June 1, 2022
In Honor of National Sunscreen Day, the SPF Celebrities Swear By
Christopher Ehlers READ TIME: 8 MIN.
There seems to be a "national day" for just about everything these days. From National French Fry Day to National Let's Talk in an Elevator Day (not joking), there's no shortage of made-up holidays to help break up the monotony of the work week.
But of all the things that actually merit their own day, sunscreen is pretty high up on that list. Not only is it the best anti-aging product that exists, but it helps to keep skin cancer at bay. Simply put, if you're not wearing sunscreen daily, then everything else you're doing for or putting on your face is a waste of money. Literally, stop buying serums and moisturizers and, if you wish, take that cash and light it directly on fire.
The general rule of thumb is this: Half a teaspoon for your face and neck, every two hours, whether you leave your house or not. In the winter months when you're spending less time outside, you can probably get away with just once a day. These days, facial sunscreens aren't those greasy, chemical-smelling substances that leave you looking like Casper. Sunscreens are incredibly sophisticated and cosmetically elegant now, so if you're still struggling to find a sunscreen that you want to wear daily, it's simply because you haven't found the right one yet.
In honor of National Sunscreen Day – which is every day in my world – here are some celebrity-loved sunscreens that are worth a look.
Zac Efron: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Google "best sunscreens" and you'll likely find this Elta MD classic at the top of many lists, and it has also earned a stamp of approval from Zac Efron. While filming "Baywatch," he told refinery 29: "I think sunscreen in super important – we were in the sun a lot; it was super hot. You have to get a mineral block; clear zinc works really well. I like Elta MD. They make a waterproof version. Wear sunscreen every day, please. No amount of sun is safe, in my opinion." While EltaMD's Clear sunscreen isn't for everyone, the brand has so many sunscreens with a cult following that there's something for everyone. As reported by E! News, the brand is beloved by Khloe Kardashian, Emma Stone, Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Lisa Rinna, and Kyle Richards. $39, eltamd.com
Kate Moss: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Fluid SPF 50+
If Kate Moss says it, it must be true, right? The supermodel told Elle that sunscreen is her beauty secret, and she called out this beloved La Roche-Posay staple. $34.99, lovelyskin.com
Kaia Gerber: SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50
Model and actress Kaia Gerber learned everything she knows about skincare from her mom, supermodel Cindy Crawford. "My mom's advice was always to take care of your skin but to not overdo it," she told Glamour. "So I just wash my face and put on sunscreen, which is the biggest thing for me, and that's it. I love everything by SkinCeuticals but especially their tinted sunscreen." $36, skinceuticals.com
Charlize Theron: La Roche-Posay Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Serum with Sunscreen
"I don't go out of my house a day without sunblock," Theron told InStyle. "I stash it in my car. I put it on my hands when I'm driving. I am a sunblock fanatic." Her choice? This La Roche-Posay mainstay. $42.50, lovelyskin.com
Tracee Ellis Ross: Epicuren X-treme Cream Propolis
"Some sunscreens are not great if you're a person of color," the "Black-ish" star told Harper's Bazaar. "It looks natural." $50, Dermstore.com
Jennifer Garner: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 100
Garner loves this drugstore staple for being so lightweight and sheer. "I tell all my friends, "Start your day with it. Don't waste any time," she told Hello Giggles. "I'll see my friends in hats or trying to stand in the shade, and I think, "All of that is great, but you also need to use SPF every day. The sun is too strong." $11.49, target.com
Lady Gaga — Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
According to Gaga's longtime makeup artist, Sarah Tanno, Gaga is a huge fan of Supergoop's incredibly popular clear sunscreen, which not only protects the skin from the sun but also acts as a makeup-gripping primer. It's "the sunscreen to end all sunscreens," Tanno told The Skincare Edit. $36, sephora.com
