The Best Drugstore Face Sunscreen to Use for Year-Round Coverage

Picture this: You’re day two into your beach-town summer vacation and you (tragically) run out of your favorite sunscreen. Fast forward to a quick stop at your local drugstore and you’re faced with endless face sunscreen options, all promising the same sun protection with different formulations and costs. Skip the tedious searching and reach for a lightweight drugstore face sunscreen, like the L’Oreal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion, that you can use no matter what time of year it is. 

Wearing SPF on the face — and body — is a daily skin care activity that the American Academy of Dermatology (and all skin care professionals) urge everyone to practice, no matter the amount of sun you plan to get that day. That’s why it's important to pick a sunscreen that will protect you during sunny days, cloudy days and the other days in between. Keep reading to find out why you’ll want to stock up on Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion which works with all skin types and tones.

Meet Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion

This drugstore face sunscreen is designed to be lightweight and invisible on all skin tones, so you don’t have to worry about greasy skin or an ashy white cast. With an SPF of 50, this broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion can be used daily to protect your skin against the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays. Your skin will also appreciate the antioxidant-rich formula infused with vitamin C and vitamin E, two ingredients that help protect skin from free radical damage caused by the sun and other environmental toxins. 

What Is Broad Spectrum in Sunscreen?

Check your sunscreen bottle right now. If it doesn’t include “broad spectrum” on the label then it’s time to swap it out for one that does, like the lightweight one above. Broad spectrum sunscreen contains a combination of mineral ingredients that protects skin against both UVA and UVB rays, confirms the Food & Drug Association (FDA). UVA is a dangerous radiation that can cause skin aging and wrinkles while UVB rays are responsible for the painful sunburns that can lead to skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Society confirms that both forms of radiation cause skin damage and can only be prevented with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

What Is SPF?

Every bottle of sun protectant — from drugstore face sunscreens to luxury SPFs — contains a sun protection factor (SPF) number that correlates to how much protection your skin will have against UVB rays. This means that a product only containing SPF is not enough to protect the skin against all of the sun’s rays. That’s where a broad spectrum SPF shines. There are endless sunscreen options varying from SPF 5 to SPF 100, but the truth is experts recommend using SPF 30 or greater to provide adequate protection when applied properly and reapplied throughout the day. However, there is a difference between the higher SPF counts.

What Is the Difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50?

In the technicals of skin care and sunscreen, the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 is very minimal. Both the American Cancer Society and the Skin Cancer Foundation confirm that an SPF 30 protects the skin against 97 percent of UVB rays while an SPF 50 protects against 98 percent. While this may only be a one percent difference, it can make all the difference for skin that is extra sensitive to the sun. Keep in mind that no sunscreen offers complete sun protection regardless of the SPF number. You should always re-apply sunscreen every two hours for maximum protection and take other sun protection measures like covering your skin with long pants and long-sleeved shirts, wearing a hat and sunglasses and avoiding peak sun hours (between 10 AM and 4 PM).

Who Should Use Sunscreen?

As we’ve stated before, sunscreen should be worn by everyone, every day so a lightweight formula like the L’Oreal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion is ideal for all skin types. If you have oily skin you won’t have to worry about this sunscreen clogging your pores, no matter how many times you re-apply. And for those with sensitive skin, you’ll appreciate the non-irritating ingredients that won’t dry out the face.

How to Use Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion In Your Skin Care Routine

1. Wash Your Face

Start by cleansing your face thoroughly with a face wash like the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser which gently polishes away surface-level dead skin cells and nourishes deeply. 

2. Continue with Your Normal Skin Care Routine

After washing your face, continue with the rest of your skin care routine — which we hope also consists of a serum and moisturizer. To reduce the appearance of dark spots, post-acne marks and sun spots, add the L’Oreal Paris Bright Reveal 12% [Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid] Dark Spot Serum to your routine. This serum works as a powerful duo when used with the L’Oreal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion since they both fade dark spots. Make sure to layer skin care products from thinnest to thickest consistency.

3. Apply a Broad Spectrum SPF

Regardless of how many products there are in your skin care regimen, sunscreen should be the last step in your routine. Note: experts from the Cleveland Clinic recommend using a nickel-sized amount for your face. Apply sunscreen to the entire face and neck, making sure to reapply every two hours. Additionally, since this formula is so lightweight, it makes a great base for any makeup you want to layer on top.

Next: Skip the White Cast: The Best Ways to Apply Sunscreen Without the Ashiness

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris