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Sunscreen has come a long way from the gloopy white paste of years past and now comes in a variety of formats, from liquid to cream, serum, and powder. Powder sunscreen, also known as “dry sunscreen,” is made from minerals such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and iron oxides, is similar in texture to setting powder, and often comes packaged with a built-in brush for easy application, says New York City–based dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD, founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan. “I love these products for touch-ups,” she says. “My patients, particularly women, complain about the inability to reapply their sunscreen without ruining their makeup. These brush-on powders obviate that frustration.”
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But as ingenious as these products are, there are some limits to their powers, and they should not be used as your primary form of sun protection, says dermatologist Karan Lal, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology in Hillsborough, New Jersey. “To provide adequate protection, sunscreen must completely cover the area you are protecting—it needs to be rubbed into skin,” Lal explains. “For this reason, it would be impossible to get the same type of coverage with a powder sunscreen as you’d get with a liquid.” But if a convenient touch-up is what you're looking for, both Lal and Henry say powders are the perfect choice. Here, the best powder sunscreens, according to dermatologists.
A refillable canister with a flow-through brush makes this product, which also comes in four shades and is a Henry favorite, a cinch to use. It offers protection via titanium dioxide and includes natural clay minerals to soothe skin and absorb excess oil throughout the day. It also provides water-resistant protection for up to 40 minutes.
This on-the-go option is formulated with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, mica, and iron oxide to provide comprehensive protection from the sun's UV rays as well as blue light from electronics and infrared radiation. It's no wonder this one is a favorite of Lal's.
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Lal likes this affordable option for its four tone-adapting shades and its sophisticated formula: Zinc oxide provides the sun protection, but ceramides and olive glycerides help seal in moisture, while coated silica diffuses light to minimize the appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines.
The drugstore favorite brand—now in a convenient powder! "This is pretty translucent, making it great for all skin tones," says Lal. "Plus, it has a vitamin C derivative, so it will provide you with some protection against skin-damaging free radicals." The zinc oxide-based formula also absorbs excess oil to provide you with a shine-free face all day long.
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5
Best Powder Sunscreen for Dark Circles
bareMinerals Well-Rested Eye Brightener Broad Spectrum SPF 20
Powder sunscreens are quasi-makeup, says dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, MD, founder of Dr. Loretta Skincare, so they provide more cosmetic coverage than a regular fluid sunscreen. "They serve a cosmetic benefit as a good coverup for dark spots, melasma, under-eye dark circles," she says. For that last one, this bareMinerals formula is a slam dunk: It instantly brightens for a wide-awake look.
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7
Best for Environmental Protection
Colorescience Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Brush-On Shield SPF 50
One of the OGs of the powder sunscreen game, this product is a classic for a reason. Henry loves it for its finely milled zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which provide a seamless sun shield. Also in there: hyaluronic acid powder to help hydrate skin and special antioxidant-, infrared-, and pollution-defense complexes so your skin gets truly comprehensive protection.
In five shade options to suit every skin tone on the spectrum, this sophisticated powder—a Henry pick—pairs zinc oxide with glycerin for skin barrier repair, lycopodium clavatum (from the clubmoss family) to improve hydration, and potassium-rich imperata cylindrica root extract to eradicate dullness.
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There are two things about Derma E's version that Lal likes: the price (a steal at under $25) and the translucency, which makes it a great option for myriad skin tones. It's also infused with skin-loving ingredients like green tea, chamomile, and vitamin E. Plus, it's 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free, recyclable, and wind energy-certified. What's not to love?
If you don't like the mattifying power of most powder sunscreens, an alternative is possible. This formula offers buildable coverage and contains light reflecting minerals to give skin a sublty luminous glow.
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If your skin is on the oily side, these convenient single-use packets provide double duty, offering broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection and nixing grease, shine, and oil, whether you're applying your makeup for the day or need a quick touch-up on the go.