Review: Anastasia Beverly Hills launches Hydra Prime SPF 50

New York Post

26-06-2025

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Anastasia Beverly Hills, renowned for its iconic beauty products, is making a bold move with the launch of Hydra Prime SPF 50 — a sunscreen that promises to redefine the category by combining potent skincare benefits with flawless makeup priming.
I've tested *a ton* of beauty products, and Anastasia Beverly Hills is surely one of my go-to brands. While the label's roster of glittery eyeshadows and perfectly sticky (but not too sticky) lip glosses is its bread and butter, its new SPF offering stands out as a thoughtful, clinically-backed innovation designed to meet the needs of modern beauty lovers who want more than just sun protection.
Sunscreen is notoriously a challenging category, especially for a makeup brand branching out from color cosmetics. Claudia Soare, president of Anastasia Beverly Hills, explained in an exclusive interview with Post Wanted that the decision to enter this space was not taken lightly.
'SPF is a tough category, especially for a makeup brand; it's not something you can just casually branch into,' Soare shared. 'If we were going to do it, we had to come a lot harder than just 'another sunscreen.' It couldn't be basic; it had to have real clinical skincare benefits. That's the only way it would make sense for us and for our customer.'
Hydra Prime is designed not only as a sunscreen but as a multi-benefit skincare product that hydrates, strengthens the skin's barrier, smooths texture, primes makeup and improves the overall look and feel of skin over time. This holistic approach sets HydraPrime apart from typical SPF products, and it feels luxurious on my skin.
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Pros: Doubles as a makeup primer
Hydrates and is infused with antioxidants to soothe and fortify the skin barrier
Enhances makeup with a natural-looking glow Cons: It isn't vegan or cruelty-free, though gentle on my sensitive skin with no irritation
The price point is more expensive than most other face sunscreens
Many sunscreens struggle with common issues like white cast, greasiness or interfering with makeup wear. However, HydraPrime tackles these head-on with a sheer, silky texture that disappears into my skin.
Victoria Giardina
Rather than compromising makeup, it actually enhances makeup longevity and wear. Beyond aesthetics, the formula offers powerful skincare perks: hydration, calming effects, skin barrier reinforcement and protection against pollution and oxidative stress. Where has this been my whole life?
'This isn't just another SPF with benefits — it's skincare-first, with real clinical proof,' Soare emphasized.
The best part? The formulation of HydraPrime features next-generation skincare ingredients tailored for maximum efficacy and skin comfort. Niacinamide brightens and refines texture, ectoin supports barrier repair and hydration, acetyl zingerone fights oxidative stress and aging signs and bisabolol soothes irritation.
The sunscreen is also microbiome-friendly, non-comedogenic dermatologist-tested tested and remarkably lightweight with no white cast or greasy feel.
This inclusive formula is designed for all skin types as well — from dry and oily to sensitive —respecting the skin's needs and harmonizing perfectly with makeup.
My review
Victoria Giardina
With hundreds of SPFs to choose from, Hydra Prime arrives as a premium face screen that's more than blocking UV rays. This formulation is all about barrier care, hydration and long-wear priming in a single, elegant step.
From its inception, the goal was ambitious: create an SPF with real clinical skincare credibility, not simply a cosmetic afterthought. The result is a product designed to earn a permanent place in your routine, not just because it protects, but because it performs. I can confidently say that it has paved its way into my routine as a mainstay.
Victoria Giardina
With a sheer, silky finish that vanishes on contact, it sidesteps the common pitfalls of SPF — no white cast, no greasy residue and no interference with my base. Instead, it enhances my canvas; my makeup sits better, lasts longer and my skin looks noticeably smoother and more hydrated.
In practice, Hydra Prime becomes the quiet hero of my getting-ready routine. Whether paired with a full face — layered under foundation, bronzer, blush and a signature brow — or worn alone on bare-skin days, it delivers a blurred, luminous base that elevates whatever follows. It's proof that performance and protection don't have to live in separate categories, and for that, I love it.
A morning routine with HydraPrime
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Soare shared her personal beauty ritual featuring Hydra Prime, underscoring how integral it has become.
'Every morning starts with Hydra Prime,' she shared. 'It's just non-negotiable at this point — it gives me that hydrated, blurred base and makes everything layer smoother.'
Following Hydra Prime, she applies the Impeccable Foundation for a flawless yet natural finish, then uses the new Bronzer and Blush Trios for effortless color and dimension. Brow grooming is finished with the Brow Wiz and Brow Freeze to shape and lock brows in place. 'Whether I'm going full glam or just doing skin and brows, Hydra Prime always comes first. It sets the tone,' she shared.
How to apply
For optimal sun protection, apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure. To prep and prime for makeup application, apply a thin layer over clean skin following your skincare routine. Blend into your skin using your fingertips, and allow the formula to absorb into your skin before applying makeup. Reapply at least every 2 hours for optimal sun protection benefits.
The bottom line
With Hydra Prime, Anastasia Beverly Hills enters the sunscreen arena not merely to compete, but to revolutionize the category by offering a product that prioritizes skincare integrity without compromising makeup performance.
This launch is a testament to the brand's dedication to innovation and delivering truly transformative beauty experiences, truly. For those seeking a sunscreen that hydrates, protects and primes well, Hydra Prime may well be the game-changer we've been waiting for.
This article was written by Victoria Giardina, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what's truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria's latest conquests include testing the best vitamin C serums on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos of 2025. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.
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