Best Anti-Aging Sunscreens To Keep Your Skin Looking Young and Beautiful
You can wear these every day, all year long, rain or shine.
By now, we all know that a sunburn isn’t the only indication of sun damage. Things we associate with aging — wrinkles, age spots, rosacea, and patches of rough skin — are all common signs of too much time in the sun without any protection. That’s why one of the most surefire ways to maintain youthful-looking skin is by using an anti-aging sunscreen. Discover the best options for women over 50 and where to buy them.
What type of sunscreen is best for anti-aging?
Dermatologists recommend wearing a good anti-aging sunscreen on your face all year long — not just in the summertime. No matter the time of year or the weather conditions, wearing sunscreen should be non-negotiable. But not all sunscreens are created equal: it was recently announced that there were recalls on certain Johnson & Johnson spray sunscreens — including Neutrogena and Aveeno products — due to potential cancer-causing ingredients, so it’s wise to do some research before choosing a skin protectant.
That said, the options are seemingly endless when it comes to sunscreen! There are tinted sunscreens, spray sunscreens, moisturizing sunscreens, and more. The trick is finding one that not only protects from UVA/UVB rays, but also has anti-aging properties that nourish your skin — whether on your body or your face. If your skin is on the dryer side, look for a hydrating sunscreen (we love Dermalogica AGE Smart Dynamic Skin Recovery, which contains botanical extracts and peptides to promote more youthful-looking skin). And for sensitive skin, dermatologist-recommended EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen is a great bet for preventing breakouts, rosacea, and discoloration.
We’ve rounded up our favorite of each type of sunscreen, so whatever kind you prefer, you’ll find something to love here. Keep scrolling for Woman’s World’s picks for the best anti-aging sunscreen, so you can play in the sun and maintain your youthful glow!
Best Anti-Aging Sunscreens for Mature Women
Best Moisturizing Sunscreen: Dermalogica Age Smart Dynamic Skin Recovery
Kill two birds with one stone by finding a good moisturizer with SPF, like Dermalogica’s AGE Smart Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50. This face cream is definitely a splurge, but your skin will thank you. Made with hyaluronic acid and peptides, this moisturizer for mature skin not only revs up the body’s collagen production, but it also creates a hydrating barrier to retain moisture. Titanium dioxide takes care of guarding against future sun damage that can speed up signs of aging. This product is for everyday use, but be sure to apply something more heavy-duty when you go to the beach.
Happy customer: “I absolutely love this moisturizer. I use it every morning before walking my dog on the beach; I have very dry skin and this Dermatologica Skin Recovery moisturizer disappears into my skin upon application. I use it daily, rain or shine, and love the high 50 SPF protection it gives me [and] highly recommend.”
Best Tinted Sunscreen: MDSolarsciences Mineral Tinted Creme SPF 30
MDSolarSciences’s Mineral Tinted Creme SPF 30 Broad Spectrum UVA-UVB Sunscreen is a dream for mature skin, as it contains CoQ10 and vitamins C and E. Basically, this product is a cocktail of all the best anti-aging antioxidants that boost collagen production, reduce hyperpigmentation, and hydrate the skin. Plus, the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide create a UVA/UVB-blocking barrier. This tinted moisturizer is quite sheer, but you can build up the layers for medium coverage.
Happy customer: “I have tried a couple sunscreens in the past and everything broke me out or left a white cast. This sunscreen leaves a matte finish on my skin and smooths out my pores without drying out my skin. I have a medium skin tone and the tint is perfect on me. Doesn’t clog my pores or irritate my skin.”
Best Sunscreen Spray: Supergoop! Play 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Mist
Who wants to sit around rubbing in sunscreen when there’s fun to be had outside? Save yourself time and sticky fingers with Supergoop’s PLAY 100% Mineral Sunscreen Mist. This lightweight formula shields against UVA, UVB, and IRA rays, and includes botanical ingredients, like marigold and chamomile extracts, to soothe the skin in addition to protecting it. Those with dry skin will love the sunflower seed oil component, which helps skin retain moisture, and the sheer spray application ensures you won’t have to deal with any white residue.
Happy customer: “Great for sensitive skin. Didn’t irritate skin and protected against the sun. And no white mineral layer sitting on your skin and/or your clothes.”
Best Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide: EltaMD Uv Clear Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
EltaMD’s UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 sunscreen is a treat for your face. This dermatologist-recommend formula contains niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, a wrinkle-fighting, skin-enhancing ingredient, as well as hyaluronic acid, which boosts collagen production. Sensitive skin types will also love that this UVA- and UVB-blocking sunscreen calms inflammatory skin conditions, like rosacea. Wear it with or without makeup and step outside knowing your skin is protected.
Happy customer: “This product was recommended by my dermatologist three years ago and I have been using it since then. Goes on easy and also moistens the skin. The best sunscreen I have ever used.”
Best Lightweight Face Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Aox Daily Antioxidant Serum SPF 50
Finding a sunscreen that feels silky smooth on your face while also protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays can feel next to impossible, but women everywhere are singing the praises of La Roche-Posay’s antioxidant face serum — Kelly Ripa even relies on the brand’s tinted sunscreen as her go-to for luminous skin, so you know it’s good. This one provides broad-spectrum coverage and a host of antioxidants to help nourish skin while keeping it safe. Whether you’re wearing it under makeup or on its own, your skin will feel healthier as it gets to work on improving trouble areas like fine lines, dark spots, and other visible signs of aging thanks to known skin savers vitamins E and C.
Happy customer: “I have ivory-pink fair skin and don’t ever tan. I use an SPF 50 sunscreen 365 days a year, rain or shine to protect my skin. I had been using a liquid face sunscreen applied over my serum and moisturizer as the final step before makeup primer. It just felt like a lot of steps. When I saw this serum from LaRoche-Posay, I decided to try it … Well – I love it! I have normal skin (not dry, not oily) and put this serum on after cleansing my face. It is moisturizing (not oily) so I really don’t need one on top of it. And I get the benefits of the peptides and anti-aging ingredients.”
Best Lightweight Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin: Hero Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30
Sunscreen is necessary on the face, but it can clog pores and make it easy to neglect. That’s where’ Hero’s Superlight Sunscreen comes in. This reef-safe, fragrance free formula will protect your skin without clogging your pores. It’s so lightweight, it also serves as a makeup primer that’s hydrating and non-greasy.
Happy customer: “It’s lightweight, doesn’t break me out, fits well into my skincare routine. Doesn’t mess with make up. Love the slight green tint to help combat redness on my cheeks.”
Best Sunscreen Stick: All Good Sports Butter Stick
If you hate applying sunscreen with your fingers, but feel like sprays aren’t heavy enough, let us introduce you to All Good’s SPF 50 Sunscreen Butter Stick. You can build up layers of protection with this easy-to-use tube for full, medium, or light coverage without ever having to dirty your hands. Plus, it’s made with natural ingredients like coconut oil, beeswax, calendula, jojoba, and vitamin E.
Happy customer: “I have spent hours researching reef safe sunscreen for a trip to Mexico and I am so happy with this! The stick has a ton of product, it is zinc based so it goes on white but rubs in clear. I just tested it out for 5 hours at the hot springs and it worked amazingly well! I have broken out from using other sunscreens but not this one!! All of the moisturizing ingredients are great for skin as well. Go with this sunscreen, you won’t regret it.”
Best Lightweight Sunscreen To Help Reverse Past Sun Damage: Skinmedica Total Defense + Repair SPF 34
Though you can’t turn back the hands of time and tell your younger self to skip the baby oil and protect that gorgeous skin, you can help reverse past damage with this sunscreen, which has earned a coveted seal of approval from the National Skin Cancer Foundation, so you know it’s a keeper. Along with providing broad-spectrum coverage from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, this sunscreen helps restore skin’s former beauty, minimizing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging, thanks to a unique blend of niacinamide, shea butter for hydration, and antioxidants like vitamins C and E.
Happy customer: “I’ve been using this sunscreen for about a year now. I find that it works well with my makeup on top, or just on its own. Goes on smooth and provides hydration without any greasy, sticky feeling. Sometimes I’ll even add just a dab of my foundation to it to kind of create my own tinted sunscreen. I also have not had any breakouts with this. It just works well for my skin type.”
Best All-Natural Sunscreen: Badger SPF 30 Lavender Sunscreen Cream
Badger’s Broad Spectrum SPF 30 natural sunscreen with zinc is popular among health-conscious folks — not only because it’s environmentally friendly, but also because it’s made with nourishing natural ingredients like sunflower oil, vitamin E, and beeswax. This reef-safe sunscreen is also water- and sweat-resistant, so you can enjoy up to 40 minutes in the ocean or pool before you need to reapply. Plus, the lavender scent won’t offend sensitive noses.
Happy customer: “This is the best sunscreen I’ve ever used, hands down. I can’t wear chemical sunscreen and this is the best alternative – no white cast at all. Not greasy and does the job it’s supposed to do.”
Best Lightweight Sunscreen for City Dwellers: Dr. Loretta Urban Antioxidant Sunscreen Spf 40
Living in the city leaves skin exposed to not only just damage from the sun, but also from environmental irritants and pollution, too. Keeping your delicate skin safe — especially as you age — is of utmost importance, so that’s why we love this hydrating blend of ingredients. You’ll get antioxidant protection from harmful free radicals in the atmosphere caused by pollution and UV radiation, which are two of the leading causes of fine lines and age spots. Indian ginseng extract protects skin from HEV light emitted from the sun and electronic devices (yep, your phone, laptop, and tablet are also emitting potentially harmful light to skin), while peptides hydrate and help keep skin firm. Zinc oxide protects skin from the sun’s UVA/UVB rays and other environmental irritants. This one is so light, it can even be used as a primer or as a lightweight foundation for those busy days when your full beauty routine just isn’t happening.
Happy customer: “I love this SPF. It doesn’t go on oily, cakey, or leave a white-cast. I love that it also protects against damaging rays from screens as well as normal UV protection.”
Want even more summertime skincare? Keep reading!
Ditch Your Regular SPF and Use Mineral Sunscreen for Your Skin Instead
3 Face Sunscreens You Should Be Wearing All Year Long
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