Finding a perfect sunscreen is like choosing a life partner. You know you are there for a long run, so you want all the boxes checked. It should be a mineral SPF with no white cast left; all-natural but smell amazing; leave your skin glowing but be simultaneously lightweight in texture. Glow Recipe’s first sunscreen has been in the works for a while, and they seem to create the SPF of our dreams. This in-depth review explains it all.
Launched at the end of February, Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 ($34) is a part of the watermelon line. The product, marketed as “sunscreen you’ll want to wear,” appeals to many sunscreen deniers’ concerns. It’s colorful; it’s fun, it smells like summer (watermelon!), it looks like a product you’d want to keep on your vanity and photograph for Insta.
Most importantly, this Glow Recipe SPF feels more like your typical skincare product rather than sunscreen. The texture is so pleasant and unique that it doesn’t remind me of sunscreen. I’d compare this product’s texture and post-application feeling to a makeup primer. I’m currently testing Smashbox Halo Plumping Dew + Hyaluronic Acid Illuminating Moisturizer, and it gives me similar vibes.
The Ingredients: Glow Recipe Sunscreen
Glow Recipe’s new sunscreen features skin-plumping hyaluronic acid, hydration-restoring niacinamide, and skin-soothing aloe when it comes to the ingredients. In Glow Recipe’s best traditions, the formula is vegan and cruelty-free. It’s free of parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, synthetic dyes, and fragrances.
Glow Recipe’s new sunscreen features the best of both worlds: mineral and chemical SPF in terms of actives.
You know me: if there is a magic “zinc oxide” on the package, I’m already interested in testing it. It happened to be the safest sunscreen option for my sensitive skin. I’m doing fine with La Roche-Posay Toleriane UV SPF 30, which contains avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene. The new Glow Recipe SPF features the last three from the list, hoping that it won’t break me out either. Spoiler alert: it didn’t!
The Formula: Glow Recipe SPF
The new Glow Recipe launch features a sunscreen protection factor (SPF) of 50, preferred by many Style Sprinter readers. Even though there are dozens of sunscreens on the market, the ones that feature both SPF 50 and have a pleasant scent and texture are hard to find. There is always a little something that puts these products in the “maybe” pile.
With the new Glow Recipe sunscreen, I immediately knew that it’s not a “maybe” but rather a “hell, yeah” kind of product. It feels so many boxes that you can’t simply deny dealing with a great product. It gives you a dewy glow and skin protection from the sun at the same time. But there is no hint of a white cast, stickiness, or greasiness. And the scent – you know, they got me at the smell! By the way, the watermelon aroma in Glow Recipe is 100% naturally derived and constitutes less than 0.5% of the brand’s formulations.
My Review: Glow Recipe SPF for Sensitive Skin
My sensitive, acne-prone skin, which is very reactive to oils, was pleased with this new Glow Recipe sunscreen launch. No breakouts, no irritations, no itchiness, no redness. No issues applying makeup and foundations on top of this new sun-protecting lotion.
I found myself reaching for this product when I was not wearing makeup and loved the subtle dewy look. My home office is on the corner and with a lot of light, so I wear sunscreen even when home. And this SPF seems to be an excellent solution for the days when I’m not going anywhere but still want to protect my skin.
When full-face makeup is in the books, I didn’t experience any problems with layering the product either. The three liquid foundations that I’m currently using are working perfectly with the new sunscreen. I also didn’t notice any weird white cast while taking photos.
Overall, it’s the first time since Kate Sommerville Daily Deflector Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 that I was that excited about sunscreen. I hope this fun and Millennials-friendly skincare launch will motivate people to protect their skin more. SPF is the single best thing you can do for your skin. And if watermelon scent helps you to be more consistent with your sunscreen, so let’s be it.
Shop: Find Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 ($34) at Glow Recipe and Sephora.
