If there is one thing to look forward to in the year of 2025 it is the inevitable and amazing gay-cation we all take. Whether it’s Puerto Vallarta, Provincetown, or Fire Island, tight speedos, perfect tans, and late nights near the water are something we all can look forward to.
With these summer plans though comes the sun, and considering most of my Fire Island Wardrobe consists of 5 inch inseams and crop tops that can lead to some problems for my skin. Unfortunately not all sunscreens are created equally, and most of us remember our parents lathering us in thick white paste that burned our eyes and mixed perfectly with the sand we were covered in.
While wearing sunscreen can be a chore it’s vital to keep your skin happy and healthy. Too much UV exposure can lead to new or increased wrinkles, skin discoloration and dark spots, and more serious things like skin cancer. This is why we have compiled a list of our five favorite sunscreens that are perfect for your next gay-cation!
For the body, my all time favorite is the “Vacation” Shimmer Oil SPF 30. It’s broad spectrum, water resistant and super hydrating. It is an “organic” sunscreen meaning it doesn’t use the thick white filters that leave us looking like ghosts. Further with Jojoba, Marula, and Argan oil it’s extremely hydrating to prevent you from drying out after spending all day around the heat and salt of your favorite beach! It gives your skin a perfect warm glow highlighting all the right places for that perfect instagram picture while keeping you protected all the while.
If you’re a last-minute packer or chronically forget things and find yourself always running to the drugstore my go to pick is the CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30 for face and body. Unlike a lot of more affordable sunscreens this blends out into nothing, leaves the skin feeling hydrated, and allows you to retain your normal non-casper complexion. It’s also a great option for sensitive skin and is water resistant for 80 minutes making it my ride or die before every boardwalk jog in the Pines!
Now, on the flip side if you’re a luxury skincare fan one severely underhyped brand is ReVive. They’re a French luxury skincare company that produces some of the best sunscreens I’ve ever tried and at this point I’ve tried hundreds. If you like to wear a bit of makeup and want an SPF that doesn’t pill or just the ultimate SPF moisturizer look no further than the ReVive Sensitif Renewal Cream. It offers broad spectrum SPF 30 protection in a gorgeous glass jar while providing all day moisturization, no classic “sunscreen” smell many of us hate, and will keep your skin safe and flawless as you reapply throughout the day!
Some people need a bit more than SPF 30 protection, and unfortunately that makes it even more difficult to find a sunscreen that works for them. If you’re one of those people however you are in luck as we have the perfect option for you: The Jaxon Lane Rain or Shine Daily Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50! This non-greasy and blendable formula has quickly become a favorite of mine that never leaves my beach bag on those extra sunny days. Along with being a great sunscreen it also helps protect the skin from oxidative damage through the use of ingredients like Green Tea and Vitamin E, and hydrates with classics such as Hyaluronic Acid. If there was only one SPF 50 sunscreen I could ever use again this would be it.
Finally, as much as I may avoid “inorganic” or mineral sunscreens (products that utilize things like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide as filters) there is one product I have consistently found myself reaching for! It’s the Kosas Dream Beam Comfy Smooth Sunscreen that is both broad spectrum and SPF 40. It’s a fantastic option for people who struggle with a burning or tingling sensation after using other sunscreens and contains ingredients designed to soothe and alleviate irritation such as allantoin. Additionally it contains peptides and ceramides, two natural molecules in our own skin that when topically applied help repair the skin barrier and improve the skin’s overall appearance! As far as mineral sunscreens go this is the only one that consistently stays on my shelf!
While there are plenty of sunscreens to test out, and new formulas dropping every day these are the few out of hundreds I’ve tried that I always come back to. Sunscreen is the most important part of your skincare routine and no matter how much vitamin c, retinol, or other luxe products you use each day you’ll be right at square one without it. However above all, when it comes to sunscreen the best one is the one that you will use every single day!
