As August starts to edge toward September, sunscreen can be one of the first summer habits to quietly disappear. Beach bags get packed away, patio season slows down and mornings start to feel a little cooler.

The sun, unfortunately, does not follow our seasonal wardrobe changes.

UV exposure does not disappear when summer ends, which makes sunscreen less of a seasonal beauty product and more of a year-round skincare essential. Cooler temperatures, cloudy skies and shorter days can make it easier to forget, but daily sun protection still deserves a place in the morning routine.

The good news is that facial sunscreens have become much easier to wear. Mineral formulas are becoming more sheer, sticks make reapplication less cumbersome and there are options for everything from a matte finish to a dewy glow.

Here are four sunscreens worth considering as summer winds down, plus a reminder not to forget your lips.

Vivier SHEER SPF 45: For a Silky Matte Finish

If sunscreen makes you immediately think of a thick, shiny layer sitting on top of your skincare, Vivier SHEER SPF 45 takes a more polished approach.

Priced at $90 CAD, the broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen has a lightweight, non-greasy texture and a silky matte finish. It is designed for daily wear and to layer underneath makeup, making it particularly appealing for anyone who wants sun protection without adding more shine to the complexion.

This is the option to consider when the rest of the routine includes foundation or when you want skin to look more finished rather than noticeably dewy.

As we move into fall, that matters. Sunscreen is much easier to keep using every morning when it behaves like part of your skincare and makeup routine rather than something associated exclusively with the beach.

Vivier SHEER SPF 30 Mineral: For a More Radiant Finish

For those who prefer mineral sunscreen, Vivier SHEER SPF 30 Mineral offers a very different finish.

The $72 CAD formula uses 100 per cent mineral sun protection and has a more luminous, dewy effect on the skin. Vitamins C and E are also included in the formula, and Vivier positions it as a sunscreen that combines broad-spectrum protection with hydration and radiance.

The choice between Vivier’s two SHEER formulas may ultimately come down to how you like your skin to look.

Choose the SPF 45 if you prefer a silkier, more matte complexion. The SPF 30 Mineral makes more sense if you gravitate toward hydrated, glowing skin and prefer a mineral formula.

That distinction may sound cosmetic, but texture and finish matter. A sunscreen you enjoy putting on has a much better chance of becoming part of your everyday routine.

Shiseido Urban Environment Mineral Clear Sunscreen SPF 50+: Mineral Without the Chalky Look

One of the persistent complaints about mineral sunscreen is white cast, which makes Shiseido Urban Environment Mineral Clear Sunscreen SPF 50+ particularly interesting.

The 100 per cent mineral facial sunscreen is designed to dispense white and become clear as it is blended into the skin. It’s lightweight and breathable, with broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection. It also contains skincare ingredients including hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.

It is designed to be used as the last step in a morning skincare routine before makeup and is particularly useful option for anyone who wants mineral protection but has been put off by formulas that feel heavy or leave a visible film.

It is also a reminder of how much the sunscreen category has evolved. Choosing mineral protection no longer necessarily means accepting a thick, pasty finish.

Shiseido Ultra Sun Protector Clear Stick SPF 50+: Keep This One in Your Bag

If there is one sunscreen format that makes sense as summer turns into fall, it might be the stick.

Shiseido Ultra Sun Protector Clear Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ comes in a transparent stick format designed to make sunscreen easier to reapply when you are away from home.

That portability makes it useful well beyond beach days.

Keep it in a handbag for a sunny afternoon on a patio, in the car for a weekend road trip or alongside your walking and cycling gear. The stick format also eliminates the excuse of not wanting to deal with a bottle of lotion halfway through the day.

Don’t Forget Your Lips

We tend to talk about sunscreen in terms of face and body, but lips deserve attention too.

Clé de Peau Beauté Protective Lip Treatment SPF 25 combines luxury lip care with sun protection in a $90 CAD treatment designed to nourish while protecting the lips.

It is unquestionably a splurge, but it makes an important point: SPF does not have to stop at the edge of your lipstick.

Make SPF an Autumn Habit

Summer ending can actually be a good time to reset the sunscreen habit.

Instead of treating SPF as something you remember before a beach day, put it beside the skincare products you already use every morning. Check the expiry date on the bottle that has been sitting around since spring. Keep a stick somewhere you will actually reach for it. And pay attention to the UV Index rather than assuming cooler weather means sun protection is no longer necessary.

The goal is not to create another complicated step. It is to find a sunscreen texture and format that fits naturally into everyday life.

Summer might be winding down. Your sunscreen routine doesn’t have to go with it.