The Mineral Sunscreen That Never Leaves My Beach Bag

It’s officially sunscreen season y’all. Now that the weather has warmed up and we’re living in sundresses and sandals, there’s no excuse not to protect our bare skin. While Southerners know the countless benefits of SPF (It stops wrinkles! It keeps us looking like spring chickens! It prevents skin cancer!), wearing sunscreen every time we step out in the sun is easier said than done.

Even as a beauty editor, I sometimes fail to adequately protect myself, leading to a not-so-cute burn. My biggest excuse for failing to reapply SPF? The mess. If I’m enjoying myself at an outdoor BBQ or brunch, the last thing I feel like doing is getting my hands greasy. Even the spray can be annoying since I’ll accidentally spritz it onto my clothing or into my hair. So, when I heard that ColorScience had a mineral powder alternative, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.

Unlike other clunky sunscreen bottles, the Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50 is portable brush. Its slender shape fits into most purses (even clutches), making it easier than ever to touch-up on-the-go. Plus, it comes with a handy cap, so you don’t need to worry about the bristles rubbing against anything else in your bag. The brush itself is filled with SPF 50 mineral powder. Beyond shielding skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, it also has EnviroScreen technology, which creates a barrier on the skin to protect against free radical damage, pollution, infrared radiation and blue light exposure.

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The best thing about the product is how simple it is to reapply. After activating the bristles by pushing them against the back of your hand, sweep the brush in circular motions to dispense the powder. You can use it on bare skin or on top makeup. It’s finely milled consistency will never cake up either, so you can apply it throughout the day without worrying that it’ll disrupt your look.

Now I never leave the house without my Sunforgettable brush. It regularly rotates between my purse, my car and my beach bag. It’s the perfect solution to keep my complexion protected each day, and beyond my face, I use it on my chest, shoulders, and arms too.

So, as a pale Southerner talking to another: It’s worth shelling out the money for this summer skin-saver.