Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 Review (+Swatches)

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Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50

34 USD

Overall

8.0/10

Purchase

Glow Recipe’s marketing campaign for their very first sunscreen is brilliant! I was hooked as soon as I hear the words “no white cast”, all skin types and “lightweight”. Sarah Lee and Christine Chang (owners of Glow Recipe) are known for their amazing products and ingredients, so this new spf was a must-have for me and lots of beauty lovers.

But, maybe my excitement was a bit premature. Keep reading…

The Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 is described as a “lightweight daily SPF 50 provides broad spectrum protection with a blend of gentle mineral and chemical sunscreen actives to provide the best of both worlds: ultimate sun protection & blendability”. (product description from glowrecipe.com)

This lightweight cream sunscreen is formulated with both mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide) and chemical sunscreen properties (octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate) for a dewy glow.

What makes this skincare forward formula even better is that it’s dermatologist tested and safe for sensitive skin.

You can find the Glow Recipe Sunscreen SPF 50 ($34) product at:

Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 Key Features:

Formulated with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, watermelon & aloe
Hydrates, soothes, and evens skin tone and texture
No white cast, stickiness or greasiness

Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 Ingredient List:

Homosalate 8.5%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 8.5%, Zinc Oxide 12.1%, Water/Aqua/Eau, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Olivate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Xanthan Gum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyester-8, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Lactic acid, Arachidyl Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Coco-Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Citrate, Fragrance (Parfum), Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Copper Gluconate.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 Review

I heard about the new Glow Recipe sunscreen on their social media page. Glow Recipe has a reputation for releasing beautiful products, and understanding what young skincare lovers want.

The Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 matches the brand’s vibe and its product offering.

This sunscreen/SPF has appropriate broad spectrum protection (the American Academy of Dermatology recommends use of SPF 30+), gives you glow, and has a popular active ingredient.

On paper its a winner, and the actual product performs beautifully.

There is so much to love about the Watermelon Glow Sunscreen

Sunscreen products are hard to formulate, particularly in this complicated market where skincare customers want: glow but not grease, smooth but not silicone-y, and active ingredients.

Watermelon Glow somehow pulls off all these qualities.

I’m able to pair the sunscreen with my typical makeup application.

It’s glowy, but I don’t get any additional shine throughout the day. Its easy to apply and blend in as well.

If you have oily skincare concerns (I have combination-oily skin), then be sure to set your makeup with translucent powder or try using a matte primer over this new product for a smooth no makeup look.

I think dry skin types will love this new sunscreen for its glow, and the addition of niacinamide to “reduce the appearance of pores”.

Watermelon glow has a nice neutral scent and isn’t sticky at all.

If you are worried about synthetic fragrance in your skincare, Glow Recipe describes the Watermelon extract filled sunscreen as having “the minimum amount of fragrance, when needed, to create a sensorial, enjoyable skincare experience”.

Also “Fragrance is always less than 0.5% of our formulations and 100% naturally derived”.

Simply put, its a really nice product and I can see why it’s getting so much buzz on social media.

The only thing I don’t like about this Sunscreen is huge!

If you’re a person of color that has brown skin, or dark skin than you know the struggle of white-cast causing sunscreens.

Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 claims include “no white cast”.

I continue to try and make this product work without a slight white cast, but it still shows up.

The marketing pictures, and most reviews claim there is a white cast-free finish.

I’ve tried many different techniques to get the white cast to go away including: applying less product, waiting for the product to settle into the skin, adding more hydration to my skin before applying and more.

But, I never put any effort into making my other favorite sunscreens work so why would I try this hard to make Watermelon Glow work?!

Is the Watermelon Glow Sunscreen by Glow Recipe worth the money?

This is otherwise a beautiful product that works well. I will still use all of it, because I paid for it.

But, there is a slight white-cast and I don’t feel comfortable wearing this sunscreen alone.

Of course you can try the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide for yourself. Trust me, you will like it and not everyone has to worry about white cast.

Also, this is a small white cast compared to some products that are just ghostly.

I am a firm believer in finding products that work for your skin tone and type, and leaving the rest for other people.

Don’t forget, wearing sunscreen every single day will help reduce the appearance of fine lines, and appearance of dark spots (due to niacinamide).

So, whichever sunscreen you use in your morning skincare routine is fine, just use it consistently.

I still love Glow Recipe as a brand and look forward to their next release, until then I will use my other sunscreens and use this sunscreen on makeup days.