I tried a lot of Euro sunscreens this year, and can’t help to admit that – they (mostly) weren’t good. While last year I tested a lot of average A-Beauty SPFs, this year’s crop from all over the world veered from excellent to absolute and utter trash that I actually binned. On to the best and worst sunscreens 2023.
Generally, I was happy to see more modern filters (especially in A-Beauty sunscreens), and at least one really good drugstore option. My benchmark for this list is, btw, my plans to buy any given sunscreen again – and also, which sunscreen should never darken my doorstep again.
The best sunscreens of 2023
The one with great filters AND a great finish: Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++
- Chemical filters
- 50ml are between 10 and 16€ at A-Beauty retailers like Stylevana, YesStyle, Ebay etc.
- Initial review
Here’s what I loved about this one: the velvety finish and the incredible filters: Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T150, Tinosorb S and Mexoryl XS. It doesn’t contain alcohol denat., but a smidge fragrance at the last position of the inci-list.
I didn’t try this in the height of summer and also when my skin was on the drier side, so I can’t really say how it performs under different conditions. But I think that a wide range of skin types and skintones will enjoy this one. For me, it’s a near-to-perfect sunscreen for the whole year. I expect in Winter, though, I’ll need a substantial moisturizer underneath. Same for dry skintypes, while oilier types will get away with a toner.
It’s a sunscreen that sinks in quickly and that you don’t have to baby at all – of all the sunscreens I’d tested this year, this is definitely the least complicated. You can layer whatever you want underneath and also over it, and it won’t pill or ball up or streak.
The drugstore option: Garnier Invisible Serum SPF50+
- Chemical filters
- Available at: I bought my bottle of 30ml for 12,95€ at drugstore dm. In the UK, it’s around £14 at Boots. Due to its filters, it’s not officially available in the USA, but try Care To Beauty.
- Initial review
I’m always looking for a truly accessible sunscreen that performs well, and this is it. I love that I can just pop out and grab a bottle at the nearest shop.
It has a mix of old and new chemical filters, with no fragrance but a whopping dose of alcohol denat. that you’ll definitely smell upon application. It has an UVA protection of 25, and a glowy finish. It’s an uncomplicated one for me, like Tocobos’s: you never have to take extra care when applying, you don’t have to remind yourself that it only plays well with some products and not others – and that I love.
I tried it when it got hot, and for truly hot and/or humid weather I will always reach for Eucerin’s Oil Control. But for all other times, I really, really like this one. Sensitive skin types might run into problems due to the high alcohol amount. (Also, I vastly preferred it over Garnier’s last year hit, Super UV Face Fluid.)
The worst sunscreens of 2023
An oily mess: Paula’s Choice Advanced Sun Protection Daily Moisturiser SPF50 PA++++
- Chemical filters
- Available at: For 60ml, it’s 44€ at Paula’s Choice. Try the sample size with 15ml (like I did!) to see if you’d like texture and finish. Also available at Niche Beauty and Purish. Not available in the US.
- Initial review
Didn’t we all rejoice when Paula’s Choice announced a new Euro sunscreen with modern filters?! We did. It has a mix of modern and older filters, and. So. Many. Emollients. So many. And, consequently, it. Is. So. Oily. It leaves such a greasy, oily layer on my skin that works very well as fly paper (everything will stick to your face), slides around, transfers to everything and also seeps into my eyes and makes them water.
Maaaaaaaaaaaaybe if your skin isn’t just dry, but super dry.
An even bigger mess: Isdin Fotoultra Redness SPF50 PA++++
- Chemical filters
- Available at: In the US, Care to Beauty carries Euro sunscreens. In Europe, have a look at Isdin’s homepage. I bought the 50ml bottle for around 25€ at Medpex.
- Initial review
Everything I hate in one sunscreen, yay! Sometimes, I truly, truly wonder if brands ever test their own products before they start to write copy for them: because in this instance, the performance is diametrically opposed to its promises in the marketing material.
The finish is very similar to Paula’s Choice’s above, but then it also has a potential white cast, sensitizes my eyes, isn’t great for hot and/or humid weather AND doesn’t do anything against redness of my reactive skin. (Which it promises to do.) On top of that, I had a very unpleasant exchange with their CS, the product is expensive and the UVA protection (presumably) not great. I can’t find any redeeming features in this one.
Please note that this post is not a sponsored post. We buy the 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.
1 Comment