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
SKIP TO SUNSCREEN
DATABASE
Clear all filters
Showing 00 out of 00 results
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
tag field
:
tag value
close icon
Organic (Chemical)
Dewy
South Korea

Round Lab

Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Stick

My rating:
3
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Stick
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/Matte
United States

Saint Jane Beauty

Luxury Sun Ritual Pore Smoothing Sunscreen

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]
30
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
Universal
Fragrance:
Yes
Cast on me:
2 (Visible cast on me, best for light to medium skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural/Dewy
Spain

Santa Marina Cosmetics

Juicy 50

My rating:
3
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lip Balm
eye sting
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
No
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
50
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
Universal
Fragrance:
Yes
Cast on me:
0 (No white cast, best for light to deep skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural/Dewy
South Korea

Scinic

Enjoy Super Active Airy Sun Stick

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Stick
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
No
PA 4 Plus [UVA-PF (PPD) ≥ 16]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
Yes
Cast on me:
1 (Very slight cast on me, best for light to medium deep skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural/Dewy
South Korea

Scinic

Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence

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)
Dewy
South Korea

Scinic

Enjoy Waterproof Airy Sun Stick

My rating:
3
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Stick
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
40 min
PA 4 Plus [UVA-PF (PPD) ≥ 16]
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
Spain

Sesderma

Repaskin Lips Sunscreen

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lip Balm
eye sting
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate
 (Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
No
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
50
Alcohol:
Yes
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
0 (No white cast, best for light to deep skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural
United States

Shiseido

Clear Sunscreen Stick

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Stick
eye sting
Some
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate
 (Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
80 min
Broad Spectrum [Critical Wavelength]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
Yes
Cast on me:
0 (No white cast, best for light to deep skin tones)
Hybrid (Combination)
Natural/Dewy
France

Shiseido

Expert Sun Protector Face & Body Lotion

My rating:
3
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Liquid
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
80 min
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
50+
Alcohol:
Yes
Tint:
Universal
Fragrance:
Yes
Cast on me:
0 (No white cast, best for light to deep skin tones)
Hybrid (Combination)
Natural/Matte
France

Shiseido

Expert Sun Protector Face Cream

My rating:
1
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
Some
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate
 (Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
80 min
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
50+
Alcohol:
Yes
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
Yes
Cast on me:
3 (Intense white cast on me, best for light skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Dewy
United States

Shiseido

Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion

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

Skin1004

Madagascar Centella Hyalu-cica Water-fit Sun Serum

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)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural
Japan

Skin Aqua

UV Super Moisture Essence

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Gel
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
80 min
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)
Natural
Japan

Skin Aqua

UV Super Moisture Essence (2023)

My rating:
3
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Gel
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
80 min
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)
Natural/Matte
Japan

Skin Aqua

UV Super Moisture Essence Gold

My rating:
3
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Gel
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
80 min
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)
Natural
Japan

Skin Aqua

UV Super Moisture Gel

My rating:
2
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Liquid
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
40 min
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)
Natural/Dewy
Japan

Skin Aqua

UV Super Moisture Gel (2023)

My rating:
3
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Liquid
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
80 min
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)
Natural
Japan

Skin Aqua

UV Super Moisture Gel Gold

My rating:
3
/3
Purchase Link (May Contain Affiliates)
Vehicle:
Gel
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
80 min
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)
Copyright © 2025 - Dr. Julian Sass
Design by KimGraph
HomeSERVICESspf databasePress Featurescontact