On this planet of seemingly countless 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 system works and methods to discover the most suitable choice to your pores and skin kind.
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 high of your pores and skin to type a protecting protect 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 more likely 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, so that they’re particularly useful within the sweatier summer season months or in case your pores and skin is on the oilier facet. “Moderately than sinking into your pores and skin, they keep on high of it with a dry texture, so that they’re well-suited for acne-prone pores and skin,” Dr. Westbay says. They’re nearly at all times non-comedogenic (that means they’re formulated to scale back the danger of clogged pores). Plus they’re superb for journey (powders are TSA authorised!) 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 main 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 so 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 onerous to know should you’re making use of an ample quantity of sunscreen—another excuse why powder SPF ought to be used as a reapplication technique, 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 searching for a tinted sunscreen. They include iron oxide which helps shield in opposition to seen gentle,” she says.
The best way to use powder sunscreen
Kara Lara, affiliate director of world advertising and marketing for the skincare model Colorescience, suggests the faucet, flick, and apply technique when making use of powder sunscreen. “Earlier than every use, faucet the comb with the cap facet down just a few instances, then flick the bristles together with your finger to see if the powder is flowing,” she tells SELF. “Use small round motions to brush the comb onto dry naked pores and skin, moisturized pores and skin, or over make-up. Apply generously to the face for a minimum of 60 seconds.”
Your earlier layer of sunscreen ought to already be absorbed and your make-up, should you’re carrying any, ought to be set. “I like to recommend doing a minimum of two passes over the pores and skin for ample safety,” Dr. Westbay says. And don’t overlook about your ears and neck!
One of the best powder sunscreens
To assist discover a powder sunscreen that works to your wants and pores and skin kind, we curated an inventory of choices which can be advisable by dermatologists and extremely rated by consumers.