This Hailey Bieber-Loved Brand Makes One of the Best Face Sunscreens

I'm ashamed to admit that back in high school (and even college) my sun-protection game was weak (read: almost nonexistent). Luckily, I've come a long way since those days of laying out in the sun sans any SPF. Now, no matter the weather or the time of year, you won't ever catch me without face sunscreen on. Over the years, I've tried my fair share of options and am delighted when I find one that I actually look forward to applying. My latest obsession? The Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40 PA++++ ($40).

Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40 PA++++

From

$40

$40 at Sephora

Though Kosas carries a variety of makeup products (many of which are loved by Hailey Bieber), DreamBeam, which launched in April 2023, was the brand's first sunscreen. It was such a hit that Kosas released a second shade, Sunlit, a year later.

It's a mineral formula with a radiant hue that helps neutralize the white cast of the zinc oxide. That said, it doesn't provide any coverage but does create a blurring, filter-like effect. The formula is hydrating, fast-absorbing, and doesn't have that greasy sunscreen-like feel some products do.

Read my full review of the Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40 below.

I've tried countless face sunscreen formulas over the years, but the ones that make it into my skin-care routine long-term have to feel good on my skin (not greasy or heavy) and layer well under makeup. We've all probably found an SPF that we love, only to find that it pills the second you try to apply concealer or foundation on top of it. Kosas is a makeup brand first and foremost, so DreamBeam needed to play well with other products.

Another thing I love about this SPF is the radiance-boosting hue, which helps to counteract the white color of the zinc oxide and makes my skin look smooth and even. The original shade has a peachy, luminous finish while the new one, Sunlit, has a golden bronze glow. Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and peptides in the formula make it feel comfortable to wear and provide my dry skin with tons of moisture.

I use Kosas's DreamBeam as the final step in my morning skin-care routine, right before makeup. After giving my moisturizer a minute or two to absorb, I blend two fingers' worth of product into my face with my hands and carry it down to my neck. Then after letting it sink in for another minute, I'm ready to put on some makeup or leave my skin as is. It doesn't matter how I apply my complexion products on top of this SPF — hands, brush, damp makeup sponge — they always layer nicely.

I find that the Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40 blends easily into my skin tone, but it's worth noting that mineral sunscreens can leave behind a white cast on melanated skin. This is something one POPSUGAR editor with a deeper complexion experienced when testing this product, so shoppers with dark skin tones should take that into consideration.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Jessica Harrington is the senior beauty editor at POPSUGAR, where she writes about hair, makeup, skin care, piercings, tattoos, and more. As a New York City-based writer and editor with a degree in journalism and over eight years of industry experience, she loves to interview industry experts, keep up with the latest trends, and test new products.