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Whether it’s blazing hot or you’re bundled up in layers of sweaters and scarves, wearing sunscreen daily is a must, both for the look of your skin and its overall health. You should always 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 essential 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. 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 skip daily SPF application, and especially reapplication, 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? Another indisputable win is the convenient (not to mention tidy) tubes that make power SPF ideal for on-the-go reapplication. Ready to try one for yourself? Here, we’ve rounded up 12 of the best powdered sunscreens you should be wearing all day, every day.
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Best For All Skin Types
Mineral Sunscreen Powder 2
Best For Swimming
Organic Sun Defense Minerals SPF 30 Eminence Organic Skin Care 3
Best For Sensitive Skin
Brush-On Sun Defense SPF 30 4
Best For Smooth Skin
Sun Protection Mineral Powder SPF 30 5
Best For Blue Light Protection
Colorescience Brush-On Sunscreen 6
Best For Dry Skin
Mineral Tinted Compact SPF 50 7
Best For Problem Skin
Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Pressed Powder SPF 30 8
Best For Fine Lines
Powder-Me SPF 30 Dry Sunscreen 9
Best For Protection
Sea Set & Protect Mineral Powder Sunscreen 10
Best For All Skin Types
(Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder Sunscreen SPF 35 PA+++ 11
Best For Oily Skin
Radiant Translucent Powder SPF 20 12
Best Refillable Powder
Larkly SPF 30 Mineral Powder Sunscreen
14 FAQs
What is powder sunscreen?
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.
How much powder sunscreen should I apply?
“For both powdered and liquid sunscreens, the amount of protection, known as the sun protection factor (SPF), depends on how much product is applied,” Garshick. “In general, people do not apply a thick enough layer of the powder to offer the protection that is on the label.” This is precisely 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.
Can you use powder sunscreen on your whole body?
Because you need a thick layer of sunscreen for maximum protection, powder SPF is not the best choice for 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 include the face, neck, ears, upper chest, arms, hands, and hair part—or other small body parts.
Rebecca Dancer Rebecca has worked in print and digital media for more than seven years. Tatjana Freund Beauty Commerce Writer Tatjana Freund is a Beauty Commerce Writer, covering makeup, skincare, and haircare products and trends.
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