Hailey Bieber uses this sunscreen. I braved the blistering heat to see if it lives up to the hype
Everybody knows that when it comes to influencer-recommended products, it's hit-or-miss, but when I couldn't escape seeing the Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40 on Instagram and TikTok, I knew I had to get my hands on the crowd-favorite face sunscreen. After all, I am a Kosas girl, and the 'it girl' beauty brand hasn't failed me yet. Plus, Hailey Bieber — who just sold her beauty brand, Rhode, for $1 billion — filmed herself using it, and it's hard to argue with one of the queens of skin care.
But the Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40 mineral sunscreen has some very big shoes to fill. When it comes to sunscreens, particularly face ones, I am a tad picky. No, scratch that. I'm a lot picky. There's a fine line between looking summer dewy and icky oily, and even the best sunscreens have failed the test or, at least, my standards. And with the sun getting harsher every year, I need something that provides ample, effective and long-lasting sun protection.
The question is, does the Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40 meet expectations? I got the sunscreen in both shades to find out.
Kosas DreamBeam Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40
Promising the highest level of broad-spectrum sun protection with a PA++++ rating, Kosas DreamBeam is best known for delivering a dewy, glowy finish. It comes in two colors: Original and Sunlit. How do many skin care products go viral? Because of Bieber, of course. OK, that might be a bit of an exaggeration. Since DreamBeam was released back in 2023, just before summer, it's hard to know at this point exactly how it originally went viral.
It's not hard to guess why it's going through another viral phase, though. Summer is just around the corner, which means it's sunscreen season again (although you should wear sunscreen year-round). With us mere mortals seeking effective sun safety, influencers on Instagram and TikTok are singing the praises of Kosas' SPF once again.
That isn't a surprise considering this sunscreen is fairly lightweight and easy to apply. More importantly, it leaves your face glowing with its dewy finish, and it boasts the highest level of protection with its PA++++ rating. I'm not getting in the weeds of this rating system (you can read this explainer) but know that that's the highest rating of UVA protection you can get in Asia and Europe.
This might seem like a noncommittal answer, but it depends. Before you close this tab and label me a weak tester with no backbone, allow me to explain.
Most of the hype around Kosas' DreamBeam seems focused on its dewy finish and lightweight formula, and it actually lives up to those expectations. With my combination skin, I'm not a big fan of greasy sunscreen, and I was skeptical that this would give me that glowy finish without making my face look like a melting candle. However, after wearing it on long morning and midday hikes in Los Angeles, California, I was a convert.
While it doesn't feel as light or grease-free on my face as the Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen or Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen, it does keep my face from dissolving under the sweltering sun, likely due to its water-resistant formula. And it makes my face look like I'm living in my 'hot girl summer' era while also evening out my skin tone.
More importantly, it has proven itself incredibly effective at sun protection. It kept my face from burning during those blistering hikes, even after an hour in direct sunlight.
I'll be honest, however, DreamBeam is not a skin care product that's ideal for everyone, and that's where it gets tricky to recommend.
Even before I tested it, reports of breakouts and incompatibility with some skin tones reached my ears, and after testing it for a week, I can substantiate those claims. Using the Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40 with my usual Kosas Cloud Set powder and Kosas Cloud Set Mist setting spray led to my skin breaking out, despite the FAQ on Kosas' site claiming that the SPF 'was made for [wearing with makeup]' and promising 'no breakouts, no irritation — just comfy protection.' In addition, while the original shade looks gorgeous on my skin, the Sunlit shade made me look like I left my face in a tanning bed a tad too long.
An even more serious downside is that it only really offers less than two hours of protection in full sunlight. I tested it alongside four other popular face sunscreens, including the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector and the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Hydra Invisible Sunscreen, using these UV detection stickers that tell you when you need to reapply, and Kosas DreamBeam only lasted about an hour and a half. As someone who hates reapplying, that was disappointing for me.
Here are some of my other favorite sunscreens for summer.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Hydra Invisible Sunscreen
One of the longest-lasting face sunscreens I've ever tested, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios is another testament to French skin care's legendary status.
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Face and Body Lotion SPF 60+
Another TikTok-viral option, the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector feels lightweight and doesn't leave a white cast on the skin. Unfortunately, it only lasts as long as the Kosas DreamBeam.
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50
Offering about two hours of protection, the Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen is my personal favorite because it leaves my skin feeling light, airy and grease-free. If all you're after is a lightweight, effortless sunscreen that will give you up to an hour and a half of protection and the dewiest skin, then the Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40 is … well, the dream. As long as your skin isn't highly sensitive and you don't mind reapplying more often, you'll love using it. It might even streamline your get-ready routine since it'll give you an instant glow without makeup.
But if your skin is on the sensitive side or you have a darker complexion, or if you lack the consistency or dedication to reapply, I recommend getting the mini size first to see if it's a good match for your needs.
Is Kosas DreamBeam sunscreen pore-clogging?
Is Kosas DreamBeam sunscreen pore-clogging?
According to the brand's website, the Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40 is 'clinically proven to be noncomedogenic, nonacnegenic, nonirritating, hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin.' However, there have been some reports of users breaking out. I have experienced a breakout after using it with my Kosas setting powder and setting spray.
Is Kosas DreamBeam sunscreen what Hailey Bieber uses?
Is Kosas DreamBeam sunscreen what Hailey Bieber uses?
Based on her TikTok videos, Hailey Bieber uses various sunscreens, including her go-to, the EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40; however, she also famously used the Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40 in at least one of her videos back in 2023 after the product was first released.
Is Kosas DreamBeam a good face sunscreen?
Is Kosas DreamBeam a good face sunscreen?
Yes, it's a good face sunscreen, providing the broad-spectrum UV protection and a glowy, nongreasy finish. It's also not ideal for some skin types and tones, though. I recommend buying a mini version first to see if it's right for you.
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors with many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products who ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
Testing writer Michelle Rae Uy has years of experience covering lifestyle products and writing product reviews. A beach and sea lover, she recently tested and reviewed several beach gear and summer products, writing a number of our guides, including the best beach chairs, the best beach umbrellas and the best beach towels. She tested other sunscreen products, including this sunscreen applicator, alongside the Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Justin Bieber Posted a Cryptic Father's Day Post About ‘Conflict' After He Addressed the Hailey Divorce Rumors
All eyes are always on Justin Bieber's Instagram account. The 'Baby' singer has been getting personal on his Instagram account about his internal struggles and fake friends. On Father's Day, the singer took to Instagram to post photos of his son Jack Blues Bieber and his wife Hailey Bieber with a middle finger emoji as the caption. Right after those posts, he posted a conversation with a seemingly ex-friend who he cut off. More from StyleCaster Hailey Bieber Shares Cryptic Post After Justin Posted About 'Transactional Relationships' Following Her $1B Deal Justin & Hailey Bieber's Prenup Details Finally Revealed Amid Reports He Could Get Half of Her Billion-Dollar Fortune 'I will never suppress my emotions for someone. Conflict is a part of relationship. If you don't like my anger you don't like me,' he messaged the anonymous person. 'My anger is a response To pain I have been thru. Asking a traumatized person not to be traumatized is simply mean.' The person on the receiving end responded that they were 'not used to someone lashing out at me. It's not hat I don't see and feel your anger.' He later was firm on his own emotions and called an end to the his relationship with the person. 'Ouch. This friendship is officially over,' he wrote. 'I will never accept a man calling my anger lashing out. I enjoyed our short lived relationship. I wasn't kidding when I told u I didn't need u as a friend. I have good friends. Who will respect these boundaries.' Just less than 24 hours later, Justin took to Instagram to address his behavior. 'People keep telling me to heal,' he wrote. 'Don't you think if I could have fixed myself I would have already? I know I'm broken. I know I have anger issues,' the singer wrote. 'I tried to do the work my whole life to be like the people who told me I needed to be fixed like them. And it just keeps making me more tired and more angry. The harder I try to grow, the more focussed on myself I am.' The posts comes weeks after Justin was criticized for posting a scathing Instagram caption about his wife's accomplishments for being on the cover of Vogue. 'Yo this reminds me when Hailey and I got into a huge fight,' he began in his Instagram cover. 'I told hails that she would never be on the cover of vogue. Yikes I know, so mean.' The singer recalled that he 'felt so disrespected' and 'thought I gotta get even.' 'I think as we mature we realize that we're not helping anything by getting even,' he continued. 'we're honestly just prolonging what we really want which is intimacy and connection.'He ended the post with an apology, 'So baby u already know but forgive me for saying u wouldn't get a vogue cover cuz clearly i was sadly mistaken.' He later replaced the caption with a series of emojis, '🤷🫵🏻🫶🏼🥹.' In the same Vogue cover story, Hailey addressed the divorce rumors. 'Being postpartum is the most sensitive time I've ever gone through in my life, and learning a new version of myself is very difficult,' Hailey told the fashion magazine. 'And to be doing that all the while going on the internet every day and people being like, 'They're getting divorced' and 'They're this' and 'They're not happy,' it is such a mindf—-. I cannot even begin to explain it. It's a crazy life to live.' Best of StyleCaster The 26 Best Romantic Comedies to Watch if You Want to Know What Love Feels Like These 'Bachelor' Secrets & Rules Prove What Happens Behind the Scenes Is So Much Juicier BTS's 7 Members Were Discovered in the Most Unconventional Ways
Forbes
31 minutes ago
- Forbes
Apple Music Chief: It's 'Crazy' Other Streaming Services Offer Free Music Tiers
Music icon on an iPhone NurPhoto via Getty Images Oliver Schusser, Apple Music's top executive, said it's 'crazy' that other music streaming platforms continue to offer free consumer tiers and suggested it devalues music as a form of art. Speaking with National Music Publishers Assn. CEO David Israelite during the organization's annual meeting on June 11, Schusser, vice president of Apple Music and International Content, said, 'I think it's crazy that 20 years in, we still offer music for free. We're the only service that doesn't have a free service. As a company, we look at music as art, and we would never want to give away art for free.' He likened Apple's music streaming model to its parent company's business model for television streaming service Apple TV+. 'Let me give you an example,' he said. 'In January we added the most successful show in the world on AppleTV +. It's called 'Severance.' You know what you have to do to watch 'Severance'? You had to sign up to Apple TV+ and pay $10. It isn't available anywhere for free,' he said. Pointing to Gracie Abrams - who accepted the Billboard Breakthrough Songwriter of Year award at the event, and Kacey Musgraves, who was honored with this year's NMPA Songwriter Icon Award - Schusser added, 'So I don't understand why Gracie's album would be available for free, or Kacey's. It makes no sense. We don't have a free service, we will not have one, we have no plans for one.' Schusser's comments come as tensions persist between the music industry and the streaming platforms, where songwriters are still often splitting pennies per play, and new offerings are exacerbating the situation. Spotify last year began offering subscriptions that bundle music with audiobooks, a move Amazon Music has recently parroted. 'The songwriting and music publishing community has been in what seems like a never-ending dispute with Spotify, a company that's constantly attacking songwriters and trying to cut what they pay," said Israelite. "And now Amazon is also bundling and we've seen a reduction of royalties in the last few months.' At the meeting, NMPA executive VP and general counsel Danielle Aguirre put numbers behind those losses. 'We lost over $230 million' last year as a direct result of Spotify's bundles, she noted, and in the first three months since Amazon started bundling, 'we've seen a 40 percent decrease in music revenue from Amazon.' Israelite shared that music publishing revenue in the U.S. grew 17 percent to more than $7 billion last year, but suggested that growth would be more significant if strenuous government regulation such as mechanical royalties weren't a factor.
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Vogue
an hour ago
- Vogue
What Is the Dress of Summer? It's Surprisingly Simple
Every summer, without fail, a fan-favorite dress emerges; a dress becomes the dress. During the pandemic, for instance, the strawberry dress went viral—and everyone on your Instagram or TikTok page was wearing it. Last year, sheer naked dresses were all the rage. It's no surprise that statement dresses become popular during the season, as they are the perfect, easy garment to wear during a heat wave. And given we are officially entering the summer season next week, we're currently wondering: What will the breakout summer dress of 2025 be? According to celebrities, there are already signs of the silhouettes will reign supreme. Over the past few weeks, stars have been debuting their best summer frocks—and the consensus this year is that minimalism is back. (I mean, did it ever leave?). Simple, sleek maxi dresses—from tank dresses to slinky gowns—have been making their rounds both on the streets and on the red carpets. Compared to bold floral dresses (which are often popular this time of year), the new crop of summer sdummer whisper a sense of elegance. Dakota Johnson Photo: Splash News Cardi B Photo: Backgrid There have been both day and night approaches to the more streamlined look. In New York City, Dakota Johnson recently stepped out in a white Khaite tank dress that was a perfect choice for elevated day wear. The square neck and calf-length hemline made it feel modern, and it's precisely the kind of timeless design you can sport for many summers to come. Ditto for Cardi B and her beige bodycon halter dress: With no embellishments or bright colors, it put all emphasis on the figure and her killer accessories. (With Cardi, that always includes a staggering heel.) For a more formal nighttime feel, meanwhile, simple tank or slip dresses have also prevailed. At the Cannes Film Festival last month, Bella Hadid slinked her way onto the red carpet in a draped black Saint Laurent gown. Again, it was all about the open back and high slit—and less about the dress itself being overly complicated or flashy. In New York, Miley Cyrus wore a black sheer sheath dress; what it lacked in ornamentation, it made up for in drama via a totally-transparent fabrication. Why do such simple looks feel so right for this summer? For starters, they point to the quiet mood of fashion in general right now: Rather than going super experimental, brands like The Row, Lemaire, and Khaite are all zeroing in on classic silhouettes this season. Clearly, the stealthy-chic trend is resonating, and has now ventured into summer dress territory. Still, that doesn't mean your warm weather wardrobe has to be devoid of personality in the months to come. As these stylish celebrities have proven, add a great shoe and fun jewelry, and your look can still have a major impact. Consider these simple dresses your blank canvas—but how you style them, is when a true style masterpiece happens. Start brainstorming, Picassos.
