10 Best French Sunscreens To Effectively Protect Your Skin

Here are the 10 best French sunscreens to effectively protect your skin from the sun! One of the staples of the French summer skincare routine is definitively a good sunscreen (“crème solaire” in French) with the highest SPF. We all know that a good sunscreen protects the skin from the sun’s powerful UV rays, and minimizes the risk of painful sunburns, skin cancer, and premature signs of aging, such as dark spots and wrinkles.

Being French, I’m obsessed with sunscreens! I always protect my skin with enough sunscreen and make it the most important summer habit whenever I leave the house for a long period of time. In my beauty cabinet, I often have a few different types of sunscreen with different SPF levels (20, 30, 50). So, in order to help choose the best French sunscreen for your skin type, here are a few tips below:

• Look for a French sunscreen with “broad-spectrum” coverage —meaning it protects against UVB rays that cause burning and UVA rays that cause lasting damage.
• Seek for SPF of 30 or higher —SPF 50 sunscreens block 98% of UVB rays.
• Remember that a high SPF doesn’t mean you can go hours without reapplying! You should always reapply sunscreen after every two hours in the sun.
• When shopping for sunscreen for your face, look for one that addresses specific concerns like fine lines, acne, or sensitivity.

Of course, these sunscreens should be used in addition to hats and protective clothing, since no sunscreen can completely prevent sun damage. Also, avoid going out during the sun peak hours (between 12 pm to 4 pm). And keep babies and young children out of direct sunlight. Finally, don’t forget to protect your eyes, wear sunglasses while being exposed to the sun.

So, from sunscreens for oily, acne-prone, dry, or sensitive skin to sunscreens for the face and mineral sunscreens, here are all of the best sunscreens from the best French sunscreen brands.

1. Best Sunscreen For Face And Body

2. Best Tinted Sunscreen

3. Best Primer Sunscreen

4. Best Sunscreen For Acne-prone Skin 

5. Best Sunscreen For Oily Skin

If you have prone to breakouts or oily skin you might be hesitant to use sunscreen for fear of adding excess shine. But in fact, those skin types may need SPF the most. Indeed, acne stems from a compromised skin barrier, which can be further weakened by UV exposure. In addition, some acne treatments, such as retinol increase photosensitivity, and sun exposure can darken acne scars. Stick to non-comedogenic formulas and consider switching to a facial sunscreen to protect specific blemish-prone areas.

6. Best Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin

If you have very sensitive skin, prefer mineral formulas (fragrance-free) that sit atop the skin’s surface, making them less irritating than chemical ones. Indeed, chemical sunscreens penetrate the skin and can become allergenic in the presence of sunlight. For more details, check out my article on the best French mineral sunscreens.

7. Best Sunscreen For Dry Skin

8. Best Sunscreen For Mature Skin

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 90% of the visible signs of aging including fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, and texture are attributed to UV exposure. That’s why taking preventive measures to protect your complexion from UV rays will help to keep your skin healthy. Mature skin is generally more delicate, dry, and prone to fine lines and wrinkles. That’s why you would need to seek sunscreens that not only have a high SPF but are also hydrating and antioxidant-rich to prevent signs of aging from forming.

9. Best Sunscreen For The Beach

When going to the beach or being in full sun, opt for a full-strength sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50. I’ll recommend not laying down in extremely harsh sunshine for hours and hours. Limit the amount of time in the sun (especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.), seek shade, and apply an SPF50 every hour.

10. Best Mineral Sunscreen

Et voilà! I hope this guide will help you find the best French sunscreen tailored to your skin’s needs! If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below.

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