We love sunscreen in this corner of the Internet. Major SPF stan over here. And I’m always wanting to find the best of the best, so I’m always paying attention to new sunscreen on the market. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been testing 5 new sunscreen formulas (new to me, at least.) We’ve got a major hit, a few misses, and one to stay away from. So let’s get into it. Shall we?
Sunday Riley Light Hearted Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 30*
We’re starting out with my favorite of the group, and dare I say new favorite facial sunscreen period. I first received the Sunday Riley Light Hearted sunscreen* in an Allure Beauty Box, and I’m so happy I did.
The formula
It’s a mineral/chemical SPF hybrid. Meaning, it contains a few chemical or inorganic sun protection factors (SPF) as well as zinc oxide, a mineral or organic SPF. It’s also full of good ingredients like antioxidants and fruit and flower extracts to help with redness and hydration.
The review
This is the sunscreen* I reach for the most. It’s lightweight and doesn’t leave a white cast, thanks to those chemical filters. It feels incredible on the skin, and I find it leaves my skin feeling hydrated, smooth, and overall really happy. I also notice it almost smooths and evens out your skin tone, which I love for no makeup days.
And speaking of makeup, it wears really well beneath makeup and with my other skincare products.
While this new sunscreen formula is 99.99% oil-free, I don’t know I’d recommend it to super oily folks or anyone who doesn’t like a glowy skin finish. My dry skin loves it, and I like the ultra dewy look, but just a note I wanted to make.
My only real complaint is I wish it was a higher SPF.
Does it leave a white cast?
No
Would I recommend? And to who?
Yes – to anyone that loves a glowy skin finish.
Native Unscented Facial Sunscreen SPF 30*
I’ve been using Native deodorant for years now, and I love it for it’s natural and simple ingredient lists and brand philosophies. So I was really excited to try out their mineral sunscreen formula for something no fuss.
The formula
Like I said, Native has some clean and effective ingredient lists, and the mineral sunscreen is no different.
It’s a lightweight, 100% zinc oxide formula with broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection.
It also contains antioxidant ingredients like vitamin E; caprate, coconut alkanes, and capric triglyceride (oils made from coconuts) for softening and sealing in moisture. And it all adds up to an amazing feeling lotion.
It also claims to leave no white cast, absorb quickly, and is reef safe.
The review
While this new sunscreen isn’t my favorite, I do like using it. It feels really lightweight and lotiony on the skin, not clunky and heavy.
It’s easy to blend in and really does absorb quickly, with no apparent white cast. My only real qualm is that sometimes it can feel a bit sticky, especially with certain skincare beneath it.
Having said that, though, it sits well under makeup and my hair doesn’t get stuck in it or anything.
Does it leave a white cast?
On me – no. I can see white residue sticking around on darker skintones if the product isn’t blended in all the way, though.
Would I recommend? And to who?
Totally! If you’re someone who really cares about clean ingredients in your products, this is going to be something you’d get on with.
Kate Somerville UncompliKated Soft Focus Makeup Setting Spray SPF 50*
If you’re a makeup wearer, you know how difficult it can be to reapply sunscreen over your makeup throughout the day. So this SPF infused makeup setting spray was something that may be useful in my collection. And, for the most, it is!
The formula
The UncompliKated Soft Focus Makeup Setting Spray* is a broad spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen mist.
It’s a chemical based sunscreen with hyaluronic acid for hydration, silicone powder to soften the appearance of the skin, and rhodiola rosea known to have antioxidant properties. It’s a yummy little sunscreen.
The review
I really like this product*. It’s really easy to use, and it feel lightweight on the skin, which is a must for me. It doesn’t make my skin feel dry, and I notice my skin has almost a blurred effect after use.
The mist is fine enough to make using it pleasant but not so fine it doesn’t coat your skin in a layer of protection.
The downside of this for me is that it irritates my eyes to no end. The direction say to avoid getting this around your eye area, but in a spray form, that’s difficult. So most every time I use this, my eyes will inevitably start to burn, especially if I’m sitting outside or in the water.
I’ll also note – I’m super sensitive to chemical filters on my face.
Does it leave a white cast?
Not at all.
Would I recommend? And to who?
I’d recommend, but maybe not to someone as sensitive to chemical sunscreens like me!
Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum SPF 60*
I’m not someone who relies on SPF in their makeup and skincare (and neither should you be.) BUT! I love a sunscreen that doubles as a skin enhancer. Enter the Neutrogena Daily Defense Face Serum*.
The formula
This innovative sunscreen formula is invisible on the skin, lightweight, developed with broad spectrum protection and antioxidants. It’s fragrance free, paraben free, and non-comedogenic.
And instead of coming by way of a lotion consistency product, it’s watery like a serum.
The review
This is fun. There are always new sunscreens on the market, but not often are there really innovative formulas. But I like this one.
It’s lightweight on the skin and feels incredibly hydrating. It also leaves behind a really pretty glow on the skin.
I love that it plays well beneath makeup and never feels heavy, especially with reapplication throughout the day.
However, I can’t use it. It burns my eyes and that’s a no from me.
HOWEVER, I will remind you I’m incredibly sensitive to chemical filters. I have an inkling it’s homosalate that is irritating to me. If you don’t typically have sensitivity to chemical sunscreens, I think you’ll really get on with this!
Does it leave a white cast?
Not at all!
Would I recommend? And to who?
Yes! Especially for those who find sunscreens to feel heavy on the skin.
Ilia C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40*
And finally we come to the biggest disappointment of them all. I was so excited when this launched and immediately ordered it.
The claims are everything I wanted them to be, and Ilia makes some really attractive products. Like … this is a sexy little bottle of product. But it’s not good, y’all.
The formula
While also a serum sunscreen, this is different than the Neutrogena. This serum is mixed with vitamin C, mineral SPF, and niacinamide in a waterless base. Ilia claims it is a skincare hybrid to brighten your skin over time.
It comes in 3 tones to help neutralize white cast with a sheer, glowy finish.
The review
First of all, the is a $64 sunscreen. That’s expensive. But if it’s really good, I don’t mind. However, it’s not. So it’s just an expensive ass sunscreen.
Secondly, it’s quite honestly a pain in the ass to use. I always say “a good SPF is one you’ll use.” And I hate using this one. (Sry Ilia, ily)
The brand tells you to shake it up and pat it into the skin, not rub, otherwise it will pill. But what I noticed is it will pill anyway and all of the time. It pills on top of other products, under other products. It pills on itself, which makes reapplication impossible.
And patting it in isn’t a satisfying way to apply a sunscreen product for me. It makes me question the efficacy of the spf – if I can’t rub it over my entire face, and instead have to pat it in, I just don’t feel like I’m going to be getting an even coverage.
Not to mention, the lightest tone of this is dark on my skin. Even though the formula is supposedly sheer, it’s dark on my light light skin. And it’s even darker and patchier looking when I pat it in vs. rub it in.
A few positives, however:
- WHEN I get it to work, it moisturizes my skin and looks amazing. When I wash and exfoliate my face and apply no other skin care, I can rub this into my skin and it looks amazing. It evens my skintone and adds the most delicious glow.
- I love the idea of these nourishing actives in a sunscreen to double to use and move it into a skincare product.
- The packaging is sleek and sexy, even though you only pump out the babiest amount of product.
Does it leave a white cast?
No
Would I recommend? And to who?
Not to anyone. ESPECIALLY those of you with oily skin.
And there are my reviews for 5 new sunscreen formulas. Not very often do companies put out really innovative formulas, but I thought a lot of these were just that. They weren’t all great, but they definitely gave it a shot!
As I type this, there are already 4 new sunscreens I really want to test. So expect another one of these roundups in the future! What’s your favorite facial sunscreen?
xx
Jacqie
You may also be interested in these posts:
- How to Reapply Sunscreen Over Makeup
- How to Heal and Treat a Sunburn
- Don’t Believe These SPF Myths
- How to Achieve the Sunburnt Blush Look
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