall Garden, watch the playful spider monkeys and other rainforest creatures in a setting full of orchids and verdant greenery.

Woman in Jungle Cottage

Costa Rica is known for its rich coffee and nourishing gallo pinto, or black beans and rice. Sink your teeth into local ceviche, traditional tapas, artisan goat cheese, fresh fruits and veggies, seafood cocktail, and so much more. In the capital city of San José, you can browse more than 200 vendors at the city's largest market, which has been a staple of Costa Rican culture since 1880.
Depending on your desires, you'll enjoy the ultimate in grown-up relaxation at any of these three trending destinations. Grab your passport, map out your itinerary and get ready to explore.