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While plenty of trendy beauty buys have their day in the sun, SPF is a staple stars forever swear by.
After all, practically every celebrity has espoused the importance of sunscreen over the years — from Jennifer Lopez saying she uses it “every single day” to Nicole Kidman once telling Allure she even reapplies hers “every 90 minutes, every single day.”
Experts echo the significance of sun protection, including board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman, who tells Page Six Style “wearing sunscreen daily” is “crucial in order to prevent accumulated sun damage.”
Not sure where to start? We’ve broken down all the sunscreens stars have praised — plus tips on how to apply.
How to pick a sunscreen
When it comes to selecting protection, Engelman recommends sunscreen with “an SPF of at least 30” for daily use and “an SPF of 50 or higher” if you’ll be “spending more time exposed to UV rays.”
Either way, she insists on “broad spectrum” formulas to protect against both UVA and UVB rays and seeks out “skin-friendly,” non-comedogenic products with hydrating benefits and ingredients like antioxidants — plus, when it comes to environmental considerations, “formulations that are legitimately reef-safe.”
Her favorites include ISDIN’s Eryfotona Ageless Sunscreen ($66) — a pick she says “not only protects the skin from sun damage, it also helps repair existing damage and combat signs of aging” — and the Skinbetter Tone Smart Compact ($65) for a sheer tint.
How to apply sunscreens
Engelman advises applying sunscreen as the “last step” of your morning routine — either after a moisturizer or in place of it, depending on your skin type and “whether the sunscreen formula is hydrating enough.”
She recommends a “nickel-sized amount” for the face and “a quarter-sized amount” for the neck and décolletage. (Plus, “about 1 ounce of product” for the body if you’ll be exposed to the sun.)
The same advice applies even on cloudy days or when “you’re not spending a significant amount of time outside.” Engelman warns: “We are constantly exposed to UV rays and environmental aggressors in all weather conditions and seasons.”
Below, discover (and shop) nine additional sunscreen products celebrities swear by.
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum (from $40)
While stars may have access to every skincare product under the sun, Elta MD’s formulas are a repeat favorite. Kourtney Kardashian and Kylie Jenner have both praised the product — which the latter star mixes with the equally celeb-loved SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum ($182) — while Brooke Shields once told Elle she applies it “every day – even in the winter.”
Hailey Bieber, meanwhile, is a fan of the tinted version, the UV Elements Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF ($40), as she told the same outlet, “A lot of sunscreens make my skin break out, and this one has been my holy grail.”
Supergoop! and superstars just might be a match made in Hollywood. Everyone from Lady Gaga to Mindy Kaling has name-dropped the brand’s invisible broad-spectrum sunscreen, which is billed as both weightless and antioxidant-rich.
Beauty pros are equally obsessed, as celebrity facialist Lord Gavin McLeod-Valentine recommended the sunscreen to Page Six Style in 2022.
Tracee Ellis Ross’ beauty bag includes this mineral sunscreen formula. “It looks natural. Some sunscreens are not great if you’re a person of color,” she told Harper’s Bazaar in 2017.
When Martha Stewart isn’t snapping thirst traps or posing in swimsuits for Sports Illustrated, she’s taking her skincare regime seriously. The star, who counts this water-resistant formula as a favorite, previously told Page Six Style her skincare rules include “never leave the house without a good sunscreen.”
While dropping their skincare routines, stars like Pamela Anderson call out these drops. The “Baywatch” actress pulled the broad spectrum SPF 30 formula out of her purse during an “In the Bag” interview with Vogue, while Hailey Bieber once posted a photo of an empty bottle on her Instagram Stories.
Selena Gomez knows sun protection is “Good for You.” The star slathered on some of this broad spectrum formula — from a brand Kaia Gerber, and Khloé Kardashian also love — in a Vogue video showcasing her daily makeup routine.
Meghan Markle was spotted with this blue bottle in 2019 when she attended a polo match with baby Archie. It makes sense that the star would turn to Nivea for sunscreen, as she reportedly told Beauty Banter she uses its Skin Firming Hydrating Body Lotion ($9) “religiously.”
Looking for a supermodel staple? Kaia Gerber loves this formula, which offers a “universal tint” the product description claims “enhances your skin tone and boosts radiance.”
“My mom’s advice was always to take care of your skin but to not overdo it,” the star wrote of mom Cindy Crawford in a 2017 Glamour essay, adding, “I love everything by SkinCeuticals but especially their tinted sunscreen.”
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops ($150)
Dr. Barbara Sturm consistently ranks among celebrities’ favorite skincare brands, and its SPF is no exception. Emma Roberts applied some in a Vogue video showcasing her mom’s night out routine, while January Jones keeps some stocked in her bathroom cabinet.
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