Sunscreen Again

I am a "fearful" sunscreen wearer-- fearful because my redheaded father has already had skin cancer removed from his face, and also because at 42 my face already shows some signs of sun damage.

I use a lot of lotion with sunscreen-- daily, no matter what. One of my favorites for inside is this product from Korres. I suspect I like this product because of the cream formula and the Wild Rose content-- a natural, oil based source of Vitamin C (my face loves essential oils). Unfortunately, the cream is only spf 6-- from the titanium dioxide I see listed on the box. Korres does make a facial sunscreen with spf 30 but I haven't had the opportunity to sample that one yet.

In the winter I had been enjoying a Neutrogena product, but it now seems to be stinging and running into my eyes-- I'll probably return to it come fall, when I'm outside quite a bit for my job (the lotion is spf 45).

What to do in the summer in the mean time? I'm trying to stay away from oxybenzone, after reading some health concerns about long-term use of this chemical. It's tough to find a US-available sunscreen that doesn't contain oxybenzone and has a high spf. One baby sunscreen from Coppertone does fit the bill: At spf 50 and with a relatively high (for the US) UVA protection rating (the zinc oxide, I think) I can wear this comfortably outside without doing more damage to my face.

I don't understand why it's been so difficult for the US to approve sunscreen ingredients that are available in European and Asian brands. When I've felt particularly rich, I've splurged on Bioderma and La Roche Posay and been quite amazed at the texture and quality of the products (thinner, quicker to absorb, and *no* tanning at all). Possibly this will be of more concern to our aging population.