Glowy Sunscreen Is The One Step Skincare And Makeup Routine We All Need

Loren Cecil
·8 min read
The immense popularity of Supergoop Glow Screen is understandable. This high-quality sunscreen has a slight tint with a radiant finish that makes it a no-brainer to wear alone or under makeup. Given that every dermatologist’s number one piece of advice is to protect your skin from UV rays, it’s essential to have an SPF product that you love. There’s a certain allure to a versatile product, especially for us lazy girlies. My goal is always to look glowing and beautiful and amazing with as few steps or products as possible. If you tell me there’s something that will illuminate my face while keeping the sun damage at bay, I’m sold. And though I still have love for Supergoop, they recently changed the Glow Screen formula and came out with two different shades — one that now feels too light for me, and another that feels too dark. And so, with summer approaching, the search began to find other glowy sunscreens for a one-step skincare and makeup routine on the days when I can’t be bothered to do anything else. Or, for those of you who prefer a more full coverage look, to use as a luminous and protective base that you can build on. 

Supergoop Glow Screen

I have to give credit where credit is due, and Glow Screen deserves a spot on this list. Despite my newfound issues with the different shades, I still use the darker one at times when I have a tan or mixed with another moisturizer for a more subtle bronzed sheen. I love that it has ingredients that are good for my skin, like hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, niacinamide, and SPF 40+. It has that magical ability to make you glow without looking greasy or oily, and for that, I will be forever grateful.Promising review: “ I absolutely love this sunscreen. I’m always wary of “for everyone” tinted products because they aren’t usually made with us in mind. But this one hits the mark. It looks amazing on my brown skin. Non streaky, no white cast. It gives my skin a subtle shimmer.” —Lovely91You can buy Supergoop Glow Screen from Amazon for around $38.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen

If you’re not living under a rock, you’ve seen the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Dew Drops that every makeup gal on TikTok has been using as skincare or primer, or both. I had no idea the Watermelon Glow line also included a product with SPF. I’m excited about it. This niacinamide sunscreen has all of the hydrating, glow-boosting, tone-evening powers of the dew drops, but with the addition of SPF 50 for UV protection. It’s a sheer, blendable formula with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, aloe and watermelon extracts to improve the texture of your skin over time and provide an instant dewy finish. Promising review: “This absorbs into the skin nicely and smells wonderful. This is the first time I have tried a product from this line and I’m glad I did.” —Carrie BaileyYou can buy Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen from Amazon for around $35.

Kinship Self Reflect SPF 32 Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen

A friend gave me a sample of this Kinship moisturizing sunscreen a while back, and it took me forever to actually try it (due to my aforementioned Glow Screen obsession). When I finally did, I was kicking myself for waiting so long. Self Reflect is light and creamy with a more subtle, glowy finish than other tinted options. It definitely has a slight blurring effect, but there’s no significant coverage, which I actually prefer on days when I may be sweating at the beach or on a hike. This is a great option if you want to stick to a strictly mineral sunscreen, and I love that it’s kind to acne-prone skin, so it won’t fuel any breakouts. My only note would be that it comes out very light, almost with a pinkish hue, so it may not be suitable for darker-toned skin. Promising review: “I’m getting onto my 4th or 5th purchase now. A very good product that moisturizer and nourishes :) would absolutely recommend.” —Cindi C.You can buy Kinship Self Reflect SPF 32 Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen from Amazon for around $28.

EltaMD UV Glow

EltaMD tinted sunscreens made the rounds on TikTok over the past few years and became a fast favorite in this category. I hadn’t heard anything about the UV Glow specifically, but since other varieties have gotten such rave reviews, this was a clear contender in the glowy sunscreen category. There’s an untinted version that still promises to brighten skin and enhance luminosity, or this tinted version for the same brightening, dewy glow with a bit of coverage. They all contain transparent zinc oxide for an SPF of 36.  Promising review: “I use this every single day. I love that it has SPF in it which makes it perfect to wear while skiing or hiking. It feels super moisturizing and hasn’t irritated my sensitive skin.” —Samantha ZielinskiYou can buy EltaMD UV Glow from Amazon for around $44.

Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF 30 Moisturizer

When it comes to skincare, I trust Dermalogica. It’s always recommended to me by aestheticians and dermatologists, because it’s professional-grade and safe for sensitive skin. So yes, this illuminating SPF moisturizer is expensive, but it may just be worth it if you’re worried about sunscreens exacerbating any skin conditions. Since it’s an SPF moisturizer rather than just a sunscreen, it provides lasting hydration and cancels out another step in your skincare routine. It’s also light-activated to help boost your skin’s luminosity, and protects against pollution, UV, infrared, and blue light. Promising review: “I love this sunscreen. I tried it first as a sample and fell in love. It does NOT create or leave a white cast. It is a great moisturizer and I like how it looks like glow lotion (kinda like MAC’s strobe cream) therefore I do like how it glows under my foundation.” —xXSassyHorseXx via SephoraYou can buy Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF 30 Moisturizer from Sephora for around $69.

Rationale #3 The Tinted Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

Speaking of expensive, this glowy tinted sunscreen serum from Rationale is the biggest splurge on the list by far. However, it was recommended directly by a BuzzFeed News staffer who can vouch for how great it is. “This is what I've been using lately and it's giving me a serious glow,” she said. “Normally I hate tinted things because I don't love the foundation look, but it blends into my skin immediately and is really lightweight.” This hydrating serum has zinc for solar and environmental protection, and contains bioactive pigments to create a luminescent tint with no white cast. Promising review: “Best SPF i've ever used, doesn't leave any trace of white and the texture is very silky and smooth. It layers perfectly over my morning skincare and stays on all day - I forget I am wearing sunscreen. I've been using this daily for 9 months, it's one of my favorite products.” —Stella K via Saks Fifth AvenueYou can buy Rationale #3 The Tinted Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ from Saks Fifth Avenue for around $145.

Coola Dew Good Illuminating Probiotic Serum

I’m a huge fan of Coola SPF products, so this illuminating serum with SPF 30 has been on my summer 2023 shopping list for a while. It’s a lightweight hydrating serum that goes on sheer and promises to instantly illuminate your skin for that supple, dewy look. The probiotics help improve moisture retention and support your skin’s natural glow, while the SPF protection mitigates the effects of blue light, pollution, and other environmental stressors. Promising review: “I am a long time fan of COOLA products and this is no exception!!! This one in particular is SO beautiful and the perfect amount of ‘glow.’ Products I’ve used from other brands for a ‘glow/dewy finish’ don’t have SPF, so this is absolutely perfect. It’s great to wear alone — great with makeup  — & fantastic for mature skin. And it smells nice.” —Amazon CustomerYou can buy Coola Dew Good Illuminating Probiotic Serum from Amazon for around $48.

Tula Protect + Glow Daily Sunscreen Gel

If you like the texture of gel moisturizers, this is the perfect glowy sunscreen option. It’s non-comedogenic, packed with probiotic extracts to help even skin tone over time, and gives your skin that perfect dewy glow without a white cast or tint. SPF 30 will protect your skin from sun damage; just make sure to reapply every two hours to stay protected. Promising review: “This is the second time I've ordered this. I absolutely love it! It goes on so smoothly and makes my skin shimmer & glow. Plus a little goes a long way!” —MeganYou can buy Tula Protect + Glow Daily Sunscreen Gel from Amazon for around $38.

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops

Okay, this last one is a little different because it doesn’t actually have SPF in it. It’s not a sunscreen, but it’s the perfect mix-in if you already have a basic sunscreen that you love. You just add a few of these drops into any old sunscreen or SPF moisturizer, and you’ve got yourself a sunny, bronzy glow while still shielding yourself from harmful UV rays. The formula is full of antioxidants and peptides to promote healthy skin, and pretty much everyone on TikTok swears by it. It’s not cheap for the size of the bottle, but reviewers say that a little goes a long way. Promising review: “I had to see what all the fuss was about as it was sold out everywhere else. I am not disappointed! I mixed 2 drops with my Drunk Elephant moisturizer & WOW! Silky, glowing, even, gorgeous tint of color! The perfect addition to my no makeup days routine!” —AmandaJR via UltaYou can buy Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops from Ulta for around $38.

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