Sunscreen Database curated by Dr. Julian Sass

I’ve explored hundreds of sunscreens in search of the perfect fit for my skin. To assist you, I’ve compiled a comprehensive database detailing the specifics of each product I’ve tried. Please note, this database is continually updated, so if your go-to sunscreen 
isn’t listed yet, it’s on my radar!

My skin is dark (Fitzpatrick Scale 5/6), oily, and tends to acne, hyperpigmentation, and dehydration. What suits me might differ for you, so keep that in mind!

Vocabulary check

Before you dive in, here are a few helpful tips to help you make the most of the database and understand some terms that often come up in the world of cosmetics and sun protection.

SPF (Sun Protection Factor)

SPF measures a sunscreen’s ability to protect against UVB rays (the main cause of sunburn). Higher SPF means more protection. Ideally, you want to use ¼ tsp of product for the face, or ½ tsp of product for face, ears, and neck.

man with sunscreen on back in shape of a sun

Type (Mineral, Hybrid, Chemical)

Inorganic (Mineral): Contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Mostly works by absorbing UV radiation but also reflects some UV rays. Tends to be better for sensitive skin but can leave a white cast.

Organic (Chemical): Uses filters like avobenzone or octinoxate to absorb UV radiation. Tends to be lightweight and transparent but older filters may irritate some skin types.

Hybrid: Combines mineral and chemical filters for a balance of protection and cosmetic elegance.

young asian woman with sunglasses applying sunscreen

Local Ocean Regulations

Some places ban certain sunscreen ingredients to “protect coral reefs”, but there is no evidence that sunscreen harms coral reefs or ocean life.

Aruba: No Oxybenzone

Hawaii, Key West, Aruba:  No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate
‍
U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba: No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene

coral reef

UVA Protection

UVA rays cause aging and contribute to skin cancer.

Look for:"Broad Spectrum" (U.S. standard)

PA+ / PA++++ (Asian sunscreens, higher "+" = better)

UVA circle logo (EU sunscreens, indicating ≥1/3 SPF protection)

cracked earth, to represent damaged skin
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Organic (Chemical)
Natural/Dewy
England

Piz Buin

Allergy Facial Cream Sun Sensitive Skin

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate
 (Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
40 min
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
Boots 4 Stars [UVA/UVB = 0.8 – 0.89]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
Yes
Cast on me:
2 (Visible cast on me, best for light to medium skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural
England

Piz Buin

Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Lotion

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Liquid
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate
 (Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
40 min
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
Boots 4 Stars [UVA/UVB = 0.8 – 0.89]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
Yes
Cast on me:
1 (Very slight cast on me, best for light to medium deep skin tones)
Inorganic (Mineral/Physical)
Natural
United States

Prequel

Sun Barrier

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
No
PA 4 Plus [UVA-PF (PPD) ≥ 16]
50
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
Universal
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
2 (Visible cast on me, best for light to medium skin tones)
Hybrid (Combination)
Dewy
South Korea

Purito

Daily Go-To Sunscreen

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Gel
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
No
PA 4 Plus [UVA-PF (PPD) ≥ 16]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
1 (Very slight cast on me, best for light to medium deep skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural
South Korea

Purito

Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen

My rating:
3
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
No
PA 4 Plus [UVA-PF (PPD) ≥ 16]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
0 (No white cast, best for light to deep skin tones)
Inorganic (Mineral/Physical)
Natural/Dewy
United States

Relevant

One & Done Everyday Cream

My rating:
1
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
No
Broad Spectrum [Critical Wavelength]
40
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
3 (Intense white cast on me, best for light skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural/Dewy
United States

Replenix

Antioxidant Sunscreen Spray

My rating:
3
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Spray
eye sting
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate
 (Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
80 min
Broad Spectrum [Critical Wavelength]
50
Alcohol:
Yes
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
Yes
Cast on me:
0 (No white cast, best for light to deep skin tones)
Hybrid (Combination)
Natural/Dewy
United States

Replenix

Hydrating Antioxidant Sunscreen

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
Some
Not Compliant
No
Broad Spectrum [Critical Wavelength]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
0 (No white cast, best for light to deep skin tones)
Hybrid (Combination)
Natural
United States

Replenix

Hydrating Oil-Free Face Sunscreen

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
No
Broad Spectrum [Critical Wavelength]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
1 (Very slight cast on me, best for light to medium deep skin tones)
Inorganic (Mineral/Physical)
Natural/Dewy
United States

Replenix

Soothing Mineral Sunscreen Spray

My rating:
1
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Spray
eye sting
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
80 min
Broad Spectrum [Critical Wavelength]
30
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
3 (Intense white cast on me, best for light skin tones)
Inorganic (Mineral/Physical)
Matte
United States

Replenix

Tinted Mattifying Face Sunscreen

My rating:
1
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Cream
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
No
Broad Spectrum [Critical Wavelength]
30
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
Universal
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
3 (Intense white cast on me, best for light skin tones)
Hybrid (Combination)
Natural
United States

Replenix

Tinted Oil-Free Face Sunscreen

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
No
Broad Spectrum [Critical Wavelength]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
Universal
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
1 (Very slight cast on me, best for light to medium deep skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural
United States

Revision Skincare

Intellishade Clear

My rating:
3
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
No
No items found.
50
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
Yes
Cast on me:
0 (No white cast, best for light to deep skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural/Dewy
Denmark

Riemann P20

Original Spray

My rating:
3
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Spray
eye sting
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
80 min
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
Boots 4 Stars [UVA/UVB = 0.8 – 0.89]
PA 4 Plus [UVA-PF (PPD) ≥ 16]
50+
Alcohol:
Yes
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
0 (No white cast, best for light to deep skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Dewy
Denmark

Riemann P20

Sensitive Face

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
40 min
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
Boots 5 Stars [UVA/UVB ≥ 0.9]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
2 (Visible cast on me, best for light to medium skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural/Dewy
Denmark

Riemann P20

Sensitive Sun Cream

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
80 min
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
Boots 4 Stars [UVA/UVB = 0.8 – 0.89]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
1 (Very slight cast on me, best for light to medium deep skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Dewy
Denmark

Riemann P20

Suncare For Kids

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
180 min [3 hrs]
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
Boots 4 Stars [UVA/UVB = 0.8 – 0.89]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
1 (Very slight cast on me, best for light to medium deep skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural/Matte
South Korea

Round Lab

Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
No
PA 4 Plus [UVA-PF (PPD) ≥ 16]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
1 (Very slight cast on me, best for light to medium deep skin tones)
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