is isdin sunscreen reef safe?

Sun damage significantly affects our skin. It can harm cells and proteins, contribute to skin cancer, and accelerate the skin’s natural aging process by up to 80%. (Source) So, whatever your age or skin type, there’s one thing that you should always include in your daily skincare routine: sunscreen.

In fact, if there’s one thing dermatologists agree on, it’s that sunscreen is one of the best ways to help protect yourself. “If you are going to invest in any one product for your skin, it should be sunscreen. This step is perhaps the only true need in skincare,” advises Dr. Luke J. Maxfield, board-certified dermatologist.

Join us as we chat with Dr. Maxfield and more experts to find out what makes a dermatologist-recommended sunscreen. Read on to find out what you should look for in your daily sun care products.

First things first, what is broad protection sunscreen? It’s the only kind of sunscreen recommended in The American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) guidelines on sunscreen, and with good reason: it protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.

The solar radiation that reaches us every day is made up of different rays, which affect our skin in different ways. UVA rays are largely responsible for premature skin aging, so they provoke changes in the skin, such as the appearance of wrinkles and sun spots. UVB rays are sometimes called burning rays, as they’re the culprit behind sunburn and tanning in your skin.

Both types of rays can contribute to the risk of developing skin cancer. So, for the best all-over protection, be sure to choose broad spectrum sunscreens.

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One of the biggest misconceptions about sunscreen is that if you have skin of color, you don’t need to be using a high SPF. But, the AAD recommends that everyone uses an SPF of at least 30.

SPF, or sun protection factor, is a measurement of the amount of time that your sunscreen will help protect your skin from solar radiation. When making your choice, it’s best to look for a higher SPF, such as an SPF 50 or SPF 50+ sunscreen, as this increases the time it would take for your skin to burn when in direct sunlight.

In addition to SPF numbers, there’s another useful SPF tip to consider. It’s really important to apply sunscreen exactly as it says on the label as this is the way the sunscreen has been tested. So to get the same level of protection, you need to apply following the instructions.

To get the maximum benefit from your sunscreen, look for one with additional ingredients that boost overall skin health. The most advanced formulations now help care for your skin in other ways, adding peptides to help target signs of premature skin aging, and antioxidants, for extra protection against oxidative skin damage.

“I recommend Eryfotona Actinica to my patients for its unique enzyme called DNA Repairsomes®,” says Dr. Park. And what makes DNA Repairsomes® so special? Also known as photolyase, this naturally-occurring enzyme is derived from plankton and has been clinically proven to help repair UV-induced damage in the skin.

Dr. Maxfield sums it up best, “Eryfotona sunscreens provide a truly exceptional defense for the skin, not only through the combination of zinc oxide and antioxidants but also through helping to repair sun damage with data-driven DNA Repairsomes®.”

The best kind of sunscreen is one you’ll want to apply every single day. And that’s where expert insights come into play.

Dermatologists are always on top of the latest innovations in product texture — such as 100% mineral sunscreens that don’t leave behind a greasy, white residue. “ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica is 100% mineral and ultralight. I recommend it to all my patients to protect and help repair their skin,” explains Dr. Robinson. Her personal favorite? “Eryfotona Ageless. It’s 100% mineral and the tint blends with my skin beautifully.”

Bottom line: To help protect your skin from sun damage and photoaging, a dermatologist-recommended sunscreen is a great place to start. And remember, the sun doesn’t take a day off! So, whichever type of sunscreen you choose, apply it daily, and apply it well.

Sources and references: Flament, Frederic et al. “Effect of the sun on visible clinical signs of aging in Caucasian skin.” Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology vol. 6 221-32. 27 Sep. 2013

As Kerr revealed to Glamour, Isdin's tinted SPF is her current go-to. "I use Isdin for sunscreen, there's one that has a little tint to it. I quite like its sheer coverage, though I don't know if it's certified organic," she explained.

Given how many times skin experts have endorsed Isdin's line of weightless sunscreens, Kerr's love for the brand makes sense. My favorite New York City dermatologist, Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, stocks the brand in her waiting room, and one of Seattle's top dermatologists, Dr. Heather Rogers Ashbach, recommended it to me last summer (and given that her Instagram handle is @SPFlady, you know it's legit).

Shop now: $66; amazon.com

All of which is to say, Isdin is the answer to any reservations you may still have about wearing SPF daily. I get it — so many sunscreens leave your skin oily or ghostly white, include ingredients that are deeply not great for the environment, and come with that classic smell that doesn't work anywhere but the beach.

Yet Isdin's Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ bucks all the negatives with its formula of reef-safe mineral filters, peptides, antioxidants, and "DNA Repairsomes" to remedy existing sun damage and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As a bonus, the zinc oxide that's behind its sun protection pulls double duty to clear breakouts (the ingredient is likewise at work in beloved acne treatments like Origins' Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask).

"Goes on like silk and feels so good on," one shopper writes of the sunscreen, and another says it blends just like a moisturizer on their face, able to tackle flaking skin with ease. More people praise the formula's glowy tint, which makes for a dewy, white cast-free finish that feels weightless and looks near-invisible, but still offers enough coverage to skip foundation. And while Kerr's favorite formula is clearly well-loved, the brand's untinted version of the sunscreen is arguably the crowd favorite with 1,000 five-star ratings on Amazon.

One runner with a history of precancerous skin growths says their dermatologist recommended the formula to ward off more of the same, and thanks to the expert ingredients, you more than get what you pay for. "My spots are actually fading! I thought I was imagining things until my husband concurred," a shopper writes of the SPF's extra effect on dark marks. People with actinic keratosis similarly say the formula provided the unexpected benefit of shrinking their large brown spots, and people with super-sensitive skin, rosacea, and lupus also attest that it's the best sunscreen they've ever tried.

"My doctor recommended this stuff as the best there is," a different reviewer writes. "He says that it not only blocks the sun, but also heals damaged cells." In a last shopper's words: "This product is absolutely the best facial sunscreen I've ever used. Not greasy. You will be amazed." Get ready for the summer days ahead with a bottle for yourself.

Some sunscreen ingredients may have the potential to harm coral, algae, fish and other marine life, according to the National Ocean Service. These ingredients include oxybenzone, octocrylene, octinoxate, PABA, nano-titanium dioxide and nano-zinc oxide. Some popular vacation destinations, including Hawaii, have passed laws that ban the sale of sunscreens that contain some or all of these ingredients.

These laws have beachgoers on the hunt for reef-safe sunscreens or reef-friendly sunscreens. “We want our patients and customers to be safe at the beach, while also protecting the environment,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “Physical sunscreens—also called mineral sunscreens—offer protection for coral reefs while also protecting your skin.”

The terms “nano” and “non-nano” refer to the particle size of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, two of the most popular active ingredients that give mineral sunscreens their SPF. “Nano means the particles are synthesized to be very, very small,” Dr. Schlesinger says. “Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide tend to leave a white cast on skin, so sunscreen makers have looked to nano and micronized versions of these ingredients to reduce the white cast and create formulas that are easier to rub into your skin.”

So, what’s a beach-goer to do? Check your sunscreen’s ingredient list before you pack for your ocean vacation. Sunscreens made with non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide tend to be labeled as such. “Though there’s more research to be done, the latest suggests sunscreen containing non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide could be the better choice for ocean swimming,” Dr. Schlessinger says.

It’s always a good idea to reapply your sunscreen according to the manufacturer’s recommendations on the packaging. “As a general rule, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours unless you are sweating or in the water, but with physical sunscreens, you will probably need to reapply more frequently if you are sweating or swimming, regardless of what the label says,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “I actually reapply my sunscreen every 30 minutes if I am active or swimming.”

Additional sun safety measures such as wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sun shirts can help supplement your sunscreen use and reduce sun exposure at the beach or otherwise. "If you have the choice of purchasing a hat or clothing that is labeled UPF (ultraviolet protection factor), it is likely going to be more protective than regular clothing,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “Studies have been done on the typical white T-shirt and it turns out that they only offer about an SPF 2. That's all!"

Headed to the shore? Here are five dermatologist-recommended sunscreens that you can feel good about packing in your beach bag this season:

TiZO calls its sunscreens reef-friendly, and its entire sun protection line is mineral-based, non-nano and free of chemical filters, including octinoxate and oxybenzone. This sunscreen for face and body protects with 20% zinc oxide and is entirely fragrance-free, making it a great choice for beachgoers who are irritated by heavily scented sunscreens. It has a gentle formula that’s well-suited for sensitive skin and even post-procedure skin.

Looking for a no-shine face sunscreen for beach days? This mattifying sunscreen from REN is made with rice extract, so it dries to a matte finish and helps reduce the appearance of large pores. It uses non-nano zinc oxide, which is less likely to pose a threat to coral and other marine life. As an eco-friendly bonus, this sunscreen’s cap is made entirely of recycled plastic, and the tube is made with 50% recycled plastic.

This reef-friendly sunscreen combines broad-spectrum sun protection with a multitasking formula designed to provide anti-aging skin care benefits. It protects your skin from sun damage with non-nano zinc oxide and also helps protect against signs of aging—including fine lines and wrinkles—thanks to antioxidant-packed ingredients, such as lingonberry, sea buckthorn, bearberry and ferulic acid. A touch of aloe helps keep skin hydrated too.

This all-mineral facial sunscreen is formulated to help restore and improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin while also offering protection from further damage. It provides broad-spectrum protection with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and also contains a blend of skin-improving ingredients, including squalane for moisture retention and antioxidants to help brighten dark spots and smooth rough texture. Choose from two options: untinted or a light universal tint. Need a body sunscreen too? EltaMD Pure is an all-mineral formula for beach days that you can use on the whole family, including children. It goes on white and leaves a slight residue on the skin, so you can be sure you haven’t missed any spots. “Given the white residue, this sunscreen is best used on younger children,” Dr. Schlessinger says.