The Best Mineral Sunscreens for the Las Vegas Sun
If you live in Las Vegas or Henderson, sunscreen isn't a summer product. We get intense sun almost every day of the year, and it's behind most of the sun spots, fine lines and uneven tone I treat.
The best sunscreen is the one you'll actually wear every day. Here are the five I recommend, sorted by what you need it for.
Why I recommend mineral sunscreen
Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to block UV rays. They tend to be gentler on sensitive skin, and they're what I suggest after peels, microneedling and plasma treatments, when skin is extra reactive.
My picks
Skinbetter Tone Smart SPF 75 Liquid: best everyday sunscreen. It has a sheer, skin-adapting tint that evens tone, so many of my clients skip foundation on most days. It comes in a smaller size if you want to try it first.
Skinbetter Tone Smart SPF 68 Compact: best for reapplying. A pressed compact you can keep in your purse and pat on over makeup. Reapplying is the step most people skip, and this makes it easy.
EltaMD UV Skin Recovery SPF 50: best for sensitive skin. A 100% mineral formula made for sensitive skin, rosacea-prone skin and skin healing after a procedure. This is my top pick for the days after a treatment.
EltaMD UV Lip Balm SPF 36 and Rosehip & Lemongrass Lip Balm SPF 15: don't forget your lips. Lips burn and age too. The EltaMD balm offers the higher protection, and the Rosehip balm adds soothing oils for dry desert lips.
How to get real protection
Apply about a nickel-sized amount for your face, and don't forget your neck and ears.
Reapply every two hours when you're outside, and after sweating or swimming.
Wear it on cloudy days and when driving. UV still gets through.
Already have sun damage?
Sunscreen prevents new damage, but it won't fade what's already there. Pair it with a dark spot serum, or ask me about chemical peels and plasma sun spot removal at my Henderson studio.
