As far as we’re concerned, lazy summer days are an enshrined right. As far as derms are concerned, however, there’s no getting lazy about SPF, especially now, when sunsets start to arrive noticeably, gloriously late.
Bearing in mind that even waning daylight can damage unprotected skin, you’ll want to build a seasonal sunscreen wardrobe that goes well beyond the heavy-duty stuff in your beach bag. Hence this rundown of notable new mineral-based finds from the clean beauty aisles: hydrating lip colors, illuminating facial serums and, yes, heavy-duty beach stuff. Pick a few, apply early and often, but otherwise, by all means: Laze away.
Odacité SPF 50 Flex-Perfecting Mineral Drops Tinted Sunscreen
Skincare and makeup in one, this new tinted version of Odacité’s already beloved Sheer Sunscreen Mineral Drops blends a hefty SPF, maximal UVA protection (PA++++), pigments that adapt to your skin’s natural shade, botanical hydrators—and a soothing cocktail of niacinamide, green tea, calendula and chamomile. The combined effect is well-protected skin that looks color-corrected, airbrushed and dewy as the day is long.
Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF30 Tinted Sunscreen
Also building on a bestseller, Tower 28’s SunnyDays collection has just expanded to include 17 shades. Particularly beloved among people with sensitive skin, the first complexion product to score the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance eschews any potential pore-clogging or irritation-causing ingredients in favor of those that calm and subtly color-correct, from mica to sage extract.
Saie Sunvisor Minis
A third expansion of a crowd favorite, this new pocket-sized travel companion lets you stash Saie’s Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Sunscreen Radiant Moisturizer into the tightest spaces. The tiny tubes pack all manner of skin-enhancing ingredients—brightening vitamin C, humectant hyaluronic acid and nourishing vitamin E, for starters—but the formula is remarkably lightweight and fast-absorbing.
Rose Inc Solar Power Luminous SPF 30 Serum
This serum is both heavy hitting and super light, thanks to ingredients such as hydrating squalane—the weightless, plant-derived answer to the lipid you likely know as squalene. Rounding out this daily dose of moisture and sun protection are line-softening knotgrass extract and brightening marine plant oils.
RMS SuperNatural Radiance Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
Another serum to look out for as of June 27th is the hotly anticipated sun care debut from clean cosmetics cult favorite RMS Beauty (the eponymous collection by the celebrity makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift). Sheer, subtly tinted and infused with soft-focus luminescence, the formula is available in three “auras”—light, medium and rich, each of which is infused with complexion-enhancing botanicals from quinoa seed extract to pea extract.
Glo Skin Beauty Oil Free SPF 40+
Of course, not everyone wants radiance or tint. If you’re looking for something that simply pampers your face while protecting it from UV rays, check out this Skin Cancer Foundation-recommended formulation that was just relaunched as a 100% mineral-based sunscreen. Spiked with the antioxidant vitamins C, E and B5, the oil-free lotion also keeps your face hydrated and soothed with hyaluronic acid and oat kernel extract.
Ursa Major Force Field SPF 30
Another great new option for anyone who’d just as soon skip tint or glimmer, this formula not only protects against UVA and UVB radiation with non-nano zinc oxide, but also takes aim at blue light with alpenrose, lingonberry stem cells and elfdoc flower. There are also plenty of straight-up feel-good ingredients, from squalane to carrot seed oil. But arguably one of the coolest distinguishing features is what’s missing: Force Field is a Certified Plastic Negative Product.
Supergoop! Lipshade 100% Mineral SPF 30 Hydrating Lipstick
A rare combo—legitimately beautiful lip color and serious sun protection—this new collection contains buildable, beachy shades that range from understated to couldn’t-miss-from-a-parasail-overhead. Whatever vibe you’re going for, your lips will feel nourished and soothed, thanks to mango, shea, and murumuru butters, among others
Stream2Sea Every Day Active Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45
A reef-safe designation is a good start—and plenty of the products here have it—but Stream2Sea claims the only sunscreens in existence (so far) to have been tested and proven safe for freshwater fish, saltwater fish and coral larvae. Stream2Sea has another curious designation: “Hawaii-safe,” meaning the brand is kosher in not only that state, but also other places that ban certain sunscreen ingredients for environmental reasons. For good measure, Stream2Sea is also partnering with Reef Renewal USA to plant 10,000 corals, with every product purchased before July 31 helping to achieve that goal. A good place to start? This sport sunscreen with a newly patent-pending technology that promises ultra-water-resistance.
Kōkua Sun Care Hawaiian Natural Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50 and 30
Perhaps the ultimate Hawaii-safe sunscreen is the formulation that’s sustainably sourced there (with macadamia, kukui and plumeria, among other skin nourishers), made with renewable energy—and packaged there with a sugar cane derivative in place of plastic. These are also perhaps the ultimate beach sunscreens, and not just because of the signature hula dancer: Water-resistant to 80 minutes, the formulas certainly qualify as heavy-duty, but feel moisturizing rather than sticky—and smell of lazy summer days.
