Face lotion with highest SPF

[greenbunny]

What brand/type face lotion has the highest SPF you've seen? Drugstore brands are fine.

[bookworm]

I'm sure there are high-end ones that go up to SPF50, but I've been happy with my Neutrogena Healthy Defense--SPF30, somewhere between $12-$15.

[dollface]

The level really isn't what it's important with sunblock. What's important is whether it's a physical block or a chemical block. If it's a chemical block and has a SPF of 50 - it's really not going to do a whole lot of good without being reapplied evry 30 minutes. You need a physical block to really get protection (zinc oxide or titanium oxide or both). Here is a list of what is in chemical blocks and physical blocks:

A chemical block has the ability to be absorbed by the skin, sunlight is rendered nil or invalid upon contact.
* UVB chemical sunblock sunscreen ingredients Cinnamates, octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), Ethylhexyl p-Methoxycinnamate, high incident of contact irritation, non comedogenic, widely used.
* Salicylates, octyl salicytate (OCS), high incident of contact irritation, widely used.
* Para-aminobenzoic acid, PABA
* Padimate-O, Octyl dimethyl paba
* Octocrylene
* Zinc oxide
* Titanium Dioxide

* UVA chemical sunblock sunscreen ingredients Oxybenzone, benzophenone, benzophenone-3
* Avobenzone, Parsol 1789
* Zinc oxide
* Titanium Dioxide

A physical block sits on the skin's surface and does not have the ability to be absorbed into the skin. Light is either absorbed into the sunblock material or reflected away from the body back into the atmosphere similar to a mirror or tin foil.
* Physical sunblock ingredients – UVA and UVB protection, non-irritating, non-allergenic Zinc oxide – recognized as a mild antimicrobial, wound healing and sunscreen agent. Primarily absorbs UVA light rather than scattering or reflecting, non-irritating, non-comedogenic, and micronized by forming many small micro particles for cosmetic use.
* Titanium dioxide – highly reflective white chalky mineral, non-irritating, non-comedogenic, micronized by forming many small micro particles for cosmetic use.

[PurpleRose]

Aveeno now has one with SPF30, as does Oil of Olay. I also think I've seen SPF45, maybe Purpose lotion?

[Toonces]

I love Oil of Olay SPF 30 (http://www.olay.com/boutique/complete/products/co1000). It also moisturizes well but doesn't feel greasy or heavy.

[lawyerlee]

I like Oil of Olay or Neutrogena, too. Thanks for the explanation of how the different ingredients work, dollface. I had no clue about most of that.

[greenbunny]

Thanks to all! I had no idea Oil of Olay made 30, I've been using their 15.