No. 11: Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 30, $30, 11 Best Sunscreens for Your Face

Skin care

11 Best Sunscreens for Your Face

Practice safe sun with these top-rated facial skin care products

June 22, 2010 | by Molly Roemer | 45 COMMENTS

No. 11: Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 30, $30

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.3*
Why: Readers call this product their "safety net" and "SPF in a snap." One woman says, "I have recently become a shade worshiper as a result of family members developing skin cancer, and I have four faves in my sunscreen arsenal -- Peter Thomas Roth's being one of the four. This one travels in my handbag at all times. I never leave home without it." Another woman insists, "to all the mineral makeup maidens: this is perfect for you! If you need a higher protection, or need to reapply throughout the day you can dust this translucent mineral powder over or under your makeup for a matte finish." Readers say that this is "perfect for oily skin. I already use a lot of creamy products on my face before makeup so this is the perfect way to apply sunscreen. I use it to set my foundation since it is already a powder. It's so light, you can't even tell that it's on." Another calls it the "best new innovative product."

Agree? Disagree? Write your review here.

*At time of publication

SEE NEXT PAGE: No. 10: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Age Shield Sunblock, $9.99

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products mentioned

Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Instant Mineral SPF 45

8.1

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Age Shield Sunblock

8.6

DDF Enhancing Sun Protection SPF 30

8.7

Clarins UV Plus Day Screen SPF 40

9.1

Colorescience Pro Sunforgettable Brush (SPF 30)

8.8

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55 PA+++

9.3

Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector Broad...

8.8

Obagi Nu-Derm Healthy Skin Protection SPF

9.5

ZO Skin Health Oclipse Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30

9.4

Jan Marini Skin Research Antioxidant Daily Face...

9.8

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might have to try the shiseido one

by Chris213 Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 06:55PM Report as inappropriate

I was very surprised to not see Loreal's youth code on this list? I have been using Loreal's sunscreen for the face for the past 15 years and I am over 50 and have no sunspots and great looking skin! And i live in the sun:)!

by calady Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 05:17PM Report as inappropriate

I've used the Shiseido sunscreen and it's great. It smells lovely, not annoying or gross like most sunscreen and really keeps my skin protected from the sun. I had soft, moisturized skin while having a great day outside!

by Lamexicana1 Friday, April 5, 2013 at 01:00PM Report as inappropriate

by mlyvng Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 12:24PM Report as inappropriate

A few of these are labeled "discontinued".

by HeathRene Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 11:14AM Report as inappropriate

I would like to see more drugstore options..

by eatinglipstick Friday, February 15, 2013 at 05:14PM Report as inappropriate

I love sunscreen and shop for it often. I will try out some of these options.

by Sari Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 01:03PM Report as inappropriate

My favorite sunscreen is Obagi.

by lilas Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 11:29AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks

by EricaF123 Friday, December 28, 2012 at 05:16PM Report as inappropriate

They have some really good recommendations here, I've looked up ingredients on these because I don't trust everything I read and they got some good picks. The powder brush for PTR is good for kids who hate the lotions stuff, I by these for my girls, but I still make them put lotions sunscreen on and throughout the day the powder is better for them to keep applying it every couple of hours. La Roche and skinceuticals are also very good products.

by Lani702 Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 12:20PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for this wonderful article.....my skin is an oily and my skin goes dark in if I stay outside for long. So which sunscreen should i use and why it is necessary to reapply the sunscreen every after an hour.

by Varun Monday, September 10, 2012 at 04:40AM Report as inappropriate

Thank you for the article! I use sunscreen every day with or without makeup. I am super pale and have a history of skin cancer in my family (father) so I like reading about products that work well!

by mhw Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 10:51AM Report as inappropriate

Great info!

by TBjunkie Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 08:11PM Report as inappropriate

I wasn't aware of the prevalence of the skin cancer deaths. That's a cancer we have some power over. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I will be using SPF moisturizer and bronzer on my face from now on!

by Cheryl5752 Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 05:55PM Report as inappropriate

Sunscreen is so important this time of year

by LittleBunny Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 06:25AM Report as inappropriate

Clinique's city block feels so nice on my skin and doesn't feel greasy at all.

by beautybody Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 08:57PM Report as inappropriate

Nice list! I burn very easily and have oily skin so these are all helpful to know about.

by tallredamanda Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 12:17PM Report as inappropriate

I have used many. Living in Scottsdale, Arizona you don't even think about putting it on you just do it. Sometimes I even have it on before I brush my teeth! Dork!

by ShanthiDevi Monday, March 19, 2012 at 01:19AM Report as inappropriate

I loved the Clarins and Shiseido...HATED the Clinique sunblock. PTR is great too. Another one of my favorites is from La Roche Posay.

by volta Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 01:24AM Report as inappropriate

I have oily skin and am constantly on the search for a good mineral based sunscreen. The problem with the powder is the it can be inhaled during application, means you end up with zinc and titanium in your lungs which will then move into your bloodstream and your entire body. I am currently using John Masters Organics Natural Mineral spf 30. It is a little pricey but I like it.

by ashleyaj04 Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 07:06PM Report as inappropriate

I just purchased the Garnier Face Perfector with SPF 30 and its an awesome tinted moisturizer, primer and sunscreen there is no page for it on here I was looking for it to review it but I highly suggest it!

by Alisunshine Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 10:07AM Report as inappropriate

I never tried a brush sunscreen before.

by kmb1129 Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 12:44PM Report as inappropriate

try Sierra Summits sunscreens--they are made for senstive skin and one is paraben free too!

by jrice2011 Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 07:54PM Report as inappropriate

I just recently learned that chemical sunscreens may actually be bad for you since they absorb UV rays rather than reflecting them away like a physical (zinc oxide) sunscreen would. Anyone else know anything about this??

by Cynthia86 Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 10:34PM Report as inappropriate

Sunscreen is very important, especially in the summer time! But it can't be neglected in the winter time either. Thanks so much for this article!

by MissXu Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 02:25PM Report as inappropriate

Ahhhh..sunscreen...the unmake up makeup. Without it, you will find regret later in life. To the women who bake there skin to a crisp, it's a matter of time before you realize it was a mistake. You may look golden, you may look bronze..but those crows feet and skin cancer is just a matter of time. It's not worth it, spend your money on a really good spray tan, you will rep the benefits in the long run. My go to sunscreen is neutrogenia.

by GlowGirl Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 04:12PM Report as inappropriate

Suscreens! Sunscreens!

by andyv1217 Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 09:34PM Report as inappropriate

I use neutrogena dry touch, love it!

by gisellemarie Monday, September 12, 2011 at 07:44AM Report as inappropriate

I love the Aveeno sunscreen! It never breaks me out and I often have problems with sunscreen formulas!

by vfalkow Monday, September 5, 2011 at 09:11AM Report as inappropriate

The Shiseido and Clarins are FABULOUS. I hate the smell of the Clinique.

by volta Friday, August 26, 2011 at 12:15AM Report as inappropriate

the only sunscreen I use on my face is the kind mixed into my make up

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 01:16AM Report as inappropriate

Ahh if only my friends wore sunscreen and weren't too obsessed with tanning... then my pale skin wouldn't be so unusual :)

by CaiCai Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 12:45PM Report as inappropriate

Protecting your skin from sun damage is vital, but aren't there any alternatives that don't cause health problems of their own? These are all pretty toxic ... D:

by bukiyounahito Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 11:52AM Report as inappropriate

Unfortunately, everyone of these recommended products contain very dangerous ingredients, including carcinogens. I'd avoid every one of them!

by DanikaC Friday, May 27, 2011 at 04:26PM Report as inappropriate

I haven't tried any of these or even heard of a lot of them. I'll have to check them out!

by ladyboarder9669 Friday, May 27, 2011 at 12:57PM Report as inappropriate

I use the Aveeno. Everything else is too greasy feeling.

by MissPurple Monday, May 23, 2011 at 11:37AM Report as inappropriate

I love Aveeno. The 30 is great for me. Good article makes me happy the one I use is in it and is one of the cheapest ones

by modinosaur Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 01:22AM Report as inappropriate

I like using Bare Minerals natural sunscreen for the same reason many mentioned . . . no greasy feeling. The primer sunscreen sounds interesting.

by alictasia Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 08:46AM Report as inappropriate

I recommend Sheseido sunscreen!! It's my secret weapon:)

by Aymee Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 09:20AM Report as inappropriate

I didn't like the Aveeno face sunblock at all--it felt super greasy! I like Shiseido's sunscreens though--the SPF55 lotion (now discontinued) was my favorite. I wore it every day!

by LipglossandSpandex Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 05:28PM Report as inappropriate

I recommend Obagi products. They are great!

by beautyexpert101 Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 06:49PM Report as inappropriate

I love the PTR powder sticks. I keep one in my car & one in my purse year round. They don't mess up makeup & go on so quickly and mess free. A must for everyone!

by DTalksAll Monday, January 10, 2011 at 07:16PM Report as inappropriate

I too like spray on sunscreens, but they do leave a film

by DTalksAll Monday, January 10, 2011 at 07:08PM Report as inappropriate

i love spray on sunscreens! those are the best!

by kenya Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 10:39AM Report as inappropriate

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