Wander Beauty's New SPF Leaves My Skin Glowy and Hydrated

POPSUGAR Photography | Anvita Reddy
POPSUGAR Photography | Anvita Reddy
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Without sunscreen, my skin-care routine is incomplete and pretty much counterintuitive. One of my biggest skin concerns is fading my dark spots and hyperpigmentation. No matter how many retinols, vitamin C serums, or dark-spot correctors I use, I know sunscreen is the key to actually seeing progress. I truly can't go a day without it, and if I do, I notice my spots getting darker in as little as 24 hours. That's why I'm always on the hunt for options with elegant formulations that I'll want to use every day.

Wander Beauty came out with its new Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF 40 sunscreen ($36), and I knew I had to put it to the test. The brand is known for creating multitasking beauty products in smart packaging, perfect for travel. It's no surprise that the sunscreen follows suit; it's a moisturizer, sunscreen, and primer in one product, effectively streamlining three separate steps in your morning routine. What intrigued me the most was the brand promises a no-white-cast finish with an SPF of 40, which is on the higher end of what I've seen and tried so far.

I've using this for a few weeks now, and after realizing how much I was reaching for this over the other options in my stash, I knew I found a new staple SPF. Wander Beauty is most famously known for its bestselling glam Baggage Claim undereye masks, but this sunscreen takes the cake, in my opinion.

What I Like About Wander Beauty Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF 40

POPSUGAR Photography | Anvita Reddy

As promised, this sunscreen leaves absolutely no white cast behind. It comes out as coral, peachy-toned cream that sheers out as you blend and leaves a glowy finish that gives the skin a sun-kissed look — almost like a pearlescent skin illuminator. The Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF has a lightweight and hydrating feel that's not greasy, sticky, or heavy on the skin, even in humidity or on the hottest days. It's made with plant-derived squalane and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, bisabolol, allantoin to soothe irritation, and an antioxidant complex to fight free radicals. Plus, the illuminating finish and satin feel have a skin-perfecting effect, which preps my skin for my makeup routine. In fact, this sunscreen is actually a great primer for natural "my skin but better" looks using skin tints and a glam, fuller-coverage look.

I've tried and tested plenty of sunscreens to find the best ones on the market. Finding one that fits my criteria and needs is almost as difficult as dating. However, from the elegant and hydrating texture to the luminous glow finish, I'd swipe right on this sunscreen every single time.

A point of concern I initially had with this sunscreen was the percentage of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide within the mineral formula, which I worried wouldn't be enough to provide optimal sun protection. (There is about 1 percent zinc oxide and 2 percent titanium dioxide.) Wander Beauty Director of Product Development Elizabeth Rentschler clarifies that "a proprietary technology involving how the zinc oxide is coated contains antioxidants and other ingredients that help to optimize the power of the zinc oxide itself and boost the performance of the UV filter. The special coating helps the zinc oxide function as efficiently as it can, meaning less of the UV filter can be used to achieve a higher SPF protection. The proprietary coating stabilizes the mineral UV filter (zinc oxide), which optimizes its UV blocking power. It is why we can use lower levels of the active." This helps explain why there's not that chalky feel you get from some other mineral-based sunscreens, and why it also feels breathable on the skin.

Who Can Use the Wander Beauty Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF 40?

Since it leaves no white cast on my skin, this sunscreen is suitable for anyone with tan or darker skin tones. The brand says it is best to use the two-finger rule when applying SPF, meaning two strips of sunscreen from the base of the index and middle fingers to the tips should be used for your face and neck. Pro tip to make blending and SPF application a little easier: apply half of the portion of SPF and blend it out, then layer the remaining half on top for optimal SPF coverage and an elegant, no-white-cast blend.

I have a fairly normal skin type that leans more sensitive, and this SPF is nonirritating. I can skip my morning moisturizer and use this instead. It practically feels weightless on my skin and doesn't leave a greasy or heavy feel, which is great for those with oily skin. If you have dry skin, you can always layer the sunscreen on top of a moisturizer as well, since it plays well with other products and doesn't pill.

Where Is Wander Beauty Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF 40 Available?

You can get the Wander Beauty Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF 40 on the brand's site, Skinstore ($36), Amazon ($36), and Revolve ($36).

Rating:
★★★★★