Meet my new holy-grail SPF.
By contributor Ama Kwarteng.
When you become an adult, there are certain things you can no longer ignore—401ks, taxes, and sun-proofing your skin. As we all know by now, sunscreen is non-negotiable, no matter what time of year it is. But the thing about sunscreen, especially mineral sunscreen, is that it doesn’t have the best reputation, to put it lightly. While mineral sunscreens are less likely to irritate skin, they’re notorious for having a thick texture with a chalky finish that can be difficult to slot into a daily routine. Most of the formulas I’ve tried leave behind a white cast, a greasy finish that’s an ideal environment for breakouts, or that unmistakable sunscreen aroma. And with a flooded sunscreen market, it can be draining to figure out which formula will work best for you. Thankfully for you, I’m extremely picky when it comes to sunscreen.
When you become an adult, there are certain things you can no longer ignore—401ks, taxes, and sun-proofing your skin. As we all know by now, sunscreen is non-negotiable, no matter what time of year it is. But the thing about sunscreen, especially mineral sunscreen, is that it doesn’t have the best reputation, to put it lightly. While mineral sunscreens are less likely to irritate skin, they’re notorious for having a thick texture with a chalky finish that can be difficult to slot into a daily routine. Most of the formulas I’ve tried leave behind a white cast, a greasy finish that’s an ideal environment for breakouts, or that unmistakable sunscreen aroma. And with a flooded sunscreen market, it can be draining to figure out which formula will work best for you. Thankfully for you, I’m extremely picky when it comes to sunscreen.
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I’m always looking for a formula that checks off all the boxes: doesn’t leave a weird film, doesn’t break me out, and doesn’t smell terrible. So, when a new launch drops and meets my very high standards, I have to tell literally every single person I know about it."
This is why I’m here to fill you in on my current obsession, Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40.
When I heard about this launch, I knew I needed to get my hands on this sunscreen. Along with tons of other people, I’m a huge Kosas fan because of their approach to beauty. The brand is known for making makeup with skin-enhancing ingredients so it comes as no surprise that the brand’s skincare-SPF hybrid includes an array of skin-friendly actives. Inside the formula, you’ll find allantoin to soothe irritation, peptides and ceramides to smooth and plump fine lines, and hyaluronic acid to boost moisture levels. The formula is also clean and cruelty-free (like the rest of their product line). The formula wins major points for its tendency to not rock the boat when it comes to problem skin. Whether you have sensitive skin, acne, or rosacea, chances are that this SPF will be a mainstay in your routine.
The formula is very liquidy but it goes on smoothly, covers evenly, and doesn’t feel like yet another layer of goop on your skin. After you rub it in, you’ll notice that there’s zero residue in sight and no weird purple sheen either. It also plays well with other products (I wear it with makeup — the soft matte finish is an incredible primer for foundation); I can pair it with my other skincare products without worrying about pilling. Or, you can wear the sunscreen on its own, too. My skin just looks good when I wear it, which makes me want to apply it consistently, which makes my skin look and feel better over time. It’s the beauty product version of a positive feedback loop.
The formula is very liquidy but it goes on smoothly, covers evenly, and doesn’t feel like yet another layer of goop on your skin. After you rub it in, you’ll notice that there’s zero residue in sight and no weird purple sheen either. It also plays well with other products (I wear it with makeup — the soft matte finish is an incredible primer for foundation); I can pair it with my other skincare products without worrying about pilling. Or, you can wear the sunscreen on its own, too. My skin just looks good when I wear it, which makes me want to apply it consistently, which makes my skin look and feel better over time. It’s the beauty product version of a positive feedback loop.
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