5 Best Lab Tested Sunscreens for 2022
Written By Jenny Wu on
I know it’s more than halfway through the year, but when it comes to sun protection, it’s never too late to upgrade to something better!
It’s a known fact that a lot of sunscreens don’t live up to their claimed protection levels, but thanks to the Korean sunscreen scandal last year, many Korean brands are now taking the initiative to submit their products for independent sunscreen tests.
Of all the sunscreens that have been tested, I’ll be sharing 5 that meet the criteria below:
- Uses mostly next generation UV filters which are more stable and effective.
- Will generally work for all skin types.
- Can work as a facial sunscreen or body sunscreen.
- Broad spectrum and protects well against UVA and UVB rays.
- Won’t pill or irritate the eyes.
- Only the La Roche-Posay contains alcohol and AXIS-Y contains fragrance, so the rest should be safe for sensitive skin.
Best affordable everyday sunscreens
SCINIC Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence
UV filters: Uvinul A Plus, Tinosorb S, Parsol SLX, Tinosorb M, Uvinul T 150, Uvasorb HEB
Sun Protection: SPF 57.6, PFA 23.5/PA++++
I've already raved about this one, but it's pretty much perfect in every way: less than $10 per tube, no white cast, light lotion texture that layers beautifully over skincare and under makeup, and a natural finish that's not too dewy or too matte.
While it's not the lightest sunscreen, I've ever tried, it's still incredibly comfortable on the skin and will work for dry skin and oily skin alike. The only downside is that it's not water resistant, which is fine for every day wear, but if you'll be spending all day outdoors, keep scrolling.
$7.86 - $10.16 for 50ml on Olive Young (JENNY123 for 5% off), Stylevana, YesStyle (GEEKYPOSH for 5% off)
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics
UV filters: Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb M, Uvasorb HEB
Sun Protection: SPF 52.5 and PA++++
While slightly pricier than the SCINIC, the Beauty of Joseon actually feels even more comfortable on the skin! Its lotion texture feels more moisturizing at first, yet quickly dries down to a natural almost satin finish, making it more oily skin friendly. If you have dry/combo skin like me you'll want to layer moisturizer underneath.
It has all the other pros of the SCINIC but also its con of not being water resistant. There is the tiniest bit of initial white cast, but goes away after a few seconds. Beauty of Joseon is cruelty-free.
$11.99 - $13.50 for 50ml on Stylevana, Olive Young (JENNY123 for 5% off), Style Korean, YesStyle (GEEKYPOSH for 5% off)
Learn more: 7 sunscreens for all scenarios and skin types
Best moisturizing sunscreen
ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream
UV filters: Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb M, Uvasorb HEB
Sun Protection: SPF 55 and PA++++
My favorite one to use in the winter time because it feels like a soft cozy sweater for my dry skin. The lotion texture is similar to the Beauty of Joseon (and they happen to use the same filters too!), but unlike the former, ROUND LAB's will keep your skin moisturized all day long.
The finish is on the dewier side, but not oily, though oily skin types will want to skip their moisturizer entirely or use this only in the winter. There is a tiny tiny bit of white cast on application but goes away after a few seconds. ROUND LAB is also a cruelty free brand.
$16.99 - $19.60 for 50ml on Stylevana, Yamibuy, Jolse, Olive Young (code JENNY123 for 5% off)
Learn more: PA? PPD? Broad Spectrum? The ultimate guide to understanding and choosing the best sunscreen
Best water-resistant outdoor sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid
UV filters: Octisalate, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb S, Avobenzone, Mexoryl XL, Mexoryl SX, MCE, Uvinul A Plus
Sun Protection: SPF 50+, PPD46/PA++++ (previous generation), Boots Star ★★★★★
The only non-Korean sunscreen on the list, but its multiple iterations have been tested both by dermatologists and skincare enthusiasts alike, passing with flying colors each time. I've used this for years now, and its unmatched protection makes this forever my #1 holy grail sunscreen. The UV filters are just fantastic, and it includes 3 L'Oréal exclusive filters that protect against the entire spectrum of UV rays!
For something so potent, the texture is surprisingly not heavy. It won't be as light as the previous 3 sunscreens, but it still feels comfortable on the skin with no white cast, so it will work for all skin tones. It's also water, sweat, and even sand resistant, making it the perfect outdoor sunscreen.
$18.49 for 50ml on CaretoBeauty, Escentual, CultBeauty
Learn more: Dermatologist-tested best sunscreens of 2020 (and my personal picks)
Best mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin
AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen
UV filters: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide
Sun Protection: SPF 60.4, PFA 24.3/PA++++
Confession: I don't like mineral sunscreens. 99% of them leave a horrible white cast and/or have a weird pasty texture. They're also drying and prone to pilling. And I get that these are some of the shortcomings of working with physical UV filters, but it's just not a pleasant application experience.
With that said, this AXIS-Y one is the only untinted mineral sunscreen I will wear. Its only issue is a minor white cast which does fade eventually on my NC20 skin tone. Otherwise it doesn't pill, feels comfortable on the skin, and leaves a nice satin finish.
Personally I would always pick chemical sunscreens over mineral ones, but I know that some of you may feel the complete opposite! If that is you, I highly recommend checking this one out! AXIS-Y is also cruelty free :)
$23 for 50ml on YesStyle (5% off with code GEEKYPOSH), Stylevana
The 5 sunscreens compared
Texture wise you can see below that the 5 are actually pretty similar. None stood out as being particularly thick, though you can tell AXIS-Y (first one from the right) is the least opaque.
Next you can see the different sunscreens on an oil blotting paper, and below are the results after 30 minutes. AXIS-Y appears to be the oiliest but it’s necessary to balance out the powdery-ness of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, otherwise the sunscreen would be way too drying.
La Roche-Posay is the next oiliest and it definitely feels that way on the skin as well, but that’s the trade off for the stronger protection.
I’m not surprised by the SCINIC results, as it does feel extremely light on the skin, but I was surprised to see that ROUND LAB, the moisturizing option, was comparable, while the Beauty of Joseon one is almost as oily as LRP!
Why I don’t recommend US sunscreens
For a first world country, we sure are behind in a lot of things, including the availability of next generation filters. Why do these filters matter?
- They are incredibly photostable, which means they don’t lose their protection factor when exposed to UV rays (I’m looking at you Avobenzone!).
- They have a great safety profile. Not saying that the current FDA approved filters are bad, but some have shown estrogenic activity.
- They offer much stronger UVA protection, which is critical for preventing not only skin cancer, but fine lines, dark spots, and collagen breakdown – i.e. photoaging. All we have in the US is Avobenzone (notoriously unstable) and Zinc Oxide (hello 👻).
That’s why you’ll rarely find the FDA approved filters in European or Asian sunscreens nowadays, they’re outdated! Why use weaker, potentially harmful filters when you’ve got much better options? Even the EWG, who I disagree with on many issues, points out that American sunscreens are inferior due to the lack of filters available. Amen to that EWG.
That’s not to say that all US facial sunscreens are bad, some like the Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen or the Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 are actually decent for everyday use. But if you want the best protection against UVA and UVB rays, European, Asian, or Australian sunscreens are the way to go.
Passionate about science-based skincare. Tested hundreds if not thousands of products since my 20's. Working regularly with brands like iHerb, Ulta, CurrentBody, and MedStar Health to share my knowledge and experience in all things beauty. Learn more.
Skin profile: 35+, dry/combination, focused on well-aging, hydration, and a healthy glow ✨
Comments & Questions
Anne
The La ROche-Posay one is also my go-to for outdoor days in summer. I wonder how the UVA protection of the new one compares to the previous version.
Anne from Doctor Anne
Jenny Wu
It's supposedly better since they have the new UVA filter, and I can't imagine it getting worse (though the possibility is always there)
Jessie
Any more recommendations for body sunscreen? Some of these are a bit too expensive to spread over my whole body!
Jenny Wu
Olive Young occasionally has great deals on Korean sunscreens, especially for their sets of 2. If you don't mind sacrificing some protection, Equate (Walmart) Ultra Lotion SPF 50 Sunscreen for $5 a tube or the Trader Joe’s Spray SPF 50+ Sunscreen for $14 are both recommended by Consumer Reports. Both have SPF that came in lower than 50 (in the 30s) but if you apply enough and reapply frequently it should be ok.
Amanda
Can you go more into detail about how the chemical sunscreen active ingredients that are not approved in the US are in fact safe? There is suspicious that chemical sunscreens that are approved in the US are not actually safe in the long term.
Jenny Wu
Photostable and larger molecules are two traits shared by next-generation chemical filters (those not approved in the US). That means the filter won't become unstable or easily get absorbed into the skin. You can click on the individual product reviews for more details on the ingredients, but this blog post by a research physician in cosmetic dermatology also list these newer filters as safe: https://www.dr-jetskeultee.com/blog/my-list-of-good-and-bad-sun-filters/
There's a reason why those "suspicious" US approved filters are rarely (if ever) used in other countries, they're just inferior in every way.
Ledia | Kbeauty Notes
Love Both the Scinic and BOJ. You've described their differences perfectly.
Ledia | K-Beauty Notes
Leigh Brooker
As someone with oily & acne-prone skin, I compared the BOJ and Face Republic Purity Sun Essence (half-and-half on my face), then literally went outdoors on a slightly cloudy day. After 4 hours of sweat and oil, the BOJ side was significantly oilier than Face Republic. It was a neck and neck battle but the Face Republic took the crown (plus, it is vegan!). It is such an underrated suncreen; you should try it too :)))
Jenny Wu
Thank you for sharing this Leigh! It's my first time hearing of this brand and I'll definitely have to try it in the summer when my skin get oilier!
Ana
I had read your post on UVA protection some time ago! Do you think the Axis Y has a good amount of UVA protection? I live in Los Angeles were the UV index is often 7+ so I want to ensure adequate protection! Also I have my skin shade is type IV-V if that's relevant.
Jenny Wu
Yes, it's been independently tested to have PFA 24.3, which is a PA++++. This is about as strong as you'll get for Asian sunscreens, so if you want even stronger UVA protection I would recommend European formulas like the La Roche Posay Anthelios (make sure it's the EU version!). But if you're applying the correct amount and diligent about reapplying, I think the AXIS-Y one should suffice for everyday activities.
Just saw your comment about skin shade, and the AXIS-Y one is a physical sunscreen. While the white cast went away for my skin tone eventually, I'm not sure how it'll fare with darker skin tones. Going with a chemical formula may be a safer choice in this case.
Megan
What would you recommend for a Korean sunscreen for use on the family for the beach? Looking for something that comes in a pretty big bottle that I can use on the body for me and my kids (youngest is 3). Really would like to use the newer filters. Thanks!!
Jenny Wu
Most Korean sunscreens are actually not waterproof, so I would recommend Japanese sunscreens instead if you still want the elegant light texture. I'm not sure if they come in big bottles though, maybe 100-150ml bottles at most? Personally for beach/outdoor trips I prefer European sunscreens for their super high protection and they also come in larger bottles. The La Roche Posay ones I like are currently out of stock but here are a few more I found that all use newer filters:
https://www.caretobeauty.com/us/eucerin-sun-sensitive-protect-sun-lotion-extra-light-spf50-400ml/
https://www.caretobeauty.com/us/isdin-fotoprotector-fusion-gel-sport-wet-skin-spf50-100ml/
https://www.caretobeauty.com/us/eucerin-sun-sensitive-protect-dry-touch-sun-gel-cream-spf50-200ml/
https://www.caretobeauty.com/us/bioderma-photoderm-lait-ultra-moisturizing-lotion-200ml/
https://www.caretobeauty.com/us/garnier-ambre-solaire-protective-sun-body-lotion-spf50-200ml/
Pat
Great info! You mentioned 2 US sunscreens: Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen or the Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50. Do you know what the UVA rating is on either of those?
Jenny Wu
Unfortunately UVA ratings aren't required for US sunscreens, so unless someone tests these, we may never know :(
Sandy B.
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for all your in-depth information on sunscreens. Very helpful! Up until now my go-to product has been Biore watery essence until I read the disappointing research :-/. Anyway, I'm in Canada also and am trying to buy the Aussie or EU version of the LRP Anthelios ultra fluid. I see you've listed some sites but it is out of stock. Do you have a preferred site where you buy Aussie/European sunscreens? Thank you so much for your help. :-)
Jenny Wu
You can try some of the sites listed here! https://www.geekyposh.com/la-roche-posay-anthelios-uvmune-400-invisible-fluid-spf-50-review/ If not, eBay was my go-to previously, just make sure you're buying from a seller with good ratings!
Elle
I disagree with your take on US sunscreens and avobenzone. Avobenzone can be stabilized in newer formulations, and also provides more than twice the power and protection as modern UVA filters such as Tinosorb S. For example, think breadth and depth both of which Avobenzone has. Good manufacturing practices Also will encapsulate avobezone and combine it with antioxidants to prolong its photostability. Neutrogena’s helioplex has shown that it can provide up to 5 hours of protection and stability with very little degradation. The reason why sunscreen need to be a reapplied regularly is not due to breakdown of the chemicals or it’s photostability issue, but more the film that binds the sunscreen together as it cracks much like foundation does.
Jenny Wu
Except Tinsorb S, unlike Avobenzone, is never the only UVA filter used in a formula. Yes there are ingredients that can help stabilize Avobenzone, but the overall UVA protection is still going to be lower compared to EU/Australian/Asian formulas that have access to additional UVA filters. Eg. brands like La Roche Posay and Neutrogena both have great sunscreen formulas that are sold elsewhere in the world except the US, where the formula is modified to adhere to FDA regulations. If US sunscreen formulas are superior or even the same, why not just sell that same formula worldwide? While I believe that certain formulas like Neutrogena Helioplex can offer stable UV protection, Asian/EU brands can offer that plus higher UVA protection and often times better texture and price. So no, until the FDA approves of these new filters, I will not recommend US sunscreens when superior options are available.