Dermatologist Dr Dray Recommends Top 5 Sunscreens Of 2023

Dermatologist Dr Dray Recommends Top 5 Sunscreens Of 2023

Dr Dray strikes again with some of the best gems in the world of sun protection. I am no dermatologist, that is exactly why I trust board certified dermatologist Dr Dray’s skincare recommendations and buy products recommended by her 80% of the time. She has never strayed me in the wrong direction. In fact it will not be a stretch if I claim that Dr Dray saved my skin.

I don’t think I need to sell you Dr Dray’s expertise on skincare so let’s not waste any more time. Here are top 5 of the best sunscreens in the market from the year as recommended by our favorite dermatologist on YouTube.

Note: The inserted images from Amazon are for your benefit and mine. They give you a better idea of the products I talk about; and if you use my link to make any purchase, I make a small commission from Amazon as part of their Amazon Affiliates Program.

1. Mentholatum Sunplay Clear Water Sunscreen

This is a Japanese Sunscreen, and a hybrid sunscreen, which simply means that it has mineral actives as well as chemical actives. It has zinc, titanium dioxide, a UVA filter and octinoxade. Octinoxade is a substance that shields the skin from UVB rays.

Dr Dray loves hybrid sunscreens because the white cast that hybrid sunscreens leave behind is not as obvious in these. It is not completely clear like in all chemical sunscreens, but it isn’t as white as in case of mineral sunscreens. The white cast in hybrid sunscreens is often doable.

Dr Dray adores this sunscreen, it is light weight, fluid, color correcting formula, it does not pill, a fantastic base for makeup. It doesn’t burn or sting around the eyelids, which makes it super easy to spread and use around the sensitive eye area.

It has hyaluronic acid which is a humectant and helps that skin barrier, It also has licorice root which helps with redness and hyperpigmentation, the panthenol is a moisturizing ingredient which helps anybody with dry skin.

This sunscreen has alcohol in it, which can leave the skin a little drying but also makes it fast absorbing, non-greasy and allows for good evaporation of sweat. It also makes this sunscreen a great choice for those of you who live in humid climates and have oily skin. You heard that right, this sunscreen is suitable if you have dry or oily skin.

2. La Roche-Posay UVmune 400 Moisturizing Cream

Dr Dray calls this the golden child this year in terms of innovation. This is the golden child because this sunscreen has a UV filter that is new and has been a work in process for the last decade! Correct, the last ten years! The UVmune 400 filter in this sunscreen by La Roche Posay is unique and unlike any other UV filter.

Unfortunately, this product is not available in the US because of some ingredients that need to go through a lot of tests, but if you are in the UK, you can check this out easily.

It is meant to absorb really long wave UVA wavelengths. These wavelengths penetrate the skin really deeply, destroy our collagen, create a lot of free radicals and damage our DNA causing premature skin aging on all skin types and skin tones and are also linked to skin cancer.

This does not mean that other UV filters are not good, it just means that the UVmune 400 goes above and beyond all other UV filters. UVmune 400 was launched in March of 2022. La Roche-Posay has a few sunscreens with this ingredient.

The sunscreens are moisturizing and do not sting around the sensitive eye area. This hydrating cream is moisturizing, doesn’t look greasy and acts as an excellent base for makeup. They also have a fluid version, which is also not bad.

If you are in the US, I have a post about all of Dr Dray’s favorites from this brand, feel free to click here to see if you are interested in La Roche-Posay. It is one of Dr Dray’s favorite brands when it comes to skincare.

La Roche Posay makes good sunscreens. Their Melt in Sunscreen Milk is also recommended by dermatologist Dr. Dray and unlike the one mentioned above this one is available in the US as well so that is wonderful!

This is a chemical sunscreen, which is why there is no white cast with this one. This sunscreen can be used on the face, or the body. It is fast absorbing and does not leave a greasy residue. There is no pilling, burning, or stinging with this sunscreen.

This is water resistance which makes it a great option for when you are enjoying the outdoors.

3. Eucerin Age Defense Sunscreen

Eucerin does not make a bad product and they launched several new sunscreens in the year that did not disappoint. One that Dr Dray recommends is the Eucerin Age Defense sunscreen, this is an all chemical sunscreen so you don’t need to worry about any cast with this product.

This sunscreen is very hydrating and well loved by all. Some users, however did complain of some stinging around the eyes but Dermatologist Dr Dray did not experience any burning with this product.

This sunscreen is a non-greasy formula but it is not water resistant, which could be the reason why some people complained of stinging, as it must have run into their eyes. It is liquorice root, which helps with redness and is anti-inflammatory.

It also has Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, small studies have suggested that it helps people with oily acne prone skin. This sunscreen works well under cosmetics and helps keeps the skin well hydrated.

4. Bondi Sands Fragrance Free Sunscreen

They have a face specific one and a body version of this sunscreen. Dr Dray feels that there is no difference between the two. Feel free to buy either one and you will get the benefits of a great sunscreen that works like a charm! If you are looking to get more bang for your buck, Dr Dray suggests getting the body product, simply because it is more cost effective.

This leaves no cast, is water resistant, great to be worn on a pool day. It is moisturizing, gives a rejuvenated look all over your body. This does not leave any residue under your nails, if you need to scratch or rub. This is a chemical sunscreen and leaves zero cast on the skin.

Bondi Sands markets themselves as a cruelty free brand as well!

5. Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen

Trader Joe’s marketed this sunscreen as a dupe to the popular Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. Dr Dray used both the products and can affirm that this one by Trader Joe’s is in fact a dupe for the Supergoop one and looks and performs quite similar to the more expensive latter product.

This is a clear, colorless, chemical sunscreen that leaves no cast. It has a silicone type ingredient called isododecane which Dr Dray loves in sunscreens because it gives a pore blurring effect, it’s not greasy, allows for good evaporation of sweat so that you don’t feel overheated.

This product makes sure you don’t look shiny or oily. It is very smooth and glides easily. It will not burn your eyes. It is water resistant and the shae butter in it is nice for dry skin.

Dr Dray was able to use this sunscreen on her lips. This part of the face is often ignored but it should not be. Skin cancer on the lips is not uncommon. A lot of facial sunscreens are quite drying and irritating on the lips but this sunscreen by Trader Joe’s was good on the lips as well.

If you’re looking for the original Supergood Sunscreen that Trader Joe’s duped, here it is!

 Wrapping Up

I recently learnt that children in Los Angeles are not allowed to use sunscreen in school. I fail to understand how Gender Identity is something you teach 8-year-olds but sun protection is something that is forbidden.

My 8-year-old niece has super dry skin. I saw that her skin was all burnt up from play time in school but her teacher did not let her reapply sunscreen at school. Kids are supposed to pick their own gender but can’t protect their own skin if they want? What is happening to us as a society!

Please do not sleep over this, It is a journey and I too am still trying to get better at wearing sun protection. First step is awareness. Know what your skin needs so you can eventually act on it.

If you are looking to level up your skincare routine, here is a  post I wrote about 5 super skincare ingredients that Dr Dray recommends. You would be surprised at some of these! 

Cheers to a calmer mind and skin!