12 hours ago
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.
