One of my classmates from business school was showing off his physique (as you do, when you have a six-pack and are on a beach holiday). You’ll be pleased to hear that I interrogated him on his sunscreen habits. It turns out that he wasn’t even using a standalone SPF 30 sunscreen. If you are thinking did I fall off a chair at this proclamation – then yes, I did.
While I failed to read him the riot act on why such a crap sunscreen, I did inflict my worldviews on sunscreen on him and then sent him a list of American sunscreens that I would be happy to use. I’ve listed these below.
It struck me that most men have (i) skin and (ii) should be using sunscreen, but don’t actually know the first thing about sunscreen as a means to protect against photodamage.
Most I have spoken to, hate sunscreen because their wife’s sunscreen doesn’t suit them. There are two things I want to say here: no married woman wants her husband to look great (fact). Secondly, your partner buys sunscreen to suit her/his skin – not yours.
I would strongly suggest that if you are a man and have skin that you don’t want to be old and wrinkly by the time your 45 then, buy your own sunscreen.
What damage is sunscreen trying to protect you against?
UV filters contained in sunscreens should protect against the damaging effects of both UVA and UVB radiation:
Why do you need to wear a sunscreen that is at least an SPF 30 every day?
- Statistically, people typically apply 0.5 to 1.5 mg/cm2 of sunscreen in real life instead of the 2 mg/cm2 dosage prescribed in SPF test. BUT here is the thing: when the dose (i.e., 2 mg/cm2) is halved, the SPF can reduce by as much as 60%+
Applying 50% of the recommended amount of SPF results in SPF 50 becoming SPF 17-SPF 37, which at its worst is a 65%+ reduction in SPF. See also Difference between SPF 15 and SPF 50 for more information
- American sunscreen regulation is archaic – so European sunscreens are much better because they afford better protection, more stable etc etc. As Americans only have a few sunscreen filter combinations to choose from, there are not many good sunscreens on the market. (Sorry, I love America, but Americans make crap sunscreens)
How much sunscreen should I use?
See this blog: How much sunscreen to apply?
Which sunscreens would I happily use every day?
I have literally spent days in a CVS pharmacy (which will not be named) in Manhattan looking at hundreds of sunscreens and then followed that with weeks of research into at American sunscreens.
Honestly, I’d happily use any of these four sunscreens, which most men should be able to use, irrespective of whether they have a six pack or not.
No 1: prevage hydrating shield SPF 50 PA++++ (US$ 68 for 1.3 fl.oz)
My review:
This product is a US$ 68 sunscreen that may last 2 months (haha), but its the best sunscreen in terms of aesthetics that I have ever used.
Click on this link for product website
No 2: Survival 30 by NIOD (US$ 30 for 30ml)
I love NIOD products – it does take some getting used to how simplistic they are but they deliver. The NIOD website contains every piece of relevant information that you need. Click on this link for product website
No 3: supergoop unseen sunscreen SPF 40 (US$ 20 for 1.7 fl oz)
My review
Honestly, the first time I used this sunscreen I was wondering if I had slapped on some Vaseline. It takes a few days to get used to the texture, but after that its a great every day sunscreen to use.
Click on this link for product website
No 4: sunbum mineral SPF 30 (US$ 18 for 1.7 fl oz)
My review
The first time I came across this sunscreen was on the East coast: it smells of coconut and blends in well. This is a fantastic mineral sunscreen, that leaves no whitecast.
Click on this link for product website