Photo source: Photoshopessentials.com
Ever wish you had a dermatologist at your side when you were packing your beach bag? Never fear…six top derms reveal their must-haves in the June 2008 issue of Allure magazine:
Dr. Francesca J. Fusco of Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City (an experienced, established Manhattan derm):
- Skinceuticals CE Ferulic ($107.00, Amazon.com) (my personal favorite too!)
- LaRoche-Posay Anthelios XL 60 ($21.00, WestCoastSkin.com) for face
- Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Lotion SPF 55 ($10.49, Amazon.com) for body
- Zinc oxide (like Smart Shield SPF 30, $4.49, Amazon.com) for lips.
Dr. Leslie Baumann of the University of Miami School of Medicine in Miami (one of my favorite all-time derms for her incredible knowledge and research background in dermatology):
- Heliocare UV Protection Capsules ($55.99, Amazon.com) 1 hour before UV exposure (for a FutureDerm review, please click here!)
- Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 45 ($7.99, Amazon.com) for a chemical face/body sunscreen
- Blue Lizard Australian Suncream for Sensitive Skin ($18.80, Amazon.com) for a physical barrier over the Neutrogena product
- ColoreScience Finishing Powder ($45.00, Amazon.com)
Dr. Doris Day of the NYU Medical Center in New York City (and the name behind Good Skin products at Kohl’s!):
- SPF 30+ (specific product not specified)
- ColoreScience Sunforgettable Brush SPF 30 Powder ($50.00, Amazon.com) over sunscreen.
Dr. Lisa Airan, New York City dermatologist (and quite glam, I might add, this derm is often in magazines like Vogue!)
- Ocean Potion 50 ($8.99, Amazon.com)
Dr. Diane Berson of the New York University Medical Center (a well-rounded derm with lots of skin cancer experience)
- LaRoche-Posay Anthelios XL 60 ($21.00, WestCoastSkin.com) for face
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 70 ($9.40, Amazon.com) for body
Dr. Katie Rodan of Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, California (of Pro-Activ and Rodan & Fields fame)
- Rodan and Fields Essentials with Avobenzone SPF 30 ($35.00, CosmeticMall.com) for face (Note: Get 6% back on this purchase if you sign up at eBates.com!)
- LaRoche-Posay Anthelios XL 60 ($21.00, WestCoastSkin.com) for body




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I have the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock, and its great.
I live in a very hot place and it definitely does the work.
I really recommend it!
this is really helpful. I’ve read about a lot of these products and can print this out and compare. I like that some of them are reasonably priced, too. Can I just say I love Neutrogena’s sun products lately.
I 2nd the neutrogena’s products. LOVE this one: Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 30. also, Ocean Potion products are available at Wal-Mart and they are VERY effective. good for “outside and in the water all day”
i am surprised at how many liked the colorscience powder. while i like the idea in theory i have the product and i found the brush to be awful and scratchy. have you used it?
what i can’t find is something that stays sweatproof if i am outside in the heat. i am getting dark spots above my lips right wear i sweat. do you know if there is a lip balm that provides uva/uvb protection?
No, I haven’t used the Colorescience powder, sorry! Maybe one of the other readers have though…
P.S. — You have been entered in the contest for your comment!
I’m not sure if Dr. Francesca J. Fusco’s recommendation is actually..legal.. yet. To my understanding the highest spf that the FDA has currently approved from the Anthelios line is 40. Probably explains why the shipping rates at westcoastskin are absolutely ridiculous, international mail does not come cheap.
Interesting. All derms, yet all recommend different degrees of protection. One derm suggests both chemical and physical protection. Which is better? Nicki, I believe you use a physcial block. Are both necessary?
I’d like to try the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF45.
Let’s see…in response to your question, Danielle, I have two conflicting thoughts. My first thought is, Dr. Baumann is one of my all-time favorite dermatologists, and she does have a point: a chemical sunscreen prevents the UV radiation from impacting your skin, whereas a physical sunscreen prevents it from penetrating your skin altogether. However, my second thought is, most experts recommend one or the other, and as long as you use your preferred sunscreen with SPF 30+ everyday, I think most dermatologists would say that is enough, whether it be physical or chemical. That said, yes, I do use both, but not together: I use NIA 24 Physical Sunscreen SPF 30 in the winter and fall, and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 85 in the spring and summer.
Thanks, Nicki.
Thank you! It seems Neutrogena and La-Roche Posay have many fans among dermatologists. There is a UV Block by L’Oreal that has Mexoryl. I’m still using SPF 15 but will use SPF 30 once I can buy a good sunscreen.