Beauty: What’s new under the sun

Keep your eyes peeled for our Summer issue, on newsstand
June 13.

Among other great features, it boasts our annual sun care report, with a roundup of the latest sunscreens, and explanation of the role UVA rays play in sun exposure.

A few new "broad spectrum" products hit my desk after the story went to press. They’re either available now or will be rolling out soon.

G.M. Collin Mineral Sun Cream SPF 25, available at spas, is a translucent cream made with natural mineral sun filters (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide the broad spectrum protection, which puts this product in the "natural" sun screen category). It’s free of Paba, parabens, color and fragrance and the company says it’s ideal for sensitive skin and children. It’s made in Canada too.

Alba Botanica Lavender fragrance SPF 45 is a paraben-free formula touted as very water resistant. And the lavender flower extract really does make it smell pretty good. It’s also a Canadian-made product. The company promotes the fact that there is also no oxybenzone in the formula. Find it at drugstores.

Seemingly doubling as a bronzer and a sun protector, is Colorescience Sunforgettable Dispensing Brush from California, distributed by Clarion Medical Technologies in Canada, and available at physicians’ offices. It’s a $63 mineral powder that offers sun protection in an applicator brush. However, you won’t see any SPF measurements on the label–yet. In Canada, SPF labelling of this product is pending. On the Colorescience US website the product is in SPF 30 and 50.

For L’Occitane fans, Verbena Sun Body Milk SPF 15 is part of the L’Occitane limited edition Sun Verbena collection, and is enriched with organic verbena extract from Corsica. It will be coming to L’Occitane boutiques.

Related:
‘ 6 ways to get gorgeous skin for spring
‘ 5 myths and truths about moisturizers
‘ How exfoliation helps your skin