Your Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 Questions, Answered
Our newest innovation, the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen, goes way beyond any SPF you’ve ever tried before. Not only does it protect skin, but it also hydrates, brightens instantly and over time, and delivers a major glow. Curious about what makes it sunscreen you’ll actually want to wear™, how it works for your skin (spoiler alert: it was formulated for all skin tones and types, even sensitive), or how to use it in your routine? Read here for an introduction to the product, and keep reading and find the answer to all of your biggest questions.
The ingredients
What skincare ingredients will I find inside?
Niacinamide, the star ingredient in this formula, is a clinically effective active that helps brighten skin, visibly reduce the look of pores, and minimize the appearance of pores over time. To provide lightweight surges of hydration, you’ll find antioxidant-rich watermelon extract and hyaluronic acid. And to help soothe skin, we added aloe vera, which is rich in vitamins A, C, and E and enzymes, which help soothe and calm irritation. To protect skin, we have a blend of chemical and mineral sunscreen actives, aka the best of both worlds.
Why is there niacinamide in this formula?
We formulated our sunscreen with niacinamide to help even the skin tone, reduce inflammation, and help balance oil production in the skin! We also added hyaluronic acid and aloe to help hydrate and soothe the skin. Our SPF should be used every day, so we wanted to make sure it had skin-beneficial qualities!
What SPF filters are used in this formula?
Our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 contains Homosalate 8.5%, Octisalate 5.0%, and Octocrylene 8.5% to absorb UVB rays, and Zinc Oxide 12.1% to reflect both UVB and UVA rays and provide broad spectrum protection!
What makes this SPF formula different from others?
We formulated our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide SPF to be hydrating, glowly, and skin-friendly, so you’ll love it enough to wear it every day! It contains niacinamide, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid to help brighten, even out the skin tone, and keep the skin hydrated while protecting from the sun!
What does this SPF smell like? Is it fragrance-free?
Our SPF has a lightweight, subtle fruity scent! We achieved this with a 100% naturally derived fragrance and fragrance is less than 0.5% of the formula.
Deep Protection
How high is the SPF level of this formula?
This formula is broad spectrum SPF 50!
How was the SPF 50 level determined?
Sunscreen formulas go through two different types of testing to determine their SPF number:
- FDA is calculated through Critical Wavelength algorithms and is accepted in the US and Canada. Our formula was determined to have a SPF protection level of 59. View results here.
- ISO is calculated through MED (minimal erythema response) ratios and is accepted in the EU. Our formula was determined to have a SPF protection level of 51. View results here.
Does this SPF formula protect against both UVA and UVB?
Yes! Watermelon Glow Niacinamide SPF 50 is a broad spectrum sunscreen that contains filters to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
What is the difference between chemical and mineral SPF?
Both chemical and mineral sunscreen filters are effective for protecting the skin against sun damage, but they have some differences! The chemical filters used in our formula protect the skin against sunburn-causing UVB rays, by absorbing and diffusing the rays. Mineral filters protect the skin against both UVB and UVA rays, which contribute to signs of aging, by absorbing, scattering, and reflecting the rays. A sunscreen formula is considered “broad spectrum” protection when it contains filters that protect against both UVB and UVA rays. Our formula contains a combination of both chemical and mineral filters to create a blendable formula with no strong white cast, and to offer broad spectrum protection!
What’s the difference between waterproof and water resistant?
Technically, no sunscreen is definitively waterproof. Water resistance, however, explains how long a sunscreen can stay wet on the skin, such as while sweating or swimming! Our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide SPF 50 is water resistant for up to 80 minutes, and we recommend reapplying after this time (after you dry off!)
Is it right for my skin?
Does this SPF formula leave a white cast on darker skin tones?
Our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen was specifically formulated with all skin types and tones in mind! The lotion is not tinted, but is lightweight and blendable with its mix of chemical and mineral sunscreen filters. The balance of using both chemical and mineral filters allows the formula to provide high SPF broad-spectrum protection without leaving a strong white cast.
Will this SPF sting my eyes?
This sunscreen formula is ophthalmologist-tested to be safe for the eye area, however application to the immediate eye or eyelid should be avoided.
Does this SPF formula have a matte or dewy finish?
Our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide sunscreen leaves a natural, dewy, and non-greasy finish on the skin, which makes it a great pair to our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops!
Is this SPF formula safe for sensitive skin?
Yes! This sunscreen has been tested by dermatologists to be safe for sensitive skin. We always recommend patch testing before using new products as well.
Is this SPF formula good for oily skin?
Yes! This sunscreen has been dermatologist tested to be non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic, and contains ingredients such as niacinamide and zinc that are beneficial for oily skin types. We always recommend patch testing before using new products as well.
Is this SPF formula good for dry skin?
Yes! This sunscreen has a lightweight, creamy consistency and contains aloe vera extract and
hyaluronic acid! You can layer it on top of your favorite moisturizer for a naturally glowy finish.
Is it non-comedogenic/non-acnegenic? Is it suitable for acne prone, oily skin?
Our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen provides hydration and protection without clogging pores! We have carefully selected our ingredients, especially Niacinamide, for their benefits with oily skin. It has been tested by unbiased dermatologists and proven to be non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic.
Is this safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding?
We always recommend consulting your doctor before using new products during pregnancy and breastfeeding, just to be safe! Our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide SPF 50 does not contain retinol, BHA, or hydroquinone, which are ingredients not recommended for using during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Is this SPF formula silicone-free?
Our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide SPF contains dimethicone to help with product texture! It has been tested by dermatologists and proven to be non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic.
How to use
How do I use this product?
Let your skincare steps fully absorb before SPF application. Shake before use. Apply liberally—more than your moisturizer—on face, neck and décolletage. We recommend working in sections—blend in and pat, please don’t rub! After application, allow SPF to set before applying makeup to prevent pilling.
Reapply every two hours. If you’re reapplying or applying over facial hair: Apply little dots and pat in gently with your fingertips or a sponge.
How much sunscreen do I need to use for each application?
We recommend applying sunscreen liberally—a bit more than the amount you use for your moisturizer! Be sure to apply SPF all over the face, neck, chest and even the ears! Don’t forget to reapply every 2 hours as well.
Can this double as my moisturizer step?
While our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide SPF gives a hydrated, dewy finish, we recommend applying your favorite moisturizer first before applying SPF!
Can I use this on my whole body?
While our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide SPF was created to be used on the face, you can use it on the body too! We always recommend applying (and reapplying!) sunscreen to the body, especially if you’ll be outside and exposed to direct sunlight.
Do I need to reapply this SPF? How often?
Yes! It’s super important to reapply your SPF, especially if you’ll be outside or have prolonged exposure to sunlight. We recommend reapplying every 2 hours!
Can I use this SPF at the beach or when I’m in the sun all day?
Yes, you can! We recommend wearing sunscreen on the face and body, especially if you’ll be at the beach or outside all day. We recommend reapplying every 2 hours!
Is this a good SPF to use daily?
Yes! It’s important to apply (and reapply) sunscreen daily, even if you are not going to be outside or in direct exposure to the sun. Our sunscreen was specifically formulated to have a blendable texture, and a glowy finish without white cast, to ensure you love it enough to wear it every day!
Does this SPF formula layer well under makeup?
Yes! Our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen formula blends and absorbs quickly into the skin. We recommend letting your sunscreen fully absorb into the skin before continuing on with your makeup application. PS—Our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops act as an amazing makeup primer after SPF!
Can I apply Niacinamide Dew Drops on top of this SPF?
Yes, you can! Our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen and Niacinamide Dew Drops are an amazing pair to help your skin look hydrated and dewy! We recommend letting your sunscreen fully absorb into the skin before continuing on with your Dew Drops or makeup application.
Sustainability
Is the packaging recyclable?
We made our SPF in plastic packaging to ensure you could bring your sunscreen wherever you go for year-round, daily protection! The plastic cap and tube can be recycled through our Terracycle program, and the cartons are FSC-certified and made with recyclable materials to be recycled curbside per your local guidelines.
Was the watermelon in this formula harvested with the earth in mind?
Yes! The watermelon in this formula is processed in a way that helps conserve energy, water, and utilizes all parts of the fruit to help minimize food waste.
How to shop
You can shop currently shop Watermelon SPF at glowrecipe.com and sephora.com. You’ll find it in Sephora US stores and Sephora in Kohl’s beginning 2/25.
Sephora Canada – launching online and in stores 3/10.
Cult Beauty – 4/21/22
Sephora Middle East – launching online and in stores 6/1.
Sephora Southeast Asia – launching online and in stores in April.
Douglas Germany – launching in April