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Sunscreen 101: Water Resistant SPF 30

Skincare
Christine |

SPF30+ and Water Resistant | This is a look at some of the products available with SPF30 or higher that are marketed as water-resistant. Remember that water-resistant doesn’t mean you can swim for six hours and not worry about it! Re-application is crucial. If you’re in the water for more than 30-45 minutes, you’ll likely need to re-apply for maximum protection.

MD Skincare Powerful Sun Protection SPF 45 ($42.00) contains:

  • Oxybenzone (s-UVA)
  • Octinoxate (UVB)
  • Octisalate (UVB)
  • Zinc Oxide (UVA)

Korres Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 30 ($28.00) contains:

  • Octocrylene (UVB)
  • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (UVB)
  • Titanium dioxide (s-UVA)
  • Zinc Oxide (UVA)

Clinique UV-Response Face SPF 50 ($15.50) contains:

  • Homosalate 10% (UVB)
  • Octinoxate 7.5% (UVB)
  • Oxybenzone 5.0% (s-UVA)
  • Octisalate 5% (UVB)
  • Avobenzone 3% (UVA)

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream for Face SPF 55 PA+++ ($33.00) contains:

  • Octinoxate 7.4% (UVB)
  • Zinc Oxide 13.9% (UVA)

Dermalogica super sensitive faceblock spf30 ($45.00)

  • Titanium dioxide 6.7% (UVB/s-UVA)
  • Zinc Oxide 9.2% (UVA)

Make sure you check out our introduction to sunscreen here. These products are typically available at Nordstrom.com or Sephora.com.

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9 Comments

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MariahGem Avatar
MariahGem

Oh man… so many products… is there any way you can tell us which you find most effective? Or is your favorite? I have no idea what to choose, or to leave the new one I just started using: Murad Pomegranate SPF 15

Christine Avatar
Christine
Light Medium, Neutral, slight yellow undertones. Normal-to-Dry skin. View Christine Full Profile

To be honest, I haven’t tried the majority of the sunscreens I’ve listed–I more or less went through high end brands looking to show readers which products had good protection in general. I have tried Shiseido and Dermalogica’s–I like both. I definitely use Shiseido for my beach going days for sure. I opt for SPF30+ when I’m going to be outside, because it does last longer regardless, but I’d definitely use SPF15 for days going to school or the office. A lot of SPF30+ products cost more than SPF15, so you can always keep your SPF15 for those indoor days.

Sidney Allen Avatar
Sidney Allen

I picked up the MD Skincare SPF 45 at Nordstrom before a trip to Mexico and I LOVE it! It comes out of the tube really thick and I was a little freaked out that I would have a chalky skin situation but it disappeared into my skin really fast. AND it’s oil free so I used it on my entire body and my face. The formula really worked — no burns even under the Mexican sun!

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