Sunscreen Type: Chemical | Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, jojoba oil, vitamin E, calendula, chamomile | Fragrance-Free: No
Best Flexible Shades: Innbeauty Project Mineral Sun Glow
Why It’s Worth It: The developers took three years to create this lightweight mineral formula with advanced PA+++ board-spectrum filters that instantly absorbs into the skin. For reference, Innbeauty Project Mineral Sun Glow comes in two shades, Fair-Medium and Medium-Deep, that sheer out to a beautiful glowy finish that leaves virtually no white cast. It protects skin from stressors like blue light and free radicals using rice extracts, vitamin C, and resveratrol while containing a peptide complex that plumps and firms skin. The deeper shade is perfect for evening out your skin tone if your face is lighter than your body.
Sunscreen Type: Mineral | Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, rice extracts, vitamin C, resveratrol | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a sunscreen glowy?
“The main ingredients that give the sparkly glow effect are silica and mica,” David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City. For added dewiness, hydrating ingredients like squalane and glycerin can help achieve that look, he notes.
How do I pick the right sunscreen?
First off, your sunscreen must have broad-spectrum protection that meets the recommended minimum rating of 30, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Luckily, protection and glow come in chemical and mineral options, as well as inclusive shades. Even mineral-based sunscreens, which often get a bad rep for leaving white and grey casts, come in innovative formulas that leave almost no trace on the skin.
How much sunscreen should I apply?
“A good sunscreen is designed so that half a teaspoon of product can be applied to the face and neck without cakiness or greasiness,” Elyse Love, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, confirms. Add an extra teaspoon for each arm or leg, front and back. Also remember: UV protection doesn’t end with the first application. “Reapply every two hours at a minimum but more often if sweating or emersed in water,” Miam-based board-certified dermatologist Roberta Del Campo, MD, previously explained.
Sunscreen best practices, of course, apply whether you’re staying indoors or venturing outside. “There is a bit of a trade-off working from home as you may now be getting more blue light exposure,” says Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “UV light, especially UVA, can travel through windows, so unless you have zero windows in your home, you are still susceptible to UV damage.” Make sure you’re adhering to the dermatologist-recommended amounts of sunscreen if you have direct sun exposure, period.
Meet the experts
- Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and founder of skin-care brand Dr. Idriss
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City
- David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City
- Roberta Del Campo, MD, a based board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, Florida
- Elyse Love, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.