Sunscreen that doesn't sting

Most sunscreen burns before the sun does. The chemical cocktail hits your eyes, stings your face, leaves white streaks that make you look like you're auditioning for a mime troupe. But mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide don't play games. They sit on your skin instead of soaking through it. No chemical reactions. No tears streaming down your face when you're trying to enjoy a hike up Mount Elbert.

The trick is finding one that doesn't turn you into a ghost. EltaMD UV Clear works for faces that break out. Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen handles bodies that sweat. Badger Classic Unscented if you want something that won't irritate skin that's already angry from wind and altitude. These aren't drugstore impulse buys. They cost more because they actually work.

Application matters more than brand loyalty. Most people use about half the amount they need, then wonder why they're lobster-red after a day at Red Rocks. One ounce covers your whole body. That's a shot glass worth. Reapply every two hours, not when you remember to. The American Academy of Dermatology doesn't issue guidelines for fun.

Colorado's altitude amplifies everything. UV radiation increases about 4% for every 1,000 feet above sea level. At 5,280 feet, Denver gets 20% more UV than Miami. The sun here doesn't negotiate. Your sunscreen shouldn't either.