Don't forget the sunscreen!

Spring is here and the weather is getting warmer! I love sunshine! But the sun doesn't love me. And I don't like what it does to my skin. So a good sunscreen is an absolute "must" for me. This isn't a problem for my body - a good broad spectrum UVA-UVB sunscreen will do the trick - but my face is another story. My face is very sensitive and is prone to break-outs, clogged pores, and oiliness when it comes to sunscreens. My go-to facial sunscreen for the past few years has been Neutrogena's Ultra Dry Touch Sheer - it offers great protection and doesn't irritate my face. But it does tend to make my face feel greasy after a few hours - and I hate that.

Recently, I saw an ad for Neutrogena's new sunscreen - Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock. My hope was that it would have the same consistency as La Roche-Posay's Anthelios Fluide Extreme (the one available in the UK). The Fluide Extreme is a great product with a thinner consistency and I really like it - but I don't like the price (or the shipping charges to the US).

The Ultra Sheer Liquid is offered in 55 spf and 70+ spf. It contains Helioplex®, which offers broad-spectrum UVA-UVB protection. It's oil-free, PABA-free, and is both waterproof & sweatproof.

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (7.5%), Oxybenzone (5%)

Inactive Ingredients: Water, Cetyl Dimethicone, Silica, Styrene/Acrylataes Copolymer, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Pentylene Glycol, Steareth 2, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyester 7, Chlorphenesin, Bisabolol, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Mannan, Xanthan Gum, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Camelia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Diethylhexyl 2 6 Naphthalate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pantothenic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance.

In my area, the price was $13.49 at Walgreens and $11.00 at Target. Last week, Walgreens was offering a special on Neutrogena suncare products - buy one, get one 50% off. I had a coupon for $2 off a Neutrogena suncare product, so I bought two bottles at Walgreens.

So far, I'm very impressed. It absorbs quickly, leaves a matte finish, and I haven't  experienced any oiliness (even after a day of running errands in 83 degree weather). There is a slight "sunscreen" odor when first applied, but that seems to dissipate quickly. I wear mineral makeup as my foundation, and sometimes sunscreen can cause the powder to go on unevenly. This hasn't been a problem with the Ultra Sheer Liquid.

Now I just have to wait 2-3 weeks to see if I have any issues with breakouts. I'm really hopeful though - and think this will probably be my new holy grail facial sunscreen.

Practice safe sun! And don't forget that you need to wear sunscreen even on overcast days. Some articles to read:

• FDA - Sun Safety: Save Your Skin
• kidshealth.org - How to Be Safe When You're in the Sun
• skincancer.org - Go With Your Own Glow
• sunless.com - a list of good sunscreens