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Reapplying sunscreen doesn't have to be a big deal. Powder Compaction Machine
No matter if you're relaxing on the beach with your besties during the summer vacay or making snow angels on a wintertime ski trip, there's one skincare staple that must grace your face no matter where you are or what season it is: Sunscreen. You're probably all too familiar with the benefits of slathering on sunscreen to protect against harmful UV rays from the sun, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer. Still, the key to truly protecting your skin comes from reapplication. Applying sunscreen every two to three hours may not be fun when you're on the go, but that's where powder sunscreens come in. Instead of disrupting your makeup only a few hours after applying it, the best powder sunscreens provide protection from the sun and preserve your makeup, too.
Just like drugstore and other affordable lotion and spray sunscreens serve as daily moisturizers, the best powder sunscreens are multipurpose. When you're in a rush to reapply your SPF, but you're wearing a full face of makeup, grab a tinted powder sunscreen to refresh your look and make oil disappear. The best powder sunscreens even work on the scalp, too. In case you were wondering, SPF stands for sun protection factor, which measures how long the sunscreen protects your skin from the sun's rays. The higher your SPF (30+ is recommended), the longer you can vibe out without reapplying.
The convenience of powder SPF is one of the things that make them unforgettable too. Most sunscreen powders are usually broad-spectrum mineral formulas that provide a "physical barrier protecting your skin from harmful UVA and UVB sun rays," says Dr. Jaimie DeRosa, double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon and Founder of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the dynamic duo that helps mineral sunscreen powders combat exposure to harmful sun rays. Along with combating damaging sun exposure, the minerals found in powder sunscreen SPF help soak up excess oils, reducing shininess.
Dr. DeRosa suggests using powder sunscreen on the face and at the hairline to provide adequate protection as a follow-up measure to a cream or oil-basd sunscreen. While powder SPF does provide protection from UVA and UVB rays, it should be used in addition to lotions. “I recommend still using a lotion as your first application to get the adequate amount of coverage for sun protection,” Dr. Shereene Idriss, board-certified dermatologist, says. Because powder sunscreens are dusted on, Dr. Idriss adds, “you don’t know with full certainty that you’ve covered your entire face, neck, and ears.” The same goes for sunscreen sprays. However, the Idriss Dermatology founder says powder SPFs are the best bet for the scalp, especially if you’re experiencing thinning and breakage. According to the #PillowtalkDerm creator, powder sunscreens are “the most ideal type of sunscreen to use on your scalp if you’re just trying to cover up bald spots in between your hair.”
Since powder SPFs shouldn't be worn alone, licensed esthetician and PÜR Cosmetics Global Director of Education & Training Lynette Cole, recommends wearing powder sunscreen SPF as part of your "everyday makeup; then it can easily be dusted, or layered over a moisturizer or spray SPF throughout the day."
While powder sunscreen shares many similarities with liquid and spray SPFs, there are some vast differences, too. Many liquid and spray options are waterproof, making them ideal for use when doing a cannonball into your family's pool. Powder sunscreen, on the other hand, works best when used on dry skin. "Not all SPF powders are waterproof," Coles says.
It's important to pay attention to the ingredient label on your powder sunscreen, too. The active ingredients in some powder SPFs aren't reef-safe and could potentially damage the environment. According to Dr. Idriss, "chemical filters" have been connected to coral reef deterioration." To ensure that your powder SPF is on the up and up, steer clear of sunscreens with harmful substances. According to Save The Reef's Reef Safe Sunscreen Guide, powder sunscreen shouldn't include ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, parabens, triclosan, and many others.
Now that you're ready to freshen up your SPF without the risk of damaging the environment — check out the 9 best powder sunscreens that get rid of oil and simplify the SPF reapplication process.
This lightweight translucent powder provides a flawless, airbrushed finish.
Customer Review: "I love it has an SPF 30, it's fragrance-free and it contains some hydrating ingredients that won't dry out your skin. The tone was ok for me. However, I find it a little heavy on my skin, it accentuates my large pores.
Key Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide
Highly recommended by Lynnette Cole, this 4-in-1 powder is enriched with hydrating ingredients and antioxidants that sets makeup and protect the skin. Retinol, lactic acid, and ceramides work to gently promote cell turnover and a brighter, smoother skin tone and texture.
Customer Reviews: "I'm a big fan of this, more so than the liquid concealer that came with it. the powder is nice and light on my skin and helps to control shine in a way that doesn't make me overly aware or self-cautious of the makeup that I am wearing."
Key Ingredients: Retinol, Lactic Acid, Shea Butter, Vitamin E
If you're looking for an SPF powder, but don't know which shade you should rock, try out A Method Protection Powder. This lightweight powder combines the coverage of a mineral-based foundation with sunscreen, and it's available in eight different shades.
Customer Reviews: "Offers a perfect color match along with sun protection. Highly recommend, will be buying more!"
Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide
Enriched with naturally sourced sea minerals, this tropical-scented powder comes equipped with a brush, absorbs excess oil, and delivers a matte finish.
Customer Review: "I love this product I use it over sunscreen lotion once I start to get shiny."
A full-glam beat isn't the vibe every day. This lightweight powder doubles as a concealer that hides imperfections and delivers a "clean beauty," no-makeup look.
Customer Review: "This stuff is good. However, I am very fair like always the lightest shade in everything. The lightest shade in this is nowhere light enough so I have to crush up another powder that matches me and mix it up. I still use it and love it under the eyes to add a little more coverage to my concealer. If you're pretty fair, this may not match you."
Key Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Bismuth Oxychloride & Mica, Iron Oxides
This weightless powder works overtime to eliminate shine, blur pores, set makeup, and fight off sun damage. Gotta love versatility.
Customer Review: "I honestly LOVE this product. It’s not meant to be your ONLY sunscreen (I apply a thick lower layer) but it is fantastic for removing sunscreen shine and reapplying throughout the day. It is 20% zinc oxide which is a huge amount, suggesting it protects well from the sun. It’s so easy to quickly brush on too."
Key Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide
Dr. DeRosa suggests this clean beauty powder because it works double time as a SPF powder and a setting powder to combat oiliness and protect against damage.
Customer Review: "This powder is great if you have very oily skin or wear makeup and want to reapply SPF without getting that greasy slick feeling. The packaging is not the best and it’s overly complicated for no reason which is why I took a star off, but other than that it works great for my skin, no weird cast or powdery look on my dark skin."
Key Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Ceramides, Olive Glycerides
Oil breaking through makeup can be pretty frustrating. This powder gives an instant refresh while protecting skin from the sun.
Customer Review: "I love this product. It's lightweight, provides exactly the amount of coverage I like for daily makeup, it's smooth, and protects my skin. I can't live without it anymore."
Key Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide
This mineral SPF sunscreen hydrates and leaves a skin-like glow. It also comes equipped with a brush that clicks to open and close, great for preventing spills.
Customer Review: "Does a Great Job……of sprucing me up midday. I go outside for 30 min. Midday and I apply this real quick before going out, mostly for the spf aspect. It doesn’t spill out a whole bunch of powder, just enough!"
Key Ingredients: Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 14, Sunflower Oil, Rosemary Leaf, Thyme Leaf, Aloe Vera Leaf, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective broad-spectrum sunscreen, this SPF powder delivers a sun-kissed glow while protecting against UVA/UVB, pollution, blue light, and infrared radiation. Dr. Idriss recommends this powder because it's available in multiple shades, from fair to deep tones, and can be applied on the scalp and over makeup as well.
Customer Review: "I like the additional color this adds to my complexion. It gives me control over the amount I want to use. I would recommend for anyone wanting to add some glow to their complexion."
Key Ingredients: SPF 50, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide
Jasmine Washington is an Assistant Editor at Seventeen, where she covers celebrity news, beauty, lifestyle, and more. For the past decade, she has worked for media outlets, including BET, MadameNoire, VH1, and many others, where she used her voice to tell stories across various verticals. Follow her on Instagram.
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