Sunscreens with high sun protection from Nivea, Human Nature, Belo Beauty

The rainy season is drawing near, but many of us are still having end-of-summer escapades, and with our tropical lifestyle, it's easy for us to go to the beach or island hopping on a sunny weekend any time of the year. Before you go out to get sunkissed, check if you might be due for a new sunscreen; sunscreen’s shelf life is only one year, so remember to purchase a new tube or bottle every time summer comes around. Based on experience, sunscreen that is more than a year old is no longer effective; you can coat yourself in it, but the protection will last no more than a few minutes. And yes, everyone needs sunscreen; it is not true that those with darker skin no longer need it.

Whenever I'm at the beach, I spend as much time as possible in the water. I am not afraid of getting a tan, but I am afraid of burning because 1) ouch! and 2) skin damage. Here are a few sunscreens that have worked the best for me for high sun exposure. All products can be found in your local grocery store or pharmacy or can be ordered online, and will not cost a tanned arm and leg. 

Nivea Sun Protect and Moisture Face Cream
This has SPF50 and feels lighter and less sticky compared to Nivea face sunblocks I’ve tried in the past. It absorbed easily and did not leave that comical white cast even when generously applied. I put this to the test when I dared to swim in the beach during the hottest hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. I reapplied halfway through (a must when in the water), and managed to survive with just a red nose and cheeks.


Human Nature Safe Protect Sunscreen
If you plan to go snorkeling in a coral garden, or are conscious about ingredients used in sunscreen, this one is formulated without oxybenzone, octinoxate, benzophenone and other chemicals that can bleach corals. This is a natural sunscreen free of parabens and synthetic fragrances so it’s good for your skin, too. It also comes in a Kids and Babies formula for young or sensitive skin.

Belo Intensive Whitening BB Cream
I use this on days when I expect to be under the sun in the city, or at the beach if my skin isn’t looking particularly even-toned. The texture is a little tacky (sticky), but if in the city, a light dusting of face powder with a brush does wonders. Unlike many BB creams that are too white for most Pinay skin colors, this one adapts to skin. I don’t know if this is really whitening, though; I don’t use it everyday so I can’t conclude.

A version of this post first appeared on print in Sun.Star Cebu on May 10, 2019.