Soon you will be able to test for syphilis at home, thanks to a first-of-its-kind approval from the food and drug administration this week. The Test COULD HELP CURB A RECENT UPTICK IN INFECTIONS OF THE SEXUALLY TRANSITED INFECTION. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Syphilis? How is it Spread?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (st) caused by the bacterium Treponema Pallidum. Syphilis is typically Spread Through Direct Contact with a Syphilis Soreknown as a chancre, vaginal dural, anal or oral sex. It can Also be passed from a pregnant person to a child During Birth. Despite Misconceptions, People Cannot Get Syphilis Through Shared Contact With Things Like Doornobs, toilet Seats or Swimming Pools.
What’s Happening Now?
The FDA JUST APPROVED The first at-home test to detect syphilis antibodieswhich will make it easier for People to Screen TheLves for this sexually transmitted diasease. The test from nowdiagnostics gives results in about 15 minutes; Howver, A Positive Result Should Be Followed Up With A Visit to A Medical Professional in Order to Confirm The Diagnosis.
The hope is that they will will will boost syphilis Screening Rates, Allowing People to take action before they can do the infection.
What are the symptoms of syphilis?
There are four stages of syphilis, each with specific symptoms. In the primary stage, a person May Develops Sores at the site of infection, typically on the genitals, anus or mouth. The Secondary Stage Can Cause Skin Rashes, Sores in the Mouth or Genital Area, Fover, Swollen Lymph Nodes and Other Symptoms Like Headaches and Muscle Aches. The Third Stage, Called the Latent Stage, Has No Visible Symptoms.
The Final Stage, Known as The Tertiary Stage, Can Lead to Severe Complications, Attacking Internal Organs and Causre Severe Neurological Symptoms, As Well As Loss of Sight and Hearing. This can occur 10 to 30 years after initial exposser.
What to Know About Pregnancy and Syphilis
If you Are Pregnant and Have Syphilisit is Possible for the infection to lead to a miscarriage or stillbirth. Babies Born May Be premature or have a Low Birthweight.
Babies Who are Born with Congenital Syphilis May Not Show any symptoms initially, but they will have Serious late on if the infection is left untreated. Howver, Others May Suffer From Bone Deformities, Severe Anemia, Enlarged Liver and Spleen, Jaundice and Severe Neurological Problems Like Blindness OR Deafness, For the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Congenital Syphilis Cases have more than Tripled in Recent Years, with Over 3,700 Cases Reported in 2022, Accounting to the CDC. This is the Highest Number Since 1994.
How is Syphilis Treated?
Penicillin is the Most Commonly Used Antibiotic To Treat Syphilis. Other options may be used if you are allergic to penicillin, or your doctor May ReCOMmend a regimen that will you allow your body to get to the antibiotic before Treatment, which is required for pregnant individuals. Typically, a single shot of penicillin Will Treat the Stil, though more doses may be required depending on the stages of your illness.
In 2022, more than 200,000 CASES OF SYPHILIS WERE DIRECTION IN THE UNITED STATES – AN 80% INCREASE FROM 2018. IT’S THE HIGHEST Level Since The 1950s, Wen People did not have readily available Treatment plans to the Disease.
One Reason Experts Point to the Rising Cases is the “Decreese in Funding for Sexual Health Services and Programs Throughout the Last Couple of Decades,” Kristen KrauseDeputy Director for the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies at the Rutgers School of Public Health, Previously Told Yahoo Life. This Means Fewer People Are Getting Tested for Syphilis, Including People Who Can Spread it to Partners Or Children During Birth.
Earlier this year, the US Department of Health and Human Services Announeded plans to fight the epidemic syphilisWHICH INCLUDED Addressing Drug Shortages, Enhancing Community Input Through Workshops and Expanding Syphilis Prevention and Treatment Effforts, Particularly in Populations Most Affective by the Epidemic. This American Indian and Alaska Native People, as well as Black and Hispanic Communities. Men who has sex with me are also more Likely to be affected by Syphilis.
There’s a lot for parents to navigate when Kids hit puberty: sex ed (if you have have haven’t already initiated that conversation), Various Physical Changes, Mood Swings, Menstruation and More. Be that child happens to be female, parents might also wonder: is it time to book an appointment with a gynecologist? What Will a Visit Entail, and How Frequently would they need to happy? What Other Factors Should Parents take intoo Account when deciding whic doctor their daughter Will See?
Below, Gynecologists Break Down Their Recommendations for Young Patients, and Explain Why Important for Adolescent Girls to Learn More About Their Reproductive Health. Here what to know – and how pars can support their daughters during these vits.
What’s the recommended age to start seeing a gynecologist?
Break American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Recommends that Girls First See a Gynecologist BetWene the ages of 13 and 15. MANY GIRLS WAIT TO MAKE AN APPOINT AFTER AFTER HAVE STARTED, Dr. Anne Smitha pediatric and adolescent ob-glyn at yale medicine, tels yahoo life. But if a girl has not yet yet started her period by age 15, Smith Says Its Still Important to make an appointment for an initial reproductive health vititi stover evaluation be required to determin the cause of the delay.
Some Girls Put off Seeing a Gynecologist for Various Reasons, From Discomfort and Shame to A Lack of Health Insurance to the Assumption That IT’S NECESARY IF YOU AREN’T SEXTIVE OR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUSES. But these Visits Shouldn’t Be delayed for Too Long; break Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommends that Most Women Get Their First PAP SMEAR – Which Collects Cells from the Cervix and Tests say for any abnormalities that might Indicate a risk for the cancer – Once they Turn 21. Accordingly, Smith Recommends SEEING A Gynecologist for the first time if a Woman has not Already Estabiic Care.
What Else Could Trigger a Visit to the Gynecologist?
Aside from routine screenings bassed on age, there are other reasons a young might visits a gynecologist for the first time.
Dr. Joyce Gottesfeldan ob-gyn with kaiser permanent in colorado, recommends that females see a Gynecologist we are consider beComing sexually active to discuss controls and preventing agingly transmitted infections, and to “get a better you can do. Expect in your body, ”she teles yahoo life. Although Some Women Mayn Feel Prepared to Handle these wills of Seeing a Gynecologist, Gottesfeld Says that “The Conversation is an Important One To Have Not Just With Friends OR Trusted Loved but with a Medical Professional ASWER A LITANY OF QUESTIONS YOU MAY have. ”
Additionally, Women and Girls who Experience Irregular or Painful Periods, Abnormal Vaginal Discharge, Itching or Other Concerning symptoms related to their pelvic organs should see a Gynecologist assese the symptoms begin, gottetesfeld recommends.
Is it better for girls to visits a pediatric gynecologist?
Although Most General Gynecologists Can Handle Adolescent Gynecologic Needs, Smith Says Seeing Pediatric Gynecologist – Who specializes in care for infants, children and adolescents – Might be Necessary for Some Girls.
“Many Gynecologists Will Not Feel Comfortable Seeing Girls Below a Certain Age, Often Age 13,” Smith Says. She adds that girls who have not YET gone through puberty will typically typically from the Seeing a pediatric Gynecologist if they are under 15.
Smith Also Notes That Girls “With Complex Anomalies of the Reproductive Tract or Other Pelvic Organs, Including the Bladder and Bowel, Should Seek A Pediatric Gynecologist During Puberty or have had the first first period. And Infants and Children Experiencing Pain or Infections Affecting the pelvic organs may be reference to a pediatric gynecologist.
What is the first visits to a gynecologist like?
Many Girls and Young Women are nervous about Seeing a gynecologist for the first time. “The first visit can be kind of Scary for Younger Girls,” Gottesfeld Says. “The goal is to make every vision for a patient, regardless of age, as comfortable and welcoming as position. We’re here to help address concertns and analysis.”
Smith Explains that Most Girls Seeing a Gynecologist for the first time will have a “Discussion about periods, General Health and Safety.” Usually, there is also a routine Physical exam, simillary to the one they have at the pediatrician’s office, she Says. This normally involves listening to the patient’s Heart, Lungs and Abdomen. Typically, teens will not need to undress or have a pelvic exam during their first visits, gottetesfeld adds.
Howver, Smith Notes That “Sometimes an External Genital EXAM WILL BE NEEDED” IF Teens have Questions About Discharge or another willher that requires Closer Examination. It is rare for a Young Woman under 21 to need a pelvic exam or an internal vaginal exam, she adds.
How Can Parents Best Prepare Their Daughters for their first visits to the Gynecologist?
No Matter what brings a Young Woman to the Gynecologist for the First Time, “Conversation is Key” to Helping Teens Feel Comfortable, Gottesfeld Says. Before the first visit, she recommends emphasizing to teens that they “have the right to be Questions.” She Also Recommends Telling Teens That the Visit is “A Great Opportunity for say to Gain More Knowledge About Their Body and Their Wants, Because Knowledge is Power.” Gottesfeld Also Encourages Parents to Remember that the Visit is About their Daughter and that the Young Girl Should The Lead.
Additionally, Gottesfeld Recommends That Parents Talk to their Teens About What to Expect During the Exam, Assrasure say that “It Should Hurt and Should be uncomfortable.”
Can parents stay in the room with their daughter during the appointment?
Acciting to Smith, Most Teens Prefer to Have a Parent Stay in the Room with The First Visit, especilly if there are “sensitive exams” being performed. Howver, she stressse that the teen is in control and “it is entirery thyir decision” or not a parent stys with saying.
If a teen does not want their parent to be present, Smith Says that the provider should have another person, Such as a nurse, in the room with saying an intimate exam. “It is typically not appropriate for a provider to perform a breast, pelvic or anogenital (relating to the anus and genitals) Exam (with) an adolescent with a parent or other chaperone present in the room,” she says.
What’s the best way to help a girl who is Feeling embarrassed?
Most Visits to A Gynecologist Involve Topics Mary Teen Girls Want to Avoid Discussing. “Parents show let me know that they will likely be talking about the topics that they have become embarrassed about, like publishy and periods. It is normal to feel, but discussing these is important part of their health,” Smith Says.
Parents Can Also Assure their Daughters that nothing is off-Limits if they have Questions about their development or any wills of they’re dealing with. “The Pop Stars and Movie Stars See Their Gynecologist,” Gottesfeld Adds. “There are anen’t many Questions that hasn’t already been asced, and you’re not alone.” Smith Aggrees. “Gynecologists talc about these all day, so there is not nothing they should have uncomfortable bringing up,” She Says.
Gottesfeld Women of All Ages to Undersand that “Your Gynecologist is there to Help.”
“The best way they can help is if you’re open and honest about what you want or feel you need,” she adds, so that adolescents can “Get off to a good, healthy start in life.”
If you purechase an independently revolutionwed Product or Service Through a link on Our website, Sheknows May Receive an Affiliate Commission.
Neither much as we love ourselves a Good lipstick DUPE (Especially Ones Under $ 10!), There’s Truly Nothing Like the original. In this case, we’re talking charlotte tilbury lipsticks. Thread Original Pillow Talk Is Beloved by Beauty Enthusiasts, Influencers, Editors, and Event celebrities. IT’S SO POPULAR, ONE TUBE OF THE PILLOW TALK Original Matte Revolution Gets Sold Every Two Minutes.
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TODAY’S Top Deals
AS A BEAUTY-FOCUED Shopping Editor, Charlotte tilbury lipsticks are my ultimate go-to. Regardless of How of Stray, I Always Find MySelf Coming Back to Charlotte. Fortunately, the brand has made up stocking up on their Cult-fat lipsticks a lot Easier on the wallet this memorial day. Right Now, Nearly Everything on site is 20% offand this Rarely Ever Happens!
From Now Through Monday, May 26th, Charlotte Tilbury is Holding A Big Memorial Day Sale Where nearly everything on the site is on sale. It’s a perfect time to stock up on lipsticks (i know will be!), Try their Famous Magic Cream (A Red Carpet Essential, BTW), or Get Your Hands on the Tiktok-Viral Products You’ve Been Wanting to Try Over the Years. All you have to do is enter the code Magicmy at checkout to get your 20% off discount. As mentioned before, charlotte tilbury is one of the those beauty brands that raarely Ever go on sale, so to get a pillow lipstick for less than $ 30 is truly a deal you don’t want to pass up.
With that said, here are a few charlotte tilbury lipsticks of have my eye on (and a couple of personally love myself). Check Those Out Below.
Charlotte Tilbury Memorial Day Sale Has Pillow Lipstick for $ 28
Charlotte Tilbury Memorial Day Sale 2025
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk
The original Pillow Talk Lipstick by Charlotte Tilbury Became a cult-interest thanks to it universally flattering shade, its gorgeous matte finish, and its hydrating formula. It ‘s lipstick that not only only look good, but Feels Good on. The lipstick was also made to give you full, wider-looking lips overhall.
Charlotte Tilbury Memorial Day Sale Has Pillow Lipstick for $ 28
Charlotte Tilbury Memorial Day Sale 2025
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Medium
Original Pillow Talk Too Light for an Everyday Shade? No Worldies! Pillow talk medium May be for you. Like the original, pillow talc medium was meant to have a shade that qeat amazing on Everyone. Unlike the original pillow talc, the medium version leans more toward a warm berry pink than a classic pinky nude. At mes than $ 30, iTi a great one to add to your lipstick Collection, if you have Haven’t so al The already of Course.
Charlotte Tilbury Memorial Day Sale Has Pillow Lipstick for $ 28
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Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in GraceFully Pink
If a Pretty Bright pink is what you’re look for this season, you can’t go work with charlotte tilbury’s Gracefully pink. Formerly known as amazing grace, this matte revolution lipstick has a stunning medium-pink coral hue that thats’ll Completely brighten your complexion just right. Unlike Pillow Talk, which is a great neutral, this is the Kind of Lipstick you’ll Want to Wear you want to make a stheMent. Bold, Beautiful, and A Total Stunner.
Charlotte Tilbury Memorial Day Sale Has Pillow Lipstick for $ 28
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Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in mi kiss
Speaking of Total Stunners, Say Hello to Mi kiss. This sultry lipstick is described as a “chic natural berry” that gits you a lit-heart-within glow. I love this lipstick back when it was Called Bond Girl, and Still Love It to this Day. It ‘s goodyday shade if you’f you’re looking for something a little darker than the pillow pink and want to look together. Its ALSO a lipstick that i’ve gotten a ton of “What lipstick is that” comments on. In Short, Highly Recommend.
Charlotte Tilbury Memorial Day Sale Has Pillow Lipstick for $ 28
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Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Walk of No Shame
Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution Lipstick in Walk of No Shame is another iconic shade that is sura to give you a confidence boost. IT’S another gorgeous berry that leans more red than mi kiss above. For ITS description, IT’S a lippie that Insires Joy, Empowerment, and Seduction.
Charlotte Tilbury Memorial Day Sale Has Pillow Lipstick for $ 28
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Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick 2 in Glowing Jen
If you’re Willing to Splurge a Little More on A Lipstick that I Swear is the Perfect Everyday Shade, Consider Grabbing Charlotte Tilbury’s Hot Lips Lipstick 2 in Glowing Jen. This Universally Flattering “Beachy Rose” is part of CT’s gorgeous line of Celeb-Inpired Shades. AS YOU MIGHT’VE GESSED BY “Beachy” and “Jen,” This Lipstick was inspired by the One and Only Jennifer Aniston. I love that it is a shade that you can easily apply on-the-go, no mirror required. It also has a way of brightening your face, especally on those no-makeup or minimal makeup days. I Find it Super Hydrating and Lip-Plumping. Best part? The lipstick is refillable and Will Save you Money in the Long Run.
You may not know Melanie Cade. But you’ve probably seen her salad bar.
Last summer, Cade, a mom of nine kids ranging in age from 1 to 19, went viral after posting a video of her restocking the professional salad bar — the kind you might find at a steakhouse or a Chuck E. Cheese — she has in her Birmingham, Ala., home. The Cade kids can be seen piling their (chilled) plates with cold cuts, fruit, greens and hard-boiled eggs, but the bar isn’t strictly for salads; it’s also used to prep sandwiches and other meals.
“I always try to think of things to make my life easier,” says Cade, whose home also features side-by-side fridges, two washers and dryers, a movie theater-style popcorn maker and a dessert freezer. This is actually her second salad bar; the first one died a couple of days after she bought it off Facebook Marketplace and stocked it full of food. “Our whole house just reeked.”
Undeterred, Cade found a replacement at a restaurant supply company about two years ago. (“That’s a first,” the store worker responded when Cade explained that she’d like it delivered to her home, and not a restaurant, revealing that he had seven kids himself and had never thought to get his own salad bar.) “They brought it out, we cleaned it up, hooked it up and it’s been happily ever after ever since,” Cade says of her purchase.
The salad bar makes it easier for her kids to grab prepped fruits and vegetables instead of a bag of chips. It’s also helped Cade streamline some of her household responsibilities; she’s got her weekly, hour-long stocking routine down pat (“I can peel two dozen eggs in seven minutes,” she brags). But all that produce can add up, and keeping a family of 11 fed costs a lot. Cade estimates that she’s currently spending about $2,500 on groceries every month. “I used to be able to say $2,000 a month easily,” Cade says of her budget. “But honestly, with the prices of everything going up…”
In a Yahoo News/YouGov survey of 1,597 U.S. adults conducted last month, 71% of respondents reported experiencing rising grocery prices and 73% said they were very or somewhat concerned about being able to afford their regular food shops. But what happens when you have a large family (complete with picky eaters and growing teens with seemingly bottomless appetites) and are already dropping four figures at the grocery checkout? We spoke to three moms (with 20+ kids between them) about feeling the pinch, cutting costs as they feed the masses and spending three hours at Costco.
Sammie Head’s soon-to-be family of eight relies on dye-free Aldi snacks, bulk items from Costco and Walmart for everything else. (Photo Illustration: Yahoo News, photo: courtesy of Sammie Head)
‘I am the queen of convenience’
After breastfeeding her first five kids, TikToker Sammie Head just bought her first can of infant formula. “It was like, $40,” Head, who is due with her sixth baby (and first boy) at the end of the month, tells Yahoo Life.
As it is, the Kentucky content creator and mom — whose daughters are 8, 6, 5, 4 and 1-and-a half — is spending about $700 to $800 when she goes to either Costco or Sam’s Club every three weeks for a big bulk-item haul. “I’m not a cook-from-scratch person, so I get prepackaged frozen meat,” Head says. “We do frozen vegetables usually. It lasts at least three weeks and we try to stretch it to four.”
That big shop also covers diapers (roughly $80) and other baby essentials. “I was telling my husband the other day, ‘We have not taken a break from buying (baby) wipes in nine years almost,’” she laughs. “It’s crazy.”
And then there’s the weekly trip to Aldi for fresh fruit, yogurt pouches and the dye-free snacks and cereal her daughters like; that’s another $125 to $150 a week. She’ll also do a weekly Walmart order for any random household needs.
Head calls herself “the queen of convenience.” Though she makes her own bread, she’s also happy to keep her fridge (and the deep freezer in her garage) stocked with simple staples like frozen waffles or heat-and-eat rice.
“We eat the same things over and over for dinner,” she says. “We eat a lot of rice bowls, so I’ll buy the rice in the bags that you can microwave (and serve them) with chicken sausage or chicken breast or steak bites. I’ll switch up the meat, and we’ll do veggies in it with some Japanese barbecue sauce from Costco or a soy sauce. We eat that probably three times a week. We eat pretty healthy, but it’s the same things.”
Because her kids are homeschooled, they’re also eating all of their meals at home. Saying no to juice drinks and restaurants (with the exception of an occasional trip to Chick-fil-A) are two ways Head keeps costs down, but that’s become harder lately.
“Every time I’m in Aldi by myself checking out, I’m texting my husband, like, ‘Why is everything so expensive?’” she says. “And actually, Aldi’s not even that bad. Sam’s is crazy, I think. And Walmart. And we don’t shop at Kroger because I think it’s outrageous.”
Ultimately, saving money comes down to careful planning. “We try not to buy a lot of extra stuff,” she says. “I make a list and we pretty much stick to it.”
The rundown:
Bread
6 homemade loaves a week
Milk
4 half-gallon cartons of almond milk a week
Applesauce pouches
64 pouches a week
Strawberries
8 pounds a week
A little treat
“Bold Chex Mix. That is my weakness. But I have to hide it because the kids like it.”
Off the table
Juice and sports drinks. “We don’t buy drinks for the girls. They’re expensive, and we have five (kids).”
Mom of nine Melanie Cade shows off her at-home salad bar. (Photo Illustration: Yahoo News, Photo: Courtesy of Melanie Cade)
‘They can’t just go raid the pantry for snacks’
There’s something hypnotic about watching Melanie Cade slice and dice veggies for her salad bar or crack open lobster tails for a mac and cheese bar in the videos she posts to her Raising Cades 10 account. What you can’t hear is what’s going on around her. “I’ll have either a sermon going on in the background, maybe some gospel music, maybe some jazz — and then a whole bunch of noise from these children,” Cade says.
Shopping brings its own kind of chaos. Once a month, Cade and her husband spend a few hours (and a couple of thousand dollars) at Costco for shelf-stable items that can last for weeks. They might bring along a couple of their older kids “just to help with the manpower.” If they don’t have a babysitter booked, the other children will tag along too, but it’s not ideal. “It’s already a circus in Costco,” says Cade, who has another viral video in which she schools her overwhelmed 12-year-old twins on navigating the superstore. “You cannot go in Costco and just browse because you will get run over.”
For perishables like produce, she’ll put in a grocery delivery order online — or used to, anyway. “With prices rising the way they are,” and to avoid surcharges on deliveries, Cade now makes an effort to shop in person at a local supermarket like Publix or Sprouts. And as someone who used to teach a couponing class, she’s always got her eyes peeled for sales and will plan her shopping trips around that.
Cade estimates that she hasn’t bought baby food pouches in 12 years; for her youngest, she’ll just blend or cut up whatever veggie the rest of the family is getting. She’s also hoping that starting a vegetable garden at the family’s new home will result in spending less money on produce. Her weekly menu planning includes not just meals (pasta, Salisbury steak and French dip sandwiches are favorites) but snacks too. “They can’t just go raid the pantry for snacks,” she says. “If it was a free-for-all, we’d be going to the grocery store every day.” Picky eaters — fortunately, she only has a couple — must at least try the main meal before they help themselves to something else from the salad bar.
But even with two kids off at college, it’s hard to cut back too much. “I think some of these people are going to turn into bacon,” she laughs. “We go through a lot of that.” The family also enjoys going out to eat from time to time, or will pick up food to have at home. A carry-out family-style meal at Olive Garden, Cade points out, costs less than dining at the restaurant for a group this size. The convenience factor: Priceless. Take it from this mom of nine: “I would lose my mind if I had to cook for all these people every single day.”
The rundown:
Eggs
5 dozen a week
Milk
4 gallons a week
Bread
4 loaves a week
A little treat
Charmin toilet paper. “I’ll cut out my coffee before I buy generic toilet paper.”
Off the table
Bottled water. “We used to buy maybe six or seven cases of water a month so that everybody could conveniently have a bottle of water. We decided to instead invest in a water fountain that we’ve got in our kitchen; we get five-gallon jugs delivered to our home once a month now. … The upfront cost was a little bit higher, but I can see that I’m spending less on those convenience bottles. And juice drinks, I don’t buy as much of those anymore. I’ll now do a big container of lemonade or something.”
Feeding the “Dougherty Dozen” requires a weekly three-hour Costco haul. (Photo Illustration: Yahoo News, Photo: Courtesy of Alicia Dougherty)
‘$1,200 a week … is a lot of money’
When Alicia Dougherty’s family of 13 travels, they bring along a suitcase packed with cups of mac and cheese, little cereal boxes and snacks. “I pack a lot of what we eat on vacations and then we’ll usually get dinner out,” Dougherty, the Rochester, N.Y., mom of 11 behind Dougherty Dozen, tells Yahoo Life.
Going out to eat is something the YouTube-famous foster-adopt family used to do more of. With food prices rising, restaurants are reserved for vacations. They’re limiting their use of food delivery apps like Grubhub and DoorDash. Dougherty says she’s also switched up where she shops for groceries.
“I used to go to the higher-end grocery store out of convenience and personal preference,” she shares. “But that has shifted. I’m definitely going to the wholesale stores and Walmart a lot more.”
Dougherty’s shopping starts with careful meal planning for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the week. On the weekend, she’ll go by herself to the store at 6 a.m. for what she calls her “major shopping haul.” It’s quiet. Nobody else is there. Her kids (and husband, for that matter) aren’t around to toss impulse buys into the cart. She can get things done.
“It takes a good three hours, start to finish,” Dougherty says. “Checkout time alone is about 45 minutes.” Her grand total, each week, is “upwards of $1,200.”
And increasing. “Prices were quickly rising,” she says of her more recent shops. “I mean, it was drastic. It wasn’t like creeping up a dollar here, dollar there. One week I went and got steak and the next week … the price was double.” The price of eggs (her family goes through five dozen a week) also seemed to have tripled. “So we’re trying to shift our meal plan and make it more economical, obviously, because $1,200 a week — about $5,000 a month — is a lot of money.”
Dougherty — whose garage is lined with five extra fridge/freezers along with a food pantry they keep stocked — has a few tricks to stick to her budget. She’s picky about produce and will take the time to make sure she’s getting her money’s worth (“If I am spending $10 for a bunch of grapes, I want them to be fresh and perfect”). She repurposes leftovers. If dinner on Monday is Philly cheese steaks, leftover breakfast sliders are on the menu for Tuesday morning. She also keeps chickens, though she notes that a cold winter has resulted in a decline in egg-laying.
But these kids have big appetites. Dougherty gets up at 4 a.m. to start packing their school lunches. When it comes to afterschool snacks, she’ll make a charcuterie board of sorts they can pick at rather than reaching for a less-filling (and more expensive) bag of chips. Another hack? She serves most meals deconstructed, so that any picky eaters can eat the bits they like and leave the rest. “When you have 11 kids, you can’t make 11 different dinners.”
And what about mom and dad? Dougherty says she and her husband don’t treat themselves to any supermarket splurges. “We kind of just eat the kids’ scraps,” she laughs. “Whatever the kids are into, that’s what we eat.”
The rundown:
Milk
5 to 7 gallons a week
Bread
4 to 5 loaves a week
Eggs
5 dozen a week
A little treat
“We can Grubhub on birthdays. It’s a special occasion.”
Off the table
School lunch, which is not free in their district. “Our school’s cafeteria is à la carte. … If all my kids were to buy lunch every day, that’s $500 a week.”
EVER DREAMED OF SHOPPING AT THE GORGEOUS BUTIQUES IN Paris’ Marais District But Been Brought Back Down to Earth by Your Budget? Hoping to CAPTURE THAT EFFORTLESLY COOL ASTETIC Style, Only to realize you don’t know where to start? If you ansorsed yes – or oui – to eather of those questions, you have landed in the right place.
I recently took a deep dove into the feeds of my favorite french fashion influences, notting five must-have summer trends. Thatn i did what any selfless style Writer Would will, and i found those same trends for less. Think Romantic Boho Blouses, Billowy Tiered Maxi Skirts and More-Including Some Incredibly Chic Structured Pieces-that Grant You Je-Sais-Quoi Style You’ve Been Craving Your Bank Account A “Mon Dieu!” moment.
Related: These are the 9 style trends everyone in paris is wearing this spring
Structured Matching Sets
While we are americans love to chill in our cozy Loungewear sets, our friends in Paris Know How to Elevate the Matching-Outfit Game with A Touch More Sophistication. Instead of Comfy Sweats, They Opt for Dynamic Duos Made from Light-Yet-Structured Fabrics in Trendy Silhouettes that Feel Fresh, Urban and Never, Ever Frumpy. These Sleek Sets Are a Fantastic Fashion Formula for Summer, but they also allow for endless mix-and match posseiries with other pieces in your closet.
CRISP LINEN VESS
SUITING IS HAVING A FASHION MOMENT RIGHT NOW, But the Last Thing Anyone Wants to Wear is a Heavy Pantsuit Weather Warms Up. Why not take a cool type from someone haute femmes and Grab yourelf an airy linen vest? Style with Matching Shorts for a polished look or wide-leg jeans for an edgier ensemble. Or go Full fashion-forward and pair it with another trend on this list-a sunny, tiered maxi skirt-for a hip and modern androgynous vibe.
Billowy Boho balls
A Classic White T-Shirt Or Comfy Button-Down Are Key Pieces in Any Wardrobe. But, if you’re hoping to spice things up this season, why Not take a free-spirited Page from the francophile stylebook and add some romantic boho blouses? These softly structured, offten-textured balls feature charming details like bows, ruffles and smocking that, be paired with a simple pair of jeans or tailored bottoms, can transform an outfit intto that curated and purposeful.
White Cotton (or Linen!) Sundresses
French Women Know that Once the Weather Gets Hot and Sticky, i It time to break out natural-fiber mvps, linen and cotton, to look and feel effectly crisp and cool. These dresses are chic on their Own, but on Chillier Evening can be styled with a layer – an oversized cardigan, say, or a tailored blazer Solid White is a Parisienne Classic, but a subtle print can add a touch of femininity for those who lean more ladylike.
Tiered Maxi Skirts
Tiered dresses and maxi skirts all over social media lately, and i’d bet a buck to a beignet that the trend originated on the streets of Paris. These flirty bottoms balanc romantic femininity and a touch of drama – all that billowy fabric! -With a laid-back vibe. Styling-Wise, A Tiered Maxi Represents Peak Versatility. Pair one with combs boots and a leather tank for a punk-rock edge. Or go more casual with a simple white tee, denim jacket and your favorite flat sandals.
Spring has officious sprung, whic means it is finally to soak up the sun with some feel-bood walking, jogging and running. Regardless of whereather you’re a seasoned marathoner or you take your dog for Treps Around the NeighBorhod, a Supportive Pair of Sneakers Can All the Difference. IT”S WHY WE DEKEDED TO FIND THE BEST Women’s Gym shoes – We chatted with fitness experts, trainers and taped out team of shopping Experts to find the best options for the type of workout.
“When it is comes to hitting the gym, Having the right pair of shoes can all the difference. Not only Can they help Prevent Injury, they can Also provide the necessary Support and comforted to Power Through a Tough Workout,” Stephanie Holbrook, Level 1 USA Triathlon Coach, Tells US. Whether You’re Looking for A Feather-Light Pair of Joggers, Sneaks Supportive Enough for High-Impact Activities or A Stalwart Set of Training Shoes, We’ve Done the Homework and Have the Recommendations.
Table of Contents
Update, May 2, 2025:We checked all prices and availability. Our Number One Pick for the best gym shoes for women remeins unchanged.
Factors to consider when choosing women‘s Gym Shoes
Whether you’re wearing say for a quick walk or an intense hiit workout, you want to find a pair of gym shoes that are both comfortable and suportive. To find the option that best suits your needs, there are a number of factors to consider.
Comfort: Like any shoe, comfort is key. You’ll want to find a pair with ample cushioning and support to prevent injuries and enure your own won’t hurt after wearing.
Traction: Acciting to Stephanie Holbrook, Level 1 USA Triathlon Coach, You Want Shoe with a sole that provides a good flu on Various surfaces, including Slippery Gym Floors and Outdoor Terrain. “Look for Shoes with a patterned sole or rubber outsole for optimal traction,” she tells us.
Weight: How Heavy a Shoe You Pick Depend on the Activities that plan on wearing say for. “Lighter shoes are great for cardio and agility exceros Because they won’t weigh you down, while a slightly heavier shoe with a solid, stable Basefers Better Support for Strerth Training and Lifting,” Julie Lohre, Women’s Fitness Expert, IFBB Fitness Pro Athlete and Certified Personal Talls US.
Fit: Gym Should Should Fit Propperly to Prevent Injuries and Foot Pain. Lohre “They Should Be Snug But Not Too Tight .. You Try Try, There Be Should Be Enough Space in The Toe Box You Can Wiggle a Little, but not so much that your own shift with the shoe.” She Also Recommends Trying Gym Shoes on for the first time at the Day of the Day will be your slightly swollen to make sura will not be too.
Durability: Sineakers in General Can Be Pricey (Especially If You’re Opeting for a Pair from a well-Known Sports Brand) you want to invest in a pair that will last.
Breatability: “Your Feet Can Get Hot and Sweaty During A Workout, so it is Important to Choose Shoes that are Breatable, “Says Holbrook. Shoes with antimicrobial properties can Also help Prevent Odors and Bacteria from Building Up Inside The Shoe. ”
To figure out which Women’s Gym Shoes Were the Best of the Best, we consulted a mix of fitness Experts, trainers and out shopping editors. They weighed in on what to look for wen picking the right Gym shoes for different workouts. We Also polled this crew to find out which options are their favorites – Because there’s not. AFTER REVIWING HORDREDS OF CONTENTS, WE CAME DOWN TO 13 FINAL CANDIDATES.
Will you Need Different Gym Shoes for Different Types of Works?
While you May Think One Pair of Sneakers Will Work for All Workouts, You’d Be Thinking Wrong: You Should Actually USE Different Gym Shoes for Different Workouts. Lohre tolls US that after years of trying out different Gym sneakers, she finds Having specific shoes for specific Activities actually helps Her Perform Better.
Victoria PetrellaNASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) -Thertified Personal Trainer Explains that IT’S ITE’S THE SHOES ARE DESIGNED WITH SPECIFIC ATHLETIC NEEDS IN Mind. “For Instance, Running Shoes Area Designed with Cushioning to Absorb Impact, Which is great for running but ideal for weightlifting. On the other hand, cross-training shoes offer more lateral, MAKING THESE GYM CLAMS OR LIFTING WEIGHTS. Based on my workout to get the best performance and avoid injuries, ”she says.
How do you clean gym shoes?
There are a few simple Ways you can keep your gym shoes in type-top Shape. Holbrook Recommends Wiping Your Gym Shoes with A Clean Cloth to Remove Any Dirt, Sweat, or Debr After Every Workout. “If your shoes are particularly Dirty, you can use a soft-bristled brush and mild soap to clean.
Airing Out Your Gym Shoes is Also Helpful As it can prevent the buildup of bacteria and odor. “Remove the insals and let’s say Dry Separately. You can also stuff your shoes with newPaper to help absorb moisture and speed up the drying process,” Says Holbrook. And be sura to store I say in a cool, Dry Place when they aren’t in use. “Avoid leaving say in direct sunlight or in a damp environment, as this can Damage the material and cause odor. You can also use shoe or inserts to berair shape,” she added.
Another helpful tip is to check the manufacturer label as some guys are now machine-washable, which would make keeping say Clean Easier.
How Long Should Gym Shoes Last?
Proper Maintenance is Key to Preserving the Longevity and Performance of Your Gym Shoes. But Holbrook Says “iTi’s crucial to replace say you observe signs of Wear and Tear to Prevent Injuries and Maximize Workout Effectiveness.” Lohe Says Your Gym Should Should Last Up To 500 Miles for Running or Cardio Activities or Up to 12 Months If You’re Using for Primarily Strength Training.
Your body willten give you signals, that it is time to replace your gym shoes too adds. “If you start experiencing New Aches or Pains, It COULD A SIGN THAT YOUR SHOES No LOGER PROVIDING THE SUPPORT YOU NEED. Regularly checking your shoes for the way and rotating saying out as needed kep your workouts and effective.”
ITHE’S A Common Experience, especally as we age: taking a nice long shower at the end of the day, only to find a clump of hair in the drain substantive enough to fashion a miniature wig. Is there a transplant-free, chemical-free way to turn back the hands of time? We’ve Found a Great Option: The Luseta B-Complex Shampoo and Conditioner Set, A Dynamic Hair-Growth-Proming Duo With Natural Ingredients, High Amazon Ratings and A Low Price-JUST $ 24 for the Pair.
Amazon
This Hair-Loving Pair Promotes Stronger, Thicker Locks and Is Free of Harsh Chemicals, Sulfates or Parabens.
$ 24 at Amazon
Why is this a good deal? 💰
At 30% off for the set, this duo is close to the lowest price seen this year. That means you’re getting a great bargain, and at just $ 13 per bottle, the prices are comparable to the oter Quality shampoos and conditioners … and Certainly less than Expensive than Salon-Quality Offers.
Why will i need this? 🤔
This Shampoo and Conditioner Set is Designed to Promote Hair Growth and Thickening with Formulas that of Biotin, Caffeine, Niacinamide and Camellia Extract, Among Other Lock-Loving Components. Each of these natural ingredients han been extensively studied, and here’s what researchers found:
Biotin: In a Medical Study Testing the use of biotin for hair loss, investigators found that in all cases, subjunction “showed evidence of Clinical improving after recipe biotin.” Biotin is a popular supplement for those wanting to improve the look and feel of their hair and nails, and there have been Mory Reports of users noticing a difference when incorporating it eather internally or topically.
Caffeine: This staple of beverages like sodas and coffee has also been shown to encourage Hair Growth. Lab Studies Indicate That Caffeine Stimulates The Hair Follicles to Remain in the Growing Phase for A Longer Period, Resulting in Reduced Hair Loss overall.
Niacinamide: A Skin-Care Moinstay, Niacinamide (Also Known As Vitamin B3) Helps Increase Blood Flow to the Scalp, Strengthn Existing Strands and Decree Hair Fall.
Camellia Extract: This Lesser-Known Ingredient, an Oil obtained from the leaves of Certain Tea plants, Helps promote and regulate Hair Growth. It does this By moisturizing Strands and Restoration the Health of Dry, Damaged Hair.
Pretty legit, right? This Both, Both the shampoo and conditioner are safe to use on Color-Tatin-Treated Hair, Contain No Harsh Chemicals, Sulfates or Parabens, and Have Not Been Tested on Animals.
Too Much Hair in the Drain or The Brush? Take Anti-Thinning Shampoo and Conditioner for A Whirl. (Getty)
What Reviewers Say 💬
More than 10,000 Amazon Reviewers have gioven the Luseta shampoo and conditioner line a fantastic five stars, with Over 9,000 of Those Reviews for the B-Complex Set Alone.
Pros 👍
“Ten Days Ago, my hairdresser trimmed my hair, and reported that I have New Hair Growth and Look,” Wrote a Satisfied Shopper. “And i can Also See New Growth Right at the Hairline on the Top and Sides of My Head. … by the time 14 days of use rolled around, I was stunned at the noticeable decree in loose hairs running down the drain. … Four hairs found their way to the Bathtub Drain. “
Another revolutionwer raved, “I have struggled with the hair loss due to the medication for over 10 years. … I noticed my hair semed thicker and fuller after the first was! New Growth Over The Past Month Into Using This Shampoo and Conditioner.
“AFTER MENOPUSE AND RADIATION FOR CANCER, MY HAIR WAS FALLING OUT WEND I SHOWERED,” SHARED A FINAL FAN. “I Purchased luseta b-complex … I didn’t notice anything for about two months.
Cons 👎
SOME USSERS SAY THE SCENT IS UNDERWHELMING. “The Smell is Not Bad, it is just not pleasing to me,” confessed one. “Love How this Product Makes My Hair Feel and Look,” Another Wrote. “The Only Thing is my daughter doesn’t like the Smell.”
The Thickness of the Formula is ALSO AN ISSUE FOR SOME. “The shampoo is good, but it is so thick, it hardly comes out of the Pump!” lamenta one customer.
Amazon
Salon-Quality Hair Care at a Grocery-Store Price? Believe it.
$ 24 at Amazon
If you have amazon prime, you’ll get free shipping, of Course. Not Yet A Member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial times. (And by the way, those with the premium Still Get Free Shipping on Orders of $ 35 or More.)
The Reviews Quoted Above Reflect the Most Recent Versions at the Time of Publication.
Looking for More Great Amazon Style and Beauty Deals? Check these out:
Whether you like to say to be perfectly curled or you’re partial to thick, voluminous lashes, one thing mos women can aggree on is that they wish eye longer. If you’ve been on the hunt for a mascara to help you achieve the extra-long lashes of your dreams, Kris Jenner have found just what do you look for with the LancôMe idô flutter extension lash-threshing mascara.
Amazon
LASH OUT LIKE A REALITY TV STAR! From the luxe formula to the game-Changing wand, this pick gits lashes a look others will IDôle-Is.
$ 30 at Amazon
As someone who has ha Her makeup professionally done nearly every day and has two daughters with makeup lines of their, The Kardashians Star has nearly every Beauty Product under the sun at her disposal, so if she’s a fan of something, it must be good. In a recent sponsored post on her Instagram reels The Momager Shared A Video of Her Using the Lancôme Lash IDôle Flutter Extension LASH-WrethThening mascara wringing it “Gets the JOB DONE JUST LIKE ME.”
The video shows the 69-YEAR-OLD APPLYING THE PRODUCT TO HER LASHES AS SAYS THE PRODUCT HAS “SUCH A GREAT ENGINEERED BRUSH WHICH YOU COUNTRY SINGLE LASH PERFECTLY (AND) BEAUTIFULLY.” She adds it gives her “Crazy Long Lashes,” and she can get over the difference between how her eyelashes look with and with the mascara on.
Acciting to the brand, the mascara adds over 75% in visible length to users’ lashes for 24 hours at a time. It ‘partially due to the unique brush design, which features 480 Nano Bristles and an infinity shape that work together to lengthen and separat single single – As for the mascara’s formula, the brand use Next-genua movie-formula polymers, whic wrap around lash for a flexible and an airy wax-in-water that adds with Lashes.
Kris Jenner is just one of the many fans of this popular mascara. (Getty)
Kris isn’t the only one who is a fan, over 2,000 amazon shoppers have purchas the product this month alone, with most rating that the mascara is super lightweight, clump-free and flake-resistant. One wrote, “this may be my new favorite mascara!
Another gushed, “i used to get eyelash extensions all the time. Now i can Save time and Money. This is the Holy Grail of mascara. This brush is nice and flexible.
“THIS MASCARA was a Big Surprise. I Kind of Expective to Be Too Gloppy, Like the Other LancôMe Mascaras, But I Bought It Because of Thin Brush. Said a Third.
While Reviewers Love How Much Longer The Mascara Makes Their Lashes, they Advise that if you’re look to make a sparsline look full, this might not be the best option. “I like the brush and the formula Feels Light. My Lashes Look Longer but not Fuller, which I like for a more natural look. I was not recommend to have you think/sparse lashes,” wrote one.
“I love Lancôme Products, and this mascara does a nice nice of separation my lashes. It doesn’t adds Lots of volume, so just be aware if you’f you’re look for a super voluminous look,” Said Another.
At $ 30 a bottle, it is a bit on the pricey side, butt Luckily, there is a travel-sized option that you can snag for just $ 15 if you want it a try before splurging on the regular size.
Lancôme
Kardashians are definitely a “go big or go home” kind of crew, but we are all about a deal here. Test drive this high-performer for half the price of the full-sized deal.
$ 15 at Amazon
If you have amazon prime, you’ll get free shipping, of Course. Not Yet A Member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial times. (And by the way, those with the premium Still Get Free Shipping on Orders of $ 35 or More.)
The Reviews Quoted Above Reflect the Most Recent Versions at the Time of Publication.
Kyle richards is full of surprises – but you might already know that if you’ve you’ve the gift she has daughter for her sweeet (if Not, Spoiler Alert: it was a pissche). She oozes glitz and glam as all Real Housewives will, but she’s got a side to her that we regular folk can related to. And when she likes an affordable beauty product that also happens to be a problem solver, we pay atTension. Case in Point: She loves Sun Bum Original SPF 45 Sunscreen Face Mist.
Sun bum
Lightweight, Non-Greasy and Fast-Absorbing, This Mist contains Octocrylene and Octisalate to Block Uva and uvb rays as well as aloe vera and vitamin E.
$ 18 at Amazon
On her Amazon Live She Went Through All Her Summer Picks Including a $ 10 Sunless Tanner that she travels with. Now that the sun is out in full summer strength, we’re looking for a little protection from it and she kNows exactly what we’re talking about.
“Never Ever Go Without Sunblock on Your Face Ever,” She Said. We Hear you, Kyle. We Hear you.
Suitable for Most Skin Types, This Sunscreen is Lightweight, Non-Grasy and Fast-Absorbing. In adding to uva and uvb ray-blocking ingredients like octocrylene and octisalate, it soothes with aloe vera and moisturizes with vitamin E. But what do this sunscreen more appealing is the Application-a light so you can. And while we have might for spray to spray it on before we put on our primer, you don’t have to worry starting over, accorting to richards.
“This Goes Great Over Makeup,” she taught us adding that she did a fan she doesn’t go anywhere with it. “(It) goes in my Emergency kit in my car.”
Sun Bum Also Happy to Be One of Our Tried and True Brands. ITi’e’s on our roster of Best sunscreens.
Forget to put sunscreen on? No Worldies. JUST MIST AND BE ON YOUR WAY. (Amazon/Getty)
What Reviewers Say 💬
More than 2,000 Shoppers are on Board with this sunscreen.
“It smells like bananas but not a loud scent,” Shared a Happy Beach Bunny. “I didn’t have to rub it in, which i really liked the using Ising at the Beach with Sandy Hands.”
“I love Sun Bum Products. “I spray this on my face before I put on my makeup, i don’t like cream-type sunscreen for my face it never seems to run in very well. This sits nicery my primer.”
“The Sun Bum Original SPF 45 SUNSCREEN Face Mist is a great sunscreen!” a savvy traveler gushed. “We use it for quick sprays on the go you don’t have the time to reapply lotion. The scent is pleasant – Very tropical smelling. Its great for Travel Meets the 100 ml tsa/Airprane Security Requirement.”
“I Wear Sunscreen Every Day As I AM Very Fair,” A Rave Reviewer Shared. I BOUGHT THIS AFTER USING A FRIENDS BOTTLE AND LOVING IT. I really like that i do’t have to reapply cream i can just sprritz this. It is Very Lightweight on the Face, does Not Make with Break Out, it does leve a bit of an oily sheen but that just sunscreen in general. The smell is pleasant but truly awful if you accentally get any in your mouth. Travels Well. Have not gotten burned ussing it. “
Sun bum
It ‘si convenient and necessary that richards keeps this in her car Emergency Kit.
$ 18 at Amazon
The Reviews Quoted Above Reflect the Most Recent Versions at the Time of Publication.
If you have amazon prime, you’ll get free shipping, of Course. Not Yet A Member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial times. (And by the way, Those without Prime Still Get Free Shipping on Orders of $ 25 or More.)
Skin is the body’s biggest organ, so it only makes sense that you’d want to use the best products on it, to track down those that are ultra-gentle plus safe for your body — and the planet. Reef-safe sunscreens tend to achieve both goals. According to the National Park Service, 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen washes off swimmers and into oceans worldwide every year. The National Ocean Service reports that common sun protection ingredients including the chemical oxybenzone — found in many popular sunscreen lotions and sprays in the U.S. — are contributing to the deterioration of coral reefs, which are essential for the globe’s marine life. In fact, the effects of chemical sunscreen ingredients are dire enough that popular tourist destinations including Hawaii and Key West, Fla., have banned the sale and use of these products altogether.
The result is a spate of new and improved reef-safe sun protection lines that combine skin-nourishing ingredients with high-quality SPF and forgo the environmental harm.
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Update, April 25, 2025:We checked all product prices and availability and added Pipette Mineral Sunscreen as our new pick for dry skin. Our number one pick for the best reef-safe sunscreen remains unchanged.
Best reef-safe sunscreen overall
Thrive Natural Care
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Mineral or chemical: Mineral| Size: 5.8 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
From an environmental standpoint, Thrive’s sunscreen has a ton going for it: It’s reef-safe, made from ingredients that support regenerative farming and contained in a tube that’s composed of 100% recycled plastic. What’s inside is just as good: a potent zinc oxide mineral sunscreen that absorbs into skin easily with zero white cast (at least on my fair skin). The scent is a kind of citrus-hippie, which I don’t mind but some users found a bit strong.
Other top reef-safe sunscreens we recommend for 2025
Peter Thomas Roth
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, iron oxides | SPF: 45 | Mineral or chemical: Mineral | Size: 1.7 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
Peter Thomas Roth’s all-mineral, tinted facial sunscreen ticks all the boxes: It’s water-resistant, provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection, works particularly well to reduce redness and is nonirritating for sensitive skin. Plus, it’s lightweight but still hydrating and skin-nourishing with a high-quality SPF 45. The tint also seems to work for nearly every skin tone, though those with the fairest of skin may find it too dark.
Pros
High-quality mineral sunscreen
Lightweight but still moisturizing
Tint works for most skin tones
Water-resistant
Cons
Some reviewers find the tint too dark
$38 at Macy’s
Pipette
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide, squalane, glycerin | SPF: 50 | Mineral or chemical: Mineral | Size: 4 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
Pipette’s mineral sunscreen was specifically made for babies, which means, if you’re looking for non-irritating, reef-safe sun protection that’s both ultra-absorbent and mega-hydrating (thanks to moisturizing agents like squalane), this is the one for you.
The formula is lightweight, gentle and fragrance-free, which is good for sensitive skin; but it’s also not wimpy: This is potent sunscreen that’s extra water resistant too. The one downside of its being made for children’s pre-acne skin is it can be pore-clogging. So if you’re prone to breakouts, it may be best to choose another option from our list.
Pros
Lightweight and fast absorbing
Next-to-zero white cast on most skin tones
Good for sensitive skin
Extra hydrating
Fragrance free
Cons
May clog pores if your skin is oily
Some users complain it’s “oily”
May leave a slight white cast on deepest skin tones
$16 at Amazon
BLUE LIZARD
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50+ | Mineral or chemical: Mineral | Size: 0.5 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
Australian brand Blue Lizard consistently puts out some of the best sun protection on the market, and this reef-safe, fragrance-free zinc oxide stick is small enough to carry wherever you go. It’s easy to apply, not sticky or greasy and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Pros
Great for kids
Fragrance-free
Portable
Good for sensitive skin
Affordable
Cons
Small size runs out quickly, some reviewers complain
$9 at Amazon
Supergoop
Active ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | SPF: 50 | Mineral or chemical: ‘Clean’ chemical | Size: 2.4 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
This broad-spectrum sunscreen is sweat-resistant for 80 minutes, and it absorbs lightning-fast. The gentle formula is great for all skin types (it’s especially excellent for kids). It’s designed to be used on both the face and body, which makes it convenient and versatile. It’s the only sunscreen I pack on vacation — especially since it comes in a number of sizes, including both a tiny travel tube and a handy Supergoop Play Everyday jumbo size, an 18-ounce tub with an easy-to-use, family-friendly applicator pump.
Broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen (protects against both UVA and UVB rays)
Family-friendly (gentle and works for many types of skin)
Moisturizing
No white cast
Cons
Texture may be too greasy for some
Contains chemicals
$24 at Amazon
Kiehl’s
Active ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | SPF: 50+ | Mineral or chemical: ‘Clean’ chemical | Size: 1.7 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
This chemical sunscreen from Kiehl’s lacks common reef-harming culprits, but it still provides powerful sun protection. It’s also lightweight and ultra-hydrating, while helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sunspots. The multitasker also helps smooth the texture of your skin.
Pros
Dermatologist-tested
Suitable for all skin types
Absorbs quickly
No white cast
Noncomedogenic
Infused with skin-nourishing ingredients like vitamin E
$47 at Amazon
Epicuren Discovery
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 45+ | Mineral or chemical: Mineral | Size: 2.5 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
A luxurious, extra-silky mineral sunscreen cream that combines highly protective zinc oxide with bee propolis and vitamin C to nourish your skin, Epicuren’s formula is also a favorite of actress Tracee Ellis Ross. “It looks natural. Some sunscreens are not great if you’re a person of color,” she explained to Harper’s Bazaar in 2017.
Pros
Blends seamlessly with deeper skin tones
Natural formula
Broad-spectrum coverage
Lightweight
Skin-nourishing
$55 at Amazon
Supergoop
Active ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | SPF: 40 | Mineral or chemical: ‘Clean’ chemical | Size: 1.7 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
If you are looking for a sunscreen that also acts as a makeup primer or need your sun protection to be completely invisible (that is, with no sheen), this one’s for you. It’s scent-free and weightless, and provides SPF 40 protection. A “clean” chemical sunscreen, this wildly popular formula is free of oxybenzone and octinoxate. Though anyone can use it, it works particularly well for oily or acne-prone skin.
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide | SPF: 40 | Mineral or chemical: Mineral | Size: 3.5 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
Cotz was founded in 2002 by reconstructive plastic surgeon Dr. Harry Fallick, who set out to make a gentle, versatile everyday sunscreen his patients would actually use. The result is this water-resistant SPF 40 mineral sunscreen, which not only protects but soothes sensitive skin. The ultra-silky cream is free of dyes, fragrances, oils, preservatives, gluten and phthalates.
Pros
Broad-spectrum coverage
Works for body and face
No white cast on most skin tones
Fragrance-free
Cons
Some users don’t like the gloopy, thick texture
$30 at Amazon
La Roche-Posay
Active ingredients: Titanium dioxide, iron oxides | SPF: 50 | Mineral or chemical: Mineral | Size: 1.7 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Cruelty-free: No
This award-winning sunscreen is considered among the best in the world. The texture is lightweight, almost watery (like a thin day cream), and it soaked into my skin on contact.
Once on, the formula looked natural, with no greasy feel, no stickiness and no glossy sheen. In fact, this is my only complaint about the Anthelios face sunscreens: They’re matte, which is not always the best for mature skin. On the plus side, they’re fragrance-free, and, even when I went super close to my eyes, the cream didn’t sting.
Active ingredients: Actinica zinc oxide | SPF: 50+ | Mineral or chemical: Mineral | Size: 3.4 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes (but limited) | Cruelty-free: Yes
The name may be a mouthful, but dermatologists swear by this one. Doctors we spoke to particularly recommend it for patients who have known sun damage. Isdin’s Eryfotona Actinica is one of the best mineral sunscreens, it’s lightweight, it won’t leave your skin feeling greasy and it has UVA/UVB protection. It also has DNA-repairing enzymes and vitamin E to help fight UVA-induced skin damage.
Factors to consider when choosing a reef-safe sunscreen
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide is a common ingredient in mineral sunscreens. It’s known to help with skin irritation and improve cell turnover. Titanium dioxide is another common ingredient to look out for — it helps protect your skin from UV rays and is gentle enough for even sensitive skin types. Additionally, you’ll want to look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin or ceramides.
Mineral or chemical: This choice is highly individual and depends on your preference, but both are effective in helping protect your skin. Mineral sunscreens take a bit longer to absorb, but they’re more suitable for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin. Chemical sunscreens are more lightweight and sink in quickly; plus they’re usually more sweat resistant and water resistant.
Water resistant: In order for a sunscreen to be labeled water resistant, it must be tested to ensure that it remains effective for 40 minutes in the water, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
Cruelty free: Look for “cruelty-free” labels, read up on the brand’s mission or research the brand’s testing process. You can also review resources like People4Ocean to stay educated on cruelty-free brands. PETA has a list of brands that carry cruelty-free sunscreens.
“Reef-safe” most commonly refers to sun protection made without the two most common chemicals found in chemical sunscreens: oxybenzone and octinoxate. Studies show that these chemicals cause coral bleaching, which often results in disease and death of the reefs, which has a profoundly negative impact on marine life and ecosystems. It’s important to note that the terms “reef-safe” and “reef-friendly” are not official definitions — more research is needed on the effects of additional chemicals, preservatives and dyes found in many commercial sunscreens. For now, many scientists believe “non-nano” zinc oxide sunscreens are the safest — “non-nano” refers to larger zinc oxide particles that protect, but don’t penetrate, the skin. (In studies, zinc oxide, which is found in many mineral sunscreens, hasn’t harmed marine plants and wildlife.)
Reef-safe sunscreens can work as well as and — some experts believe — even better than those that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate. Many reef-safe sunscreens are mineral sunscreens, which means they use minerals like zinc oxide to create a physical barrier from ultraviolet rays (mineral versions are also most often the best sunscreens for sensitive skin). Unlike chemical sunscreens, these SPF products start working upon application. “Chemical sunscreens require time to bind with the skin to be the most effective,” said dermatologist and Kiehl’s skin consultant Dr. Michelle Henry, who recommends applying chemical sunscreens 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure.
According to cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban, the most important quality to look for in an effective SPF is not the type, but the coverage itself: “Not all sun protectants guard against both UVA and UVB rays, which is important. Always look for something that is broad-spectrum, meaning it covers both types of damaging rays,” she said.
Reef-safe sunscreens will provide adequate protection as long as they’re “a quality product at 30 SPF (or above), applied properly and as suggested every three hours, or every two in direct sun activities,” Shamban said.
