More often than not, applying sunscreen (and reapplying it every two hours) can feel like a chore, the kind of boring task that you might be tempted to skip now and then. Blame it on the culture of instant gratification: It can take years to see the full payoff of sun protection, which is key to defending skin against signs of aging, sunburns, and most important, skin cancer.
That said, the newest batch of sunscreens does more than provide broad-spectrum SPF. These days, you can find sunscreen filters in formulas that are disguised as serums, formulated with makeup in mind, or packed with so many other active ingredients that they rival an antioxidant serum. Here’s what’s worth stocking up on right now.
Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50+ Facial Sunscreen ($42)
With the lightweight feel of a serum and the high SPF rating of a standard sunscreen, this formula bucks expectations. It pairs chemical filters with a collagen peptide, which works to address existing signs of sun damage like uneven skin tone and lax texture. Although the liquid is white, it appears transparent on skin, so it won’t leave a white cast on deep skin tones.
Kate Somerville Hydrakate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops ($46)
This powerful formula goes above and beyond the average concentration of zinc oxide, with 24.5% non-nano zinc oxide (the max concentration is 25%, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration). Along with offering peak protection, the formula also shields skin from pollution-related damage with ectoin, which hydrates skin and supports the skin barrier. It also contains sheer, mineral-derived pigments, for a built-in blurring effect; these give skin a soft-focus look while nixing any telltale white cast.
Kopari Beauty Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist ($39)
With SPF 42, this superfine body spray delivers sun protection alongside a subtle, rose-gold sheen. It doesn’t use an aerosol but rather a pump to evenly distribute the lightweight, nonsticky formula all over the skin. Plus it moisturizes skin with a blend of vitamin E and hyaluronic acid while actively brightening with vitamin C.
Innbeauty Project Mineral Sun Glow SPF 43 PA+++ ($35)
This formula has it all: It offers mineral sun protection alongside an antioxidant complex inclusive of vitamin C, a peptide complex to actively address wrinkles, and a hydrating complex to keep skin comfortable all day. It also comes in two sheer tints that suit a surprisingly wide range of skin tones. Notably, it’s also rated PA+++, a measure used in South Korea to indicate the level of protection against UVA rays; these rays are responsible for signs of aging, such as dark spots and wrinkles. (SPF, meanwhile, measures only protection against UVB rays, which contribute to sunburns and skin cancer.)
Kosas DreamBeam Sunlit SPF 40 PA++++ ($40)
This riff on Kosas’s original DreamBeam sunscreen has makeup prep in mind. It’s the same formula but with a warm, gold-tinted hue that gives skin a sun-kissed look; you can wear it alone, for sheer coverage, or layer it beneath foundation. It also uses the PA rating system, offering the max amount of UVA protection available, and fortifies the skin barrier with a blend of ceramides and peptides.
La Roche-Posay MelaB3 UV SPF 30 ($27)
La Roche-Posay is known for its innovative lineup of sunscreen offerings, and this formula is no different. The moisturizing SPF pairs 5% niacinamide with Melasyl, an exclusive, patented molecule that actively targets the most persistent dark spots while evening out skin tone on a broader scale.
Face by Vacation Shake Shake SPF 50 Mineral Milk Face Sunscreen ($29)
What’s groundbreaking in this formula isn’t the mineral filter—zinc oxide—but rather the form it takes. The proprietary, water-based ZincWater allows it to smooth onto skin without requiring extra blending or imparting a ghostly residue. And the formula also includes a lineup of ceramides, peptides, squalane, and hyaluronic acid to deliver impressive moisture and firming benefits while it works.
Herbivore Star Seed 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 ($38)
Forget what you think you know about mineral sunscreen: this cream has an airy, whipped texture that glides onto skin in seconds. Its ingredients list also reads like a who’s who of skin care, with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate—considered the most stable form of vitamin C out there—as well as a vitamin D analog, glycerin, and chia seed oil to nourish the skin barrier.
Coola Refreshing Water Plumping Gel Serum SPF 30 ($34)
Think of this formula as a hyaluronic acid serum with sun protection as an added (but meaningful) bonus. Not surprisingly, there’s actual hyaluronic acid in the serum-like formula along with aloe and coconut water, to increase skin’s ability to retain water and immediately smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. It also has an SPF of 30, courtesy of chemical filters, as well as a light, beachy scent although it’s free of synthetic fragrances.
