Supergoop! vs. Trader Joe's vs. elf vs. Colorescience Sunscreens: Comparison and Reviews 2025

• The Difference & Reviews

| Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

($38.00/50ml, up to 4% cashback at Sephora)

What Does It Do?

Supergoop!'s 'Unseen Sunscreen' is so named because it's completely clear, so you won't have to deal with a streaky white cast. This oil-free formula is blended with broad spectrum SPF40 and antioxidant-rich ingredients to protect your skin from harmful rays and other environmental stressors. It also acts as a makeup gripping primer that's perfect for all skin tones.

Type of protection: Chemical

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (8%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (4%).

Other Ingredients:

- Complex Derived from Meadowfoam Seed: Helps increase hydration levels, resulting in a more even skin texture.

- Red Algae: Helps protect against blue light emitted by electronic devices.

- Frankincense: Helps to provide a soothing effect.

Right for: Ideal for all skin type, especially for oily skin.

Review: The Supergoop sunscreen goes on clear and matte, and it's easily absorbable so, even when someone is oily, it doesn't just come off right away. And unlike other sunscreens geared toward oily types, it doesn't have a pasty finish and it dries invisibly on the skin. This one is a great option if you're looking for a mattifying formula and can be worn seamlessly under makeup.

| Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40

($17.45/50ml at Amazon)

What Does It Do?

Translucent, oil-free TJ's Daily Facial Sunscreen is specifically formulated for quick absorption, leaving behind a soft and silky matte finish—no greasy residue or whitish cast in sight. It offers oxybenzone-free, broad-spectrum SPF 40 protection, making it ideal for daily use, either on its own or as marvelous, matte primer under make-up. 

Type of protection: Chemical

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (12%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (6%).

Other Ingredients: In addition to the active chemical sunscreen ingredients, it has nice additions like vitamin E (antioxidant), silica (oil absorbing), jojoba esters (moisturizing), and shea butter (moisturizing).

Right for: Suitable for all skin types, including oily skin.

Review: It gained a lot of traction on social media for its reputation as an alternative to the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. The consistency is fairly thick, almost reminiscent of a silicone primer, but it spreads smoothly on the skin. The formulation sets quickly to a soft, velvety, and shine-free finish. If you love silicone primers I feel that this could actually be a great addition to your makeup routine as it can be used in place of a primer. 

Supergoop! vs. Trader Joe's:

Both have a gel-like consistency that applies with a soft, velvety feel and a matte finish. In texture, they're comparable to silicone makeup primers — and both state that they make great makeup primers, too.

But the Supergoop! sunscreen has a more "cushiony" application than the Trader Joe's, which has a drier oil-like feel (due to the silica — both formulas are oil-free). The Trader Joe's sunscreen also has a longer dry-down time, whereas the Supergoop! feels like it melts into the skin almost immediately.

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| elf Suntouchable! Whoa Glow SPF 30

($14.00/50ml, up to 5% cashback at e.l.f. Cosmetics)

What Does It Do?

Whoa Glow SPF 30 is a lightweight face sunscreen and primer hybrid. It delivers broad-spectrum SPF 30 sun protection, primes your skin for long-lasting makeup wear, and imparts a glowy, sheer finish. With just a hint of peach-tone shimmer, the non-greasy, soothing, and hydrating formula is also boosted with aloe, hyaluronic acid, and squalane. Use it as the last step in your skincare routine before makeup, or wear on its own for a natural glow with a hint of shimmer.

Type of protection: Chemical

Active ingredients: Avobenzone (3.0 %), Homosalate (9.0 %), Octisalate (5.0 %), Octocrylene (7.0 %).

Other Ingredients:

- Niacinamide: Evens Out Skin Tone And Brightens The Look Of Dullness

- Aloe: Soothes And Provides Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

- Hyaluronic Acid: Draws In Moisture For A Plump Complexion

- Squalane: Improves Skin’S Balance And Elasticity

Right for: Suitable for normal to combination skin.

Review: This spf is very lightweight, gives a glow after application, also infused aloe, hyloronic acid, squalene and fragrance free. Keeps makeup in place even on a hot, sweaty day. This is a must have if you want an inexpensive, glowy base, and amazing sun protection.

| Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50

($49.00/50ml, up to 7% cashback at Dermstore)

What Does It Do?

Colorescience's Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield Flex SPF 50 is delivers powerful environmental protection and immediately evens skin tone for a healthy, natural appearance. This unique facial sunscreen features innovative, tone-adapting pigments that offer medium, buildable color coverage with a natural finish that blur imperfections and even skin tone. Formulated EnviroScreen™ Technology, this lightweight daily sunscreen provides all-mineral protection from environmental aggressors such as UVA/UVB, pollution, blue light and infrared radiation.

Type of protection: Physical

Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide (12 %).

Other Ingredients:

- Iron Oxides: provides blue light protection

- Lipochroman: offers antioxidant and pollution protection

- Vital ET™: this bio-available form of vitamin E provides antioxidant support while helping to calm skin - both prior to and following UV exposure

- InfraGuard: provides IR defense

Right for: Ideal for all skin type, especially for sensitive skin.

Review: Don't be alarmed when the formula comes out completely white, this is how it should look! The formula initially is white with tiny little black specks, these are the encapsulated iron oxide pigments that are released once blended into your skin and then adjust to your skin tone creating the perfect shade for you.  Available in four uniquely flexible shades, each ideal for a broad range of skin tones and undertones. If you've been searching for a mineral sunscreen that won't leave you with an annoying white cast, look no further — you just found a winner. But if you are a very oily skin type, then we would suggest that you don't need a separate moisturiser underneath as it feels ultra-hydrating upon application.

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