Research shows that women are much likelier than men to wear sunscreen both daily and when outdoors for extended periods of time.
However, men need the protection that sunscreen offers just as much as women do – not only to ward off the effects of too much sun exposure but also to keep their skin healthy and prevent premature aging.
If you’re a man who’s ready to start taking better care of his skin, then sunscreen is a great place to start. Keep reading to find our top 8 sunscreen options for men in 2022.
What factors matter when choosing a sunscreen?
If you’re like most guys, you might not have spent a lot of time learning about what makes different sun care options stand out from one another. The downside? That can make it tough to select the product that’s best for your needs.
With that in mind, here are three key factors to consider when selecting sunscreen.
Traditional vs. Mineral
Sunscreen can protect your skin in two different ways.
Traditional, chemical-based products protect the skin by absorbing UVA and UVB rays.
Mineral-based products protect the skin by blocking UVA and UVB rays before they seep into your skin.
Both styles of protection are effective. But it’s helpful to understand the distinction as you start considering whether a traditional sunscreen or a mineral one will be a better option for you.
SPF Level
SPF levels are a measurement of how much UV radiation it takes to produce a sunburn on protected skin. For example, all other things being equal, someone with SPF 15 sunscreen will burn faster than someone who wears an SPF 30 product.
As a general rule of thumb, if you select a product with lower SPF levels, then you’re going to have to apply it more often to achieve the same level of protection.
That means, from a budgeting perspective, it can make sense to pay a bit more for a sunscreen with a higher SPF level, since you may not have to reapply it as frequently.
Skin Type
The kind of skin that you have can have an impact on the sunscreen option that’s best for you.
People with naturally oily skin may feel like sunscreens with oils in them are too much. If that’s you, then it would make sense to focus your search on something called a non-comedogenic sunscreen. This just means that it doesn’t clog your pores. Many non-comedogenic sunscreen products are also oil-free.
On the other hand, people with naturally dry skin may want sunscreen with oil in it. If you have this type of skin, then you could focus your search on products that have moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera and sunflower seed oil built in.
Ingredients
Sunscreen manufacturers use a wide variety of ingredients in their products, and some of these are going to be better for your skin than others.
For example, some traditional sunscreens include chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate. Ingredients like these seep into the skin and can negatively impact how your body functions.
If you want to make sure that you avoid that, then picking a plant-based or mineral-based sunscreen could be a wise choice.
These alternatives typically offer the same level of protection as chemical sunscreens but with the added benefit of nutritious ingredients, such as:
- Aloe vera
- Coconut oil
- Sunflower oil
- Kakadu plum
- Red algae
The good news is that there’s a seemingly infinite number of sun care options on the market today. So it’s fairly easy to find a product with ingredients that conform to your goals and preferences.
Price
Price is a factor that speaks for itself. But it’s worth knowing that you don’t need to shell out a ton of money to buy a sunscreen that’s great for your skin.
Manufacturers like Australian Gold use high concentrations of all-natural nourishing ingredients like Kakadu plum and eucalyptus without charging an excessive amount.
Manufacturing Practices
Finally, companies that make sunscreen use vastly different manufacturing practices. These may be worth paying attention to if you feel passionate about animal welfare or the environment.
Some companies test their products or the ingredients in those products on animals. Others, like Australian Gold, never test anything on animals.
Similarly, you can look for companies that use vegan, reef-friendly, and paraben-free formulations, among other manufacturing practices.
This is a good last check to make to ensure that you’re buying from a company that supports your values before you spend your hard-earned money with them.
1. Australian Gold Plant-Based SPF 30 Sunscreen
Where to find it: Here
Who it’s good for: Men who want a natural, nourishing sunscreen product that’s good for both daily use and long days in the sun.
What makes it stand out:
Australian Gold’s plant-based line of sunscreen offers the same levels of protection as traditional sun care options but through more natural ingredients.
With nourishing aloe vera and coconut oil, sunscreens like this can help to moisturize your skin and heal it from any wounds or burns that it sustains.
Australian Gold Plant-Based Sunscreen has also been shown to reduce the risk of early skin aging when used as directed.
2. Australian Gold Botanical SPF 30 Mineral Lotion
Where to find it: Here
Who it’s good for: Men who want a 100% mineral sunscreen that doesn’t sacrifice skin protection or nourishment.
What makes it stand out:
Australian Gold’s Botanical line of sun care products uses minerals to block harmful UVA and UVB rays from penetrating your skin. This differs from traditional sun care products, which may rely on harsh chemicals to absorb the sun’s rays after they’ve entered your skin.
The result is powerful protection from the sun that you can take advantage of without having to put any unwanted chemicals into your body.
If lotion isn’t your thing, Australian Gold also sells its botanical formula in spray form for quick and easy application.
3. Australian Gold SPF 30 Spray With Bronzer
Where to find it: Here
Who it’s good for: Men who want an instant glow with their sun protection.
What makes it stand out:
Sunscreens with bronzers will give you an instant glow to help your skin look its best when you’re out in the sun. The cool part is, you can get that healthy look without having to sacrifice anything in the way of sun protection. Tanned and safe? Yes, please.
This product from Australian Gold offers SPF 30 protection that you can spray over your entire body. It dries quickly, too, which makes it a good fit for guys who enjoy being active outdoors.
Australian Gold has a nourishing sunscreen option for every man
There are so many different sunscreen products and brands on the market today, making it tough to fully understand the quality of each of your options.
An easy way to make sure you’re getting what you want is by choosing to buy from a brand you can trust. That’s why you should make your next sunscreen purchase with Australian Gold.
We sell a wide variety of sunscreen products to accommodate your needs – whether that’s sun protection, tanning, or skin health. What’s more, our products contain nourishing ingredients like Eucalyptus, Red Algae, and Kakadu Plum, so you can be sure your skin is feeling its best.
No matter what type of sunscreen you want, when you buy it from Australian Gold, you can have complete confidence in its quality.