The right water resistant face sunscreen has eluded me for years, which is annoying however is smart contemplating the particular necessities concerned. Avoiding a white forged (or every other shade drama) and a super-shiny (or too-dry) end is additional essential for this explicit physique half. Facial pores and skin can be extra delicate and susceptible to breakouts and irritation. Plus, once you add the sweating (or swimming) issue to the combo, you need to fear about stuff like stinging eyes and bizarre streaks.

So after I found Clearstem’s YouAreSunshine Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+, a mineral sunscreen that checked each single considered one of my packing containers (together with ones I didn’t even know I had), I used to be thrilled—and felt prefer it was my responsibility to unfold the phrase to the lots (you).

A few my favourite issues in regards to the formulation: It doesn’t break me out (the model was really created with acne-prone folks in thoughts) and it holds up after I splash round within the lake and sweat my face off on a run (it’s water resistant for as much as 80 minutes). I additionally simply look…good after I put on it; it evens out my pores and skin tone and has a blurring impact that’s a lot appreciated after I want solar safety however nonetheless wish to really feel cute. All of those perks can be sufficient to impress me, however preserve studying to study why this unassuming little bottle isn’t simply gifted; she’s a real star.

The applying

I normally apply a lightweight moisturizer earlier than utilizing this sunscreen—although I typically skip this step (particularly in the summertime after I’m brief on time) as a result of the formulation is hydrating sufficient when my pores and skin isn’t feeling notably dry. I take advantage of a beneficiant quarter-size blob (that’s how a lot sunscreen you want to your entire face, neck, and ears, FYI) and dot it round earlier than rubbing it in. It appears kinda thick after I first pump it out, nevertheless it’s straightforward to unfold and rapidly sinks into my pores and skin.

If I’m simply going for a solo run or stroll, I normally go away it at that and head out the door. But when I’m attempting to look put-together (like for a workday or pool cling), I usually add slightly concealer and blush. These things additionally works nice as a make-up primer (zero pilling!), however I’ve been favoring a extra pure look as of late, so I’ve solely worn it below basis a handful of occasions.

The end

That is the place my new SP-BFF actually shines. Or doesn’t, really: It provides me a little bit of a “glow” nevertheless it’s under no circumstances shiny or shimmery. The model describes the end as “velvety” and I cosign on that. It additionally delivers on its “blurring” guarantees—my pores and skin tone and texture look way more even after I put on it. That’s how I first realized this SPF was particular: I walked previous the lavatory mirror a number of hours after making use of it and thought, Rattling.

An essential notice: Whereas Clearstem says this sunscreen’s delicate tint is common and inclusive of all pores and skin tones, I’m a white lady with a lightweight complexion, so simply because it’s an ideal match for my face, doesn’t imply it is going to be for everybody’s. That mentioned, I combed by way of opinions and noticed that many individuals with darker pores and skin than mine mentioned the tint labored for them too. (And you’ll at all times return it if it’s not a winner.)

The outcomes

The beauty advantages—particularly, the blurring impact and even tone—set this sunscreen aside from others I’ve tried (and as a magnificence and life-style editor, I’ve tried quite a bit). However the primary cause I put on it’s to, in fact, block UV rays, and I can attest that it protects in addition to it perfects. I’ve worn it on numerous tremendous sweaty runs and relied on it whereas swimming for hours (ensuring to reapply it each 80 minutes, per the label), and I’ve by no means seen any indicators of solar harm (like sunburn or tanning).