The top anti-aging hack out there isn’t a hack at all, it’s simply to use sunscreen. “It’s the best way to prevent wrinkles, brown spots, and, of course, skin cancer,” says Dr. Ross Levy, chief of dermatology at Northern Westchester Hospital. But slathering on the sticky, white stuff isn’t the most convenient or comfortable thing to do. Luckily, today’s tinted options offer lightweight formulas that blend in effortlessly and provide a subtle glow that can even sub in for foundation. Here, five great options.
HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36, is recommended by Dr. Jeremy A. Brauer, professor at Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and founder and director of Spectrum Skin and Laser in Purchase. The fragrance-free formula provides UVA/UVB protection through a lightweight, all-mineral formulation and a slight tint to even and brighten skin tone. $79 for 3.2 oz.
Available in 14 shades, Supergoop Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint SPF 50 Sunscreen Skin Tint with Ectoin, is a top pick for Dr. Fran E. Cook-Bolden, assistant clinical professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine. The formulation offers light, buildable coverage and works for a variety of skin types. $44 for 1.18 oz.
To ensure a flawless match for any skin tone, Dr. Angela Lamb, associate professor in the Department of Dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, suggests Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Waterproof Foundation. The formula provides 12 hours of wear and protection and comes in 31 shades. $52 for 1 oz.
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is a sheer formula with a boost of vitamin B3 to help reduce blemishes and discoloration, and it comes in two shades. It’s another top pick for Dr. Brauer and his patients. $46 for 1.7 oz.
Dr. Levy recommends CōTZ Flawless Complexion SPF 50 to his patients with confidence, because this is what he often applies to his own face. “The tint isn’t too much, even for a man. It just gives the skin a nice healthy look,” he says of the mineral-based sunscreen. The brand offers two versions, lightly tinted and richly tinted, so it can work for a variety of skin tones. It’s also easy on sensitive skin. $29.50 for 2.5 oz.
Applying a physical or mineral-based sunscreen should be the last step in your morning routine, after moisturizer. However, a chemical-based sunscreen needs time to be absorbed by the skin and should be applied first, says Dr. Brauer.
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