Results Summary for our 2023 30-for-30 Sunscreen Challenge

In celebration of summer, we decided to test 30 different sunscreens over 30 days to see how these applied, how they held up over time, and even how they wash off. Please head to our TikTok and Instagram channel if you want to see the visuals. Otherwise here’s the running list of sunscreens we’ve tried, our rating, and why:

*To help readers learn more about products showcased in this challenge, we built out and organized these results in Shop My Shelf. We do receive a small commission for using our affiliate link. Thank you for feeding a chemist!

Grading Guidelines: We grade on a 10 point scale with 0 - shouldn't exist and 10 - perfection. Anything from a 6-10 is good! Because in the US we're punished by our limited filter system, most really good ones fall between a 7-8. International sunscreens with great textures can go up to a 8-9. We've never found the perfect sunscreen yet since formulation is just that hard, but who know! Note: It's our first time trying to provide some sort of product rating, so from these learnings it'll continue to dial in with future challenges.

1. Allie Gel UV EX SPF 50+ PA++++: 7/10
1. What it be?: An international hybrid filter system with mineral zinc oxide!
2. How it do?: Decent! For an asian sunscreen, we’ve tested better textures. This left a subtle white cast on me, however for a hybrid sunscreen it’s still pretty good!
2. Nivea UV Deep Protect & Care Gel SPF 50 PA++++: 8/10
1. What it be?: An international chemical filter system with Uvinul A+, Tinosorb S, and Octinoxate
2. How it do?: Solid! Wear is pretty good, texture was light and reapplying wasn’t as gross as some despite sweating.
3. Kroger’s Dupe of Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40: 4/10
1. What it be?: A very silicone heavy chemical sunscreen
2. How it do?: Texture alone, this formula sits pretty heavy on face. The dupe is definitely not better than the real one. Not ideal.
4. EVY’s Daily Defence Mousse SPF 50: 7/10
1. What it be?: An aerosolized mousse using chemical sunscreen filters
2. How it do?: Texture alone, this formula is more nourishing which was fine for Gloria’s dry skin. Gloria tried this in two different climates (more humid vs. more dry) and found that they hold up differently. A good reminder to stay on top of reapplication.
5. Aveeno’s Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen for Face SPF 50 (80 min sweat + water resistance): 0/10
1. What it be?: A classic lotion texture with chemical filters
2. How it do?: The formula had Gloria freaking out because it never seemed to absorb. It also started running into her eye and it wasn’t fun!
6. La Roche Posay’s Anthelios Daily Lotion Sunscreen SPF 70: 9/10
1. What it be?: A classic lotion texture with chemical filters that also included niacinamide and antioxidants
2. How it do?: For a higher SPF, this texture was surprisingly nice! The finish was nourishing but clean and the overall texture was pleasant enough that reapplying wasn’t yucky.
7. Biore UV Aqua Rich Aqua Protect Mist SPF 50 PA++++: 3/10
1. What it be?: An international filter system in spray formula
2. How it do?: Texture alone, this formula is pretty good. But under our UV camera it was clear that the dry down happened so quickly that the coverage didn’t seem to be very even. As a safeguard, we’d recommend applying more and taking more time to rub in.
8. Vacation Lotion Classic Sunscreen SPF 50 (80 min water resistance): 7/10
1. What it be?: A classic lotion texture with chemical filters
2. How it do?: Held up well and for a formula with water resistance, this texture is really nice. 
9. Live Tinted Hueguard 3-in-1 Broadspectrum Mineral SPF 30: 6/10
1. What it be?: A tinted non-nano zinc lotion
2. How it do?: Minerals are tough and non-nano minerals are even tougher. The texture has some heaviness to it so it’s not the best mineral texture out there. Coverage is on the minimal side and blended fine with Victoria’s more tan complexion.
10. MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30: N/A
1. What it be?: A very mineral-filter-heavy hybrid SPF fluid
2. How it do?: While it wouldn’t be fair to rate this one since it’s a foundation, surprisingly applying a sunscreen’s worth of this foundation wasn’t bad at all! We’d recommend for daytime coverage but definitely have a makeup wipe on hand for reapplication.
11. Australian Gold Botanical Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50: 4/10
1. What it be?: A classical lotion using purely mineral filters
2. How it do?: There were two issues with this one: 1. This is a highly pigmented sunscreen which made us want to apply much less than the ideal sunscreen amount. 2. This formula can be drying (even Victoria’s oily skin noticed it). 
12. Krave Beauty Beet the Sun SPF 40 PA+++: 7/10
1. What it be?: A classical lotion using US chemical filters
2. How it do?: A pretty traditional texture that didn’t make Victoria’s oily skin too shiny. Kudos to UVA PA testing.
13. Naturium Dew Glow Moisturizer SPF 50: 7/10
1. What it be?: A classical light lotion texture using US chemical filters
2. How it do? This is a pretty solid SPF 50 that absorbed well.
14. Biore UV Aqua Rich Protection Lotion SPF 50+ PA++++: 8/10
1. What it be?: A classical light lotion texture using US chemical filters
2. How it do?: This is a pretty solid SPF 50 that absorbed well.
15. Cetaphil Sheer 100% Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 50: 5/10
1. What it be?: A very fluid mineral (zinc oxide) sunscreen
2. How it do?: We couldn't speak to the wear time of this one because minerals just don't show up very well on the UV camera. But we can definitely say this definitely comes with a white cast and seems to get into the eyes. Not the best mineral we've tried.
16. Cay Skin Isle Glow Tinted Face Moisturizer SPF 45: 7/10
1. What it be?: A classic lotion texture with US chemical filters
2. How it do?: Classic chemical sunscreen texture that wasn't heavily pigmented (consider it as mild-medium coverage). Well-balanced all around.
17. Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50: 5/10
1. What it be?: A heavily pigmented tinted mineral sunscreen.
2. How it do?: While the tint was compatible and coverage held up over time, the formula sits heavier on the face and has some drag. Reapplying wasn't that fun and we definitely recommend double cleansing to completely clean.
18. Biore Athlizm Sunburn Protect Milk SPF 50+ PA++++: 8/10
1. What it be?: Biore's Athlizm line (the red bottle line) is positioned to be used specifically for sport performance - think strong sweat and rub-resistant claims! This one in particular is a hybrid fluid formula.
2. How it do?: We took 2 stars off for the longer rub in time. Once it sets, the finish is light, clean, but not drying. It held up really admirably through a heavy sweat sesh, and was still pretty intact until toweled off. Despite Gloria's intense sweat sesh, it didn't run into her eyes or cause any irritation. Solid performer!
19. Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Protect Milk SPF 50+ PA++++: 7.5/10
1. What it be?: Anessa's one of Shiseido's brands that produce some of the most popular, iconic sunscreens in Asia. This is very similar to the Athlizm, both a hybrid fluid with bold sweat, water, rub resistant claims. 
2. How it do?: The performance is really good against a tougher workout out with mas sweat. That said, the initial play time is also on the long side much like the Athlizm. Gloria personally preferred the Athlizm since the Anessa formula's more on the drying side for her skin, but those with oily skin may prefer the Anessa.
20. Vacation Classic Whip SPF 30 Sunscreen Mousse: 7/10
1. What it be?: SPF30 aerosol formula that's 80 min water resistant
2. How it do?: This texture is surprisingly nice! It rubbed in fairly fast, is nourishing, but not overly greasy or tacky. If you're considering getting this for more casual outings, this is a solid choice but if you see the water-resistant claim and want to use it for more sporty occasions, this one did NOT hold up well during a workout. This has a tendency to run into eyes so we'd also give it a 5/10 for active use.
21. Murad's Correct & Protect SPF 45 PA+++ Serum: 5/10
1. What it be?: A mineral SPF45 formula in a dropper bottle
2. How it do?: As far as a mineral formula goes, it's pretty good. This one is not drying (even on Gloria's dry skin), and the finish is on the oily side without being too gross or greasy. But it does leave skin with a REALLY shiny finish that lasted the whole 2 hours. The shine + the dropper bottle being a pretty meh applicator = a middling 5/10. Murad's City Skin Age Defense is a much better formula in our experience.
22. La Roche Posay's Anthelios Light Flight Sunscreen SPF 60: 9/10
1. What it be?: One of LRP's classic fluid with US chemical filters rated for 80 min water resistance
2. How it do?: This is a surprising fluid favorite especially when it's going head to head against sunscreens like Anessa and Biore Athlizm. Rub in time was quick, film sets up well, and this was put through a sweat torture test with lots of towel downs. Minus a start because it was on the drying side for Gloria.
23. Neogen's Airy Sunscreen SPF 50: 9.5/10
1. What it be? Though this is from a Kbeauty brand, their Airy Sunscreen uses US filters
2. How it do? This is definitely a gem! Super fast rub in down to a pretty clean, very lightly filmy finish. Though this has oil-absorbing silica, it wasn't actually super drying even on Gloria's dry skin. The reapplication is beautiful.
24. CosRX's Vitamin E Vitalizing SPF50: 6.5/10
1. What it be? Though this is from a Kbeauty brand, this suncreen uses US filters
2. How it do?: This texture is more of a traditional standard lotion. Slightly flimy, slightly greasy, but quick absorption. Wear held up well.
25. Eucerin Age Defense SPF 50: 6/10
1. What it be?: US drugstore brand with US chemical filters
2. How it do?: This one definitely has that classic sunscreen lotion texture - but not necessarily in a bad way. It's creamy, applies a bit thicker than some would prefer but dry skin types probably won't mind. It wears well, and holds up throughout the day. It does get a bit tacky when re-applying though. Decent work horse formula that does the job at a good price point.
26. Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++: 9.5/10
1. What it be?: An Asia chemical filter system that has a water lotion texture.
2. How it do?: Texture alone, this formula rubs in quickly and doesn't leave skin with a greasy finish. Wear time and wash off were both a ✅ ✅. A really easy and and long time favorite of ours!
27. Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++: 6/10
1. What it be?: An Asia chemical filter system with a light fluid lotion consistency.
2. How it do?: The playtime was unusually long for an Asia sunscreen and once rubbed in there was definitely a pretty shiny after finish. Despite that, over time skin didn't feel heavy and the shine eventually went away. Not the worst texture, but not the best texture we've tried
28. Beauty of Joseon Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++: 7.8/10
1. What it be?: An Asia chemical filter system that has a pretty light lotion texture.
2. How it do?: Texture alone, this formula had a slightly longer playtime but finished really clean on skin. Wear time and wash off were both a ✅ ✅. We bumped it down a couple of points because Gloria found that the formula felt slightly drying on skin over time despite a great texture. Definitely a good one for oily skin types.
29. Then I Met You Essence Light Sunscreen SPF 50: 8/10
1. What it be?: A light lotion texture that uses US chemical sunscreen filters.
2. How it do?: Solid texture for a US chemical filter system. It absorbed quickly and I didn't notice any greasiness even through a sweat session. Wear and wash-off all ✅✅.
30. Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40: 5/10
1. What it be?: A chemical sunscreen filter system in a silicone emulsions. (Note: We're generally not fans of these kinds of textures.)
2. How it do?: 5/10 - Like all silicone emulsions, with so much slip, this formula has a much longer playtime and comes with that classic silicone residue. Over time the formula didn't feel as heavy and the residue did diminish somewhat. This is definitely a better texture in the silicone emulsion family and for those that don't mind this texture, it can be helpful for those that don't want any shine or tack. We were pretty curious about wash-off since this formula is more silicone heavy, but it actually did just fine with our Blank Slate cleanser. Just don't be like Victoria and forget to wash around your hairline!