On the earth of seemingly infinite solar safety merchandise, powder sunscreen has gained a ton of well-earned buzz. These protecting powders are straightforward to include into your skincare routine and designed for on-the-go use. So we spoke with dermatologists to study extra about how this distinctive SPF components works and how one can discover the most suitable choice to your pores and skin sort.
What’s powder sunscreen?
“Powder sunscreen feels extra like a setting powder than the extra goopy formulations we usually affiliate with SPF,” Rachel Westbay, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York Metropolis, tells SELF. Powder SPF merchandise usually fall within the mineral sunscreen class, which implies they include zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide and sit on prime of your pores and skin to type a protecting defend in opposition to the solar’s dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays. Since mineral formulation don’t take in into the pores and skin, they’re much less prone to set off irritation, which is why many dermatologists advocate them for folks with delicate pores and skin.
What are the advantages of powder sunscreen?
Powders are light-weight and might make the pores and skin look extra matte, in order that they’re particularly helpful within the sweatier summer season months or in case your pores and skin is on the oilier facet. “Slightly than sinking into your pores and skin, they keep on prime of it with a dry texture, in order that they’re well-suited for acne-prone pores and skin,” Dr. Westbay says. They’re virtually at all times non-comedogenic (which means they’re formulated to cut back the danger of clogged pores). Plus they’re ideally suited for journey (powders are TSA accredited!) as a result of they’re moveable and largely mess-free.
Although there are pluses to powder, it’s vital to notice that dermatologists nonetheless advocate utilizing lotion and cream formulation as your major supply of solar safety. “Powders are useful for people who find themselves forgetful of their reapplication of sunscreen, however they arrive off the pores and skin extra simply in order that they’re not an excellent various to liquid sunscreen,” Naana Boakye, MD, MPH, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, tells SELF. One other draw back to powder in comparison with liquid is that it’s arduous to know for those who’re making use of an satisfactory quantity of sunscreen—another excuse why powder SPF needs to be used as a reapplication methodology, not your base layer.
Dr. Boakye additionally prefers lotion for folks with darkish pores and skin. “Since melanin-rich people are extra vulnerable to hyperpigmentation, I might advocate on the lookout for a tinted sunscreen. They include iron oxide which helps shield in opposition to seen gentle,” she says.
Tips on how to use powder sunscreen
Kara Lara, affiliate director of world advertising for the skincare model Colorescience, suggests the faucet, flick, and apply methodology when making use of powder sunscreen. “Earlier than every use, faucet the comb with the cap facet down just a few occasions, then flick the bristles along with your finger to see if the powder is flowing,” she tells SELF. “Use small round motions to comb the comb onto dry naked pores and skin, moisturized pores and skin, or over make-up. Apply generously to the face for at the least 60 seconds.”
Your earlier layer of sunscreen ought to already be absorbed and your make-up, for those who’re carrying any, needs to be set. “I like to recommend doing at the least two passes over the pores and skin for satisfactory safety,” Dr. Westbay says. And don’t overlook about your ears and neck!
The most effective powder sunscreens
To assist discover a powder sunscreen that works to your wants and pores and skin sort, we curated a listing of choices which might be really useful by dermatologists and extremely rated by customers.