Plot Twist: My Dewiest Summer Skin Came Courtesy of This Unexpected Product
I always expect that a good serum or even a toner can meet my expectations in the brightening department. But there's something else we need to talk about. Sunscreen has sneakily become the go-to product for an incredible summer glow. Over the years, we've seen a surge in popularity when it comes to Korean sunscreens and dewy formulas here in the U.S. Some of them are so hydrating that they can even double as a moisturizer.
If you have oilier or acne-prone skin like I do, then you know this is great news. Keeping your routine streamlined and minimal is the name of the game when you have problem skin. As a beauty editor, many formulas come across my desk at the start of peak sunscreen season, but it's rare I find so many formulas in a single season that I truly love and would use daily. Ahead, I'm sharing the sunscreens that provide the dewiest, megawatt glow that never clog my pores. A few are newer formulas that I've discovered recently and some are old favorites. For all the best dewy sunscreens, keep scrolling.
This new Marie Veronique sunscreen really look me by surprise. I'm always a little worried if there are extracts and oils in a formula because my skin is extremely sensitive, reactive, and breaks out easily, but this formula is perfect. It is on the thicker side, but it absorbs so beautifully and I love that it's a mineral-only formula that's not tinted. Tinted formulas tend to rub off on my clothes and stain them, but this one is incredible. It leaves no white cast and keeps my skin so hydrated. It does have a bit of an herbal fragrance to it, but I love it and it goes away after a few minutes.
The Korean formulation of this product is absolutely superior. Many Korean brands have been reformulating their OG formulas for the U.S. market to meet FDA regulations, but IMO, they aren't the same after that. This is something to look out for if you also love Korean sunscreens and want to buy the original formula. This Beauty of Joseon one leaves a subtle dewy finish and has the hydration power of a daily moisturizer. It's one of my favorite formulas on the market.
This new offering from viral Korean brand Numbuzin isn't playing around—it offers a seriously next-level glow. It's also formulated with one of my favorite up-and-coming anti-aging ingredients, NAD+. It helps to boost cellular turnover in the skin, stimulates collagen production, and supports skin repair. Additionally, it contains five different peptides—it's basically a serum and sunscreen in one!
I'm a big fan of Dr. Idriss's Major Fade line, and this new, dewy sunscreen addition to the family is so good. It is a chemical sunscreen, which is something to note for anyone who prefers a mineral formula, but I love how hydrating it is—it's truly just like a second moisturizer that adds the perfect amount of dewiness to the skin without making you look greasy. It's also great for anyone who deals with hyperpigmentation, as it contains hexylresorcinol to help even your skin tone and approve the appearance of any dark spots.
I love Isdin's Eryfotona Mineral Sunscreen, and Fusion Water Magic is arguably even better. I love that it leaves a subtle glass-skin finish, and the hydration it offers lasts so long throughout the day. Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and Mediterranean algae also protect the skin from environmental damage. The "water" title is also extremely fitting. This is one of the most lightweight formulas I've ever tried, which is appreciated when you have sensitive, acne-prone skin.
It's so hard to find a good sunscreen spray option to use after I've applied makeup, but this one is perfect. It doesn't contain fragrance (thankfully) and doesn't dry out my skin. Sometimes, I use it as a setting spray too, and it works great to give a soft, subtle glowy finish.
Then I Met You is such an underrated brand. The brand's viral cleansing balm is a standout product, but we can't forget about this sunscreen that doubles as a soothing moisturizer. It's great for Black and Brown skin tones because it's white cast free, blending so seamlessly into the skin. Galactomyces ferment filtrate in the formula also visibly brightens skin and even helps control excess oil, making it a great option for acne-prone folks. It also instantly plumps and hydrates the skin. It's a formula I find myself reaching for so often, and I even keep it in my purse sometimes because I know it's an easy formula I can apply quickly without needing to rub it in a ton.
Saie products never disappoint. The brand's foundation is my go-to everyday formula, and this tinted moisturizer with SPF provides the most radiant finish with ingredients like encapsulated vitamin C and golden pearl. I like to combine it with the brand's Glowy Super Gel for an extra glow boost and then go in with my foundation.
The Inkey List's affordable formulas don't skimp on quality, and this formula is great for anyone who loves a super-subtle dewy finish. Instead of hyaluronic acid, this product utilizes polyglutamic acid, a next-generation hydrator that locks in moisture and instantly hydrates the skin's surface. It's also great for barrier-damaged, dehydrated skin like mine.
This is another Korean formula that my fellow beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock and I both love. It contains eight types of hyaluronic acid and astaxanthin to significantly improve hydration levels and skin elasticity. Ceramides also fortify the skin barrier and Cenetella asiatica extract soothes redness and any active breakouts if you have them.
This formula never breaks me out. In fact, it only calms any red, inflamed breakouts that I have and never leaves a greasy finish or white cast. The eight weights of hyaluronic acid just add the perfect dewy, *chef's kiss* finish.
Shawna Hudson is a beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer with over 10 years of experience. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in journalism and has written for other publications such as Bustle, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Elite Daily, and more. She is currently a beauty writer atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing and hopes to continue feeding her (completely out-of-control) beauty obsession as long as she can. Stay up to date on her latest finds on Instagram @shawnasimonee.
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