9 Full Spectrum Sunscreens

Recently I shared a list of 7 Lippies with full spectrum UV coverage, and I got a lot of great feedback from readers asking for a list of sunscreens that are also full spectrum coverage.

Why full spectrum rather than broad spectrum UV coverage? When the FDA changed sunscreen labels, they cracked down on those companies that claim their product is broad spectrum, which didn't actually mean anything.



Now, in order to claim a product is broad spectrum, there are criteria that need to be met. First, a product's SPF is tested, for which only UVB coverage is measured. Next, based upon the SPF, a certain amount of coverage is needed at 370 nm, in the UVA I range. This sounds great, because it does mean that there's some UVA coverage in addition to the UVB coverage. But, it also means that a product can be labelled as broad spectrum coverage without having any UVA II coverage. And there are quite a few products that are just like that!

While I searched through a huge number of lip products and was only able to come up with 7 products that are full spectrum coverage, it turns out there are a lot more sunscreens for face and body that are full coverage! I only consider products that are over SPF 30, and I always check the ingredients lists of sunscreen. I'm sharing some of the products here, but I'll be adding products as I find them to my Full Coverage Sun Protection Collection over on eBay. Check the collection when you're buying your sunscreen for spring break!


1. Lancôme Bienfait SPF 50+ Super Fluid Facial Sunscreen

Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 15%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, and Oxybenzone 6%








2. Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Waterlight Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
Kate Somerville's daily sunscreen also provides ingredients like peptides and Shiitake Mushrooms to help fight the signs of aging.

Titanium Dioxide 8.3%, and Zinc Oxide 12.6%





3. SuperGoop Antioxidant-Infused Sunscreen Day Cream
This product is available in 2 SPF versions, and it is meant to provide sun protection and be your daily morning moisturizer. Note that I went through the entire SuperGoop website and this is the only formulation that provides the elusive UVA II coverage.

SPF 40
Octinoxate 7.5%, Zinc Oxide 10.1%




SPF 50
Octinoxate 7.5%, Octocrylene 3%, Titanium Dioxide 3.3%, Zinc Oxide 20%







4. Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion Sunscreen

Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 8%, Octisalate 4%, Octocrylene 4%, Oxybenzone 5%








5. Mustela Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen Lotion

Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide





6. Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock Lotion SPF 110 with Helioplex

Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 15%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 4%, Oxybenzone 5%









7. Neutrogena Pure & Free Liquid SPF 50
This super lightweight facial sunscreen is one of the few available with physical sunscreens only, rather than chemical sunscreens. This one is also waterproof and dries to a matte finish.

Titanium Dioxide 5%, Zinc Oxide 3%





8. La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid
This is one of my favorite products to recommend, but note that you need to be careful to get this formulation and not the tinted mineral which looks very similar, that formulation only has titanium dioxide.

Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 15%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Oxybenzone 6%








9. Algenist Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50
This formulation also contains Alguronic Acid to increase cell turnover, as well as Vitamin E and Green Tea with their antioxidants to help fight sun induced skin damage.

Octinoxate, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide






Have you checked out my collections on eBay yet? I'll be adding new things as I find them, such as more full spectrum coverage sunscreens.

My eBay Collections were curated as part of my collaboration with eBay #followitfindit and Style Coalition.