If there’s one universal skincare product out there, it’s sunscreen. No one gets a get-out-of-jail-free card from sun exposure, and a good sunscreen can make all the difference between skin that’s healthy and skin that’s…not. Speaking of a good sunscreen, that’s been the issue so far; a formula that lives up to the hype has been incredibly hard to find, with past iterations looking chalky, feeling goopy, and generally not being enjoyable to use — despite providing that all-important protection.

But that’s no longer the case, as we’re finally debuting the product that’s been most requested by our Glow Gang. We’re so proud to introduce Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50, the sunscreen you’ll actually want to wear. Designed to accommodate all skin tones and concerns, deliver a lightweight, blendable feel, and offer legit skincare benefits — all while providing unmatched sun protection — it checks all the boxes for a good sunscreen, proving that the unicorn formula does, finally, exist.

Of course, you know we couldn’t make just any sunscreen (just like we couldn’t make just any moisturizer or dark spot serum). Rather than choosing between chemical and mineral sunscreen ingredients, which come with their own pros and cons, we went with a hybrid that gives you the best of both worlds. Then, we couldn’t not include some of our favorite, skin-supporting ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and aloe — which work overtime to hydrate, brighten, and soothe. They all come together in a lightweight texture that seamlessly blends into all skin without leaving behind a telltale white cast, cloying scent, or greasy residue. With that, here’s what you need to know.

What’s Inside

First and foremost, let’s talk sunscreen filters, which give the formula its SPF 50 sun protection. Rather than try to choose between chemical and mineral filters, as so many do, we’ve found that strategically pairing both chemical and mineral filters can offer not only the best defense, but the best experience, too. The chemical filters in this particular formula—  homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene — act like a sponge, absorbing the sun’s harmful rays so that they don’t reach your skin.

Mineral (or physical) filters, on the other hand, work by creating a physical barrier over skin’s surface, which can then reflect, scatter, and absorb UV light; common ones include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, although you’ll only find the former here.

We went with both filter types because they offer different advantages; chemical filters tend to blend into skin more seamlessly and are less likely to rub off, while mineral filters defend against both UVA and UVB rays, are less likely to cause irritation, and offer instant protection. By pairing the two, our hybrid formula offers broad-spectrum protection (meaning it defends against both UVA and UVB rays, which contribute to photoaging and sunburns, respectively) with the best possible user-experience — a win-win, in our books.

We also went with SPF 50. The “50” indicates how long it would take for the sun’s radiation to turn skin red when the sunscreen is used exactly as directed — versus the time it would take with no sunscreen at all. So, our sunscreen would keep skin from getting red 50 times longer than it would without sunscreen. That’s also well above the minimum SPF 30 recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology. 

And while the “true” SPF value has been called into question in recent years — with some formulas not offering the number of SPF that they say they do — ours underwent both FDA and Static ISO testing, which is the EU standard. Both determined that our sunscreen provided SPF levels of more than 50.

Those familiar with Glow Recipe won’t be surprised to know that there are heavyweight skincare ingredients in here, too. For starters, we’ve included watermelon extract, the mainstay of our Watermelon Glow line that’s packed with key amino acids and vitamins. (And it’s not just any watermelon — those in this formula are processed in a way that helps conserve energy and water, as well as utilizes all parts of the fruit to minimize food waste.) 

On top of that, we’ve added niacinamide, a.k.a. vitamin B3, a powerhouse ingredient known for its ability to soothe inflammation, support the skin barrier, and improve the appearance of dark spots. You’ll also find hyaluronic acid in here — the super-hydrating humectant we know and love — as well as aloe, which has long been known for its skin-soothing abilities.

Together with the sunscreen filters, these ingredients make for a potent brightening skincare treatment in its own right. We also tested our formula for certain skincare benefits; the results determined that it’s non-comedogenic (so won’t clog pores), non-acnegenic (so won’t cause breakouts), and both ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested for safety.

How to Use It

We might be stating the obvious here, but sunscreen should be applied every morning no matter the weather as the final step in your skincare routine. (UV light can pierce clouds, which is why it’s entirely possible to get a sunburn on overcast days.) Not only that, but you should also reapply it every two hours, especially if you’re sweating or have been swimming. Fortunately, the application itself is a cinch, thanks to the elegant, non-chalky formulation — simply use the tube’s applicator to dispense generously on fingertips and pat (don’t rub the sunscreen)  into skin, no elbow grease needed.

Since we wanted to create a sunscreen that’s actually enjoyable to use, you can trust that there won’t be any sticky, greasy, or oily residue on skin — and it’s a breeze to apply makeup over it. The blendable formula is sheer and doesn’t leave a white hue on skin, so it accommodates all skin tones. And that telltale sunscreen smell of past iterations? We don’t know her. Instead, this formula has the fresh, light scent of watermelon.

While we use glass for most of our bottles and jars, we went with plastic for this product, which allows for easier travel so you can enjoy daily protection wherever you go. Once you’ve got an empty, you can recycle the cap and tub via our TerraCycle program. As for the cartons, those are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which guarantees that the wood for the paper has been harvested from forests that are responsibly managed, and can be recycled curbside. It’s sustainability made simple.

We’re so excited to be sharing this launch with you, and can’t wait for you to try the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 for yourself. Got questions? Just leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you!

Want to learn more about the latest additions to Glow Recipe?

• Meet the New Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream
• Meet the New Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum
• Introducing the Watermelon Glow Hyaluronic Clay Pore-Tight Facial