LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT? Sunscreens

5 Everyday Heroes, 4 Hidden Gems, 5 to Leave Behind and My Tinted SPF Picks!

Whether you're someone who holds on to products way past their prime or the first to toss anything that doesn’t spark joy—we all have our beauty habits. No shame, just real life. I created this new series to help you hit reset with intention, shop a little smarter, and feel better about what you’re actually using every day.

Think of it as your gentle permission slip to let go of the stuff that’s no longer serving you—and make space for what truly supports the season you’re in.

To kick things off, I’m starting with one of the most essential (and sometimes, most misunderstood) products in our routines: sunscreen. And not just for your face and body—I’m talking about protection for your scalp and your hair too. Because yes, that matters more than most people realize.

If you enjoy this kind of real-talk beauty breakdown, I’d love for you to subscribe so you don’t miss a post.

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After years of testing products (both personally and professionally), I’ve learned that the products we reach for most often should actually work—for our current lifestyle, our current skin, and yep, even our current energy levels. The key word here is current. Because let’s be honest, that ride-or-die moisturizer from our college days might not be doing our skin any favors today.

Spring, with its softer light and slower mornings, always invites me to reevaluate what’s living in my beauty wardrobe. And lately, I’ve felt that shift in more ways than one. I just turned 44 and I’m nearing the one-year mark with my baby (how?!) and while there’s so much sweetness in that milestone, I won’t pretend I feel totally like myself again. Some days, sure. Other days, I’m still climbing out from under the fog of postpartum. It’s messy. I’m tired. Like, deep-in-my-bones tired. And not just physically—my brain feels maxed out most days, and downtime has started to feel more like a dream destination than something actually on the calendar.

But—I also feel a flicker coming back. That gentle nudge to care for myself in ways that feel doable. Nothing aspirational or over-complicated. Just simple, grounding rituals that support where I’m at now.

And as the days get longer (don’t you love those endless-feeling summer evenings?), those rich winter creams and heavy oils suddenly feel like... too much. My skin starts asking for lighter layers. It’s the perfect time to refresh our beauty drawers—or at the very least, finally clean our brushes. (These are my favorite quick-clean pads for a mess-free refresh.)

We’ll be spending spring break in Mallorca—a place that holds a big piece of my heart. There’ll be sun, sand, and that magical Mediterranean light... but let’s be real: spring break with kids is a far cry from the version I knew in my twenties. Endless hours reading on the beach with a margarita in hand. These days it’s sunscreen standoffs, sandy snacks, and hauling half our life to the beach. And still, I wouldn’t trade it. These are the moments that turn into the stories we’ll laugh about one day. This is the beauty of doing life together.

So, in the spirit of prep and practicality, I’ve been rethinking my beauty routine—not adding more, just choosing better. With the sun getting stronger, it felt like the right time to spotlight sunscreen. It’s one of those products with ingredients that can be deceptively complicated—but getting it right makes a huge difference.

A Smarter Way to Shop

I’ve been using an app called Yuka—a tip from my very chic French friend—and it’s completely changed the way I shop. It’s simple: scan any food or beauty product and it gives you a score from 0 to 100 based on ingredient safety. The best part? It breaks it all down—flagging things like hormone disruptors, synthetic fragrance, allergens, and nanoparticles—while also recommending cleaner swaps.

This isn’t sponsored. It’s just something I use often, especially for things like sunscreen where marketing can be seriously misleading. And when I’m abroad trying to decode ingredients in a language I barely speak? It’s a lifesaver.

So I did a little deep dive—testing sunscreens for face, body, and yes, even hair—and used Yuka to help me separate the keepers from the ones that didn’t make the cut.

Sunscreen 101: Beyond the Basics

Most of us know we should wear sunscreen—but here’s what I’ve found people don’t always realize:

• Sunscreen isn’t just about avoiding a burn. It’s about protecting your skin barrier, preventing inflammation, and keeping pigmentation and sensitivity in check—especially if you’re using active ingredients in your skincare.

• It’s one of the most powerful tools you have to support graceful aging. Not because we’re afraid of wrinkles, but because healthy skin functions better long term.

• If you’ve ever wondered why your skin still looks dull or irritated despite your best efforts—it could be your sunscreen. The ingredients matter.

Chemical vs. Mineral (aka Physical) Sunscreens

• Chemical filters (like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate) absorb UV rays and convert them into heat. They apply invisibly, but often irritate sensitive skin and may disrupt hormones.

• Mineral filters (like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) sit on the skin’s surface and reflect UV rays. They start working immediately, are generally better for reactive skin, and are more reef-safe.

What’s the Deal with Nanoparticles?

Some mineral sunscreens use ultra-fine particles—aka nanoparticles—to help reduce the white cast. But there’s some concern that these tiny particles could penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. The science isn’t conclusive yet, but if you want to play it safe, look for "non-nano" on the label.

Ingredients I Flag (with help from Yuka):

• Oxybenzone & Octinoxate – Linked to hormone disruption and coral reef damage

• Parabens – Common preservatives that may act as endocrine disruptors

• Synthetic Fragrance – Often a vague catchall for ingredients that can irritate skin or trigger allergies

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My Love It List: Sunscreens Worth Keeping

Here’s what made the cut—based on performance (I have tested all of these on my sensitive, combination skin ), ingredient safety, and excellent/good Yuka scores.

For Face & Body:

• Avène Mineral Sunscreen Face and Body SPF 50+
  A lightweight, 100% mineral sunscreen ideal for sensitive skin.
  Price: Approximately $38 for 4.2 oz
  Where to Buy: Target, Ulta, Avène USA
  Availability: Available in both the US and Europe​

• La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50+
  Hydrating, broad-spectrum protection in a dermatologist-recommended formula.
  Price: Approximately $39.99 for 1.7 oz
  Where to Buy: Ulta, Amazon
  Availability: Available in both the US and Europe​

• Pipette Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
  Fragrance-free and gentle, suitable for babies and adults alike.
  Price: Approximately $14.99 for 4 oz
  Where to Buy: Target, Pipette Baby
  Availability: Primarily available in the US​

• Thinkbaby Sunscreen SPF 50+
  Reef-safe, non-nano zinc oxide formula with a 100/100 Yuka score.
  Price: Approximately $12 for 3 oz
  Where to Buy: Amazon, Thinksun
  Availability: Available in both the US and Europe​

• EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 40

• Lightweight and ideal for acne-prone or sensitive skin.
  Price: Approximately $44 for 1.7 oz
  Where to Buy: EltaMD, Target, Blue Mercury
  Availability: Primarily available in the US

*For my European subscribers or anyone traveling abroad, I also love the La Rosee Sun stick or Sun Milk SPF 50. Available thru the French Pharmacy.

Hair & Scalp Sunscreens

1. Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Part Powder SPF 35
A lightweight, non-greasy powder that offers broad-spectrum SPF protection for the scalp and hair part, while also doubling as a dry shampoo. Note a little goes a long way and be sure to use the pads of your finger tips to work it into your roots.

• Price: Approximately $34 for 0.71 oz

• Where to Buy:

  • US: Amazon, Revolve, The English Rose Boutique, Nordstrom

  • Europe: Availability may be limited; check international retailers or contact Supergoop! for stockists

2. Rahua Hydration Detangler + UV Barrier
A nourishing leave-in detangler that smooths frizz, helps prevent breakage, and provides UV protection for the hair. It also features a light tropical scent.

• Price: Approximately $39.95 for 193 ml

• Where to Buy:

  • US: Amazon

  • Europe: Naturisimo, Basler Beauty, Niche Beauty

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Let me know in the comments: Have you tried any of these? Do you have any favorites you would love my feedback on? And if you want me to do a full beauty packing list for Mallorca, just say the word. I’ll be sharing my detailed travel guide here with you!

Thank you for being here Xo
Sunnie

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My Leave It List: Sunscreens Worth Tossing

This list might surprise you! Some cult-favorite sunscreens didn’t fare so well when I tested them. Here’s what raised red flags.

(For my subscribers only - my LEAVE IT list and tested and approved TINTED SUNSCREEN LIST for each skin type.)