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It doesn't take a beauty editor (or multiple) to figure out that sunscreens aren't a one-bottle-fits-all situation. There are a variety of factors that come into play when it comes to the perfect sunscreen for you, and no one knows that better than Glow Recipe's Glow Gang community, which listed "irritation, chalkiness, greasiness, breaking out, difficulty with application, and unpleasant scent" as some of the major pain points they associated with their sunscreen journeys.
With the launch of the K-beauty-inspired brand's first-ever sunscreen, Glow Recipe is bringing to its devoted following of skin-care devotees a sunscreen that hopefully checks off all of everyone's boxes. May we introduce the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50, a light-as-air, easily blendable, nongreasy, and glow-boosting hybrid SPF that suits all skin tones — all of which we Allure editors can attest to. (Stay tuned for our reviews.)
If you weren't already privy, chemical-physical sunscreens are a growing category of SPFs that incorporate the pros of both formulations to create that sun-protection sweet spot many of us crave. "Hybrid formulations tend to combine the cosmetic elegance of chemical actives and the broad-spectrum coverage of mineral actives," Wilmington, North Carolina-based, board-certified dermatologist Muneeb Shah, M.D., previously explained to Allure. "Additionally, there are formulation benefits of mixing chemical and mineral actives due to the instability of certain chemical filters when exposed to light."
Glow Recipe's foray into this innovative category of sunscreens combines three chemical filters (homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene) with a familiar mineral filter by the name of non-nano zinc oxide — providing broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection that sits both on top of the skin and deeper beyond the surface.
"Formulations that combine chemical and mineral actives can achieve a higher SPF with a more cosmetically elegant look and feel," board-certified dermatologist Kimberly Cayce, M.D. of Cayce Dermatology Center in Columbia, Missouri notes. Christine Chang, cofounder and co-CEO of Glow Recipe, tells Allure that the team tested over 50 iterations of this true "labor of love" to ensure that it would be well-received by the Glow Recipe community, who had been hoping for a game-changing sunscreen since the advent of the brand.
Staying true to the existing Watermelon Glow family, this sunscreen is chock-full of brightening and antioxidant watermelon extract, water-retaining hyaluronic acid, dullness-reversing niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3), and soothing aloe — all while boasting SPF 50-level protection. Glow Recipe customers were also adamant about a watermelon-scented SPF — which doesn't contain any synthetic fragrance or essential oils — for "the signature sensorial experience they love," as Sarah Lee, cofounder and co-CEO of Glow Recipe, puts it.
Allure Editors' Reviews
As a self-proclaimed mega-fan of Glow Recipe's PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner and Niacinamide Dew Drops, Shipin says that "this sunscreen really solidified just how amazing the entire Watermelon Glow line is for my perennially dry, dehydrated, and dull skin." She does note that the liquidy texture, even after properly shaking the bottle, can be slightly runny. However, once it's massaged in, Shipin says that "the dewy effect is so gorgeous I've just swiped on eyebrow pomade and lip balm and called it a (very) good day."
"There are only a handful of brands that grab my attention with every launch they put out, and Glow Recipe is one of them," Han says. Similar to Shipin, Han is already a frequent user and fan of the existing Watermelon Glow lineup, but she had an inkling that a sweet-scented SPF was on its way. "Peering into a laptop day in and day out (without pre-Covid distractions) has left my skin looking extra rough, so the wash of dewiness this sunscreen provides is a godsend — almost as if I squeezed in two more hours of sleep than I actually did," Han says.
While it's not as instantly cast-free as 100-percent chemical formulas (e.g. Supergoop Unseen or Glossier Invisible Shield), Han affirms that it only takes a few solid seconds for a glowy, invisible finish to take center stage.
Kinonen, who has sensitive-prone skin, attests that this lightweight SPF seamlessly blends into her complexion. "I tend to go heavy-handed with sunscreen, so I use about two squeezes from the bottle to generously apply from the top of my forehead to all the way down my neck," adding that she also squirts some onto her hands (a commonly overlooked area) for protection while walking her pup. What's more, "the formula dries down within seconds and doesn't leave a sticky residue, which isn't the vibe when picking up dog poop, you know?"
While Kinonen opts to go makeup-free most days, she notes that the silky formula "plays well under makeup for those rare moments I do bust out the foundation." In other words, say goodbye to any makeup-ruining pilling we've likely all encountered at some point or another. "Now, I just need a bigger bottle," she asserts. Same.
Buy a bottle for yourself for $34 at sephora.com starting tomorrow, February 22. Don't hesitate, because we have a feeling the first round will sell out fast — and who wants to wait for a restock?
To top it all off, we have an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT just for Allure readers — lucky you! Between February 22 and March 8 (yep, two whole weeks), take advantage of a 15-percent sitewide discount only on glowrecipe.com by slotting code ALLURE15 in at checkout. The only exclusions are sets and kits, so go wild in the name of skin care.
More of our favorite sunscreens right this way:
- The 28 Best Facial Sunscreens for a Healthy and Protected Complexion
- We Reviewed the 21 Best Sunscreens of 2021
- 13 Best Sunscreen Serums for a Glowy, Skin-Like Finish
Now, watch Peyton List's 10-minute routine for a sun-protected shimmery look:
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