The 7 Best Powder Sunscreens for People Who Hate Thick, Goopy Sunscreens

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The blazing summer months are quickly approaching, which means that it’s time to re-up your sunscreen game. Quick PSA: Even though this summer may sadly look much different than years past (AKA we’re all going to be spending much more time inside), you should still include a quality SPF in your daily skin care routine—in fact, if you ask a dermatologist, they’ll tell you that it’s the most important step.

Regardless of skin tone, sunscreen is a year-round staple because clouds and even windows don't block all UV rays. Many can still get through and damage your skin. In the short term, that can manifest as hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and even acne. In the long term, UV damage can lead to premature signs of skin aging (fine lines and wrinkles) and cause skin cancer.

Still, the temptation to occasionally skimp on daily SPF application, and especially re-application, is real, which is where powder sunscreens come in handy. Instead of slathering another layer of liquid sunscreen onto your already made-up, sweat-beaded complexion, you can simply dust on a lightweight powder dispensed out of a tube with a built-in brush. Not only will it provide a second buffer layer of protection against UV rays, but powder sunscreens can also help absorb excess oil, even out skin tone, and re-set your makeup. What’s not to love?

Here’s the fine print: Powder sunscreens rely on the mineral SPF ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (rather than chemical sunscreens), which work on the surface of the skin as a shield to block UV rays.

“For both powdered and liquid sunscreens, the amount of protection, known as the sun protection factor (SPF), depends on how much product is applied,” explains NYC-based dermatologist Marisa Garshick. “In general, people do not apply a thick enough layer of the powder to offer the protection that is on the label,” she explains. This is why powdered SPF should generally be layered on top of liquid sunscreen—on top of your makeup, even—in order to “offer a great extra layer of protection,” Garshick says.

This is also why powdered SPF does not make the best head-to-toe coverage. Instead, “it is best to use a liquid sunscreen for the whole body and reserve the powdered sunscreen options for reapplication to specific areas,” Garshick says. Specific areas such as the face, neck, ears, upper chest, arms, hands and hair part—or other small areas.

Another indisputable win are the convenient and tidy tubes that make power SPF ideal for on-the-go re-application. Ready to try one for yourself? Here, we’ve rounded up seven of the best powdered sunscreens for summer 2020.

Advertisement – Continue Reading Below 1 Organic Sun Defense Minerals SPF 30 Eminence Organic Skin Care dermstore.com $58.00 SHOP NOW

This water-resistant SPF 30 powder is formulated with vitamins A and E for double the fine line-fighting power. Equally important is what you won’t find: parabens, sulfates, gluten, and phthalates.

2 Tarteguard Mineral Powder Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 tarte sephora.com $28.00 SHOP NOW

This translucent powdered SPF works on all skin types and skin tones, sans chemicals. And, naturally, it's cruelty-free like all Tarte products. It’s formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—the two FDA-approved mineral sunscreen ingredients—which both actually “exist naturally as a powder,” Garshick explains.

3 Invincible Setting Powder SPF 45 Supergoop! sephora.com $30.00 SHOP NOW

Supergoop! is known for its innovative SPF formulations, and this popular powder is no different. The silky, fine-milled formula goes on smoothly and leaves skin with a slight matte finish. It comes in three different shades—light, medium, and deep—as well as translucent, which works on all skin tones.

For long days spent under the sun, the brand also makes Poof Mineral Part and Scalp Powder, an amazing little bottle filled with a translucent powder that is equal parts SPF and dry shampoo—because your scalp is skin, too!

4 Sunforgettable Brush-On Sunscreen SPF 30 Colorescience dermstore.com $65.00 SHOP NOW

The price tag may be steep, but this OG brush-on powder sunscreen is top-rated for a reason. It provides remarkably long-lasting SPF without any dyes, chemicals, colorants or fragrance. Keep one in your purse or your car and swipe it onto your face, neck, and chest for extra UV protection without any caking.

5 Flow-Thru Radiant Translucent Powder SPF 20 ILIA dermstore.com $34.00 SHOP NOW

If you’re new to dabbling in powder sunscreens and want to test out a translucent, fool-proof option, this swipe-on option from Ilia is for you. It provides SPF 20 coverage while simultaneously soaking up excess shine and nourishing skin, thanks to the passion fruit and rosemary oil in the formula.

6 Brush On Block Mineral Sunscreen Powder Brush On Block amazon.com $32.00 SHOP NOW

Per hundreds of raving Amazon reviews, this SPF 30 powder sunscreen is an all-around winner: The self-dispensing brush doesn’t spew out any excess and the SPF 30 formula is lightweight and all natural.

7 On-the-Go Shielding Powder SPF 30 Paula's Choice dermstore.com $29.00 SHOP NOW

This powder SPF basically combines skin care and UV protection. It’s formulated with ceramides to boost skin barrier strength and vitamin A, C and E to fend off free radicals.

Rebecca Dancer Rebecca has worked in print and digital media for more than seven years. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io This commenting section is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page. You may be able to find more information on their web site. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below Life Sucks, But At Least My Skin Looks Amazing The Do's and Don't's of At-Home Chemical Peels Advertisement – Continue Reading Below How to Safely Remove Dip Powder Nails At-Home Dermstore Is Having a Big Sale on Summer Products What Are Your Freckles Trying to Tell You? 39 Times Celebs Shocked Us With New Hair & Makeup How to Dye Your Hair at Home How to Get Salon-Worthy Bangs at Home 36 Different Ways To Wear Braids 20 Fragrances That Smell Like A Dream

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