In olden days, people believed that getting a deep, brown-sugar tan all over their body made them sexy and sophisticated. But now we know it just makes you dead. And that's not the worst of it: before it kills you, sunlight gives you lots and lots of lovely wrinkles. So you don't even leave a beautiful corpse.

That's right. 90% of all facial wrinkles are caused by sun damage, (the other 10% are caused by holidays with the family). Apparently, few people know this. Even fewer people seem to realize that many of the "anti-aging" skin treatments out there make your skin more susceptible to sun damage. As does St. John's wort. And since people getting wrinkles are usually depressed, they also tend to be SJW users. Alpha- and beta- hydroxy skin products (AHA/BHA), as well as Retinol (vitamin A) and vitamin C treatments all wind up revealing new skin that is very, very susceptible to sun damage. More so than the horrid old skin you just got rid of. I know so many gay men who slather their faces with AHA products and then lie out in the sun. When I ask them why they don't use a sunscreen, they always say they want to get a tan. Well, if sunlight causes wrinkles, and your "anti-aging" product makes you more sensitive to sunlight, then your treatment for wrinkles will only wind up giving you even more wrinkles. Not very smart, is it?

So wise up. You should wear an SPF 15 facial sunscreen every day - even when it's cloudy, because lots of UV rays still get through. That's right: every day. If you are going to be out in the sun for a long time, up the SPF to 30 (higher SPF numbers don't give you deeper protection, they just give you the same protection as SPF-15 for longer periods of time).. The same goes for exposed parts of your body (forearms, back of the neck, butt cheeks, etc.). If you don't, you'll be sorry. And wrinkly.

The skincare industry jumped on the sunscreen bandwagon years ago, and now there is a dizzying array of products to choose from. Here are some basic principles to use in choosing a sunscreen:

• Be sure it contains effective ingredients. Particularly, be sure it contains filters for both types of ultraviolet rays that cause sun damage: UVA and UVB. To see a great page on sunscreen ingredients, go here.
• Choose an SPF of 15 or greater. SPF-8 is not good enough.
• If it is a sunscreen, put it on last, after your moisturizer. Sunscreen is not effective if something else is put on over it.
• If it is a sunblock (i.e., containing zinc and/or titanium oxide), you can put something else over it. (The product label will tell you whether you have purchased a sunscreen or a sunblock).
• Choose a product that will not just be effective against the sun, but that is the right product for your skin type. If you have dry skin, you need to choose a product that won't dry you out. If you have oily skin, don't choose a product that will clog your pores and give you zits. If you're in a leather hood, it's not an issue. The product label will tell you what skin type the product is designed for. Matching for skin type is the main reason to go beyond drugstore sunscreens and blocks, because, while they are just as effective as more expensive, boutique, products, they often aren't as healthy for your skin in other ways. Pleasure of use is important, because the main reason people don't use a facial sunscreen every day is that it doesn't feel good on their skin. If you find one that does, you won't have any trouble wearing it every day..

With the above advice in mind, let's look at some of the products out there. As you will see, we at Mantastic! have some clear winners, but most of the products reviewed are more than adequate. We have grouped reviews for face and body products separately.

PS - You'll notice there are no duds in this review, which is rare for us. Why? Because sun protection is too important to mess with inferior products, even when you're testing them.

Other Ingredients: Purified water; aloe vera gel; cyclomethicone; propylene glycol; C12-15 alkyl benzoate; stearic acid; methyl gluceth-20; glyceryl stearate; PEG-100 stearate; cetyl alcohol; dimethicone; tocopheryl acetate (aka vitamin E); retinyl palmitate (aka vitamin A); tocopherol (more vitamin E); zinc; lycopene; glutathione; N-acetyl cysteine; genistein; co-enzyme Q10; alpha lipoic acid; superoxide dismutase; grapeseed extract; allantoin; sodium PCA; disodium EDTA; TEA-carbomer; methylparaben; propylparaben; diazolidinyl urea

This sunscreen has an excellent complement of both blocking and screening ingredients, for both UVA and UVB. In addition, it has a full set of powerful antioxidant ingredients to help your face deal with the stress of the sun. I would have rated this product more highly, but it dries a little bit cakey, leaving an odd kind of "shell" feeling on your face. It's also drying for those of us with dry skin. If those qualities don't bother you, this is an excellent choice.

Mantastic Rating: 3 Go ahead and spend.

Other Ingredients: Water, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Pomegranate Extract, Chitosan Ascorbate, Zinc Aspartate, Lysine Lauroyl Methionate, Lupin Amino Acids, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium PCA, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Grape Seed Extract, Lemon Peel Extract, Propylene Glycol, DEA-Cetyl Phosphate, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Silica, Grapefruit Oil, Orange Oil, Rosewood Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Lavender Oil, Thyme Oil, Iron Oxides.

This is the sun product that made it easy for me to use sun block every day. Sure, the ingredients are fabulous. Lots of amino acids, antioxidants and a good dose of titanium dioxide. It is definitely effective, as my fair skin can attest after numerous sunny afternoons in LA. But what makes this sun block so special is its pleasure and ease of use. Those of you who always hear me complaining about my dry skin may be surprised that I liked an oil-free product, but this stuff is formulated so that it's not too oily for my T-zone (forehead and nose), and doesn't AT ALL dry out my dry, dry cheeks. It is the perfect sun block for those of us with combination skin. This product is so luxurious and pleasant, that it is a treatment all its own. It puts all the other facial sun blocks and sunscreens I've tried in the shade (so to speak). It is slightly tinted out of the tube, but don't let that put you off. It's not at all noticeable on your face. It may seem expensive for only 2 oz, but a tube lasts me about three months. I can't recommend this product highly enough. Go out and buy it now!

Mantastic Rating: 4 Highest Rating! Buy with confidence!

Other Ingredients: Water, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Traktogenos Kurzii Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-20, PEG-100 Stearate, Beeswax, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Butylene Glycol, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Corylus Americana (Hazel) Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Lecithin, Micrococcus Lysate, Plankton Extract, Acrylates Copolymer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Algae Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycogen, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Bisabolol, Fragrance, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pentasodium Triphosphate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Titanium Dioxide.

This product is intended to be more than a sunscreen, but a genuine treatment as well. Hence the high price. It is a moisturizer/treatment/sunscreen in one. And I love it. It is very rich, and contains many highly emollient ingredients. It also contains high amounts of very effective sunscreens. This is the perfect product to use if you have dry skin and find other sunscreens too drying. This means, conversely, that you would not use it if you had oily skin. When I apply it I don't put it on my T-zone - in the summer. But in winter I can use it all over my face without any problems. Fortunately, there is an oil-free version of the product available as well, though I have not tried it. Yes, it's pricey, but if you add up the money you would spend on a good sunscreen and a good moisturizer, it would come very close to this price. And it leaves your skin feeling supple, hydrated and completely destressed. If you want all that and excellent sun protection, this is your product.

Mantastic Rating: 4 Highest Rating! Buy with confidence!

Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All-Day Moisture Defense Lotion SPF 30 - Manufactured by Peter Thomas Roth, USA. PTR is a fairly new line of skin and body care products, specializing in the treatment of acne. Very similar to the DDF line. PTR products can be found at every Sephora store, or online at www.beautydoor.com. 1.7 fl oz/ $37

Active Ingredients: Active: Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Avobenzone (Parsol 1789), Octyl Salicylate, Benzophenone-3.

Other Ingredients: Purified Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C12-15 Alcohols Benzoate, Stearic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Cholesterol, Glycosphingolipids, Phospholipids, Aloe Vera, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), DL-Panthenol, Ginkgo Biloba, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

This is a pretty good sunscreen. It has all the right ingredients to be effective at blocking the sun, and enough other ingredients to be good for your skin. It's a clear gel that is easy to apply and doesn't leave a white film on your face. I used this product a lot last summer, but finally couldn't warm up to it. Though it's oil free, every time I used it on my oily forehead, I broke out. Which is very rare for me. This has never happened even when I used Erno Laszlo's much more emollient formula on my forehead! The irony is compounded by the fact that the PTR line specializes in the treatment of acne. Having said all that, it's not really a bad product. It's just not that special, considering the price and the small amount you get. People with dry skin will have no problems with it, but Erno Laszlo's R.E.M. day cream will be even better.

Mantastic Rating: 3 Go ahead and spend! But use caution if you have oily skin.

Other Ingredients: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, Selenium, CQ10, Gluthathione, N-Acetyl-Cystene, Lipoic Acid, SOD (i.e., super oxide disumutase), Grape Seed.

This is a pump spray, not a lotion or cream. It actually goes on very easily and dries without residue, but also without drying your skin. So it's very easy to wear. I've found in my own experience that it really, really works in protecting you from the sun. I put it on my arms, back of the neck and ears before a long walk along the beach in full sun for two hours, and the next day you couldn't even tell. With my fair skin, that's phenomenal. This is a great product for your body, and, with SPF 30, it gives you very good protection. And it's easy on the skin. What's not to like?. OK, the price, which is a little on the high side. On the other hand, it is very high quality, so the value is definitely there.

Mantastic Rating: 4 Highest Rating! Buy with confidence!

Other Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, PVP/Eicosene Copolymer, Dicaprylyl Maleate, Cocoglycerides, Glyceryl Stearate, DEA-Cetyl Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Isostearic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Pomegranate Extract, Chitosan Ascorbate, Zinc Aspartate, Lysine Lauroyl Methionate, Lupin Amino Acids, Stearyl Dimethicone, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Grape Seed Extract, Lemon Peel Extract, Glycolipids, Hyaluronic Acid, Silica, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Melanin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Grapefruit Oil, Orange Oil, Rosewood Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Lavender Oil, Thyme Oil.

This is the more powerful version of their SPF 15 facial sunblock reviewed above. Like its weaker cousin, this product has a wonderfully creamy formulation that nevertheless is not greasy on the skin. It's great for your forearms or the back of your neck. And it has never caused me to break out. It's highly effective at sun protection, and is great for your skin. And the price/amount are very reasonable. Another winner from Murad, which is winning this comparo handily. When

Mantastic Rating: 4 Highest Rating! Buy with confidence!

Other Ingredients: Water, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Traktogenos Kurzii Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-20, PEG-100 Stearate, Beeswax, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Butylene Glycol, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Corylus Americana (Hazel) Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Lecithin, Micrococcus Lysate, Plankton Extract, Acrylates Copolymer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Algae Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycogen, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Bisabolol, Fragrance, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pentasodium Triphosphate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Titanium Dioxide.

If you compare this product with Murad's SPF 30 product above, it seems more than competitive, and should actually be better because it's a little cheaper. The ingredient list is impressive, with lots of exotic plant extracts to soothe and protect your skin. But you know what? It really falls down in the pleasure of use department. It has a very odd, powerful sweetish scent that I find very annoying (tip: it does NOT harmonize well with the scent of Gucci Rush!). It leaves your skin looking whitish after it has dried, and when it dries it really dries. It left my skin feeling encased in chalk. I'll use it once in a while on my arms, but it is just too harsh on my skin. Though, to be fair, it is an excellent sunscreen for oily skin, and I use it on my T-zone without difficulty. A good product, but it could be better. Hence, it loses a point to Murad's marvellous product.

Mantastic Rating: 3 Go ahead and spend!

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