This May Be the Tech-iest Sunscreen on the Market

Ask any dermatologist and they’ll tell you: The best thing you can do for your skin is make sunscreen a daily habit. Not just before a sunny day at the beach, but every. single. day. The sun’s UV rays can cause everything from sun spots to skin cancer, and the best defense is sunscreen. (SPF 30 or higher, if you please.)

But the sun isn’t the only thing that’s strenuous on skin. Another type of light might be just as risky and, unfortunately, just as unavoidable. Blue light, the type of light emitted from LED screens like those on iPhones and laptops, can cause skin-related setbacks like hyperpigmentation, swelling, and redness.

After a year of working from home and living on Zoom calls, this probably isn’t the news you want to hear. And when you’re working on your computer indoors, your skin is exposed to UVA, UVB, and blue light. “UVB rays, the primary cause of sunburns, are mostly blocked by window glass,” explains Zain Husain, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist and the founder of New Jersey Dermatology and Aesthetics Center. “But if you work near a window during the day, UVA rays are still shining through. These are the primary cause of premature skin aging, causing things like fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.”

To address outdoor and indoor challenges, Murad City Skin Age Defense SPF 50 ($68) guards the skin against UV and blue light. Despite its featherlight feel, this sunscreen packs a serious punch. Dr. Husain says that its mineral makeup is likely what makes it so effective against both types of light (most chemical sunscreens only work against UVA and UVB, not blue light). That’s also what makes it so gentle: “Mineral sunscreen also lowers the risk of inducing allergies, such as contact dermatitis,” he says. So if you’re prone to redness, breakouts, or inflammation, this might be for you.

While some mineral sunscreens go on thick and chalky due to the zinc and titanium oxides that shield the skin from harmful rays, City Skin Age Defense is airy and light. It’s soft and silky, making it easy to spread across your face and neck for an even, weightless finish. And don’t be fooled by its light, peachy tint. It blends in seamlessly in for a smooth, luminescent finish that calms redness and evens color on almost any skin tone.

Yes, City Skin Age Defense feels amazing. But its protection from sunshine, indoor light, and environmental pollution is even more impressive. The reality is, you probably won’t be free from Zoom calls and Instagram any time soon, so you might as well upgrade your SPF to a blue-light special.

Oh hi! You look like someone who loves free workouts, discounts for cult-fave wellness brands, and exclusive Well+Good content. Sign up for Well+, our online community of wellness insiders, and unlock your rewards instantly.