Glow Recipe is an American, K-beauty brand that is FDA approved, and they’ve recently come out with Niacinamide Watermelon SPF that’s quickly becoming a favorite across the internet. However, some people say, “The texture is so bad, it peels up, it burns my eyes, and it expires quickly!” On the other hand, some people say, “This is my holy grail, and it makes my skin so glowy and dewy!” So, which one is true? Well, Cassandra decided to discover the truth so you don’t have to. Cassandra tested this SPF to see if it makes her face greasy and break out, and she also tested it to see if it’s amazing.
How Does Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Niacinamide SPF feel?
Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50 - $34
Photocred: Glow Recipe
Let’s start with the experience of putting on the product. How does it feel? How does it smell? What is the texture like?
Firstly, the product smells amazing. It smells like watermelon, and it goes on really lightweight.
When you first apply it, it has a dewy, gorgeous glow. Depending on how much you put on, Cassandra says, “almost to the point of looking greasy.” However, as the day went on, Cassandra found that it dries down well. At the same time though, the glow starts to go down too.
But, this is not to say that it becomes matte. Cassandra would not say that this is mattifying at all. It definitely gives you an iridescent, satin finish. It’s never completely matte, but once it dries down, it’s not nearly as reflective, glowy, or greasy as when you first put it on. If you have sensitive skin, Cassandra does not recommend using the watermelon scent. For her skin though, it felt quite nice.
But, did it break her out eventually? After using it for some time, Cassandra noticed that she got a few breakouts. There was a noticeable pimple on her chin, but overall, the breakouts weren’t terrible. The only real concern is that she can’t layer it with other products. However, this aspect could also help simplify a skincare routine.
When it comes to whether or not it burns the eyes, Cassandra didn’t find that it stung her eyes terribly. As Cassandra was applying this, she did notice that it stings open blemishes. If applied very close to your eyes, Cassandra definitely sees how it could be irritating for some. So, don’t put it very close to your eyes. If actually gets into your eyes, It burns very badly. But, as long as you approach this with caution, there’s a small chance that it will get into your eyes.
Now, does it peel up? Cassandra says that this SPF is better to use in singularity or on a bare face. If you use it with other products, even with other Glow Recipe products, it starts to ball up, and it starts to pill.
What is the formula of Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Niacinamide SPF like?
Photocred: Glow Recipe
It is a hybrid formula meaning that it has chemical/organic filters as well as inorganic/mineral filters. Usually, mineral sunscreens flashback and chemical sunscreens can burn the skin, but this one combines them both. Sephora says that this can be used on normal, dry, combination, and oily skin. They also describe the SPF as a “gentle, chemical, and mineral sunscreen that quickly hydrates and boosts glow while visibly evening skin tone over time with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and aloe."
Cassandra loves the fact that they are combining niacinamide with sunscreen. We normally don’t see sunscreens that have true skincare actives in them. Cassandra loves excellent sunscreens with vitamin C, but this is the first one that she’s seen with niacinamide. Although she was not a fan of the niacinamide Dew Drops from Glow Recipe, she was surprisingly happy with the SPF’s formula. Depending on how you use it though, it does pill up. Glow Recipe introduces the Watermelon SPF as “the sunscreen that you’ll want to wear.” Glow recipe claims that this formula is dermatologist tested, ophthalmologist (eye doctor) tested, and safe for sensitive skin. But, Cassandra doesn’t know if she completely agrees with a lot of those claims.
Watermelon Niacinamide Dew Drops - $34
As far as the expiration date, (Cassandra’s expires in early 2023), she doesn’t mind it. When it comes to sunscreens, you’re supposed to be using them regularly, and likewise, Cassandra doesn’t see the expiration date as an issue. If you’re keeping your sunscreen for longer than a year, then you are not applying your sunscreen as much as you’re supposed to.
Furthermore, this formula took Glow Recipe about two years to create if not more because of how long it takes to have FDA testing. They did a really good job on it, and it’s absolutely worth it. Glow Recipe claims that this formula is dewy, protects, hydrates, and helps even skin tone. And based on the ingredients, and the fact that it’s a sunscreen with niacinamide, Cassandra agrees. But, as she tested it out, she realized that there are specific ways to use it.
How Do You Use Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Niacinamide SPF?
Photocred: Glow Recipe
If you use it over other products, especially moisturizers of any thick product, the pilling is terrible. Especially if you have hair on your face, it tends to get stuck and ball up. But, if you use this with nothing else on your skin, Cassandra actually finds that it works quite well.
Cassandra applies the sunscreen to two fingers, and she applies it to the face. She avoided the eye area, and she did see that it made her skin look brighter and more glowy.
Is Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Niacinamide SPF okay for sensitive skin?
This product is not for people with super sensitive skin, someone who loves to layer their products, or for someone who has a wonderfully built-up skincare routine. If you’re super oily or you need matte sunscreen, this is not the one. If you’re someone who likes to keep it simple though, this is great for applying over bare skin. This product is great for travel because it’s like a niacinamide serum built into a sunscreen. Getting 2 products in 1 is wonderful, but is it worth $34?
So, Is the Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Niacinamide SPF good?
Is this a holy grail or a watermelon epic fail? Overall, Cassandra would say that this sunscreen is perfect for someone who doesn’t have a skincare routine or doesn’t want to be bothered with extensive skincare. If you don’t want to layer products or put more than one product on your face, you’re going to love this. This lays down so beautifully on bare skin. It’s wonderful, absorbs well, and gives you that skincare glow whilst offering the benefits of niacinamide and sunscreen. It is perfect for anyone who is minimal with their skincare. But as mentioned before, you’re going to have problems if you layer this. Cassandra even tried it over other Glow Recipe products and over the products that normally don’t pill — and it still pilled up. The niacinamide in this formula doesn’t not play well with other products.
Ultimately though, Cassandra says “yes” to this product. This is a wonderful sunscreen, and as long as you are the right type of person for it, use it. It was a nice experience for Cassandra, it’s a nice formula, and she thinks it’s going to be a staple in her new skincare routine.