Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF40+++ review

Curiosity kills the cat, right? And while Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen didn’t kill me, I was incredibly curious about it: first, I’m a sunscreen aficionado, and second, it’s hyped AF. So, a no-brainer, right? We test an incredible amount of different SPFs here, and that’s why I can tell you, with utter conviction: Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen – is not good. Find out why in my Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen review.

The brand

Supergoop’s founder, Holly Thaggard, started out as an elementary school teacher, dedicated to bring more sunscreen into classrooms. In 2005 she founded Supergoop.

“Not long ago, SPF only came to mind at the beach, and it wasn’t something people actually wanted to wear. So, we set out to change the way the world thought about sunscreen. Goodbye, gloopy sticky SPF. Hello, Supergoop!

We continually invest in newer, better ways to bring sunscreen to life with formulas that completely change the game. (We’re looking at you, Unseen Sunscreen!)”

Supergoop

(Narrator from off: “But DID they?!?!?!?”)

I’ve to admit, I’ve read that they change the game at so many new beauty/sunscreen brands info page that it makes me tired. Because, ttbt, they never do. (Looking at you, Ultra Violette and Hello Sunday!)

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen description

“The original, totally invisible, weightless, scentless sunscreen with SPF 40 that leaves a velvety finish. This innovative, antioxidant-rich multitasker has a unique oil-free formula that glides onto skin while providing broad spectrum SPF 40 protection. Use it as a makeup-gripping primer under foundation when you want a little more coverage, or on its own if you want a more natural look.”

Supergoop

Now you’ll wonder why my dinky little deluxe size tube says SPF30. That’s because in the European Union, sunscreens can only be labelled either as SPF30 or SPF50. SPF40 doesn’t exist here, and US sunscreens labelled as SPF40 have to be re-labelled.

From the description alone, you can expect a silicone-based lightweight products with some goodies like antioxidants thrown in.

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen review: Ingredients

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (8%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (4%) Inactive Ingredients: Isododecane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Isohexadecane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Meadowfoam Estolide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyester-7, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Jojoba Esters, Mannitol, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Lecithin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Diatomaceous Earth, Zinc Sulfate, Silica, Tocopherol

Hover the mouse / tap over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.

And you’d be wrong. Sure, it definitely is silicone-based. But: where are the antioxidants?!?! In this “antioxidant-rich” formula?!?! (Squint and you’ll miss the single one in last place of the inci list: Tocopherol.)

Filters

Depending on your stance, Unseen Sunscreen has time-honoured, FDA-approved and reef-safe filters. Or they’re staid and old-fashioned, with only minimal UVA protection.

Apparently, there’s been a reformulation in 2020 that ended with the amount of Octrocrylene minimized from 10 to 4%. The thing is, Octocrylene is needed to stabilize the notoriously instable Avobenzone. Supergoop once claimed a 9.9 PPD, but I would actually doubt that right now. 8 is probably a closer estimate. (Reddit to the rescue for more info.)

Sustainability

Sustainable who?! But hey, they’re cruelty-free and reef-safe, whatever that means, and use only recycled materials for their boxes! Amazing! (Not.) (But also, not surprising: this seems to be the norm nowadays.)

Application

Let’s get to the juicy part. How does the stuff actually perform?!

Let me first ask you: do you remember Smashbox’s original primer? Yes? Well then, you know how Unseen Sunscreen feels on skin. For all the other people: imagine dimethicone mixed with Vaseline. There, you have it.

The main difference is: if you use one of those silicone-rich, smoothing primers – how much do you use? A pea-sized amount? Somewhere in that ballpark, yes? Because everything else would be too much?

And there we have it, the problem with Unseen Sunscreen: using the full, recommended amount of ¼ teaspoon or 1.4g (that’s two full finger-lengths for me, btw) – it feels like moving pure silicone around on your face.

Makeup Application

It’s difficult, because the sunscreen never absorbs properly on me. Applying liquid foundation with a beauty blender resulted in “lifting” the sunscreen – it then went on and formed a layer on my beautyblender. It’s even worse to apply a powder foundation with a brush. The application is very difficult in order not to lift the sunscreen (gentle patting motions!), and the result looks super cakey.

Finish

Weightless?! Velvety-finish?! Makeup-gripping?!? Dude, I’ve been afraid to use foundation over this one. Because. It. Does. Not. Sink. In.

I googled how much of it people use to achieve that amazing finish, and came upon this priceless piece of advice from Supergoop’s own page:

“Use a pearl-sized amount”

…

…

“crickets*

THIS from a sunscreen brand?!?! Supergoop, you should know better.

On its own, I can deal with the full amount applied. It truly looks invisible, even if it doesn’t feel like it. The feeling is more like it just sitting on my skin, never truly absorbing. (No matter how long I wait after application.)

The less products I use underneath, the better: with just one problem – with Unseen Sunscreen as little moisturising as it is, I definitely do need something moisturising underneath. It’s a dilemma.

On the plus side, it truly doesn’t have a white cast and I can apply it near to my eyes without any problems. It also doesn’t pill on me.

Comparison

I honestly can’t compare it to anything else but Smashbox’s OG primer (which obviously doesn’t have an SPF). The formula is unique – but I wasn’t convinced by it. There’re other SPF30 sunscreens I trust more, though: Paula’s Choice Super Light Wrinkle Defense (mineral, tinted), EVY Daily UV Face Mousse (chemical, untinted), and Niod’s Survival 30 (mineral, somehow tinted).

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen review: Checklist

And now please prevent me from making the same mistake twice and ordering Glow Recipe’s new SPF. BECAUSE IT WON’T BE GOOD. TIA!

Rating

Wow, that’s a first, but hear me out why I rated Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen this way.

In my opinion, this doesn’t deliver the protection you need, because due to the formula, you’ll be tempted to use less than you actually need. On top of that, the protection under ideal circumstances is still not satisfactory to me (UVB protection around 40, UVA protection between 8 and 9.) This is supposed to be “water resistant” per the company’s info. I’d take that with a grain of salt, personally: Because it just sits on my skin without forming a proper film, I’d be very, very careful. (Although the lab that tested it confirmed its resistancy.)

I can see this working as a primer over another sunscreen with better UVA protection.

If you’re looking for a no-white cast sunscreen, there’re better options out there.

Availability & Price

I got my 15ml tube (sample size) for 16.90€ at Cult Beauty, which seems the only online retailer carrying it in Europe. In the US, 1.7 oz is $36 (regular size) via their own website and various other retailers.

Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.