9 Powder Sunscreens That Get Rid of Oil & Simplify SPF Reapplication
- 1/10
9 Powder Sunscreens That Get Rid of Oil & Simplify SPF Reapplication
Sunscreen is one of the most important products in a healthy skincare routine, but it's low-key one of the most detailed steps. Along with your initial application, sunscreen must be reapplied every two to three hours. Finding the time to reapply sunscreen can be a hassle, especially when you're on the go or even worse when you're wearing makeup. The best powder sunscreens absorb oil and boast formulas that provide adequate protection from the sun. And if you were wondering, yes, powder SPF really does work.
Just like drugstore and other affordable lotion and spray sunscreens serve as dupes for daily moisturizers, the best powder sunscreens are multipurpose, too. When you're in a rush to reapply your SPF, but you're wearing a full face of makeup, grab a tinted powder sunscreen to refresh your look and make oil disappear.
The convenience of powder SPF is one of the things that make them unforgettable too. Most sunscreen powders are usually broad spectrum mineral formulas that provide a "physical barrier protecting your skin from harmful UVA and UVB sun rays," says Dr. Jaimie DeRosa, double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon and Founder of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the dynamic duo that helps mineral sunscreen powders combat exposure to harmful sun rays. Along with combating damaging sun exposure, the minerals found in powder sunscreen SPF help soak up excess oils, reducing shininess.
Dr. DeRosa suggests using powder sunscreen on the face and at the hairline to provide adequate protection. Powder SPF shouldn't be worn alone because it's "very hard to get adequate and complete SPF protection" due to its form. According to licensed esthetician and PÜR Cosmetics Global Director of Education & Training, Lynette Cole, powder sunscreen SPF can be "worn as your everyday makeup; then it can easily be dusted, or layered over a moisturizer or spray SPF throughout the day." SPF stands for sun protection factor, which measures how long the sunscreen protects your skin from the sun rays. The higher your SPF (30+ is recommended), the longer you can vibe out without reapplying.
While powder sunscreen shares many similarities with liquid and sprays SPFs, there are some vast differences, too. Many liquid and spray options are waterproof, making them ideal for use when doing a cannonball off the coast of whatever European island you're vacationing on this summer. Powder sunscreen, on the other hand, works best when used on dry skin. "Not all SPF powders are waterproof," Coles says.
It's important to pay attention to the ingredient label on your powder sunscreen, too. The active ingredients in some powder SPFs aren't reef-safe and could potentially damage the environment. To ensure that your powder SPF is on the up and up, steer clear of sunscreens with harmful substances. According to Save The Reef's Reef Safe Sunscreen Guide, powder sunscreen shouldn't include ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, parabens, triclosan, and many others.
Are you ready to freshen up your SPF without the risk of damaging the environment? Check out the 9 best powder sunscreens that get rid of oil and simplify the SPF reapplication process.
Our Top Picks
Retailers/Design by Yoora Kim - 2/10
Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Pressed Powder SPF
Physicians Formula
amazon.com
$6.82
This lightweight translucent powder provides a flawless, airbrushed finish.
Customer Review: "I love it has an SPF 30, it's fragrance-free and it contains some hydrating ingredients that won't dry out your skin. The tone was ok for me. However, I find it a little heavy on my skin, it accentuates my large pores.
Key Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide
Size: 0.26 ounce
Sun Protection: SPF 30
amazon.com - 3/10
4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup
PÜR
purcosmetics.com
$29.50
Highly recommended by Lynnette Cole, this 4-in-1 powder is enriched with hydrating ingredients and antioxidants that sets makeup and protect the skin. Retinol, lactic acid, and ceramides work to gently promote cell turnover and a brighter, smoother skin tone and texture.
Customer Reviews: "I'm a big fan of this, more so than the liquid concealer that came with it. the powder is nice and light on my skin and helps to control shine in a way that doesn't make me overly aware or self-cautious of the makeup that I am wearing."
Key Ingredients: Retinol, Lactic Acid, Shea Butter, Vitamin E
Size: 0.28 ounce
Sun Protection: SPF 15
purcosmetics.com - 4/10
Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Powder Brush, SPF 30
Hawaiian Tropic
amazon.com
$16.99
Enriched with naturally sourced sea minerals, this tropical-scented powder comes equipped with a brush, absorbs excess oil, and delivers a matte finish.
Customer Review: "I love this product I use it over sunscreen lotion once I start to get shiny."
Size: 0.15 ounce
Sun Protection: SPF 30
amazon.com - 5/10
bareMinerals Multi-Tasking Concealer Broad Spectrum SPF 20, Deep Bisque [7 oz (2 ml)]
bareMinerals Multi-Tasking
ulta.com
$25.00
A full-glam beat isn't the vibe every day. This lightweight powder doubles as a concealer that hides imperfections and delivers a "clean beauty," no-makeup look.
Customer Review: "This stuff is good. However, I am very fair like always the lightest shade in everything. The lightest shade in this is nowhere light enough so I have to crush up another powder that matches me and mix it up. I still use it and love it under the eyes to add a little more coverage to my concealer. If you're pretty fair, this may not match you."
Key Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Bismuth Oxychloride & Mica, Iron Oxides
Size: 0.14 ounce
Sun Protection: SPF 20
ulta.com - 6/10
Mineral Fusion Brush-On Sun Defense
Mineral Fusion
amazon.com
$21.91
This weightless powder works overtime to eliminate shine, blur pores, set makeup, and fight off sun damage. Gotta love versatility.
Customer Review: "I honestly LOVE this product. It’s not meant to be your ONLY sunscreen (I apply a thick lower layer) but it is fantastic for removing sunscreen shine and reapplying throughout the day. It is 20% zinc oxide which is a huge amount, suggesting it protects well from the sun. It’s so easy to quickly brush on too."
Key Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide
Size: 0.14 ounce
Sun Protection: SPF 30
amazon.com - 7/10
(Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder Sunscreen
Supergoop!
sephora.com
$30.00
Dr. DeRosa suggests this clean beauty powder because it works double time as a SPF powder and a setting powder to combat oiliness and aid in SPF reapplication.
Customer Review: "This powder is great if you have very oily skin or wear makeup and want to reapply SPF without getting that greasy slick feeling. The packaging is not the best and it’s overly complicated for no reason which is why I took a star off, but other than that it works great for my skin, no weird cast or powdery look on my dark skin."
Key Ingredients: Zinco Oxide, Ceramides, Olive Glycerides
Size: 0.15 ounce
Sun Protection: SPF 35
sephora.com - 8/10
High Protection Beige Tinted Compact
Eau Thermale Avène
amazon.com
$38.00
Oil breaking through makeup can be pretty frustrating. This powder helps refresh makeup while protecting skin from the sun.
Customer Review: I love this product. It's lightweight, provides exactly the amount of coverage I like for daily makeup, it's smooth, and protects my skin. I can't live without it anymore.
Key Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide
Size: 0.35 ounce
amazon.com - 9/10
Radiant Translucent Powder
iliabeauty.com
$34.00
Powders can be a bit messy. This mineral SPF sunscreen hydrates and leaves a skin-like glow. It also comes equipped with a brush that clicks to open and close, great for preventing spills.
Customer Review: "Does a Great Job……of sprucing me up midday. I go outside for 30 min. Midday and I apply this real quick before going out, mostly for the spf aspect. It doesn’t spill out a whole bunch of powder, just enough!"
Key Ingredients: Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 14, Sunflower Oil, Rosemary Leaf, Thyme Leaf, Aloe Vera Leaf, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Size: 0.07 ounce
Sun Protection: SPF 20
iliabeauty.com - 10/10
Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Brush-On Shield Bronze
Colorescience
colorescience.com
$69.00
Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective broad-spectrum sunscreen, this SPF powder delivers a sun-kissed glow while protecting against UVA/UVB, pollution, blue light, and infrared radiation.
Customer Review: "I like the additional color this adds to my complexion. It gives me control over the amount I want to use. I would recommend for anyone wanting to add some glow to their complexion."
Key Ingredients: SPF 50, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide
Size: 0.15 ounce
Sun Protection: SPF 50
colorescience.com