With sunscreen formulas evolving far beyond the goopy white iterations of your childhood, it’s easier (and more enjoyable) than ever to wear SPF every single day. One such development—powder sunscreen—makes reapplying sunscreen throughout the day a nearly effortless task. Essentially setting powders infused with SPF that can be easily brushed on the skin, powder sunscreens are great at mattifying oily skin, protecting hard-to-reach spots like the scalp, or adding a bronzed glow to your face.

But, if you’re no sunscreen expert, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to trying a new formula. So, how exactly do you use powder sunscreen, and does it suffice as your first line of defense? Ahead, board-certified dermatologists Shari Marchbein, MD, Anna Guanche, MD, and Jason Emer, MD, share everything you need to know about using, applying, and re-applying SPF with powder sunscreen.

Keep reading for everything you powder sunscreen, from how best to apply and beyond.

What Is Powder Sunscreen?

Powder sunscreen is an easy-to-apply sunscreen that mimics the texture of setting powder. Most formulas come with a built-in brush for easy application. Marchbein explains, “The powders often come loose in a retractable brush or are in a compact form. They are extremely lightweight, so they’re especially good in the summer months because they can mattify the skin, are easy to use over makeup and for reapplication, and aren’t heavy like a cream or lotion.”

However, she warns, “That being said, sunscreen efficacy is as much about quantity as it is about the SPF number listed (which represents UVB blockage), and the real question is whether or not you can get enough powder SPF applied to the skin to make it an effective method of sun protection.”

Is Powder Sunscreen Effective?

The short answer is yes—but not when you use them as your primary or initial sunscreen. To effectively use powder sunscreen, it should be used as a reapplication or touch-up method every two hours after first applying a traditional, liquid sunscreen. In terms of efficacy, Marchbein notes that traditional creams and lotions tend to have the best coverage, and “a shot glass amount (one ounce) of broad-spectrum sunscreen should be applied to the body and a teaspoon amount to the face every two hours. “An initial thick layer of sunscreen can be applied under makeup and then reapplied over the top every two hours.” This, she says, is where spray and powder SPF come in—as they are ideal for reapplication, not a primary method of sun protection.

Emer agrees, saying, “In my opinion, they are less effective than a topical cream or spray because they have less ability to absorb into the skin or on the surface and create a barrier. Plus, they are often less SPF than most topical creams, which means you need to apply them more frequently to get a true ‘full’ protection.” Both experts agree that powder SPF, though effective, should not be relied upon as your primary form of sunscreen and instead be used for protective touch-ups throughout the day.

Benefits

Though powder formulas shouldn’t be used as your primary sunscreen and are for reapplication touch-ups only, powder sunscreen hosts numerous benefits, including:

• Won’t mess up your makeup: Powdered sunscreens feel more like setting powder than they do like the white goop you probably associate with SPF, which means that every two hours, you can easily reapply your sunscreen over makeup.
• Works for sensitive skin: Marchbein says ingredients (typically zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) are ideal for sensitive skin.
• Portablility: Most powder sunscreens are packaged in a tube about the size of a small bottle of hand lotion or in a compact, which means they can fit in your smallest clutch bag.
• Some may offer blue light protection. Marchbein explains that some powder sunscreen formulations contain iron oxide, “which helps with blue light protection and can even contain hyaluronic acid and other hydrating ingredients for the skin as well as antioxidants to protect against infrared damage. “

How to Use Powder Sunscreen

While it is best to follow the usage instructions on your powder sunscreen, generally, it can be applied directly from the brush or by tapping the brush to dispense the powder into your hands. Marchbein says sunscreen should be applied every two hours, especially after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.

As previously mentioned, both Marchbein and Emer stress that powder formula sunscreens should be used for touch-ups and as supplemental sunscreen, not as your one and only. This is because it’s difficult to control the coverage areas and quantity with loose powder, even if in a built-in brush form. Plus, SPF only provides adequate coverage “if a shot glass amount is applied to the body and a teaspoon amount to the face, every 2 hours,” according to Marchbein. This leaves a lot of room for user error when dealing with powders.

What to Look For in Powder Sunscreen Formulas

To select the powdered sunscreen that’s right for you, both Marchbein and Emer shared similar recommendations to look out for.

First things first, both dermatologists recommend finding a formulation that is broad-spectrum —meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays and is at least SPF 30+. If possible, Emer suggests looking for formulas containing titanium or zinc, noting that they “are chemical-free and are physically blocking and are less irritating if you have sensitive skin.” Ingredients to look out for include ceramide 3 and olive glycerides for hydration, as well as antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin C for their anti-aging properties and to help fight free radicals.

Finally, Emer says that iron oxide can be added as an additional “mineral blocking agent” compared to the traditional zinc and titanium. Marchbein adds that iron oxide offers some blue light protection as well.

As for specific product recommendations, Gauche likes Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50. “It is easy to apply and re-apply while you are out and about. It is mattifying as well, so it gives the skin an even look and reduces mid-face shine,” she says.

For those who are looking for a more budget-friendly pick, Guanche recommends ISDIN Isdinceutics Mineral Brush. “ISDIN has a combination of physical blockers that protect the skin from UV and IR radiation,” she says, “It mattifies the skin and is easy to take with you in your purse or bag.”

The Final Takeaway

Powder sunscreen is an easy-to-apply sunscreen that mimics the texture of setting powder and comes with a built-in brush for easy application. Best used for reapplication, powder sunscreen makes a great addition to your primary form of SPF as it can easily layer over makeup, is safe for sensitive skin, and can provide extra protection for hard-to-reach spots. Powder sunscreen, which needs to be reapplied every two hours at least, especially after sweating or swimming, can be applied with the built-in brush or by tapping the powder into your hands. When choosing a powder sunscreen, look for a formula that offers broad-spectrum protection and is at least SPF30+.

Marchbein adds, “Keep in mind that using a high SPF (at least 30 but ideally 50+) broad-spectrum sunscreen is only one component of safe sun practices. Wearing clothing, including sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and sun-protective clothing (labeled UPF50+) or at the very least long sleeves and pants, is also key to preventing sunburns and tans (and therefore sun damage and skin cancers).”