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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Hybrid (Combination)
Natural/Dewy
Germany

Ultrasun

Face Anti Pigmentation

My rating:
1
/3
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]
PA 4 Plus [UVA-PF (PPD) ≥ 16]
50+
Alcohol:
Yes
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
3 (Intense white cast on me, best for light skin tones)
Hybrid (Combination)
Natural/Dewy
Germany

Ultrasun

Face Anti-Pigmentation Tinted Honey

My rating:
2
/3
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]
PA 4 Plus [UVA-PF (PPD) ≥ 16]
50+
Alcohol:
Yes
Tint:
Universal
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
1 (Very slight cast on me, best for light to medium deep skin tones)
Hybrid (Combination)
Natural/Dewy
Germany

Ultrasun

Face Fluid Brightening, Anti-Spot and Anti-Pollution

My rating:
1
/3
Vehicle:
Liquid
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]
PA 4 Plus [UVA-PF (PPD) ≥ 16]
50+
Alcohol:
Yes
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
3 (Intense white cast on me, best for light skin tones)
Hybrid (Combination)
Natural
Germany

Ultrasun

Face Fluid Tinted Honey

My rating:
2
/3
Vehicle:
Liquid
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]
PA 4 Plus [UVA-PF (PPD) ≥ 16]
50+
Alcohol:
Yes
Tint:
Universal
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
2 (Visible cast on me, best for light to medium skin tones)
Hybrid (Combination)
Natural/Dewy
Germany

Ultrasun

Face Tinted Honey

My rating:
2
/3
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]
PA 4 Plus [UVA-PF (PPD) ≥ 16]
50+
Alcohol:
Yes
Tint:
Universal
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
1 (Very slight cast on me, best for light to medium deep skin tones)
Hybrid (Combination)
Natural/Dewy
Germany

Ultrasun

Lip Protection & Care

My rating:
2
/3
Vehicle:
Lip Balm
eye sting
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
No
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
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)
Dewy
Germany

Ultrasun

Sports Gel

My rating:
2
/3
Vehicle:
Liquid
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]
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
Germany

Ultrasun

UV Face and Scalp Mist

My rating:
3
/3
Vehicle:
Spray
eye sting
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]
50
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
0 (No white cast, best for light to deep skin tones)
Hybrid (Combination)
Matte
Australia

Ultra Violette

Clean Screen

My rating:
1
/3
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
No
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
30
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
Universal
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
3 (Intense white cast on me, best for light skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural/Dewy
Australia

Ultra Violette

Extreme Screen

My rating:
2
/3
Vehicle:
Cream
eye sting
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate
 (Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
240 min [4 hrs]
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
Yes
Cast on me:
0 (No white cast, best for light to deep skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural
Australia

Ultra Violette

Fave Fluid

My rating:
3
/3
Vehicle:
Liquid
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, 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)
Inorganic (Mineral/Physical)
Natural/Matte
Australia

Ultra Violette

Lean Screen

My rating:
1
/3
Vehicle:
Cream
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene (U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
No
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
50+
Alcohol:
No
Tint:
Universal
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
2 (Visible cast on me, best for light to medium skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural/Dewy
Australia

Ultra Violette

Preen Screen

My rating:
3
/3
Vehicle:
Spray
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
No
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
50
Alcohol:
Yes
Tint:
No
Fragrance:
Yes
Cast on me:
0 (No white cast, best for light to deep skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Dewy
Australia

Ultra Violette

Queen Screen

My rating:
2
/3
Vehicle:
Liquid
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
No
UVA Circle (EU) / Broad Spectrum (AU) [UVA-PF/SPF ≥ ⅓ + Critical Wavelength]
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)
Dewy
Australia

Ultra Violette

Sheen Screen Hydrating Lip Balm

My rating:
2
/3
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:
Shades
Fragrance:
Yes
Cast on me:
0 (No white cast, best for light to deep skin tones)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural/Dewy
Australia

Ultra Violette

Supreme Screen

My rating:
3
/3
Vehicle:
Lotion
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone (Aruba)
No
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)
Organic (Chemical)
Natural/Dewy
United States

Undefined

R&R Sun Crème

My rating:
3
/3
Vehicle:
Cream
eye sting
No
No Oxybenzone, Octinoxate
 (Hawaii, Key West, Aruba)
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)
Inorganic (Mineral/Physical)
Natural
United States

Undefined

R&R Sun Serum

My rating:
2
/3
Vehicle:
Liquid
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:
Universal
Fragrance:
No
Cast on me:
2 (Visible cast on me, best for light to medium skin tones)