Sunscreen you will wear
By Mara Ellison, NP · July 30, 2026
The right sunscreen is the one you will put on every morning, including on cloudy days. For most people that means a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher with a texture you like, applied as the last step of your routine and topped up if you are outdoors for long.
Everything we do in the treatment room, from peels to lasers, depends on this one habit. Sun is the single largest driver of uneven tone and early lines on a coast like ours.
Finding a formula that fits
- Start with texture.Dry skin tends to like creams; oily skin tends to like fluids and gels.
- Check the finish.Tinted mineral formulas cancel the white cast many people dislike.
- Test for a week.Wear it daily before deciding. Most irritation shows up by day five.
If your sunscreen lives in a drawer, it is not doing anything for your skin.
Questions
Does makeup with SPF count?
It helps, but most people do not use enough foundation to reach the SPF on the label. Wear sunscreen underneath.
Do I need it indoors?
If you sit near a window for long periods, yes. Glass blocks some rays but not all of them.
Book a consultation
General information from a fictional practice, not medical advice. Illustrative demo. Individual results vary. Pricing shown is illustrative.
