Sunscreen Solutions For Makeup Lovers — As Seen On NBC Austin’s “Studio 512”
With summer right around the corner, many of us are beginning to feel the heat — literally — as temperatures steadily rise and the sun’s intensity increases. In order to keep skin protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays, then, it’s vital that we apply sunscreen every day — even when we’re wearing makeup. That’s why, earlier this week, I stopped by NBC Austin’s “Studio 512” to chat about sunscreen solutions for makeup lovers. From lightweight foundations with SPF to translucent mineral sunscreens that can be applied over makeup, here are some products that will help you prioritize sun protection even as you show off your strobing, brow sculpting, and contouring handiwork. Make sure to check out the segment video above and to read on for more details on the products showcased therein!
Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield SPF 30, $65. Available at Sephora stores and Sephora.com
Before applying powder, liquid, or cream foundation, the last thing anyone wants to do is smear on a thick sunscreen that will make the skin feel greasy and balmy or, even worse, leave behind chalky residue or give the skin a white ghastly cast. That’s what makes the Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield SPF 30 a real game-changer — after all, this multi-tasking product offers broad spectrum SPF 30 protection from UV rays, absorbs oil to give the skin a matte finish, evens the complexion’s texture to create a smooth canvas on which to apply makeup, and it features a Soft Focus Complex that minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores and redness, while also blurring any blemishes, dark spots, wrinkles, and other imperfections.
Effaclar BB Blur with SPF 20, $29.95. Available at select ULTA stores, CVS, Walgreens, Duane Reade, and Target locations, and at LaRoche-Posay.us.
As I mentioned during the “studio 512” segment, on days when I have neither the time nor the energy to execute an elaborate makeup look, I tend to gravitate towards BB creams and CC creams that offer a moderate amount of coverage and which prioritize skin health via vitamin- and antioxidant-packed ingredients. A great option for women with oily and acne-prone skin, the La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur offers UV protection (it comes with SPF 20) while addressing the needs of women grappling with acne by concealing any blemishes, redness, and acne scars without clogging pores, exacerbating breakouts, or causing any inflammation. Moreover, the lightweight, mousse-like formula mattifies the skin instantly thanks to its Aircilium technology, combination of elastic gel polymers that create a breathable film atop the skin and absorbs up to 3 times its weight in oil. Moreover, this BB cream has blurring properties that help to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, pimples, blackheads, dark spots, and uneven patches. It’s available in two shades: Fair/Light and Light/Medium.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Daily Tone Correcting Primer , $39.99. Available at CVS, Ulta, Walgreens, and Duane Reade locations, and at LaRoche-Posay.us.
Hyperpigmentation is a common gripe for women, and UV rays tend to be the culprit behind those pesky dark spots we all want to erase from our complexions. This tone-correcting primer, then, addresses the cause of hyperpigmentation by incorporating a 100% mineral sunscreen, thereby safeguarding the skin against sun damage, while also treating existing dark spots thanks to a combination of red, yellow, and black iron oxide pigments that provide color correction benefits and give the complexion a more uniform tone. Mineral sunscreens can sometimes be too opaque and too clumpy, but this formula from La Roche-Posay goes on evenly and doesn’t feel heavy or cumbersome — the result of a unique technology designed to disperse the titanium dioxide in the formula to yield a more uniform application.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 20, $13.99. Available at drugstores.
When wearing foundation, it’s key to shop for a formula that offers broad screen UV protection. I love Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup since it offers the perfect amount of coverage and it’s infused with vitamins and antioxidants that nourish, hydrate, and soften the skin — in other words, it’s the epitome of skin-loving makeup! Over time, then, this foundation will actually improve the appearance of your complexion, yielding a more even skin tone, boosting its luminosity, and keeping it supple and smooth. Another reason to swoon over Neutrogena’s foundation: it’s available in a wealth of shades so as to fit women across all ethnicities and skin tones.
Brush On Block, $32. Available at BrushOnBlock.com
Dermatologists recommend that we reapply sunscreen every two hours, but that can seem like a daunting task when you’re wearing a full face of makeup. After all, you don’t want to apply foundation over those perfectly contoured cheekbones or that perky powder blush and ruin your handiwork! And you can’t exactly massage a coat of white sunscreen over your cream or powder foundation! Well, gals, that’s where Brush On Block comes in to save the day. This 100% mineral SPF 30 sunscreen comes in powder form and it goes on completely translucent, so that it will never interfere with your makeup look. The chemical-free formula relies on natural mineral sunscreens — mainly titanium dioxide and zinc oxide — to keep the skin protected. Best of all, it comes in a conveniently portable tube and features a brush applicator so that you can sweep the sunscreen atop your face anytime and anywhere. It’s also sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes!
Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 5o, $28. Available at Sephora stores and Sephora.com
On hot and humid days when your makeup feels like it’s going to melt right off, you can press the reset button — literally — in the form of this Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 50. This spray-on sunscreen will refresh your makeup, create a sheer shield that protects the skin from harmful UV rays, and offer the skin a little pick-me-up thanks to the rosemary and mint in the formula. The new and improved spray technology, meanwhile, dispenses a finer mist than its predecessor that allows for a quicker, finer, more even application. It’s a great way to reapply sunscreen and keep your foundation, blush, and eyeshadow from creasing, fading, flaking, or smearing.
Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother SPF 20, $6.99. Available at drugstores.
When talking about UV protection, it’s important to forget the lips, and yet the skin on our pouts is so prone to dryness, flaking, chapping, and burning — not to mention fine lines, wrinkles, and volume loss. This lovely gloss offers SPF 20 protection, keeping lips safe from the sun’s rays, and it also keeps them cool and hydrated thanks to a combination of cucumber, glycerin, and chamomile. And unlike a balm, this product will give lips a vinyl-like sheen and a veil of luminous color.
