Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and the product featured was provided for review.It's no secret at this point that I am pretty much a die-hard fan of
Glow Recipe. The brand makes some of my favorite skincare products (ex.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops) so I get excited every time they drop a new item. However, it's also no secret that I was not a fan of the
Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen Glow Recipe released back in 2022. With a formulation that didn't fully absorb and pilled like crazy no matter what I did, the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen was generally panned by fans, resulting in Glow Recipe eventually discontinuing the product. So imagine my surprise when I learned about the release of a new SPF product from Glow Recipe, this time in the form of a sunscreen stick called the
Watermelon Glow Dew Balm SPF 45 (C$41 for 16.5 g). Formulated with chemical filters and niacinamide, the Watermelon Glow Dew Balm SPF 45 promises a dewy SPF protection that's easy to re-apply on the go. To read all about this product, click......
Packaged in a very cute pink tube that dispenses the sunscreen stick like a giant lip balm, the Watermelon Glow Dew Balm SPF 45 is a solid chemical sunscreen formulated with niacinamide, squalane, and hyaluronic acid. With no discernable scent (unlike the other Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow products which have a lovely watermelon scent), the Watermelon Glow Dew Balm SPF 45 glides very easily on the skin, providing an instant balmy moisture with a very dewy sheen.
However, once applied, the Watermelon Glow Dew Balm SPF 45 does not seem to absorb at all. It sits awkwardly on the skin no matter how long I wait. The finish feels slightly greasy and sticky, leaving a palpable slick that transfers with touch. To troubleshoot, I tried wearing the Watermelon Glow Dew Balm SPF 45 on bare skin, just to see if it would absorb better. There was a slight improvement but the sunscreen still sat uncomfortably on the skin's surface without much absorption. There is no significant pilling or patching but this is definitely not a product I would use under or over makeup. Given that the Watermelon Glow Dew Balm SPF 45 was a second try at an SPF product from Glow Recipe, I had very high hopes. However, I think this is another miss. The only people I think that may appreciate the formulation are those with dry to very dry skin. However, for those with normal to oily skin, especially in the summertime, there are much better sunscreen options available on the market.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 5%, Octisalate 5%
Non-Active Ingredients: Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Octyldodecanol, C15-19 Alkane, Coco-caprylate/Caprate, Silica Silylate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Polyester-8, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Squalane, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, dl-alpha Tocopheryl acetate, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Behenate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Crithmum Maritimum Extract.
Availability:Glow Recipe is available in stores and online at
Sephora.
