We don’t need to tell you that sunscreen is a non-negotiable in any skincare routine (right?). And even though we’re all wearing it 365 days a year (riiight?), this is the season when SPF becomes especially top of mind as damaging rays creep higher on the UV index.
Shopping local is top of mind too, so we scoured the market to find the best sunscreens from Canadian brands. For protection from head to toe this summer — whether you’re looking for a tinted mineral face lotion for everyday wear or budget-friendly picks for midday touch-ups — look no further than these homegrown SPFs.
The sunscreen and primer multitasker
Watier Sun Smart Universal UV Shield SPF 30, $43, sephora.com.
Chances are one of the very first beauty products you ever ogled or owned was from Lise Watier, a female-founded, Quebec-based brand with more than 50 years of history. Its colour-correcting palette, Rouge Gourmand lipstick and Neiges perfume are icons in their own right — but Watier’s Sun Smart sunscreen deserves its flowers, too. The silky facial lotion protects with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, while lightweight silicones act like a primer for your makeup, making it the perfect last step of your skincare routine.
The travel-friendly essential
Attitude Sunly Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 30.
A solid stick that makes on-the-go applications on the face or body a breeze, this SPF from Sherbrooke, Quebec-based Attitude is a must for any summer outing. Packed in a biodegradable cardboard tube, the vegan and dermatologically tested formula contains 20 per cent zinc oxide to protect the skin from UVA and UVB damage. Rich in shea butter and coconut oil, it’s available in two scents — Orange Blossom and Tropical — along with a fragrance-free version. We’re partial to the former for a fresh and floral summer vibe.
The skin-soothing sunscreen
Functionalab Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50.
On a dermatologist’s skincare wish list? Proven ingredients like retinol and formulas that are safe for pre- and post-treatment. No wonder you’ll find both from this Montreal-based derm-developed brand. And of course, sunscreen is a must, says every derm ever — and Functionalab has that, too. It recently revamped its mineral sunscreen, an emollient formula that’s ultra-nourishing for drier skin types. The SPF 50 lotion is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, with protection from zinc oxide and antioxidants like niacinamide and vitamins C and E. It also packs skin-soothers like allantoin and bisabolol, plus soft-focus pigments. The result? Protection plus a hydrating sheer tint that reduces redness and leaves behind a dewy finish.
The mineral defence against infrared and blue light, too
AlumierMD Clear Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 42
Canadian-born AlumierMD has been around since 2016, with its medical-grade formulas quickly rising to bestseller status (hello, EverActive C+E Peptide!). But the brand’s award-winning sunscreens have their own fan club, too. Formulated exclusively with mineral filters, the line includes tinted and untinted sun protection for different skin types. Our fave? TheClear Shield SPF 42, which is ideal for combination, oily or sensitive skin. Containing both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, the oil-free formula is also enriched with ELIX-IR, a knotgrass extract that shields the skin against damaging infrared, and Physavie, a potent botanical that adds additional protection against blue light.
The protector that also tackles pollution
Reversa Urban Protection Hydrating Care SPF 30.
In their 40 years in the skincare biz, the family-owned, Pointe-Claire, Quebec-based company made a name for itself as a glycolic acid pioneer (including developing a time-release system to make the exfoliator less irritating on skin). So you can count on the brand to also know how to protect those freshly sloughed skin cells from damaging UV. This sunscreen uses well-known chemical filters, including octinoxate and octisalate, to shield from sun damage, and antioxidant vitamin E and a marine extract from French Polynesia to combat the inflammatory effects of air pollution. It also contains fragmented hyaluronic acid to dive deep and deliver plumpness and hydration.
The tinted formula for oily skin
Atmosphera Super Matte Mineral Daily Sun Coverage Lotion SPF 40.
Like your wardrobe, your skincare routine should be adapted to the climate you live in — that’s the belief that drove Edson, Alberta-based esthetician Katelyn Rousselle to launch Atmosphera in 2016. You can shop based on your location — from ultra-nourishing formulas for northern mountain air to skin-balancing ingredients for changing coastal temps — but their sunscreens are a good bet no matter what part of the country you’re in. The brand’s latest SPF is made specifically for oily skin. The tinted mineral SPF is a sister product to their bestselling Luminous Tint but with a matte finish that helps to curb shine. The lightweight, fragrance-free and vegan formula is gentle enough to use on sensitive and irritation-prone skin, and bonus: its shine-busting properties provide extra grip to help any makeup you put overtop last extra long.
The your-lips-but-better pout protector
Nudestix NudeScreen Lip Primer SPF 30.
Founded by sisters Taylor and Ally Frankel with their chemical engineer mom Jenny (who created some of M.A.C Cosmetics’ most iconic formulas), Toronto-based Nudestix makes some of the most sought-after sun care products on the market. There’s a mineral sunscreen and an SPF-infused liquid blush, but the tinted lip primer is a Kit fave. According to the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA), lips need a minimum of SPF 30 for adequate protection, and most balms only go up to SPF 15. Formulated with zinc oxide, this lightweight gloss-balm hybrid hits the mark with zinc oxide, while delivering subtle colour that can be worn alone or layered under lipstick. The handy squeeze tube also makes for easy touch-ups — good thing, because the CDA recommends reapplying every hour.
The hybrid-filter formula that feels like nothing
Vivier Sheer SPF 45.
You’ve likely spotted Vivier on the shelves at your med-spa — but did you know the derm-loved brand is Canadian? Now celebrating its 25th year, the Vaudreuil, Quebec — born brand is built on founder Jess Vivier’s decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. The company, which today is run by Jess’s sons, started with its now-well-known vitamin C serum but has since expanded to include tons of other hard-working formulas, including sunscreens. Lately, hybrid sunscreens that contain both mineral and chemical filters are buzzy (a best-of-both-worlds option, fans say) and Vivier’s Sheer SPF 45 is a great one. The velvet-like matte cream provides oil control but doesn’t leave the skin looking flat. It’s fragrance-free, weightless and blends like a dream — we swear you won’t even feel like you’re wearing sun protection.
The mineral that won’t leave dark skin looking ashy
Vasanti Sun’s Up Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40.
Sisters Monal and Pinki Patel launched Vasanti 26 years ago to address the lack of diversity in the makeup industry. They’ve since grown their inclusive brand with skincare, too, and recently added a sunscreen to the mix. The tinted mineral formula not only offers up UVA and UVB protection, but over time, it helps fade hyperpigmentation with blackcurrant seed oil and peony extract, which block the production and transfer of melanin, respectively. And while its 20 per cent non-nano zinc oxide might leave you worried about a white cast, this one has sheer pigment for a hint of coverage and non-ashy finish on all skin tones.Â
The sunscreen-meets-skincare
IDC Dermo SOLIS+ Anti-Aging Defense SPF 50+.
Focused on the science behind aging skin (think: inflammation, glycation, oxidization … the list goes on), this Quebec City brand has been formulating solutions for concerns like dullness and fine lines since 2008. Its just-launched multi-tasking mineral sunscreen contains a whopping 400-plus peptides (yes, you read that right) to improve radiance and boost collagen production. It’s also enriched with 2 per cent niacinamide to combat dark spots and hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate the skin.
The powder protector for touching up over makeup
Éminence Sun Defense Minerals SPF 30.
Éminence is a spa fave with plenty of award-winning formulas under its belt. This Vancouver-based brand with Hungarian roots uses sustainably sourced ingredients for their natural and cruelty-free skincare, which includes a stacked sunscreen lineup. Its latest solves for the struggle of reapplying mid-day over makeup: a SPF 30 zinc-oxide loose powder that comes in six shades, from Sheer to Deep. Infused with antioxidant-rich green tea extract and packaged with a built-in kabuki brush, it provides a hint of tint and a matte finish, making it a top pick for those hot and sweaty days.
The formula that’s made for face *and* body
LaSpa Face & Body Fluid Sunscreen Lotion SPF 45.
A Toronto-founded brand that produces all its products in Canada, LASPA is all about environmentally conscious formulas that are safe to use on sensitized and easily irritated skin. Featuring zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection, the one-and-done Face & Body Lotion is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and won’t leave behind a greasy finish. It comes in a refillable aluminum bottle with an easy pump for no-brainer daily application, and there’s a must-pack mini size, too, for when you’re hitting the trails or the sand.
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