By now you (better!) understand the importance of sunscreen - yes, even for darker skin tones. And there are plenty of sunscreen-enhanced products that offer a more convenient alternative to lotions, from face powders to eyeshadows to setting sprays - so you officially have no excuse not to reapply. Still, you shouldn't overlook the advantages of the humble sunscreen stick.
In a nutshell, "sunscreen sticks are ideal for their convenience," says dermatologist Laurel Naversen Geraghty, M.D. They allow you to swipe on a layer of UV protection without dealing with the greasy mess and residue associated with lotion formulas. "I stash one in my car so I can quickly swipe some on my hands, ears, and face when I'm behind the wheel," says Dr. Geraghty. UV rays can reach you through a windshield (or any window for that matter), she points out, and so having a means for easy reapplication is helpful.
Forget what any assumptions you might have - sunscreen sticks are suitable for people with all skin types, including those with oily or combination skin, says Dr. Geraghty. While sunscreen sticks have an old-school reputation as something that may cause acne, today's sticks are designed to be non-comedogenic (aka they won't clog your pores), so you don't have to worry they'll contribute to breakouts, according to Dr. Geraghty. "I recommend sunscreen sticks for just about anyone," she says. "Sticks are especially useful for hands, lips, ears, and noses, or quick touch-ups when you've been outside for more than two hours," as even the best sunscreens only provide about two hours of protection, she says. "And that's even less if you've been swimming or sweating."
Another advantage of sunscreen sticks over lotion formulas is that they're less likely to mess up your look if you're applying a layer of sunscreen on top of makeup, says Dr. Geraghty. Just don't expect a miracle: "Sticks are less likely to mess up makeup compared to lotions, but sticks do have the potential to change the matte look of a foundation," says Dr. Geraghty. "They could potentially smear or smudge or partly remove your blush or lipstick." For those days when you're wearing heavy makeup that you want to stay perfectly in place for photos, etc., she suggests starting with an SPF lotion under your makeup and using a light SPF spray for touch up protection and to re-set your makeup. But in other instances, a sunscreen stick can go over makeup pretty seamlessly.