If you also grew up in the 90s and early 2000s where sun protection meant slathering yourself in Hawaiian Tropics SPF 4 before laying in the sun at optimal UV hours…this post is for you.
Or maybe you, like me, also visited these now-nearly-obsolete places called tanning bed salons regularly before prom and felt tremendous satisfaction that the heart sticker imprint on your stomach became more prominent with each visit.
And although I finally started wearing sunscreen above SPF 4 in college, the damage was largely already done. (I’m not even going to go into the fact that I didn’t wear sunblock even once as a child…my mom heard I didn’t need it since I wasn’t prone to sunburn.)
And truth be told, I’m still not the most regular on all things sun protection and now, yes—I’m seeing the ramifications of it in the form of age spots, fine lines, blah blah—and I do want to protect my skin for health, not just vanity.
So, in honor of sunny days coming, I put together the ways I’m seeking safer sun this summer. Yes, there’s my favorite sunscreens and skincare with SPF, but I went further and found some really cute baseball hats because my collection needs an upgrade, beach coverups, sunglasses (and chains!) and even a big sunhat.
And if you have any safer sun favorites, by all means, drop it in the comments because us former tanning bed, sun goddess millennials need you!
Obviously we want to protect our gorgeous faces with a layer of sunscreen every day—even if it’s cloudy. You know that already. I am extremely picky about face sunscreen because my skin picks up a white cast easily and I really don’t like that telltale “sunscreen” smell. But, over the years, I’ve found some favorites that I’ve purchased multiple times. And of course, as I pulled those images, I happened upon a couple I want to try. WHY AM I SO GOOD AT SHOPPING?
Completely invisible and truly velvety, I love this one under makeup because it doubles as a primer—no pilling, white cast, or greasy finish. My skin veers toward dry these days and it doesn’t make it feel tight or chalky, just smooth and glowy. Also, it’s husband-approved! It sinks into his scruff beautifully.
It’s lightweight, oil-absorbing, and plays especially well with humid summer weather. I got my first bottle of this in Paris (so much cheaper!!) and was actually shocked by how thin it is…really nice option for combo skin (which I used to have).
I have NOT tried this yet (but happy to provide my mailing address, ILIA!). I am so intrigued by it, I decided to see if any of you have tried? It seems like this is for those who want their SPF to feel elegant and vaguely spa-like and hi—that would be me. If you’ve used it, please tell me you hated it so I keep my bank account happy.
Like the one above, this has more of a skincare feel than a beach sunscreen feel—lightweight, mineral-based, and packed with antioxidants. I bought it specifically to try to help lighten my dark spots and while I can’t say I’ve noticed a big difference, it mixes into my foundation beautifully which is a win in my book.
Not technically a sunscreen, but SPF 50 and it deserves a mention because I discovered it a few months ago after a friend texted me a must-buy list for the French pharmacy and this was at the top. Thick, soothing, and genuinely restorative, it feels like a long drink of cold water for your face. My husband actually used it the entire time we were in Antigua last month and commented that he liked it which—for a man who doesn’t even wash his face—is saying something.
Dermatologist office royalty! If you’ve ever asked an esthetician or derm for sunscreen recommendations, odds are this was mentioned immediately. The tinted version evens everything out just enough and I throw this one on anytime I know it’s going to be a no-makeup day. Truly an all-star that I’ve kept in my rotation for 10+ years.
I’m all about easy when it comes to cover ups and so that’s what all of these are. Literally not a fussy one in the bunch.
I’m all about the white tank-white skirt look this summer and immediately put a notification in at Zara for this skirt once it came into stock. Well, it’s our lucky day because I got a notification just a few hours ago. It looks really good—cotton (although the lining is not pure cotton wah), not too see-through (I need to wear this on non-pool errands!), and no frills. I’m all about tiers and lace, but this summer, I’m envisioning something a little less romantic. I plan to order a size M—it says to size up and I’m between a S/M these days.
I’ve been a fan of the Fiore Dress ever since the girls I worked with at Anthro started wearing them a decade ago. They are so airy and flowy and hold up insanely well. You can wear them to the beach and also to dinner and also with a blazer on top in the fall. I’ve washed and dried mine at least 30-40 times and they still look great.
I got a very similar scarf to this to wear over my suit on our last beach vacation. I don’t think you need a bunch of them. 1-2 is totally fine since yes—you can wear them as a shawl when it gets windy, but it’s not going to be the base of several outfits for you like a buttondown or linen pants will.
This could be as easily from Madewell 2010 as it could be from Sezane 2026. But guess what, it’s neither! Throw this over your suit post-swim and you could totally go to dinner in it too IMO.
It’s the classic pairing that will never go out of style. Buttondown + linen pants. I bet you already have them both in your closet, but if you don’t, I recommend this one that’s under $40 and is usually on sale (currently $27.99!). There are better ones out there, absolutely, but if you’re buying it so you have a cover up, don’t spend your hard-earned $$$$$. I have it in two colors and have worn then approx 59 times. Pair with these pants that I don’t yet own, but are in my cart and I have on very good authority that they’re excellent (also in Petite and Tall!).
J.Crew has really been killing it lately and this shows us why. Super flattering silhouette and breezy! No one wants to wear something that feels stifling in the heat, and also, not spending $450 sounds good, too? I’m sad because the pink one I LOVED sold out today, but I do think the black one looks promising and likely would be more versatile, too. If you want something a little more form-fitting (but still breezy), this one looks very good, too.
While I do usually wear this as an actual dress rather than poolside, it is technically a caftan. It’s no longer offered in the crinkled silk I own it in (it’s gorgeous and I would buy another if it comes back out), but it IS available in linen and one of my best friends has it and is obsessed. The silhouette is incredibly flattering, the deep-v is perfect, and it’s really unique which is probably why it gets all the compliments.
An eternal classic. Somehow makes every outfit look intentional, even if you’re wearing yesterday’s sweatshirt and hauling seventeen beach snacks. The perfect slightly-preppy, East Coast summer hat. And yes, you could probably get it cheaper on Ebay, but hats are one thing I don’t really try to buy used, as much as it hurts my deal-seeking heart.
I bought this hat 5 years ago and it’s beaten up and faded and honestly sort of gross-looking, but I still wear it because the fit is SO good.
Listen friends—I like the small sunglasses on other people, but on me, they look hideous. My face is just not dainty and heart shaped and I don’t have a strong jawline and I have cheeks! Also I want to fully hide behind my shades, TYVM. These sunglasses are top of my list ATM because all of my other ones are scratched and ancient AND they are sort of reminiscent of the Celine ones I like but without the Celine price tag and, of course, they aren’t small lol. They somehow hit that sweet spot of cool, polished, and slightly vintage.
No, I don’t own these, but yes I want to. They have that “found these in a chic boutique hotel gift shop” energy. That olive green hue is sick (and I don’t even naturally use that word!).
I’ve worn Wayfarers for years because they’re just flattering! But, if you’ve ever had sunglasses constantly sliding down your nose or sitting weirdly on your cheeks: well, welcome to my life. I just realized they come in a low bridge fit and honestly, hallelujah.
Slightly more fashion-editor-on-vacation than sporty. This is the hat you throw on with an oversized button-down and suddenly look like you meant to look effortless. Minimal, chic, and extremely good at disguising 3rd-day hair (which I am sporting at the moment).
So, sunglass chains came back right before Covid hit and listen, everything I bought from that time period I still own and wear because I have three children who take up most all of my shopping budget. Mine are from Donni, are a beautiful blush pearl, and sold out—BUT I found one here that’s similar and around 1/4 of what I paid (50% off right now, too!).
Most wide brim hats remind me of either a horse ranch out west or a pumpkin patch circa 2012 with a blogger looking thoughtfully into the distance while holding a bouquet of sunflowers. Probably with the Nashville filter. But big hats give good sun protection, so I found one from a brand that I’ve loved for years.
Alright, now let’s go get some Vitamin D!
A quick note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. As always, I only share things I genuinely use, love, or am heavily influenced to buy myself.
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Need a place to start? Check out everyone’s favorites: ✨ Motherhood Series ✨20+ Hacks Your Grandmother Probably Used ✨ The Ultimate Baby Registry List ✨ How I’m Traveling to Paris for $368 ✨ 3 Easy Dinners I Make Every Week ✨ Exactly What to Bring New Moms ✨ #RealTalk: I Wasn’t Cool, Would We Have Been Friends?
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