Favourite sunscreens of 2022

Yup, I’m calling it now: my favourite sunscreens of 2022.

Tbh, 2022 started rather disappointingly, sunscreen-wise. There weren’t really any exciting sunscreens releases, and every new one I tried – you know, they were fine, but nothing special (and then there were the ones that were outright horrible). So I set out to shop my stash and empty those bottles I own, but rather late this summer, I finally found two sunscreens I absolutely love wearing.

My requirements

I’m one of the olds, so don’t come looking for me when it’s about that glazed donut look. I want my sunscreen as undetectable as possible, because I hate turning into human flypaper and when I want glow, I add highlighter. Come and torch my house now.

What I’m saying is: other people would call my preferred finish matte. I call it satin or skin-like.

No alcohol denat. is a plus, although I’ve since learned that it depends on the sunscreen’s overall formulation. As you’ll see, there’s one on the list smelling like hand sanitizer, but I can still wear it without any problems. No fragrance, though, please. Everything else, honestly, is debatable (even filters), although of course I prefer a decent UVA protection and modern filters.

Favourite sunscreens of 2022:

Eucerin Oil Control Sun Gel-Cream Dry Touch SPF50+

• Chemical filters

• Available at pharmacies and drugstores throughout Europe. 50ml is £16.00 in the UK (Boots), in Germany it’s somewhere between 12-18€. (In the US, look to Care To Beauty for your Euro SPF needs!)
• Initial review

And yes, it does what it says on the bottle: dry touch actually means dry touch. We get there through loads (LOADS) of alcohol.

The finish is right what I want, we have a high PPD (a four-star Boots rating), and modern filters that give great broad-spectrum protection, too. Eucerin Dry Touch performs great in hot and humid weather (something we had loads of this summer). In my initial review, I was concerned that it might dry out my skin over time, but it doesn’t. It also doesn’t pill or make my eyes water.

It’s not waterproof though, so it’s probably nothing you should wear while exercising or at the beach.

It’s rather affordable and easily available in Europe.

Love.

Etude House Soon Jung X Director’s Moisture Sun Cream SPF50++++

• Chemical filters

• Available at K-Beauty retailers (50ml tube for around 17€) like Stylevana and YesStyle.
• Initial review

I’ve emptied my bottle since I wrote my initial review, and found myself thinking of repurchasing it. It’s a sleeper hit for sure: I haven’t heard many people talking about it. Still, it has a lot of negative connections for me, and all of those have to do with Etude’s marketing and claims. If we disconnect from these, it’s a great SPF. The finish is similar to Eucerin’s, the filters are modern, the PPD less great than Eucerin’s, but fine.

It’s great for people whose sensitive skin demands a gentle formula, and this delivers: no alcohol, no essential oils, no fragrance. It also doesn’t pill, sting my eyes, but wouldn’t be my choice for, say, a day at the beach.

I don’t like the price, which is higher than Eucerin’s, and also, I have to order it from Asia which takes time, and costs shipping. Still, when my skin is extra sensitive, I reach for this one instead of Eucerin’s.

What were your sunscreen favourites this year?

Please note that this review 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.