Protect your skin while still getting that effortless summer glow. If you are someone who spends a lot of time outside or in the sun, you know the importance of protecting your skin. Still, many of us find ourselves avoiding wearing sunscreen every day or only putting it on while we are at the beach. Whether that be because traditional sunscreens leave you feeling sticky or looking white, shimmer sunscreens offer a solution for these issues for everyday use.
Why Use Shimmer Sunscreen?
Protection
Just like any traditional sunscreen, shimmer sunscreens serve primarily to protect you against the strong UV rays that come from the sun. This protection can prevent sunburns, skin cancer, and premature aging, including wrinkles.
Appearance
The main difference between shimmer sunscreens and traditional sunscreens is the way it blends into your skin and the look it leaves you with. Within the past couple of years, the natural, dewy skin and glowy makeup look has become an increasingly popular trend. Following that trend, a few companies have created shimmer sunscreens that mimic the glow that other makeup products can give.
Shimmer sunscreens are a perfect product to put on your face alone or before your everyday makeup, as well as on the rest of your body. While certain brands have made this product specifically to wear on your face, others provide it in large quantities so you can use it as an alternative for lotion and give the rest of your body that glow you are looking for. Ultimately, these sunscreens won’t leave you with any pale or white residue and will enhance your everyday glow.
What to Look For with Shimmer Sunscreen
Cost
As with any other purchase, the cost of the product definitely plays a variable in whether you should purchase it or not. The average price of a traditional sunscreen can range anywhere from $5 to $30. Similarly, many of the shimmer sunscreens fall into the $10 to $40 range; however, you are getting a product that was crafted for a more specific reason. Knowing this, if you are in the market for a sunscreen that helps you achieve your glowing goals, you may be willing to spend a little extra money compared to what you would spend on a traditional sunscreen.
Brand
The second variable you may want to look into is the brand. If the brand is known for its high quality and has good reviews on its other products, it is a good indicator that you may have good luck with this new product as well. Plus, if the brand is already known for making sunscreen, you can be more certain that their shimmer sunscreen will protect you efficiently.
Quantity
Sunscreens bottles come in various sizes and can carry a wide range of fluid ounces. If you are in the market for a sunscreen to use on your whole body, make sure that you pick one that comes in a larger quantity rather than a smaller sunscreen meant to only be used on your face.
Ingredients
Lastly, take a look at the ingredients that the sunscreen contains. Everyone's skin is different and may have different reactions to different ingredients. Knowing this, be aware of what you are putting on your skin and the effects it may have. Plus, it is always important to ensure that if you are planning on wearing this sunscreen in the water, all of its ingredients are reef safe. The most common ingredients in sunscreens that are harmful to reefs are oxybenzone and octinoxate.
The Best Shimmer Sunscreen Options
Stream 2 Sea Every Day Shimmer Mineral Sunscreen
This shimmer sunscreen is mineral-based, is SPF 45, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. All of their products have been verified to be reef safe. While some of these qualities may seem more typical for any old sunscreen, this sunscreen is able to maintain these qualities while also leaving you with a "shimmery golden glow".
Bare Republic Mineral Holographic Shimmer Sunscreen
This shimmer sunscreen comes in a 3.4-ounce container and is SPF 30. Although the SPF may be a little bit lower than other options, it is still made primarily of Zinc Oxide minerals, which have proven to effectively protect your skin against the sun, and it is only $15! One thing to highlight about this product is its notable shimmer and sparkle. Since this sunscreen is meant to be holographic, the shimmer it gives off is noticeable to the eye and may not appear natural. So, if you are going for a natural look, there are other options that may be more suited towards you.
Coppertone Glow Shimmer Lotion
Coppertone’s glow line offers significant value for its price. By providing 5 fluid ounces for around $10, this is an excellent option if you are looking for the cheapest choice. Another unique characteristic of this line is that it comes in both lotion and spray form, meaning Coppertone is one of the only brands offering spray shimmer sunscreens. Despite its affordability and convenience, the product has received many positive reviews reflecting on the golden glow that it gives you.
Supergoop Glowscreen
Supergoop is a company that has been gaining significant popularity. This Glowscreen is designed to primarily be worn on your face. With that being said, it comes in a smaller container and in four different shades that also act as a skin tint. This characteristic allows for the sunscreen to perfectly blend in and give you a natural glow. While this sunscreen does come in a small container, it is on the higher end of the market when it comes to price. So, if you are looking for a face sunscreen for a natural and everyday look, the extra investment is something you should consider. However, if you are simply looking for how much product you can get for the cheapest price, consider other options.
Sun Bum Original Glow Sunscreen
The Sun Bum glow sunscreen has one tint option that provides a bronze glow to your face. This is another product marketed to give you a natural look that still boosts your appearance. This product is also made with ingredients that follow Hawaii Act 104, meaning it is reef safe and suitable for use in the water.
Shimmer Sunscreen: Protection Meets Radiance
Shimmer sunscreen perfectly combines the values of protection as well as appearance. All of the options above provide a great glow without compromising their ability to protect you against skin damage. We assess that "Coppertone - GLOW SHIMMER SPF 50 SUNSCREEN SPRAY" can provide reliable sun protection based on its ingredient list. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays, which is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings offer UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but they still damage our skin and lead to early aging.
This product contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen Filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen, meaning it uses organic UV filters. These typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. The sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), butyloctyl salicylate 5.80% - 7.00%, octisalate 4.50% (declared), homosalate 9.00% (declared), and octocrylene 9.00% (declared).
Irritation Risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not offer benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium.
Naked Sundays SPF 50 Golden Glow Glitter Sunscreen Spray
Although SPF should never be neglected from your skincare routine, now is the time to double down if you've been slacking. Plus, application is so easy. You can wear it without makeup, under makeup, or over it-which makes reapplying every two hours simple. Remember, it's also a setting spray! You'll never go back after trying the brand-new Golden Glow Glitter Sunscreen Spray.
This product delivers SPF 50 broad-spectrum coverage. It has a golden micro-shimmer for added radiance that doesn't feel like an over-the-top glitter spray. It is lightweight, hydrating, and leaves zero white cast.
What Shoppers Are Saying About the SPF 50 Golden Glow Glitter Sunscreen Spray:
- "It gives a nice, subtle glimmer that doesn't make you look like a disco ball. It is just enough. I also think this will be good for reapplications."
- "I absolutely love Naked Sundays and have used their products for a while now and for a good reason-they actually work and look amazing! I love that this is SPF 50 and I love a good shimmer spray. This doesn't clump or apply like a chunky mist. This sprays effortlessly in a fine mist and gives me a gorgeous highlight effect without being overly harsh and gives me the most gorgeous glow. Definitely a high-quality product and really works."
- "I wasn’t sure what to expect from a glitter SPF setting spray, but this product ended up being a surprisingly fun and practical addition to my routine. The concept alone is clever-combining broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection with a makeup setting mist and a subtle golden shimmer-so it serves both a functional and aesthetic purpose. The mist itself is impressively lightweight. It goes on evenly without feeling greasy or heavy, which is crucial for a product designed to be layered over makeup throughout the day. Instead of disturbing foundation or powder, it refreshes the complexion and adds a soft, luminous glow. The golden micro-shimmer is tasteful rather than overwhelming-it catches light nicely without looking glittery or overdone."
