Martha Stewart is 83-years-old. Let that sink in for a moment, because this woman looks incredible. I'm not talking she looks good for her age incredible, but generally another level. She's not one to gatekeep her beauty products du jour either, and I heard that there's a sunscreen she won't leave the house without.
I'm a big advocate of SPF being the key to great skin (I don't leave the house without ZO Skin Health Smart Tone Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50 or Glow Screen) and it seems Martha and I sing from the same song sheet because the SPF-packed skincare is her daily non-negotiable.
- Martha Stewart applies a tinted sunscreen "every single morning."
- The lifestyle guru's go-to SPF is the Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen, $79.
- The sunscreen is described as hydrating, protecting and glow-boosting.
Since she's been looking extra amazing recently (Martha in Skims kaftan, what a vibe), I've delved into the archives to see what her daily skincare routine looks like. She revealed on The Martha Stewart Podcast that she applies Alastin’s HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen, $79, "every single morning."
© Instagram“It really works, and it looks like you have some makeup on,” she said during an interview with her dermatologist, Dr. Dan Belkin last year.
“I add to it a little serum, so I thin it out a little tiny bit, and I just put it all over,” adding she “will not leave the house without it in the morning.”
I spoke to Face The Future's Clinical Lead Kimberley Medd on the importance of wearing a face sunscreen daily. "Wearing SPF on your face every single day is the most effective step you can take to protect your skin’s health and maintain a youthful appearance long-term. UVA rays are present 365 days a year, even through clouds and windows, and they’re the number one cause of premature ageing. Daily sun protection isn’t just for holidays, it’s a non-negotiable part of any serious skincare routine.
Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36
© Alastin"As part of Face the Future 365 Days of SPF campaign, they found that 40% of UK consumers are more interested in hydration than SPF’s anti-ageing benefits, even though UVA rays are the number one cause of premature ageing. This shift in focus from protection to plumpness suggests a fundamental misunderstanding of skincare. While hydration helps maintain a healthy skin barrier and gives that coveted dewy glow, it does little to shield skin from the silent, cumulative damage of UV exposure."
That's where Martha's winning with her sunscreen, as its doing the best of both; providing sun protection while hydrating the skin too.
© InstagramMartha even remarked to Vogue in 2023: "Somebody took pictures of me going into the Today show, and the pictures are beautiful. I had not a stitch of makeup on except for Alastin, and I looked really good.”
We agree Martha. And this hybrid skincare product is a quick fix for the time-poor, as it ticks off a few skincare products in one go. As well as being a broad-spectrum sunscreen, protecting the skin from UVA/UVB, it also is packed with antioxidants to strengthen and protect the skin from pollutants and blue light and also hydrates the skin as it goes.
Not to mention the slight tint has a "glowing effect on the skin" said one shopper.
How much sunscreen does a dermatologist say you should really be using?
While choosing a higher SPF does block more UV rays, you can still sustain skin damage if you don’t apply enough sunscreen, or don’t reapply frequently enough. Most dermatologists recommend using an SPF of at least 30 for daily wear, and at least 50 if you are spending a lot of time outside.
"SPF 50 blocks about 98% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks around 97%. From a dermatologist’s standpoint, I think SPF 30 is totally fine, especially if you’re applying enough and reapplying when needed. In fact, many SPF 30 formulas are more elegant and cosmetically appealing, which means you're more likely to wear them daily—and that’s what really matters!” said Dr. Ashley Magovern, board-certified dermatologist and Dermstore Medical Advisory Board member. Don’t forget to reapply every 2 hours, or more frequently if you’re sweating or swimming.
After your usual skincare routine, it’s time to apply SPF. As a rule of thumb, you should use the 'two finger' method: take two fingers and draw lines the entire length of your finger with sunscreen; this is how much you should apply to your face and neck. For the body, experts recommend at least a shot glass-sized amount. These guidelines ensure you’re actually getting the level of protection indicated on your sunscreen label.
The experts at Dermstore express how "reapplication is extremely important, but it’s one of the most overlooked steps in sun protection. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied at least every two hours when outdoors, and immediately after swimming, sweating or toweling off. This is because active UV filters break down over time and lose efficacy with sun exposure, meaning even the best-applied SPF won’t last you through lunch."
What alternatives are there to Martha's SPF?
My fave, Supergoop Glow Screen, gives a good glow to the skin like Martha's.
Another alternative is bareMinerals COMPLEXION RESCUE® Tinted Moisturizer Mineral SPF 30, a 3-in-1 multi-tasker that includes a moisturizer, skin tint and SPF 30, with hyaluronic acid to boost hydration for a dewy, healthy-looking glow.
For one that's easy to reapply throughout the day is the Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield FLEX SPF 50. This facial sunscreen evens the skin tone, and features innovative, tone-adapting pigments that offer medium, buildable color coverage with a natural finish that blur imperfections. It also provides all-mineral protection from environmental aggressors such as UVA/UVB, pollution, blue light and infrared radiation.
What other products does Martha Stewart use in her skincare routine?
As I mentioned, Martha isn't one to keep her skincare finds a secret. I found a recent video of the lifestyle legend enjoying a LYMA facial using the brand's LYMA Laser Pro. Her verdict post-facial? “Wow is all I can say!!!!!”
© LYMAShe's also stated she loves the Mario Badescu's $8 Rosewater Spray, a drugstore beauty buy that is hydrating, smells beautiful and great a skin pick-me-up.
