Learn about the three lightest, most advanced sunscreens for this summer! Featherweight, makeup bliss, or quick mattifying fix. You can’t miss this! They’ll become essentials in your skincare stash, especially if you’ve got oily or combination skin.
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Hi, welcome to my quick review of my favorite facial sunscreens this summer!
These are non-water-resistant sunscreens (so not optimal for surfing!). Yet they’re superb and can stay put for hours in the warm summer days.
They’re all melasma-friendly – I’ve got melasma and rosacea –. That means all feature high, photostable UVA protection (meaning it doesn’t fade immediately upon sunlight).
I still use the sunscreens I reviewed last summer (click here to see them – you’ll find one of my favorite water-resistant sunscreens). They’re all good!
Although I didn’t repurchase the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sunscreen anymore: that’s a good one but leaves a light whitish residue on olive skin (like mine) or deep skin tones. That’s why I don’t use it now.
The effects of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared sunlight on the skin
Let’s refresh the sunlight spectrum (see the image below) and how it affects the skin!
Ultraviolet (UV) light
UVB rays (290-320 nm) reach the epidermis and cause damage to the cellular DNA (mutations), thus can cause skin cancers over time. It’s the light that burns the skin.
The UVA light (UVA2: 320-340 nm; and UVA1: 340-400 nm) reaches the dermis (deeper in the skin) and fosters photo-aging at any age (that you’ll see as wrinkles, laxity, or dark spots in the future), melasma, and also skin cancers.
Intense or prolonged UVB and UVA light exposure also generates free radicals in the skin (that cause oxidative damage).
The good news is that we have skincare ingredients (modern and not-so-modern UV filters) that absorb/reflect those all UV rays. That drastically reduces UV damage.
Visible light
Visible light (400-700 nm) comprises blue light and produces skin hyper-pigmentation (including melasma) in light-medium and dark skin tones.
Visible light causes oxidative stress (free radicals) in the skin too. Although it’s not as damaging to the skin as UV light.
Iron oxides are the skincare ingredients that give color to tinted sunscreens, tinted moisturizers, and makeup.
Some tinted sunscreens have the right combination of iron oxides at a percentage of 3%: those provide reliable protection against visible light.
I only use tinted sunscreens for the beach/pool and water activities. Thus, as you’re about to see, none of myfavorite sunscreens for everyday use are tinted (in general, I don’t like them!). I use makeup (and it doesn’t look that good over tinted sunscreens).
Infrared light
It heats up the skin and also produces oxidative stress.
So far, there aren’t reliable skincare ingredients to block infrared rays.
Yet, skincare products with good antioxidant ingredients can help counteract free radicals generated from infrared rays.
My ride-or-die everyday sunscreens
1· Featherweight – SKIN1004 HYALU-CICA WATER-FIT SUN SERUM SPF50+ PA++++
Texture and feeling
I think this is the lightest SPF50 sunscreen I’ve ever tried. The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun and the Isntree Hyaluronic Watery Sun Gel (I still use and love the last one despite its glowy finish) are close in lightness.
It has a neutral, skin-like finish, not glowy nor too matte.
It spreads very well. Thus, you’ll apply it fast.
And it feels moisturizing upon application (although I prefer to put a moisturizer underneath – and let it absorb for a minute or two before applying the sunscreen).
It’s one of the best sunscreens for wearing your hair down. That’s one of my sunscreen pains: unless I wear a ponytail or hairband, they make my hair greasy. Fast. Does the same happen to you?
If you have oily skin like me, even this super lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen will feel heavier on the skin after a few hours – you’ll remember that you’re wearing sunscreen and not a plain moisturizer.
But still, it is an excellent, extremely wearable sunscreen for current standards.
Performance under makeup
Good, not perfect. For two reasons:
· After a while, it’ll slightly crease if you have any fine lines under the eyes (we all do!).
· It may give a slight flashback in high-resolution photographs (like those taken at a professional studio).
The first day I used it, I visited a new orthodontist. Where they took some photos. I noticed that my face looked whiter than usual. And I suspect it was the sunscreen, not the lightning – I’ll tell you why now –.
UV filters
Contains a mindful combination of advanced filters:
1- Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (Uvinul A Plus): offers photostable UVA protection.
2- Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T 150): gives photostable UVB protection.
3- Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M): provides photostable, broad spectrum (UVA + UVB) protection.
Tinosorb M is a hybrid filter. It shares some features with physical filters (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide). Thus it may yield a flashback in photos.
However, I didn’t notice any white cast while applying this sunscreen. Or when I put makeup on top of it.
4- Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone: protects against UVB and UVA1 rays.
2· Best Makeup Primer – ISDIN Fusion Water Magic SPF50 UVB UVA
Texture and feeling
Thin upon application, but not as much as the SKIN1004 Sun Serum.
However, the film it forms on the skin performs very well under makeup: zero creasing around the eyes. And still feels light for sunscreen standards.
No physical or hybrid UV filters in this sunscreen. That is perfect for any photography.
The downside is that the minimum amount on the side of your face, neck or ears will leave your hair greasy (better keep your hair away from your face and neck).
You’ll also notice a slight greasy touch: my mineral powders feature oily residues after re-touching them with my brushes while applying them over this sunscreen.
The first days I applied it right underneath my eyes and made them cry. So, now I put it not so close to the margin of the eyes (I wear sunglasses when I’m out).
And it’s fine like that (even when I sweat while dancing).
UV filters
A mix of advanced and traditional UV filters:
1- Ethylhexyl Salicylate: conventional UVB filter (that should be used with other UVB filters).
2- Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T 150): photostable UVB filter.
3- Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Tinosorb S): broad spectrum (UVB + UVA), photostable filter.
4- Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane: traditional UVA filter.
5- Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid: robust UVB filter.
Additional ingredients
It contains fragrance. It’s mild and pleasant. But something to bear in mind if you’ve got sensitive skin.
3· Best For Reapplication – Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick Mugwort + Camelia SPF50+ PA++++
Texture and feeling
I quite like this sun stick. First, it leaves a delicate matte finish on the skin. And it feels silky, pleasant, and not heavy on the skin.
It’s good to re-touch your sun protection quickly throughout the day: it’ll take away the shine and leave you looking matte and nicer. It leaves a thin film on the skin.
You can even apply it over makeup (carefully) and don’t look like a clown afterwards.
It’ll improve your shiny makeup look if you develop a good application technique: a few swift mindful swipes, and you’re done (and protected!).
The packaging is handy, a rectangular shape with rounded corners.You can pack it easily. And I enjoy the light green color of the stick (see pic below – clean and chic!).
Yet don’t expect a super moisturizing effect from this sun stick: it’s not what it was designed for!
UV filters
The BoJ Matte Sun Stick comprises a mindful filter blend:
1- Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (Uvinul A Plus): photostable UVA protection.
2- Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Tinosorb S): broad spectrum (UVB + UVA) and photostable.
3- Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T 150): photostable UVB filter.
4- Polysilicone-15: silicone-based UVB filter that helps to create a non-shiny finish.
Additional friendly ingredients I like
The silica, which contributes to the mattifying properties of the stick, is a great addition.
And I love that it contains turmeric root extract (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory).
That’s all. Comment below if you have questions!
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Take care and see you soon!
María
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