Ultra Violette’s Preen Screen Mist Makes Me Want to Reapply My Sunscreen

Reapplication is so important when it comes to your SPF routine. If you’re not upping your sunscreen but still spending all day in the sun, what’s the point at all? Besides those first 90 or so minutes where your skin was in UV ray-protected bliss.

That said… keeping up on application is easier said than done. When your poolside skin is shining, it doesn’t sound super fun to rub it down with cream. And getting that cream on your hands before you eat watermelon?? It’s a painful situation that we don’t talk about enough.

Surprise surprise! Ultra Violette has a solution. The buzzy Australian sunscreen brand made major waves when it arrived in the United States this spring. Now, it’s fixing our silly American reapplication woes with the launch of Preen Screen SPF 50 Reapplication Mist, an invisible, lightweight, and makeup-protecting SPF spray. Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about the launch straight from Ultra Violette co-founder Ava Matthews, plus our honest review.

The Inspiration

Besides being perfect for a simple re-up, Preen Screen was invented for the girlies who realize they forgot sunscreen after their makeup already looks impeccable. American’s also aren’t amazing at using the word “preen,” but it’s a good one—it basically means putting some effort into your look and then admiring yourself.

“We heard from our customers that reapplication of SPF (and especially so over makeup) was a common pain point—and something [co-founder Bec Jefferd] and I also faced as consumers,” Matthews tells Byrdie. “And also I’m not perfect, sometimes I’ve done a full beat and I realize I’ve forgotten SPF—it’s so annoying. So it’s a helpful product for either reapplication or on the odd occasion where you might need to apply at the end of the getting ready process.”

Matthews adds that, from a usability standpoint, a mist definitely is the friendliest format to use—unless you’re applying in a windy area. This one feels like nothing, except maybe a little refreshment.

The Formula

While some sunscreen mists have a sting to them (SPF is typically carried in liquid form by either oil or alcohol, as most filters are only soluble in one of the two formats), this one is full of ingredients that combat the feeling. There’s redness and irritation-fighting bisabolol, soothing aloe vera, and skin barrier-supporting niacinamide, which also helps to balance oil production and improve skin texture.

“We didn’t love any of the SPF sprays on the market as they felt too oily or eye-stingy—and they’d move makeup,” Matthews adds. “It’s a really hard format to get right. So in order to fulfill the makeup setting/not upsetting proposition of the formula it needed to help set makeup. The component needed to be portable and relatively compact and we needed it to hit an SPF 50 or higher. And, of course, it needed to be completely invisible—which is probably one of the easiest elements to achieve with a formulation like this.”

The mist was formulated with a unique film-forming technology that allows all those good UV filters to adhere to your skin, protecting it and keep your makeup in place without leaving a sticky or shiny (or stingy) residue.

Though she loves all those aforementioned calming ingredients, the film former is probably Matthews’ favorite part of the formula.

“This works double duty to help your SPF filters form a film, offer better protection, and also helps your makeup stay in place! It’s hydrophobic (so moisture resistant) and holds active ingredients on the site of application without being sticky,” she says. “Genius move on our product developer’s part.”

The Review

“It’s no secret among my loved ones that I’m not as on top of sunscreen-wearing as I should be (I know, I know). But this year I’ve been determined to get serious about my sun protection, and Ultra Violette has already been helping me reach my goal—I’ve been wearing its Future Screen every day since it launched. However, re-applying it over makeup is something I will simply never do, which is where this mist comes in.

“Most sunscreen mists are drying, stingy, or stinky, but this is none of the above. It goes on with a fine mist, and it feels hydrating and dewy on the skin. It leaves a subtle glow behind, but doesn’t feel or look greasy. It would be a great mid-day refresh even without the SPF, and the compact size makes it so easy to toss in your purse. I can’t wait to add it to my sunscreen journey this summer.” —Bella Cacciatore, senior news editor

How to Use It

Knowing you already love your daily SPF (she probably makes it, to be fair), Matthews recommends using Preen Screen mainly for reapplication throughout the day. “Of course it can be used as your primary SPF, but it was really created to help with reapplication of SPF which so many of us find so cumbersome and annoying,” she notes.

Her vision is that you’ll apply your normal SPF in the morning, then use Preen to reapply throughout the day as needed. This way, you’ll also be especially thankful for its setting and refreshing abilities—who doesn’t need to up their glow come 2:00 PM?

And if you do want it to be your one and only, by all means go right ahead.

“I have a friend who has major sensory issues and she cannot stand the feel of anything on her skin, so if you’re like that, this could be a great all-round SPF for you,” adds the co-founder. That SPF 50, PA ++++ protection will treat you right.