If you prefer a physical/mineral sunscreen versus a chemical formulation, this option is a winner. Zinc oxide shields the skin from the sun while botanical oils — including red raspberry seed, avocado, carrot seed, and jasmine — seriously nourish and hydrate. It also contains hydrating shea butter, skin plumping hyaluronic acid, and a potent antioxidant blend of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid.
Minimalists will appreciate Supergoop's popular moisturizer, which acts as both your morning SPF and hydrator. This lightweight, bouncy formula glides on seamlessly, soaks up quickly, protects and nourishes with blue-green algae, and boasts an SPF of 40. It also protects from blue light damage (as in damage from digital screens and overhead lights) with cerium, a rare mineral element.
The CeraVe brand is a dermatologist favorite not just because it's accessible and affordable, but also because of the all-star formulations. This longtime favorite is a great example: It's formulated with skin-bolstering niacinamide, moisture-retaining ceramides, and plumping hyaluronic acid. Because it's oil-free, it sits lightly on the skin and adequately hydrates without overwhelming normal, combo, or oily skin types.
Those who prefer a little tint with their SPF ought to give this CoTZ product a try. It's a mineral/physical sunscreen that's formulated with zinc oxide, along with ceramides to help reinforce the skin's natural lipid barrier. The tint provides light coverage, which you can either leave as-is or use as a base for your preferred foundation. It's oil-free, so it feels light while still hydrating and nourishing your skin.
We've got one more K-Beauty sunscreen for you, this one from TonyMoly. Like many SPFs from Korea, it features an extremely lightweight (truly "watery," as its name suggests) formulation that applies cleanly and without any white residue. It also leaves skin soft and hydrated; in a matter of seconds your skin drinks it up, making it seem as if you haven't applied SPF at all.
