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In all my years as a beauty writer, I've only hoarded one type of product: sunscreen. If my friends are in need of just about anything else, they're in luck — but, I'm a little less willing to part with my sun protection. (Sorry, but not sorry at all.) Sunscreen is a vital cornerstone of my daytime skin-care routine, so I'm pretty obsessive about trying every SPF-laced product that comes my way. My goal has always been to find the most comfortable, fast-absorbing formulas that I won't mind reapplying throughout the day. I have my favorites, but I'm not necessarily loyal to any brands — or so I thought before I tried Neogen Dermatology's new Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen.
If the name sounds familiar, it's because the Airy is a successor of the original Day-Light Protection Sunscreen, one of our favorite Korean sunscreens of all time that uses a combination of chemical and mineral UV filters (octinoxate and zinc oxide, respectively) to protect your skin. In comparison, Day-Light Protection Airy only uses chemical filters (octocrylene, homosalate, and avobenzone), making it an ultra-lightweight option that dries down to an absolutely colorless finish. While both are amazing options that are armed with broad-spectrum SPF 50, I much prefer the newer iteration — which is no surprise given my often-declared penchant for chemical sunscreens.
My skin's relationship with redness is similar to that one of a rollercoaster — lots of ups and downs. On the days (and weeks) it seems to be experiencing more redness than usual, soothing ingredients like açai, aloe, avocado, glycerin, and hibiscus reduce the appearance of said redness. Cosmetic chemist Ginger King confirms that the formula's abundant fruit extracts can help counteract any potential sensitivity you may experience with a chemical sunscreen.
I already mentioned Day-Light Protection Airy dries down invisible, but it's worth calling out again. While the formula itself is white, it immediately breaks down into a colorless serum that leaves your skin looking slightly dewy but never greasy. "Airy" really is the best way to describe the resulting sensation, and I couldn't be more in love with how seamless and nonsticky the application is. (King informs me that silica helps absorbs oil, which explains the semi-dewy, semi-matte finish.) It feels more like a lightweight lotion than it does an SPF — even with two-finger lengths' worth — and my skin looks super hydrated and healthy wearing this alone.
Because the finish is so damn lightweight, I had no issues layering on my makeup after the fact — no dreaded pilling to be found. While I wouldn't say it doubles as a primer, it definitely creates a smooth canvas to work your magic on. There is the faintest citrusy scent stemming from all of the fruit extracts (including orange and lime peel oils), but I assure you it's barely noticeable.
I honestly can't find a single fault with this SPF. So grab yourself a tube of Neogen Dermatology's Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen at amazon.com or sokoglam.com for $32 before it sells out again.
In need of more editor-approved sunscreen recs? Keep reading:
- The 24 Best Facial Sunscreens for a Healthy and Protected Complexion
- SkinCeuticals's New Sunscreen Blends Like a Dream on All Skin Tones
- The Best Brown Girl-Approved Sunscreens That Don't Leave a White Cast
- The Bask SPF 30 Lotion Is the Only Body Sunscreen I've Ever Been Excited to Reapply
Now, watch Lily Singh's 10-minute UV-protected beauty routine:
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