When given the option between a physical sunscreen and a chemical one, I’ll choose the physical one every time, because many chemical sunscreens irritate my face. But given the option between no sunscreen and a chemical sunscreen, I’ll likely choose the chemical sunscreen if I have to spend some time in the sun. Lately I found myself in that situation, which is why I had the opportunity to try out a chemical sunscreen I would normally never use or buy: Coppertone Water Babies…

I loved many things about the Grand Wailea resort in Maui, but one of the most delightful surprises was the easily accessible sunscreen. It’s such a nice convenience for anyone who forgot to pack sunscreen, or couldn’t pack much of it in their already-full luggage. After all, I can only fit so much sunscreen (and by so much, I mean too little) in my TSA-approved baggie. So when I attended a bachelorette party in San Diego a few weeks ago, I was delighted to discover that my friend…

In the U.S., the only physical sunscreen filter that provides good UVA protection is zinc oxide, and any product that has a high concentration of this ingredient usually screams: “I’m wearing sunscreen!“—which is why I generally have more luck with tinted sunscreens. Countries in Europe and Asia allow a greater variety of sunscreen filters (including ones that provide excellent UVA protection), which means that they’re able to create sunscreens that provide high UVA/UVB…