Frequently Asked Questions
What makes some sunscreens glowier than others?
There are a couple of factors that make sunscreens glowier than others. Lam breaks them down:
- Effect pigments: These can add shimmer or sheen to the product, or a little bit of tint or bronze, depending on what color is used.
- Particular emollients: UV filters need to be solubilized in emollients to create a functional and stable formula, and some of these emollients have high refractive indexes, which creates that “glazed” shiny appearance to the skin.
Are glowy sunscreens more moisturizing?
“Often there’s overlap, because hydrating ingredients can give skin that plump, dewy appearance. But shine is not a hydration test. A sunscreen can look luminous because of reflective pigments without being particularly rich or moisturizing. I’d judge by the ingredient list and how your skin feels several hours later. If your cheeks look radiant but feel tight, you may still need moisturizer underneath. Think of shimmer as the statement earring; hydration is the comfortable outfit doing the heavy lifting,” says Dr. Gohara.
What ingredients should someone look for in a glowy sunscreen formula?
“Look for glycerin or hyaluronic acid to draw in water, emollients such as squalane to soften the skin, and dimethicone for a silky, smooth finish. Panthenol also helps attract and retain moisture, while ceramides support the skin barrier. For an immediate light-catching effect, look for mica or synthetic fluorphlogopite, a manufactured mica-like ingredient. You don’t need every ingredient on the list: think of it as a recipe, where the right balance matters more than how many ingredients you squeeze into the bowl,” says Dr. Gohara.
Meet the experts
- Amanda Lam is a cosmetic chemist based in Los Angeles.
- Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut and a clinical professor in the Department of Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine.
- Karan Lal, DO, is a board-certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist based in Arizona.
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best sunscreens for glowing skin, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
