While its dark and gloomy out today–Memorial Day weekend is upon us–the unofficial start of summer is almost here! Nights on the Terrace, days by the pool, endless glasses of rosé and summer jams on a loop are just around the corner. Summer is definitely our favorite of the seasons and we have vowed not to miss a minute of it this year!

But with summer comes the sun–HOPEFULLY!!–and with the sun comes the nasty damage those warm rays can wreck on the delicate skin on our face.

So here are our favorite ways to keep our faces safe while we maximize the three greatest months of the year!

Pamela:

Someone once named me the sunscreen police (jess). It’s true. I am. And though I have eased up on my “benefits of wearing sunscreen” lectures (hey, knowledge is power, people), I still think wearing an SPF one of the three easiest things you can do for your skin’s health – the other two being water (stay hydrated, yo) and sleep. Here are my year round must have skincare SPF products.

Surprise, they’re Dermalogica! The first being for under the eyes. Which I know we pay a great deal of attention to, trying to smooth and brighten and plump and de-puff. But I feel that people rarely recognize it as an area to protect. Sure you could use whatever you are using for your entire face under your eyes, but why would you? At night you have something separate for face and under eyes, right? For under eyes during the day I have used for years, and love Dermalogica’s Total Eye Care with SPF15. It not only protects as it reflects UV light with chemical free sunscreen, it also hydrates and brightens, and has just a very slight tint to it to help start to conceal any darkness.

My other go to daily SPF is Dermalogica’s Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50. I have mentioned about a million times that my skin tends to be almost always more on the dehydrated side of the spectrum. This moisturizer, from the AGE smart range of their products, offers the hydration I need in both winter and summer, without feeling too greasy or heavy as well as protects with their most advanced SPF technology.

If there is one bit of advice as the sunscreen police I can give you, I cannot stress enough that no matter what you’re choice for SPF, please, please, please, wear it! Apply at least 30 minutes before you plan to head outside. As a skincare therapist, this is probably the number one mistake I see. Number two is not reapplying often enough – we all sweat in the summer – and the sun breaks down the sunscreen as you wear it – set a timer if needed – just do it. Now go drink some water and take a nap and you’re good to go.

Jess:

A lot of businesses around here have pretty strict carding rules- like if you look like you’re under 50, they card you. Nevertheless, I still feel pretty cool about myself when I get carded, but even moreso when the clerk does a double-take at my age and admits they thought I was much younger. My response? “Thanks- I use sunscreen!” (Also, being goth in my early 20’s trained me well to avoid the sun!)

A while back, I told you about my love for all things Dr. Jart, and the love has not faded. When I’m planning a day out in the sun, I have had great success with both the Tiger Grass and BB Cream products protecting my face, depending on what my coverage needs are that day. Granted, I may supplement with a hat and a refresh of whatever sunscreen is in my bag after a few hours on the beach, but overall these guys are trusty.

In the past, I have also really enjoyed Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer– it’s only an SPF 15, but it’s fine to reach for on days when you’re not going to be in the blazing sun, and my husband reaches for it on the regular, too. Plus, it’s nice and cheap at the drugstore!

This post is mostly about faces, but I have to give another shout out/high five to Banana Boat SunComfort– this kept me burn-free while lounging in 90 degree sunshine in the tropics and it doesn’t feel gross on your skin. I’m intrigued by their new Dry Balance addition to this line- could be good!

And you guys, Pamela really IS the sunscreen police- don’t let her down this summer!!

Lyn:

This is definitely one thing the three of us have in common. I’ve been hiding from the sun since I was a pre-teen–ask my mom!–it’s my one act of rebellion as a kid.  And whenever I did venture out, it was never without a thick layer of sunblock on my skin and several spritzes of Sun-In or lemon juice in my hair. (can you imagine me as a blonde?!–my goodness!–luckily it never worked or i was never in the sun long enough to see the horror of it.)

The majority of my every day face products contain some amount of sunscreen in them, so I generally don’t use a separate step. But when I do–or on no-makeup days–I really like the Cane + Austin Prime & Protect Mattifying Primer with Broad Spectrum SPF 50. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but a little really goes a long way. It also has a really soft moussey texture that is easy to put on–no need for tools–you just apply it with your fingers. And if you use it under your makeup, it creates a really smooth base. I’ve also used the Murad Invisiblur™ Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 and like it better than most primers I have tried. It has a silicone feel, if you like that style. I’ve had good success with the Algenist SUBLIME DEFENSE Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50, which is what I’m finishing up now. And I’ll always owe a debt of gratitude to the the Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 for getting me through my month-long hike through the Himalayas.

It seems like I’m at a music festival every other weekend in the summer–because I basically AM at a music festival every other weekend in the summer! I need something that easy to reapply and carry in my festival bag. I’ve come to depend on two easily portable, festival-friendly sunscreens that I carry now with me daily in the summer. The first is a powder sunscreen with a brush applicator. I’ve used both Colorescience Sunforgettable® Loose Mineral Sunscreen Brush Broad Spectrum SPF 30 and the Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45. Between the two, I prefer the Colorescience, which I purchased through my stylist, Nicole at CoLeighCo Salon, but it’s also available at Sephora. Both are really nice options. They are really fast to reapply. You just brush it on your face, ears and neck and you’re good to go for a few more hours.

But sometimes, I’m too sweaty for a powder application. I got a sample of the Supergoop!® Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50 in a Birchbox–and you know we love our spritzes!–so this is a great way to pump up your sunscreen on a sweaty day and provide a some refreshment.

(Now that Pamela has me all in with Glossier–I just purchased their new Invisible Shield SPF 35. It came yesterday, so I’ll keep you posted on how it checks out!)

Bonus tip!!

In doing a little research on this topic–we found Sephora has a new Favorites Collection called the Sun Safety Kit that contains samples of Jess’ beloved Dr. Jart+,  and Lyn’s Boscia BB, the Murad, the Algenist, the Supergoop along with a bunch of other sun products. At $32–it looks like a nice way to try a bunch of our recommendations!

What are your favorite ways to protect your face in the summer? Any recommendations we should jump on? Let us know below!

We have been spending our own money to protect our faces for years, including on the products mentioned above.