Today I have an updated sunscreen roundup! I’ve tried a lot of formulas over the years, but I often use them sparingly because of my sensitive skin. Two of my favorite sunscreen brands are Shiseido and Supergoop! For Andrew, it’s Jack Black, but I review quite a few formulas in today’s post.
You can always click on the SUNCARE tab to read past reviews and roundups. In this post, I also share my favorite self-tanning products, as well as sun care loves and misses.
Best Sheer Sunscreen – Face
When it comes to sunscreen for the face, I usually try to find one that is lightweight, has a high SPF and layers well with makeup. However, sometimes I don’t wear makeup when I’m at the beach or on a boat, so those days I go for products that adhere well to the skin and hold up well while sweating/protecting from the heat.
Most of the sunscreens I have reviewed are chemical sunscreens. In general, mineral formulas are usually not great for my skin type unless it’s a tinted option (like a CC cream).
Chanel UV Essentiel with SPF 50 ($60) is one of my favorite sheer sunscreens. Chanel reformulated it this year and I love the new formula 100%. It is not liquid/fluid so it does not seep into the corner of my eyes easily. It has a lightweight, gel-like formula that blends easily. Does not leave any white marks. Goes well with Chanel foundation too. UV Essentiel is scented (similar to previous sunscreens), so if you are sensitive to scents, do a patch test first. Active ingredients: Avobenzone 3.0% | Homosalate 10.0% | Octocrylene 5.0% | Octocrylene 5.0%
Shiseido Vita-Clear Sunscreen ($38) with SPF 42 Vitamin C is another great formula. It is a clear liquid with a light texture. It contains vitamin C to help brighten the complexion and fade away dark spots. Active ingredients: 2.3% avobenzone, 10.0% homosalate, 5.0% octocrylene, 5.0% octocrylene
Overall, I think Shiseido is the best sunscreen I have tried. If you’re looking for other options, they also have an option for oily skin and minerals.
Cle de Peau Beaute UV Protection Cream SPF 50+ ($140) is a newer product that’s pretty luxurious. It has an ultra-luxe texture unlike any formula I’ve tried. This one has a completely transparent finish. It’s hydrating, but drying well. It is described as suitable for all skin types, but I still think it is best for normal/dry skin. That being said, my skin tends to get pretty dry when exposed to the outdoor heat, so this one is still pretty good. It has a floral scent, so if you’re sensitive to scented sunscreens, do a patch test first. Do I think such a high price is useful? I have no idea. Will run out completely, but I don’t know that I will repurchase. Active ingredients: 2.3% avobenzone, 10% homosalate, 5% octocrylene, 5% octocrylene
I also picked up Cle de Peau Refill Lip Balm with UV Protection ($65) in SPF 25 to try. I’m still undecided on this. I really need to wear sunscreen on my lips, but I can’t stand the taste or feel of most sunscreens. This one definitely smells, but I don’t really like the feel of it (it has a waxy feel to it).
Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50 ($55) is an excellent sunscreen that doubles as a primer. It works great under foundation with a sheer invisible finish. Love how hydrating yet lightweight it is. Active ingredients: 3% avobenzone, 6.7% caprylic acid, 4.5% octylol, 2.0% octocrylene
Shiseido Sheer Sun Stick SPF 50 ($30) is one of the best face sunscreens I’ve tried. It has a sticky surface so it adheres well to the skin. I love touch-ups on the go on my no-makeup days. Reapplying is easy. Since it clings so well, make sure you wash your face thoroughly at the end of the day. I recommend doing a double cleanse with an oil-based cleanser before using your regular cleanser. Active ingredients: 2.5% avobenzone, 10.0% homosalate, 5.0% octocrylene, 10.0% octocrylene
Vacation Inc. Super Spritz SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Mist ($24) is pure love. If you wear makeup, this is the easiest way to top up your sunscreen, but be sure to spray it on generously. It smells incredible and didn’t irritate my skin. Does not feel heavy and leaves skin refreshed. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (2.9%), Octylate (4.9%), Octocrylene (9.5%)
tinted sunscreen
I have a lot of foundations that also have sunscreen, but today’s roundup focuses more on products that are primarily sunscreen.
super cuckoo! Glowscreen ($38) with SPF 40 is one of my favorites. I really like that they added more shades. I alternate between Day Excellence (the original champagne shade) and Golden Hour (the bronzer). I like to use it alone on my entire face or under foundation to impart a natural glow. Glowscreen also contains Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide to hydrate the skin. Active ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Octocrylene 5%, Octocrylene 10%
super cuckoo! CC Screen with SPF 50 ($44) is one of the few mineral cc creams I like. I’m currently running out, but I like to blend with a sponge. It feels too thick if blended with fingers. Has good medium coverage, stays put and is long lasting.
Chanel CC Cream SPF 50 has been hailed as one of my all-time favorite tinted sunscreens, but it’s currently being reformulated. It’s almost impossible to find this now. The Chanel counter near me tells me it’s coming back in 2024. I will 100% try new ones.
Tower 28 SunnyDays Tinted Sunscreen SPF 30 ($32) is another mineral formula that I can actually use and love. It has a mild texture, more like a sunscreen, and blends easily into the skin. I wear 35 Point Dume, but they added some new shades that I need to check out. Active ingredient: Zinc Oxide, 12.6%
Best Sunscreens – Body Sunscreens
For the body, Shiseido Ultimate Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 ($50) is arguably the best, offering the most effective sun and heat protection. You’ll still have to reapply often, but this one is the best at resisting sweat, water, and heat. I love how easy it is to reapply even on sweaty skin. Easy to apply and blend. I highly recommend getting the Value Size Duo ($66), as it comes with a mini case you can slip in your purse.
Vacation Inc. makes the best smelling sunscreens on the market. I’m glad they added SPF 50 versions of the classic spray and classic lotion. I generally don’t recommend body mist sunscreens because it’s easy to miss the area where the sprayer is applied. Also, if you do apply enough product and reapply every 2 hours, the spray usually lasts no more than 1-2 days.
I really like the two sunscreens from Vacation Inc, although I do wish they had a higher SPF. Chardonnay oil with SPF 30 feels wonderful on the skin, while baby oil with SPF 30 smells like baby oil. I’d say these are best for days when you’re in the shade or without water.
I tried Soleil Toujours Antioxidant Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 ($36) and loved it. (There’s also an SPF 30 option.) Slightly sticky, but adheres well and skin looks radiant. If the body lotion had an SPF 50 option, I would 100% try it. I love this and intend to run out and consider repurchasing, but it doesn’t have enough product to justify the price. The spray goes away so fast! (Andrew tried it and said he didn’t like it) Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ornidazole 5%
excellent! Glowscreen Body with SPF 40 ($42) gets my rave reviews again. I love the formula and the shimmer it adds. It feels a little thick when you apply it, so you really need to spread it on the skin to blend it, but it adheres well and never breaks me out. Active ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 7%, Octocrine 5%, Octocrylene 10%
Jack Black Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 45 ($22) is well-received because it’s Andrew’s favorite formula and one he uses every day. It’s thick and takes some work to blend in, but it’s the most effective and easy to reapply. This is the best waterproof sunscreen we’ve tried. The only downside is that it takes a lot of work to remove it in the shower too, but as far as protection goes, it’s one of the best around. Turbo Wash is the best choice for removing dirt. Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 8%, Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 3%
after sun balm
We have tried many aloe and after sun products. At the end of the day, any good aloe vera gel can do a great job of helping to soothe the skin. We often end up with a bottle of banana split or after-sun cooling gel. Two other formulas I’ve tried include Dior’s and Vacation’s.
Vacation Inc. Aloe Vera After-Sun Gel ($12) is one of our recent favorites. Love that it doesn’t contain any alcohol and soothes the skin.
Dior Solar After Sun Balm ($52) is another great moisturizer that I love. Has a light texture and a cooling effect. It does have alcohol in its ingredient list, but it didn’t irritate my skin.
self tanner
Last but not least, many of you have asked me if I tan, but I usually don’t. I don’t really like the smell of self-tanners or the way my skin feels, but this year I finally tried Loving Tan and loved it. I tried the medium 2-hour express formula and the results were pretty impressive. The tan color looks very natural (no orange tinge), no streaks, and no transfer. I am 100% impressed! I would say that any self tanning product (even this one) dries out the skin, so my only supplemental suggestion is daily moisturizer. You can see the before/after conversion here.
Misses
Here are some recent missteps when it comes to sun protection. A lot of them got positive reviews, but they didn’t work for me.
Kosas DreamBeam – I’m not sure if I’d call this a complete miss because it blends well and doesn’t pill or clump. I miss this because I just think there are better formulas out there and this feels extra thick on my skin. It’s so thick I can’t wait to wash it off.
Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick – I had high hopes for this, but it was streaky, felt thick, had a noticeable white cast and clogged my pores.
Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow – Another product that I had high hopes for, but left my skin terribly oily. I feel like everything is glued to me. The shimmers are not noticeable on my skin. It’s hydrating and leaves your skin glowing, yet has zero dryness and feels incredibly slippery.
First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen – I had high hopes for this because I really love First Aid Beauty. There are tons of positive reviews, so if you’re looking for a mineral sunscreen, I still think it’s worth a try. It seeps into my pores and doesn’t mix easily (I make sure I shake the bottle well).
buy post
I know I’ve covered a lot here! If you want to know more details about these formulas, I hope this roundup is helpful for you!
