Expert-backed, clinically tested skincare starts with smarter sun protection. Sun exposure is one of the leading causes of visible skin aging and potential long-term damage, but navigating SPF numbers and photoprotection advice shouldn’t be complicated.
The Science Behind Sunscreens
Sunscreens are designed to shield skin from damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. In practice, they work either by absorbing UV radiation (chemical formulas) or reflecting it off the skin’s surface (mineral, or physical, formulas). A product labeled “broad-spectrum” protects against both UVA (think: fine lines, pigment) and UVB (think: sunburn, skin cell damage).
Dermatologists recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily. This number reflects the product’s tested ability to filter UVB rays, never just a suggestion.
Types of Sunscreen, What Sets Them Apart
- Chemical Sunscreens: Absorb quickly into skin, converting UV rays into heat and safely releasing them. Best for those who prefer lightweight, invisible finishes.
- Mineral (Physical) Sunscreens: Sit on the skin’s surface, using ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to reflect UV rays. Ideal for sensitive skin and children, dermatologist-developed for gentleness and visible results.
Mineral SPF is now a leading choice worldwide, making up nearly a third of all formulas in 2025, thanks to its safety record and growing demand for non-irritating, effective dermatology solutions.
How to Apply for Visible Protection
Correct application is as critical as the formula itself. Most people apply less than half the recommended amount, leading to subpar protection. To get full coverage, remember:
- Use at least one ounce (about a shot glass) for a full-body application.
- Cover areas often missed: ears, back of the neck, hairline, and tops of feet.
- Reapply every two hours, especially after swimming, sweating, or towel-drying, consistent use delivers consistent results.
- With spray formulas, always rub into skin to ensure even protection.
Everyday Sun Safety, Backed by Derms
Daily sun protection isn’t just for beach days. For sustained skin health:
- Apply sunscreen on all exposed skin, even in winter and on cloudy days.
- Avoid direct sun from 10am to 4pm when UV levels peak.
- Wear wide-brimmed hats, UV-protective sunglasses, and long sleeves when outdoors.
- Tanning beds are never recommended, dermatologists agree: skin health isn’t a trend.
Photoprotection: The Complete Picture
Dermatologist-developed sun care is foundational, but optimal skin health requires a complete strategy:
- Pair sunscreen with shade and UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) clothing.
- Choose sunglasses labeled for UV protection.
- Be extra cautious near water, snow, or sand, UV reflection increases exposure.
- For children, pick mineral SPF formulas and combine with hats and shade for added defense.
Myths, Facts Only
- A tan is skin damage, not protection.
- Sunscreen is needed everywhere, not just at the beach, every errand counts.
- Sensitive skin? Gentle mineral formulas offer reliable, irritation-free protection for all ages and tones.
Sun Safety for Every Skin, Every Day
Everyone deserves clinically tested, SPF protection, regardless of skin type or lifestyle. Dermatologists agree: the best sunscreen is the one used every single day, as part of your regular regimen. Armored skin is healthy skin. Love what you see with expert-led, year-round care.
Rodan + Fields – Sun Protection Products
ESSENTIALS Face + Body Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Our lightweight face + body sunscreen delivers sheer, breathable coverage while defending against harmful UVA + UVB rays. Designed for active lifestyles, it provides up to 80 minutes of water and sweat resistance so you can stay protected during sports, outdoor activities, or family fun in the sun. The formula hydrates skin without leaving a greasy or sticky finish and is non-comedogenic + non-acnegenic, perfect for everyday use.
Why You’ll Love It
- Reliable, long-wear protection: Broad-spectrum SPF 50 shields skin from sunburn and the visible signs of premature aging.
- Active lifestyle friendly: Stays effective for up to 80 minutes, even through sweat, swimming, or workouts.
- Comfortable finish: Lightweight texture absorbs quickly, moisturizing without clogging pores.
- Family-friendly: Gentle enough for all skin types, safe for daily use.
Awards & Recognition
🏆 Good Housekeeping 2023 Best Beauty Award
Key Concerns Addressed
- Sun-induced UV damage
- Dry or dehydrated skin
Key Benefits
- Defends against UVA + UVB rays
- Water + sweat resistant for up to 80 minutes
- Leaves skin hydrated, never sticky
Featured Technology & Ingredients
- Water-Resistant Polymer: Locks in protection for up to 80 minutes, even during intense activity.
- Proprietary Blend: Works to moisturize and defend skin against environmental stressors.
How to Use
- Apply generously to face and body 15 minutes before sun exposure.
- Reapply every 2 hours or after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.
REVERSE Brightening Defense Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen
This multi-tasking mineral sunscreen does more than protect. It moisturizes, evens skin tone, and helps minimize the potential of discoloration while shielding against harmful UV rays. Gentle yet effective, it’s designed for daily morning use as the final step in your skincare routine.
Why You’ll Love It
- Minimizes discoloration: Helps to defend against dark spots and uneven tone for a refreshed, even appearance
- Broad-spectrum UV protection: Shields skin from both UVA + UVB damage.
- Hydrating formula: Locks in moisture without heaviness.
- Daily essential: Perfect for AM application before makeup or on its own.
Key Benefits
- Helps even skin tone
- Helps to protect against discoloration for a younger appearance
- Protects with mineral-based SPF defense
- Lightweight hydration for everyday wear
How to Use
- Apply evenly over face + neck every morning after cleansing + toning.
- Avoid the eye area.
- Reapply every 2–3 hours when outdoors, and after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.
SOOTHE Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
This 100% mineral-based face sunscreen acts as a protective veil for sensitive skin. Lightweight and non-greasy, it defends against UVA + UVB rays while calming irritation, reducing visible redness, and locking in hydration. Powered with Artichoke Leaf Extract + RF3 Antioxidant Complex, it helps restore balance and comfort to skin that’s easily irritated or redness-prone.
Why You’ll Love It
- Soothes and protects: Ideal for sensitive, redness-prone skin.
- All-day defense: Shields from everyday environmental aggressors.
- Lightweight feel: Absorbs quickly, non-comedogenic, and won’t clog pores.
- Dermatologist-tested results: Shown to calm, hydrate, and reduce irritation.
Key Concerns Addressed
- Dryness & irritation
- Visible redness
- Skin sensitivity
Key Benefits
- Broad-spectrum UVA + UVB protection
- Calms, soothes + minimizes redness
- Restores hydration + comfort
Hero Ingredients
- 100% Mineral Sunscreen Actives → Protect against UV damage while being gentle on sensitive skin.
- Artichoke Leaf Extract + RF3 Antioxidant Complex → Maintain the skin barrier and defend against environmental stressors.
Demonstrated Consumer Results
- 100% experienced less visible dryness
- 88% reported reduced redness + blotchiness
- 79% felt skin was more balanced and less sensitive
- 78% of eczema-prone participants had less itchiness
- 71% said their skin looked calmer and more relaxed*
How to Use
- Shake well before use.
- Apply generously to face + neck once daily in the AM.
- Avoid the eye area.
RECHARGE Protect + Blur Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
This multi-tasking primer + sunscreen virtually disappears on skin, delivering 100% mineral UVA/UVB protection while creating a smooth, pore-less, matte finish. Lightweight and non-comedogenic, it hydrates and balances skin, helping to blur imperfections, reduce shine, and defend against daily environmental stressors.
Why You’ll Love It
- 2-in-1 essential: Protects with SPF + primes for flawless makeup application.
- Matte, pore-less finish: Instantly blurs imperfections and reduces shine.
- Skin defense technology: RFA+, Carnosine, and Zinc PCA energize and shield skin from visible signs of stress and pollution.
- Daily boost: Helps tired, stressed, or dull-looking skin appear more resilient and healthy.
Key Concerns Addressed
- Dullness + uneven texture
- Shine, redness, and dryness
- Tired or stressed skin
- UVA/UVB Sun protection
Key Benefits
- Shields with 100% mineral UVA/UVB protection
- Reduces shine + visible redness
- Balances skin’s natural equilibrium
- Doubles as a makeup primer
Hero Ingredients
- RFA+ Complex → Boosts skin’s energy + resilience while fighting the visible signs of stress.
- Carnosine → Protects against environmental aggressors + the visible signs of premature aging.
- Zinc PCA → Hydrates skin, reduces shine, and minimizes redness.
Demonstrated Consumer Results
- 95% experienced more resilient, bouncy skin
- 89% saw less oily skin instantly
- 89% reported healthier-looking skin
- 89% noticed smoother skin texture
- 85% experienced less dull, blotchy skin
How to Use
- Apply once daily in the AM after moisturizing.
- Smooth evenly over face + neck, blending outward.
- Avoid eye area.
- Wear alone or as a primer to hold makeup in place all day.
- Reapply as needed when outdoors.
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Radiant Defense Perfecting Liquid SPF 30
Protect + Perfect!
Meet your multitasking essential: a 4-in-1 tinted moisturizer with SPF 30 that looks like makeup but works like skincare, supporting the skin’s natural moisture barrier while delivering instant, natural-looking coverage.
Recommended Use
- Apply daily in the morning as the final step in your skincare routine.
- Size: 50 mL / 1.69 Fl. Oz. U.S.
What It Is
A lightweight tinted moisturizer that combines SPF protection, instant coverage, and hydration in one step. Available in 10 adaptable shades, it smooths uneven skin tone and enhances natural radiance over time.
Why You’ll Love It
Unlike heavy foundations that can clog pores and dull the complexion, Radiant Defense is powered by proprietary peptide and antioxidant technology to:
- Brighten and protect
- Maintain skin’s barrier
- Deliver breathable, all-day wear
Target Concerns
- Uneven skin tone
- Visible pores
- Redness
- Post-acne marks
Who It’s For
✔ All skin types
Key Benefits
- Instant coverage that blurs pores and redness
- SPF 30 protection against the sun’s harmful rays
- Antioxidants + peptides that soothe, restore, and defend
- Promotes smoother, healthier-looking skin with consistent use
Star Ingredients
- RD3 Complex: A blend of antioxidants, peptides, conditioners, and SPF protection to defend, restore, and revitalize the skin.
- Blueberry Extract: Naturally brightens the complexion.
- RFp2 Peptide Technology: Calms irritation and reduces redness.
- Red Algae Extract: Boosts skin’s moisture barrier and locks in hydration.
Results From Consumer Clinical Study*
- 97% saw a more even-looking skin tone
- 94% noticed healthier-looking skin
- 91% reduction in visible redness
- 89% reduction in visible pores
- 86% improvement in discolouration
*Results vary based on age, skin type, lifestyle, and other factors.
How To Apply
- Shake well before use.
- Dispense a small amount onto fingertips or the back of your hand.
- Blend evenly across the face using fingertips or the Radiant Defense Liquid Brush for seamless coverage.
- Build additional layers as desired.
Achieve a flawless, glowing finish every time. This expertly crafted brush features luxuriously soft fibers and a precision tapered design, ensuring smooth, even application of Radiant Defense Perfecting Liquid across every contour of your face.
What It Is
A professional-grade applicator brush designed exclusively for Radiant Defense Perfecting Liquid. Its soft, densely packed fibers and tapered shape make blending seamless, delivering a natural, radiant look without streaks.
Why You’ll Love It
Uneven application can leave skin looking dull or patchy. With this brush, you’ll get:
- Even, streak-free coverage
- Enhanced glow and smooth finish
- Effortless blending along facial contours
- A radiant, healthy-looking complexion
How To Use
- Apply a small amount of Radiant Defense Perfecting Liquid to the back of your hand.
- Lightly tap the brush into the product.
- Sweep outward across the face, feathering off at the edges for a seamless finish.
- Layer as needed for extra coverage.
REDEFINE Triple Defense Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30
2-in-1 Daily Essential
This creamy moisturizer and SPF duo works double duty, deeply hydrating while shielding skin from harmful UV rays. Over time, it helps visibly smooth fine lines, reduce wrinkles, and restore firmness for a healthier, more sculpted look.
Recommended Use
- Apply once daily in the morning after toner
- Size: 30 mL / 1.0 Fl. Oz. U.S.
What It Is
A medium-weight anti-aging moisturizer with SPF protection. This nourishing cream softens and hydrates without clogging pores while targeting visible signs of aging like fine lines, deep wrinkles, and loss of firmness.
Why You’ll Love It
Designed for normal-to-dry skin types and ideal in drier climates, this formula provides the comfort of a rich cream plus the defense of a daily sunscreen, all in one step.
Key Concerns
- Fine lines + deep wrinkles
- Loss of firmness
- Pore tightening
- Lifting, sculpting, and definition
Key Benefits
- Hydrates + plumps for smoother-looking skin
- Firms + lifts to optimize elasticity
- Protects with SPF against UV damage
- Leaves skin looking younger, fuller, and more resilient
Star Ingredients
- Grape Extract: Helps minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles
- Beet Extract: Delivers instant and long-term hydration for plump, smooth skin
- Peptide Technology: Supports firmness while reducing the appearance of wrinkles
Demonstrated Consumer Results*
- 94% reported softer, more supple skin
- 94% noticed a smoother texture
- 91% experienced firmer-looking skin
- 85% saw plumper, fuller-looking skin
Results will vary. Based on clinical study data.
How To Use
- Use every morning after toner.
- Apply liberally to face and neck, avoiding the eye area.
- Reapply as needed for optimal SPF protection.
REDEFINE Triple Defense Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30
2-in-1 Daily Must-Have
This lightweight moisturizer and SPF duo absorbs quickly to hydrate, protect, and smooth, helping improve the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness while shielding skin from harmful UV rays.
Recommended Use
- Apply once daily in the morning after toner
- Size: 30 mL / 1.0 Fl. Oz. U.S.
What It Is
A light moisturizing lotion with SPF designed to moisturize without clogging pores. Perfect for everyday use, it helps visibly firm and smooth skin while protecting against UV damage.
Prefer more moisture? Try our richer cream option to customize your regimen.
Why You’ll Love It
Ideal for combination to oily skin and especially comfortable in warm, humid climates, this formula delivers hydration and protection in one easy step.
Key Concerns
- Fine lines + wrinkles
- Loss of firmness
- Enlarged pores
- Lifting, sculpting, and definition
- Best for combination/oily skin
Key Benefits
- Provides hydration + sun defense in one step
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Visibly firms and smooths over time
- Lightweight, quick-absorbing texture for daily comfort
Star Ingredients
- Peptide Technology: Helps firm while reducing visible wrinkles
- Grape Extract: Minimizes the look of fine lines + wrinkles
- Beet Extract: Plumps and hydrates with both instant and long-term moisturization
Demonstrated Consumer Results*
- 94% reported softer, more supple skin
- 94% noticed smoother skin texture
- 91% saw firmer-looking skin
- 85% experienced plumper, fuller-looking skin
Results will vary. Based on clinical study data.
How To Use
- Apply liberally in the AM after toner.
- Smooth evenly over face + neck, avoiding the eye area.
- Reapply as needed for optimal sun protection.
UNBLEMISH Invisible Matte Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Prime + Protect
This clear, weightless SPF doubles as a makeup primer—blurring pores, reducing shine, and protecting skin against harmful UV rays. With a smooth, dry-touch finish, it keeps skin looking fresh all day while supporting the skin’s moisture barrier.
Recommended Use
- Apply once daily in the morning
- Size: 30 mL / 1 Fl. Oz. U.S.
What It Is
A transparent face sunscreen + primer hybrid that absorbs excess oil, moisturizes the skin, and provides invisible sun protection—without residue, greasiness, or clogged pores.
Why You’ll Love It
UV rays not only cause the visible signs of premature aging but can also intensify acne scars and uneven tone. This SPF is designed to:
- Defend skin daily against UV damage
- Blur imperfections + minimize pore appearance
- Control shine with a velvety, matte finish
For maximum results, pair with the Unblemish Regimen.
Key Concerns
- Adult acne + blemishes
- Excess oil + shine
- Uneven tone and texture
Key Benefits
- Shields skin from UV rays
- Absorbs oil for a shine-free, matte look
- Blurs pores and imperfections
- Supports balanced, healthy-looking skin
Star Ingredients
- Omega Fatty Acids: Nourish and strengthen skin’s natural barrier
- Mattifying Powders: Reduce shine and soften the look of pores + imperfections
Demonstrated Consumer Results*
- 97% said skin felt velvety smooth after use
- 87% noticed less oil by the end of the day
- 83% saw smoother, more even skin texture
- 77% said it reduced shine and absorbed excess oil
Results will vary. Based on clinical study data.
How To Use
- Apply daily in the AM, avoiding the eye area.
- Dispense a dime-sized amount and smooth evenly over face + neck.
- Reapply as needed when outdoors.
→ #1 Female Dermatologist Founded Skincare Brand in the U.S.*
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