This an ongoing cheat sheet of resources and facts about sunscreen, it isn’t complete and it might have flaws. Find a master list of all sunscreen reviews on the blog below!
Last update on 24 February 2023
Understanding the Label
PA: Mainly used in Japanese & Korean Brands. PA stands for Protection Grade of UVA. PA+ corresponds to a UVA protection factor between two and four, PA++ between four and eight, and PA+++ more than eight. This system was revised in 2013 to include PA++++ which corresponds to a PPD rating of sixteen or above. (Source)
On the blog: How to read UVA labels
How much sunscreen should I apply?
This is a summary we did on our instagram channel.
Resources:
- How Much Exactly is 2.0 mg/cm2 -The Amount of Sunscreen Necessary to Achieve the Labeled SPF Rating?
Want more?!
Sunscreen tips & tricks
Sunscreen geekery
- The history of sunscreen
- The problem with American sunscreen
- The Sunscreen Summit (YouTube, by Labmuffin & Theecowell)
Sunscreen Filters
| Sunscreen Filter | Type | Spectrum | Remarks |
| Avobenzone / Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane | chemical / organic | full UVA protection | not photostable |
| Drometrizole Trisiloxane / Mexoryl XL | chemical / organic | broad spectrum,with peak absorbance at 303 nm (UVB) and at 344 nm (UVA) | L’Oreal exclusive, oil soluble, photostable. |
| Ensulizole / Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid | chemical / organic | strong UVB protection (280-320nm) range with its peak protection at 306 nm | Not oil but water soluble, ideal to create light, oily skin compatible formula. Fairly photostable and can be used to protect other less stable UV filters (eg. avobenzone). Approved worldwide and can be used up to 4% in the US and up to 8% in the EU. |
| Homosalate | chemical / organic | UVB with peak at 306nm | Not a strong filter (SPF 4.3 at 10% concentration), not photostable (loses 10% protection in 45 mins), used with other filters to solubilize. |
| Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate / MCE / Mexoryl 400 | chemical / organic | UVA with peak absorbance at 385 nm | Especially effective for ultra long UVA (370-400nm) |
| Octinoxate / Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate / Octyl Methoxycinnamate | chemical / organic | UVB (at wavelengths: 280-320 nm) with a peak protection at 310nm | clear, oil-soluble, “cosmetically-elegant” liquid, not photostable (loses 10% of its SPF protection ability within 35 mins), needs other filters to stabilize (like Tinosorb S) |
| Octisalate / Ethylhexyl Salicylate / Octyl Salicylate | chemical / organic | UVB (280-320 nm) with peak at 306 nm | not a strong filter, used with other filters to solubilize. |
| Octocrylene | chemical / organic | UVB & UVA II with peak at 304 nm | quite photostable (loses 10% protection in 95 mins), used to stabilize other filters (eg Avobenzone), often used to improve water resistance of products |
| Polysilicone-15 / Parsol SLX | chemical / organic | UVB (290-320 nm), peak at 312 nm | Colorless to pale yellow liquid with nice and non-shiny finish. Can stabilize Avobenzone and works well with Ensulizole |
| Tinosorb A2B / Tris-Biphenyl Triazine | chemical / organic | most efficient UVB and UVA2 filter | highly photostable and has high SPF performance at low concentrations, only available in the EU (as 2016) |
| Tinosorb M / Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol / Bisoctrizole | chemical / organic | broad-spectrum (UVA & UVB, 280-400 nm, peak at 305 nm & 360 nm) | highly photostable, not available in the US, can help stabilize other filters (eg Octinoxate) |
| Tinosorb S / Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine / Bemotrizinol | chemical / organic | broad-spectrum (UVA & UVB, 280-400 nm, peak at 310-345 nm) | very photostable, available elsewhere but the US |
| Uvinul A Plus / Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate | chemical / organic | high UVA protection (320-400 nm) with peak protection at 354nm | high photostability, can be used up to 10%, available elsewhere but the US & Canada |
| Titanium Dioxide | physical / inorganic | UVB & UVA II – less good at UVA I | possible white cast |
| Titanium Dioxide (nano) | physical / inorganic | UVB & UVA II – less good at UVA I | less white cast potential than the non-nano variation |
| Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid / Mexoryl SX / Ecamsule | chemical / organic | UVA, peak absorbance at 345 nm | L’Oreal exclusive, water soluble |
| Ethylhexyl Triazone / Uvinul T 150 | chemical / organic | photostable UVB filter | oil soluble, odorless & colorless powder, available elsewhere except the US & Canada |
| Zinc Oxide | physical / inorganic | UVB, UVA II, and UVA I | good stability and good as a skin protectant and anti-irritant. Might leave a white cast |
What to do if you feel like you put on too much sunscreen?
- Don’t blot your sunscreen: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phpp.12656
Sunscreen Reviews On the Blog
2021
- Anessa Skincare Milk Perfect UV SPF50
- Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50
- Evy Technology Daily UV Face Mousse SPF30
- Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Age Super UV SPF50
- Garnier Ambre Solaire Eco Design SPF50 (body)
- Heliocare 360 Bronze Gel Oil SPF50 (tinted)
- Heliocare 360 Water Gel SPF50 SPF50
- Hello Sunday Full Shield Drops SPF45 review
- Hello Sunday The Everyday One Face Moisturizer SPF50
- Iope UV Shield Sun Protector SPF50
- Iope UV Shield Sun Stick SPF50
- Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50
- Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF30 (tinted)
- Paula’s Choice Lipscreen SPF50 (lipbalm)
- Skin Aqua UV super moisture milk
- Sun Ozon Med Fluid SPF50
- Ultra Violette Lip Balm Rose SPF50 (tinted)
- Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF50
- Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hand & Body SPF50
- Ultra Violette Clean Screen SPF30
- Wardah UV Shield Active Protection Serum SPF50 PA++++ UV Shield
- Fotoprotector ISDIN Gel Cream SPF 50+ Review
2022
- Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF50+ (2022 version)
- Anessa Whitening UV Sunscreen Gel SPF50
- Altruist Sunscreen SPF50 review
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice & Probiotics SPF50
- Beyer & Söhne Dayshade SPF50
- Etude House Soon Jung & Director’s Moisture Sun Cream SPF50
- Eucerin Oil Control Dry Touch SPF50
- Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Face Fluid SPF50
- Isdin Fusion Water Color Bronze SPF50
- Ladival Urban Fluid SPF50
- La Roche Posay UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50
- Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF50
- Scinic Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence SPF50
- Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen SPF40
2023
- Acnemy Zitcontrol SPF50 2-in-1 SPF 50 Sunscreen + Acne Treatment
- Garnier Super UV Invisible Serum SPF50+
- Isdin Fotoultra Redness SPF50
- Paula’s Choice Advanced Sun Protection Daily Moisturiser SPF50
- Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica Water Fit Sun Serum SPF50
- Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream SPF50+
- Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPFF50+
- Vichy Capital Soleil UV-Clear SPF50+
2024
- P.Calm Water Barrier Sun Cream SPF50 (planned)
- haruharu wonder Black Rice Moisture AiryFit Daily Sunscreen SPF50 (planned)