Do you always use protection?

Get your head out of the gutter. This is about sunscreen.

None of these are to scale <3

I didn’t think I needed to remind people to wear sunscreen every day, but more and more, I keep hearing that some simply… don’t. “I know I should, but…” is usually how that conversation starts. Maybe it’s because my editor friends and I have had so many dermatologists tell us we might as well toss the rest of our skincare routines if we’re not using sunscreen daily—if you’re looking for an “anti-aging” product, SPF is actually the most effective one you can use—but the thought of leaving my apartment without it gives me anxiety at this point. There’s a risk I might be too fanatical, but need I remind you about skin cancer?

My best tip? Keep your sunscreen next to your moisturizer. After a while, it becomes second nature—you won’t even think about it.

Ultimately, and as derms love to remind editors, the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually use. And whether you prefer a chemical or mineral formula, scented or unscented, highbrow or lowbrow, there are so. many. to pick from. Below, an extensive (but not exhaustive) list of SPFs to consider.

For your face:

If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that my holy grail is Ultra Violette’s supreme screen. For years, I had friends bring me bottles or pick them up abroad because it’s an Australian SPF that uses sun filters not yet available in the United States (ugh). Luckily, in March, the brand launched a few of its formulas in the U.S., some of which (including supreme screen) were slightly modified to incorporate FDA-approved sun filters. One formula that’s the same worldwide? Future screen. I used to be a mineral sunscreen hater—I can’t stand how chalky some of them make my hands feel—but I have no issues with this one (and it leaves my face with a nice little glow).

Other mineral sunscreens I actually love: Woro Beauty’s spfortless (founded by the daughter of a dermatologist), Le Prunier’s plumscreen (made with antioxidant-rich plum oil), Ranavat’s SPF 50 (it has saffron to help brighten skin), and U Beauty’s multimodal (Tina Chen Craig, take all of my money).

Elizabeth Grace Hand, the aesthetician and founder behind Ställe Studios, introduced me to Chantecaille’s ultra SPF 45 not too long ago, and it’s earned a prominent place in my vanity, too. Like supreme screen, it creates a great base for makeup. Also, I love the toothpaste-esque tube—just don’t brush your teeth with it.

I never want my face to be matte—dewy skin forever—and when I want to be especially glowy, I reach for Tula’s protect + glow and Neutrogena’s hydro boost (which is usually under $15 at drugstores!).

I keep Then I Met You’s essence light sunscreen in my purse so I can use it on my hands, for no other reason than the bottle fits. But true to its name, it’s very light and doesn’t leave my hands feeling like they have a film-y residue.

And, of course, no list would be complete without some beloved K-beauty staples: I’ve gone through many a bottle of Beauty of Joseon’s daily relief and RoundLab’s birch SPF 45+.

Don’t forget about your body:

I have Ultra Violette’s extreme screen by my door right now, but like supreme screen, it’s not available in the U.S. yet (so sorry). I also love Vacation’s classic whip mousse—don’t be like the girl who thought people were rubbing actual whipped cream on their bodies—and Dune’s bod guard. And when all else fails, I grab an SPF 50+ spray from Trader Joe’s in the check out line. No excuses.

Six beauty editors also weighed in with their favorites:

Dianna Singh, Features Director, Allure
“As a beauty editor, I really should be playing the field, but I just can’t quit Dr. Loretta’s mineral SPF 40. It blends beautifully and gives me exactly the right amount of sheen. I’ve gone through two tubes this year. Also, I’m Snow White–level fair, so most tinted sunscreens are a no-go for me—except Bloomeffects’ sunscreen serum. To continue the fairytale metaphor, it’s kind of the Goldilocks of tints: I have it on good authority it works on deeper skin tones, too. And it has niacinamide!”

Jamie Wilson, Beauty Editor and Writer
“Tatcha’s silk sunscreen is my go-to. It’s a gorgeous mineral sunscreen (10% zinc oxide) with a texture that feels more like skincare than SPF—the formula has niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Its biggest sell is that it doesn’t feel or look chalky on my face, and that’s vital for me as a Black woman. I also love that it doesn’t get into my eyes.”

Adi Giesey, Beauty Editor, Byrdie
“If I had a dollar for every time a dermatologist told me the cheesy line ‘the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually use,’ I could quit my day job. But the joke’s on me, because I was horrible with the habit until I discovered the Summer Fridays shadedrop. Every morning without fail, I apply a generous layer, and it gives my skin a gorgeous, dewy finish. Extra bonus points: it never irritates my sensitive skin and doubles as the perfect makeup primer.”

Bianca Nieves, Senior Shopping Editor, New York’s The Cut
“I’ve been testing Glow Recipe’s dew shield—and I love it. Normally, I reach for my tinted sunscreen from Lightsaver because it evens out my skin tone nicely, and I don’t like wearing lots of foundation on a daily basis. However, I’ve been loving how bouncy my skin feels with the dew shield. The scent is a bit much for a fragrance-free girl like myself, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

Daniela Morosini, Beauty Correspondent, The Business of Fashion
“Ultra Violette’s fave fluid is the best sunscreen. It’s as light as water—seriously, be careful when you dispense so you don’t get oodles—absorbs quickly, has a pleasing tackiness to its texture, and is SPF 50+. I also really like the queen screen and use them both, but fave fluid is that bit easier to pack since it’s not in glass.” [Daise’s Note: These are two of the UV sunscreens not yet available in America—sigh—but if you’re traveling abroad, you should shove a bunch of bottles in your suitcase. Including some for me. ILY!]

Iman Balagam, Freelance Editor and Brand Marketing Consultant
“I have a deep emotional attachment to far too many sunscreens, but lately, I’ve been reaching for the sunscreen stick from Dr. Jart, mainly because I’m lazy and appreciate not having to wash my hands first—it’s my truth. It’s also invisible (no white cast!!), offers broad-spectrum protection, and has SPF 40, which checks all my boxes. I recently got a keychain case for it, so I’m strapped at all times—which is iconic, considering experts say we should be reapplying every two hours.”

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Skin check:

I’m usually pretty good about not picking my face, but life is hard, and my anxiety got the best of me this week. I took the one small breakout I had on my chin and turned it into a volcano. Amazing, really. Elizabeth got a panicked text from me: “HELP ME,” it read. She had me come into Ställe for a treatment with her new facialist, Emma—this is when having a friend who is a star aesthetician with her own facial studio really helps.

Good news: After seeing Emma, the volcano is no longer at risk of eruption. Even better news: Emma’s facial massage was excellent. I always instruct aestheticians to go hard on my masseters—Nick at Plump once told me I have the biggest masseters he’d ever seen, not to brag or anything—but I think they’re usually too afraid to hurt me, because the massage is never as intense as I want it to be. But Emma listened! Ten stars for Emma and Ställe.

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Pre-Met Gala at The Carlyle…

Event highlights:

1. I got an amazing Oxylight facial last week at The Carlyle with Tessa Rola. My suite, which had a fabulous view of Madison Avenue and Central Park, came with a piano—A PIANO! That was followed by my first visit to Bemelmans Bar. I understand the hype now. The day was May 2, 2025; I will never forget it.

2. Fur launched its fur trim system—a cordless, irritation-free electric trimmer—at The Garden in The Standard East Village. Remember when the brand’s fur oil went viral because of Emma Watson’s Top Shelf? [BTW: use DAISE15 for 15% off across the site.]

3. Sweedies hosted a yoga class at Sky Ting to celebrate its latest THC-infused fruit snacks, dreamrings. They have GABA (that’s gamma-aminobutyric acid) and magnesium to promote better sleep.

4. Cora took over two suites at Nine Orchard to introduce its invisi-feel daily liners and extra heavy overnight pads. A tarot reader named Christina—who happens to be the sister of Window Shopping’s Caroline Albert—read me to filth and almost made me cry. I loved it.

5. Maude celebrated its latest offering (a secret until May 15!) at Pearl Box, where it feels like you’re hanging out in someone’s attic and basement at the same time… but actually enjoyable. I broke my no-alcohol-at-work-events rule and had a Cherry Americano (sour cherry, Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda).

Until next time!

x DB

P.S. If you’re wondering if you have to wear sunscreen on cloudy days, you do.

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