These Are the Very Best New Sunscreens of 2021
Because if we're going to be wearing SPF indoors, it might as well feel (and look!) great.
You already know that unless you’re nowhere near a window at any point during the day (in which case, please seek some light?!) you should still be wearing SPF daily, even if you’re indoors. But while you may have formerly put up with some less-than-ideal sunscreen formulations when we were out and about (remember being out and about?) or at the beach on a scorching hot day, brushing off the harsh scents or slight white tints as inevitable, borderline charming parts of summer, this year your expectations are higher. We get it! If you’re going to wear SPF while stuck indoors, it better look and feel good to wear. Sound like a tall order? No problem. We’ve rounded up the very best sunscreen launches of 2021 that you’ll actually enjoy reaching for each morning.
Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40
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When cult favourite sunscreen brand Supergoop! first launched in Canada last year, we could hardly wait to get our hands on the brand’s selection of SPF products that actually make sun protection fun (no, really!). Our fave launch yet? The brand’s Glowscreen SPF 40+ ($48), released at the beginning of this year. The hydrating sunscreen has a pearlescent finish that leaves skin seriously glowing and luminous. No highlighter needed.
Blue Lizard Sunscreen
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Beloved Australian sunscreen brand Blue Lizard has finally made its way to Canada. “Throughout our entire heritage we’ve taken dermatologists [views] into consideration, whether it be for product testing or selling exclusively through dermatologists’ offices [which at one point, was how the brand was distributed] in the U.S.,” says Andrew Lipscomb, Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen brand manager. The brand’s portfolio of mineral sunscreens clocks in at around $15 for a standard 3 oz. tube, making these sunscreens accessible and affordable for the whole family.
Vichy LiftActiv Specialist SPF 30 Sunscreen
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The latest SPF offering from Vichy is the brand’s LiftActiv Specialist SPF 30 Sunscreen ($62), which launched this past spring. The moisturizing lotion features high UVA protection, powerful active ingredients like vitamin C, peptides, hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid, and broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection.
Olay Regenerist Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
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Olay launched its first mineral sunscreen this year as a response to a study of 4,000 U.S. women, which found that 70 percent of women prefer a mineral-based sunscreen, but more than half haven’t found a mineral sunscreen they like due to greasiness, white casts, lack of additional benefits, and difficulty blending. Olay’s non-greasy formula is ultra-moisturizing and spreads evenly and easily, so you can avoid that dreaded white cast that often appears with less sophisticated mineral sunscreen formulas.
Sonrei Sea Clearly Gel Sunscreen SPF 30
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Sonrei’s Sea Clearly Gel Sunscreen SPF 30 ($35 USD) is a sunscreen lover’s dream, thanks to its translucent gel formula that features vitamins C and E, plus ferulic acid. It’s super spreadable, gentle on skin, and of course, goes on totally clear.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Fluid Body SPF50+
La Roche-Posay just launched a body version of its favourite Anthelios Ultra-Fluid Body SPF50+ ($36) and we’re already obsessed. Featuring high UVA and UVB protection (recommended by the Canadian Dermatology Association) and specifically developed for sensitive skin, it’s everything we like about the brand’s face SPF but…bigger. What’s not to love?
Lotus Aroma Daily Sunscreen SPF 30
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Lotus Aroma’s just-launched Daily Mineral Sunscreen ($30) features organic aloe vera and soybean oil to hydrate as it protects (not to mention deliver a glorious dose of healing antioxidants). The formula is safe to use during pregnancy and is so gentle it can even be used on babies older than six months. So go on and reapply (and then reapply some more).
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+
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This silky, ocean-safe sunscreen lotion goes on like a primer and leaves no reside or white cast behind. Like, none. At all. Formulated with SynchroShield technology that responds to changes in the environment, the strength of its protective veil is actually heightened when it comes into contact with water or sweat, while its HeatForce technology does the same when exposed to heat from the sun. Genius.
Coola Full Spectrum 360° Mineral Sun Silk Crème SPF 30
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This lightweight mineral sunscreen has just arrived in Canada and you won’t regret snagging a bottle or two for summer. Made with 15% zinc oxide, the oil-free and organic formula wears beautifully under makeup or on its own, thanks to its refreshing, silky finish.
Vivier Sheer SPF 30 Mineral Tinted Sunscreen
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Formulated with antioxidants (vitamins C and E) and green tea, apple, orange peel, and sugar cane extracts to gently buff away dead skin cells as it provides broad spectrum sun protection and a sheer tint to even out skin tone, Vivier’s newly launched Sheer SPF 30 Mineral Tinted Sunscreen is a true workhorse that can easily replace a step (or three) in your skincare routine this summer.
Taurah Zinc Sunscreen Stick SPF 30
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Canadian-made, female-founded brand Taurah just launched a Zinc Sunscreen Stick with SPF 30 that is perfect for on-the-go reapplication this summer. Small enough to fit in your pocket or even the tiniest of purses, it’s formulated with ingredients like sunflower seed oil, beeswax, organic olive oil and of course, a mineral zinc base. It’s also reef-safe, water-resistant, sweat-proof and kid-friendly. Oh, and it goes on with a comfortable, transparent finish that doesn’t leave a white cast. Promise.
 you should still be wearing SPF daily, even if you're indoors. But while you may have formerly put up with some less-than-ideal sunscreen formulations when we were out and about (remember being out and about?) or at the beach on a scorching hot day, brushing off the harsh scents or slight white tints as inevitable, borderline charming parts of summer, this year your expectations are higher. We get it! If you're going to wear SPF while stuck indoors, it better look and feel good to wear. Sound like a tall order? No problem. We've rounded up the very best sunscreen launches of 2021 that you'll actually enjoy reaching for each morning.
Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Supergoop! (@supergoop)
When cult favourite sunscreen brand Supergoop! first launched in Canada last year, we could hardly wait to get our hands on the brand's selection of SPF products that actually make sun protection fun (no, really!). Our fave launch yet? The brand's Glowscreen SPF 40+ ($48), released at the beginning of this year. The hydrating sunscreen has a pearlescent finish that leaves skin seriously glowing and luminous. No highlighter needed.
Blue Lizard Sunscreen
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Blue Lizard Sunscreen (@bluelizardsunscreen)
Beloved Australian sunscreen brand Blue Lizard has finally made its way to Canada. "Throughout our entire heritage we've taken dermatologists [views] into consideration, whether it be for product testing or selling exclusively through dermatologists' offices [which at one point, was how the brand was distributed] in the U.S.," says Andrew Lipscomb, Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen brand manager. The brand's portfolio of mineral sunscreens clocks in at around $15 for a standard 3 oz. tube, making these sunscreens accessible and affordable for the whole family.
Vichy LiftActiv Specialist SPF 30 Sunscreen
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Vichy USA (@vichyusa)
The latest SPF offering from Vichy is the brand's LiftActiv Specialist SPF 30 Sunscreen ($62), which launched this past spring. The moisturizing lotion features high UVA protection, powerful active ingredients like vitamin C, peptides, hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid, and broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection.
Olay Regenerist Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Olay Canada (@olay_canada)
Olay launched its first mineral sunscreen this year as a response to a study of 4,000 U.S. women, which found that 70 percent of women prefer a mineral-based sunscreen, but more than half haven’t found a mineral sunscreen they like due to greasiness, white casts, lack of additional benefits, and difficulty blending. Olay's non-greasy formula is ultra-moisturizing and spreads evenly and easily, so you can avoid that dreaded white cast that often appears with less sophisticated mineral sunscreen formulas.
Sonrei Sea Clearly Gel Sunscreen SPF 30
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Sonrei ® (@sonreiskin)
Sonrei's Sea Clearly Gel Sunscreen SPF 30 ($35 USD) is a sunscreen lover's dream, thanks to its translucent gel formula that features vitamins C and E, plus ferulic acid. It's super spreadable, gentle on skin, and of course, goes on totally clear.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Fluid Body SPF50+
[caption id="attachment_418929" align="alignnone" width="280"] Photography courtesy of La Roche-Posay[/caption]
La Roche-Posay just launched a body version of its favourite Anthelios Ultra-Fluid Body SPF50+ ($36) and we're already obsessed. Featuring high UVA and UVB protection (recommended by the Canadian Dermatology Association) and specifically developed for sensitive skin, it's everything we like about the brand's face SPF but...bigger. What's not to love?
Lotus Aroma Daily Sunscreen SPF 30
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Lotus Aroma (@lotusaroma_canada)
Lotus Aroma's just-launched Daily Mineral Sunscreen ($30) features organic aloe vera and soybean oil to hydrate as it protects (not to mention deliver a glorious dose of healing antioxidants). The formula is safe to use during pregnancy and is so gentle it can even be used on babies older than six months. So go on and reapply (and then reapply some more).
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by SHISEIDO (@shiseido)
This silky, ocean-safe sunscreen lotion goes on like a primer and leaves no reside or white cast behind. Like, none. At all. Formulated with SynchroShield technology that responds to changes in the environment, the strength of its protective veil is actually heightened when it comes into contact with water or sweat, while its HeatForce technology does the same when exposed to heat from the sun. Genius.
Coola Full Spectrum 360° Mineral Sun Silk Crème SPF 30
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by COOLA (@coola)
This lightweight mineral sunscreen has just arrived in Canada and you won't regret snagging a bottle or two for summer. Made with 15% zinc oxide, the oil-free and organic formula wears beautifully under makeup or on its own, thanks to its refreshing, silky finish.
Vivier Sheer SPF 30 Mineral Tinted Sunscreen
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Vivier (@vivierskin)
Formulated with antioxidants (vitamins C and E) and green tea, apple, orange peel, and sugar cane extracts to gently buff away dead skin cells as it provides broad spectrum sun protection and a sheer tint to even out skin tone, Vivier's newly launched Sheer SPF 30 Mineral Tinted Sunscreen is a true workhorse that can easily replace a step (or three) in your skincare routine this summer.
Taurah Zinc Sunscreen Stick SPF 30
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by TAURAH | Your Wellness BFF (@shoptaurah)
Canadian-made, female-founded brand Taurah just launched a Zinc Sunscreen Stick with SPF 30 that is perfect for on-the-go reapplication this summer. Small enough to fit in your pocket or even the tiniest of purses, it's formulated with ingredients like sunflower seed oil, beeswax, organic olive oil and of course, a mineral zinc base. It's also reef-safe, water-resistant, sweat-proof and kid-friendly. Oh, and it goes on with a comfortable, transparent finish that doesn't leave a white cast. Promise.){kind=link}