So normally every year I do a few sunscreen round ups, talk about textures and go over what I’ve been trying. I normally don’t talk about the filter type just the overall feel. This year for sunscreen has been quite turbulent to say the least. With several formulations coming up short in their promises of SPF protection it’s been a lot to take in. Remember this is a manufacturer issue not a brand issue nor is it localized to one continent. All SPF in this post happens to be alcohol free. So lets start.
Soleil Toujours Mineral Glow is an SPF 30 that’s tinted, has a bronzy color plus slight shimmer. It’s mineral with a light cream texture. It’s not heavy or greasy but it’s not fluid either. I’m able to use the appropriate amount without any kind of weird orange or too dark tone. The finish is satin dewy overall. It’s dewy at first but goes to satin. For the price and size it’s not bad, I wish it was SPF 50 though. Colorescience Face Shield is a mineral fluid with SPF 50. It has a pink tint and doesn’t really have a white cast nor a discernible scent. It’s doesn’t pill either. The texture is fluid, the finish is dewy. The finish is more dewy than I prefer. It’s not a bad sunscreen by any means and it’s better than many, I do have a lighter fluid mineral I like more so it’s not a repeat buy for me. I’ve heard the glowy version is better. ISDIN Photo Eryfotona Ageless is a super lightweight tinted mineral with SPF 50. It’s really fluid, never pills and ends up having a more matte finish once it sets. Great for oily skin. For my dry skin it was too drying but oily to combo skin should love this. The tint is a tad dark (even for my light medium skintone) so I can see paler skin tones not being able to use this. Most ISDIN is not available in the US but this is one that is. It’s got a nice large size as well. All of these three have no discernible scent.
Priori Tetra fx251 Sunscreen Lotion with color guide (tinted) is one of my favorite mineral sunscreens. It feels slightly different than the previous version I tried. Slightly lighter and less deep, more neutral in color. It’s a mineral SPF 50 that’s tinted and I get no pilling. I’m able to layer the full required amount without it looking like a mask or heavy foundation. I like that its not-drying as well. It feels lighter in texture than the original, less sticky. I know some had mentioned a rubbery feel, this one feels lighter, more lotion like than previous version. We might as well move on to EVY Daily UV Face Mousse 30. So I finally tried the face version after buying the body versions. I love the face version, like absolutely love it. It’s more moisturizing and less sticky than the body version. What I love about EVY is the 6 hour lasting technology. This is a chemical sunscreen that’s completely non-irritating to me. It doesn’t sting my eyes at all. The foam is actually kind of fun to apply though I know it’s not for everyone. It has a dewy finish but isn’t greasy. My rosacea skin absolutely loves this SPF. It’s one I can wear and know I’m going to be comfortable all day, no dryness from minerals and no irritation. So this is not available in the US the only place to get right now is 50ml and ifsogo that I linked. Keep Cool Soothe Bamboo Sun Essence was going to be a hero product for me but then it ended up being in the recent sunscreen scandal (long story short one Korean manufacturer made products that had lower than advertised SPF which is not a unique thing it’s happened before–manufacturer issue, not brand issue). It’s fluid and light, no heavy feel. Nice satin finish. Loved it. But it came out to be less than SPF 30, I am using my last tube up but mostly on indoor or cloudy days. None of these have any discernible scents or added fragrance.
Adding onto that same controversy is the Bellflower Watermelon Fresh Sunscreen. This was an affordable new launch. Has a light cream texture with a satin finish, chemical filters. However after the controversy of being from the same manufacturer I looked to see if there was any addressing of the issues and I didn’t see anything from the brand on their page. I didn’t see any mention of failing the ratings either, but I do see new sunscreen launches on their page now so it looks like maybe it’s been reformulated? I was using mine as a hand cream basically until I knew for sure if it passed or failed. Despite the name it doesn’t have a watermelon scent. If they reformulated to pass I would definitely try the new one again. While we’re talking about Korean sunscreens the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel is absolutely fantastic. It’s a thin fluid with a hydrating dewy finish. It never pills, or feels heavy. Also another chemical sunscreen that doesn’t irritate my rosacea skin. It’s become a quick favorite for many for good reason–it’s really good. Probably one of the best ones to come out recently. Oddly it has a little white at first for being a chemical SPF but it quickly goes away and rubs on clear. No discernible scent on the Bellflower or Isntree. MISSHA Essence is one I wanted to try and see what it was like. It’s a chemical SPF that’s so fluid and light but the scent is way too strong for me. Very floral perfume like. I can’t deal with it even though the texture is beautiful. I’m repurposing to my hands.
I thought I was going to love the PCA Skin Sheer Eye Tint. It’s got a gorgeous texture, very light and thin lotion texture, light beige tint. It doesn’t pill or feel heavy under the eye. It’s a mineral eye sunscreen. Unfortunately minerals dry my skin out and my eyes are already severely underneath so it wasn’t a good combo. If you have oily undereyes this should be perfect for you. I think if you just suffer from really dry skin or undereyes and minerals dry you out then this may not work for you. Great texture though. I was bummed it didn’t work. VICHY Liftactiv Peptide-C Sunscreen is an SPF 30 lotion. It’s a nice combine two steps in one product, it has a light lotion texture and no white cast. Dewy satin finish. The scent is the only thing that killed me on this one, it’s too fragranced with a floral scent. I just have a hard time with certain more floral perfume scents. It is a French brand so yes think French scent and I totally get many will love it. Just not for me. This also has phyto peptides, vitamin C and the Vichy volcanic water. It’s a chemical sunscreen and I did not try it around my eyes due to the fragrance. KINSHIP Self Reflect is huge success for a new sunscreen. It’s a mineral that leaves no white cast even on dark skin (from the testers I’ve seen try it). It’s pretty dewy on the finish, borderline too dewy for me. Has a gorgeous light almost vanilla scent which I love. It oddly has a weird grey like pink color when dispensed but yes goes on clear. It pills for me and honestly it’s the dewy level that made this one a fail for me. It wasn’t greasy though, so when I say dewy it’s not greasy. I’m not into the really dewy SPFs oddly even though I have drier skin. I know many absolutely love this one.
The Inkey List SPF 30 Sunscreen is an interesting one. It’s a mineral sunscreen with a unique thicker texture. It goes on clear, no white cast for me. I think it worked that way for most the people I saw try it (don’t quote me). It has a light beige tint to it. It’s very dewy, more so than KINSHIP. It borderlines greasy to me but in the winter I liked it. My face would be an oil slick in the summer with this. This was a mineral that isn’t drying so that was a bonus (90% of minerals I find drying). OBAGI sent a few of their sunscreens over to test. The Sun Shield is a tinted sunscreen lotion with a hybrid combo of mineral and chemical filters. Warm has a warmer undertone, Cool is more for beige or pink undertones. I liked both tints just fine for me. This is a thicker product with a cream texture. It’s really dewy, not necessarily greasy but I cannot wear the full amount of this needed to reach the SPF level without feeling like a shiny greaseball. It feels like it sits on my skin and takes a long time to sink in. Honestly it never feels like it fully sinks in. ISDIN Protector Labial 50+ is the newest lip balm with SPF I’m trying. It has a hard drier waxy feel yet is still nourishing. I like it because it feels like it lasts a few hours and doesn’t wear off as fast as some other more oily types. None of these have any discernible scents and the balm doesn’t taste like much.
If you want to see more in depth video swatches head to my Instagram channel Sunscreen Swatches HERE (you don’t have to be a member of Instagram to view them).
Top to Bottom-Soleil Toujours, Priori, ISDIN, OBAGI Warm, OBAGI Cool, Inkey List:
Top to Bottom-Kinship, Colorescience, PCA Skin, EVY, Vichy:
Top to Bottom-Missha, Isntree, Bellflower, Keep Cool:
*OBAGI, Soleil Toujours, Isntree, VICHY gifted. All thoughts are my own.