When it comes to sunscreen, do you view it as your messy anti-aging commander in chief or do you cringe as the greasy goop trickles down your forehead? Sun protection shouldn't be sloppy. Did you know that swapping out your everyday serum for one with SPF can provide the healthy protection you need in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that's more pleasant than a heavy cream?
Sunscreen serums are multitaskers that introduce skin-care ingredients to your face while providing sun protection, explains Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. They can hydrate, brighten, and slow down aging. While a hybrid formula can cut time from a multistep skin-care routine, use one with caution. Zeichner tells us that if you apply the proper amount of any sunscreen (whether it be in the form of a serum, moisturizing cream, or sunscreen lotion), you can achieve the labeled SPF value—but it is easy to not apply enough. When in doubt, layer it.
With Zeichner's help, we broke down the following sunscreen serums' skin benefits.
SPF: 30
Supergoop City Sunscreen Serum, $42 (supergoop.com).
This milky formula disappears in seconds and contains vitamin E and vitamin B5 to brighten and calm skin.
SPF: 50
La Roche-Posay Anthelion AOX, $42.50 (amazon.com).
This hardworking serum helps you maintain your summer glow with an antioxidant complex that brightens skin and prevents UV damage.
SPF: 25
Kerstin Florian Face Serum, $60 (kerstinflorian.com).
We promise your face will love this oily formula that contains vitamin E and jojoba-seed oil to calm and hydrate tight skin.
SPF: 15
Olay Total Effects 7 in One Moisturizer + Serum Duo, $22.99 (walgreens.com).
This two-in-one formula creates a matte finish. And it has niacinamide to brighten uneven skin tones and boost collagen production.
SPF: 30
Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation Serum, $60 (amazon.com).
Thin like water, this foundation dries quickly and firms skin with peptides and an anti-aging compound.
The History of Sunscreen
