Why we love it: If your sunscreen could dmultitask, wouldn’t you want it to? SkinCeuticals’ Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30 pulls double duty by protecting skin from UV damage while fading the look of discoloration. The formula combines tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and phenylethyl resorcinol—ingredients known for brightening uneven tone—along with light-reflecting mica for an instant glow as it gives your skin broad-spectrum protection. While it’s great for all skin types, Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana, especially recommends it for people prone to excess sebum since the texture is lightweight and won’t add any extra greasiness. All the more reason to stock up before summer hits.
Tester feedback from creative director Amber Venerable
“I loved the consistency and how lightweight yet moisturized my skin felt after using it. You do have to be sure to blend it completely on darker skin tones, but it does seep in once you fully rub it in.” —Amber Venerable, creative director
- Key ingredients: tranexamic acid (1%), glycerin (7%), niacinamide (2%), phenylethyl resorcinol (0.3%)
- Who it’s for: people with discoloration, mature skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the experts
- Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and Englewood, New Jersey
- Lauren Penzi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Toronto
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best SkinCeuticals products, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
