Current Obsession: A Skin-Perfecting Sunscreen

Welcome to Current Obsession, a new column devoted to sharing the products that are currently blowing my mind. As Style Editor for Edge, I try a lot of products, but very few are remarkable enough to merit purchasing them with my own money, let alone writing an entire article about them.

In an effort to not gatekeep any of these treasures I come across, Current Obsession will be the place where I share some of my most effective and most-loved products. While a good number of the products I talk about will have been received in PR, you can rest assured that these articles are not sponsored, nor do I receive any kickbacks for featuring a product here. I will endeavor to simply share what works. For this inaugural column, it only makes sense to share the product that gave me this idea in the first place: SkinCeuticals' Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen.

I know what some of you might be thinking: "Sunscreen. How exciting." But if there ever was a sunscreen to get excited about, it's this one. I'm a sunscreen junkie. I wear it all day, every day. I will try every sunscreen that I can get my hands on, and I currently have more than 50 sunscreens in my (very large) bathroom cabinet. This one stood out immediately.

Why I Love It

First, this sunscreen does so much more than just protect the skin. It imparts a uniform tone, almost as if you were looking at yourself through a filter. It's a great option for people who like the blurring effects of a tinted sunscreen but without the actual pigment. It layers perfectly on top of other skincare products, and for the guys out there with a little bit of facial stubble, this will not get cakey or leave little flecks in your facial hair.

What's In It

One reason that this sunscreen has long-term benefits beyond the typical sun protection is the inclusion of 1% Tranexamic Acid, which minimizes the reoccurrence of skin discoloration like hyperpigmentation and melasma. It also has 2% Niacinamide and 7% Glycerin, both known to help the skin draw and retain moisture, and 0.3% Phenylethyl Resorcinol, which protects the skin against discoloration and uneven skin tone caused by UV rays and visible light exposure. For oilier skin types, you may not need a separate moisturizer in the more humid months. There's also some mica which helps diffuse light and give the skin an instant brightening boost.

How to Use It

Sunscreen should almost always be shaken before applied, and this one is no different. Three to four pumps should cover the entire face and neck, just remember to reapply every two hours or after sweating and swimming. To really finish this off with spectacular results, I use a little bit of the SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50, but that's an article for another day.

Why It's Worth It

$60 for one ounce of sunscreen is steep, but it's a small price to pay for keeping your skin protected. The best sunscreen is the sunscreen that you will actually wear, and this product makes wearing sunscreen a breeze. When I tell you that I look forward to putting this on every day, I say that without one iota of hyperbole. And with a brand like SkinCeuticals, you know you're getting medical-grade skincare that's backed by science and endorsed by dermatologists, estheticians, and plastic surgeons around the world. With no white cast, no burning sensation, and no pilling on the skin and getting stuck in your hair, it's worth it for those reasons alone. But I cannot rave enough about the uniform glow that this will give your skin. And that, my friends, is the difference between a $9 drug store sunscreen and a $60 investment piece. Your future self will thank you.

$60, available at SkinCeuticals.com