June 15, 2026

Sunscreen Shopping Shouldn't Be Confusing. Let's Simplify It...

in Try It Tuesday

I went down a couple sunscreen aisles while shopping recently, and ended up coming across three new ones to try. Keep in mind these are three different options: a lightweight chemical sunscreen, a 100% mineral sunscreen, and a tinted mineral sunscreen with more coverage. And honestly? It turned into a really good reminder that the "best" sunscreen isthe one you'll actually enjoy wearing.

The first product I tested was the Prequel Sun Barrier Sunscreen. One thing that stood out immediately was how much less tinted it was than I expected. If you've seen photos online, you might assume it has noticeable coverage, but in real life it’s much more subtle. Instead of acting like makeup, it gives the skin a healthy, radiant finish.

What makes this sunscreen interesting is that it contains ingredients that help calm the skin. In skincare, "calming" ingredients often help reduce the appearance of redness, which is why I frequently recommend products like this for sensitive or easily flushed skin.

This also led to a great teaching moment about the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens.

If you're looking at ingredient lists, mineral sunscreens rely primarily on zinc oxide (and sometimes titanium dioxide) to provide broad-spectrum protection. Zinc oxide covers a large range of UV rays on its own, which is why mineral formulas often have shorter active ingredient lists.

Chemical sunscreens work differently. They use multiple UV filters to achieve broad-spectrum protection, so you'll usually see several active ingredients listed. Neither approach is inherently better—it's really about finding the formula that works best for your skin type, lifestyle, and preferences.

Then I tested the Well People Day Gleamer SPF 34, which is a 100% mineral sunscreen. This one surprised me. It was lightweight, easy to spread, and didn't have much of a scent at all. Sometimes mineral sunscreens get a reputation for feeling heavy or chalky, but this formula felt comfortable and wearable.

I was especially intrigued by the subtle glow it gave the skin. Not tinted, not makeup-like—just a little extra brightness that made my skin look healthier and more awake. For a random Target find, I was genuinely impressed.

If you're someone who prefers mineral sunscreen and wants SPF 30 or higher, this could be a really solid option to explore.

Finally, I had to compare a tinted sunscreen against one of my longtime favorites. I've been an Alastin Hydratint fan for years, but I'm always open to trying products that might compete with my personal gold standard.

Enter Merit SPF 45.

This formula uses zinc oxide as its active ingredient, but unlike the others, it provides noticeable coverage. It sits somewhere between skincare and makeup, making it a great option for days when you want to even out your skin tone while still getting sun protection.

I can absolutely see why so many people love it. The coverage looked natural, the formula layered beautifully, and it felt comfortable throughout wear.

The biggest lesson from this sunscreen comparison? There isn't one perfect sunscreen for everyone.

Some days you may want something completely invisible. Some days you may want a dewy mineral formula. And some days you may want enough tint that you can skip foundation altogether.

The goal isn't finding the trendiest sunscreen—it's finding one you'll happily wear every single day. Because the sunscreen that gets used consistently will always outperform the "perfect" sunscreen sitting in a drawer.

Tags: Drugstore SPF Sunscreen

June 9, 2026

Your Body Deserves a Skincare Routine Too

Want smoother, more hydrated skin? Discover the two most important steps in a body care routine. Learn how the soak and schmear method helps lock in hydration, why body exfoliation matters, and the best order to apply your body skincare products for healthy, glowing skin.

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May 31, 2026

Urea for KP

Try It → Shop My So what is urea, exactly? Urea is a naturally occurring compound found in our skin's own moisture barrier. In skincare, it's synthesized and used as both a humectant (it draws moisture into skin) and a keratolytic (it breaks down and softens the excess keratin, causing those bumps). That dual action is what makes it so useful for KP specifically. But What is KP? If you've got little rough, goosebump-like bumps on your upper arms, thighs, or cheeks that never quite go away, you're likely dealing with keratosis pilaris. It's a super common (and completely harmless) skin condition where keratin, the protein that makes up your skin, builds up and plugs hair follicles, creating those telltale bumps. It's genetic, more common in people with dry skin or eczema, and tends to flare in winter. There's no permanent cure, but there is something that genuinely helps: urea. The concentration you use matters a lot: 5–10%Moisturizing & gentle softening — great for daily use 20–30%Stronger keratolytic — targets rougher, thicker bumps 40%+Clinical use (nails, calluses) — not for KP Note: I'd recommend verifying specific concentration guidelines with a dermatology prescriber, as recommendations can vary by product and individual skin type. How to actually use it for KP Apply to damp skin after showering (urea absorbs better when there's a little moisture to work with) Consistency is everything. Use it daily. Most people notice a real difference after 4 to 6 weeks of consistent use. Pair it with a gentle physical or chemical exfoliant a few times a week (think lactic acid or a soft body scrub), but don't layer them at the same time, as this can be irritating. If using on sun-exposed areas, follow up with SPF; exfoliating ingredients can increase UV sensitivity. Things to keep in mind Urea can cause stinging on broken, cracked, or very sensitive skin ... patch test first. Results vary between people; KP is persistent, and some cases respond better than others. If you have a skin condition like eczema, check with your dermatology prescriber before adding higher-concentration urea. The bottom line Urea is one of the most well-studied, affordable, and effective ingredients for KP, and it's underrated. It won't erase KP forever, but with consistent use, most people see noticeably smoother skin. Start with a 10–20% urea body lotion, use it every day, and give it 4–6 weeks before judging results.

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May 26, 2026

The Sunscreen Sydney Actually Wears Every Single Day

Try It → Let me just say it: finding a mineral sunscreen you genuinely want to put on your face every morning is … a lot harder than it should be. Between the white cast, the thick texture, and the greasy finish that makes your skin look like it gave up, it can feel like you're choosing between sun protection and actually liking what you see in the mirror. And that's not a choice anyone should have to make. So when I tell you the Alastin Hydratint Pro Mineral SPF 36 is my favorite sunscreen, I mean it. Not my favorite mineral sunscreen. Not my favorite tinted sunscreen. My favorite sunscreen, full stop. Here's why... It's 100% mineral, but not in a "here comes the white cast" way Mineral sunscreens work by sitting on the skin and physically deflecting UV rays with zinc oxide, rather than absorbing them as chemical filters do. That makes them a gentler, less potentially irritating option for sensitive, reactive, or redness-prone skin. The catch? A lot of mineral formulas leave you looking a little … ghostly. The Hydratint doesn't. The tint blends naturally into most skin tones, and there's no white residue. It's one of those rare products that actually delivers on that promise. It goes beyond UVA & UVB You know your standard broad-spectrum sunscreen? This goes further. The Hydratint also protects against infrared rays and blue light, the kind that comes from the sun, yes, but also from your phone, your laptop, and basically every screen you stare at for the better part of the day. It does this using phytoene and phytofluene, two antioxidants derived from microalgae, the same compounds microalgae use to protect themselves from intense sun exposure. (Science is genuinely cool sometimes.) There's also ectoin in the formula, an ingredient that specifically helps shield skin from blue light. If pigmentation or melasma is something you're managing, this matters. A lot. Heat and blue light are known to trigger and worsen brown discoloration, and most SPFs don't address them. For anyone dealing with melasma or sun-related pigmentation, this is the SPF I reach for first. It multitasks, and it does it well The Hydratint works as a sunscreen, a primer, and a lightweight alternative to foundation, all in one step. The tint evens things out, gives skin a soft glow, and adds just enough coverage to feel polished without feeling like you're actually wearing makeup. For normal-to-oily skin, you can skip moisturizer entirely and go straight to this. For drier skin or those of us noticing our skin getting thirstier as we age, the hydrating texture is a genuine asset, not just a marketing claim. And if the tint runs a touch dark for your skin tone? You can lighten it by mixing in a pump of another product, a moisturizer, a serum, whatever's already in your routine. It plays well with others.

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