Why I Don't Use These Sunscreens Anymore

Let's start off with why I wouldn't like a sunscreen. What I look for are (or don't look for) are the following:

• Fragrance - I'll usually overlook this if I don't feel nauseous from smelling the fragrance.
• White cast - If there is a difference between how ghostly I look before and after sunscreen application, then I'm abandoning the sunscreen.
• Greasiness - Not only does it have to not feel greasy, it can't look greasy on my skin either. I do not mind satin or dewy finishes.
• Cosmetic elegance - Besides the cosmetic issues with white cast or greasiness, the formula has to stay put and blend nicely. It shouldn't pill or flake. It should apply nicely under makeup and upon reapplication over makeup.
• Texture - A thick cream formula that is hard to spread will be annoying to apply.
• How it feels on the skin during application - Not only is texture of the formula important, but I also consider how the formula behaves during the application process.
• How it feels on the skin after application and drying down - Besides greasiness, I do not want it to feel powdery/gritty, silicone-y, or much of anything at all.
• Water resistant - It has to be water, and therefore, sweat resistant. People sweat, so you can't have the sunscreen soluble in water that readily.
• UV blocking - US formulations will be pretty bland. There's no posted specific-to-UVA protection system on the sunscreen, unlike SPF ratings, so "broad spectrum" is the best you'll get as of right now. UVA protection is listed by their PPD or PA ratings on non-US sunscreens.
• Stinging - I have issues with lots of sunscreens just stinging my eyes when I apply it on my face. And stinging on the skin is a no no, too.

Now that I've listed what I scrutinize in a sunscreen, below are 10 sunscreens I stopped using. It's in no specific order, and there's plenty of others who may enjoy the same sunscreen I criticized, but I'm always on the hunt for something better suited for my preferences.



Coppertone Water Babies Pure and Simple Sunscreen Lotion SPF50
Texture: Lotion.
Finish: Slightly satin.
Pros: Fragrance free.
Cons: Doesn't really sink into skin, hard to blend around hairline, white cast on skin, and white cast on clothes that require more than a machine wash to get rid of stains.
Other Notes: Overall, this is an ok sunscreen given the issues I've had with it. This used to be my main overall sunscreen and I used bottles of it before I started finding better replacements.

Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion SPF70
Texture: Lotion.
Finish: Satin, verges on greasy.
Pros: -
Cons: The fragrance. UGH. It's very baby powdery.
Other Notes: To be frank, I did not use this for long and passed it onto someone else just because of the fragrance.

Coppertone Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion SPF50
Texture: Lotion.
Finish: Greasy.
Pros: -
Cons: Has fragrance.
Other Notes: This was another very ok product but overall, I did not care for it enough to spend on a repurchase.

Coppertone Clearly Sheer Whipped Sunscreen SPF50
Texture: Whipped foam.
Finish: Matte
Pros: -
Cons: As soon as you try to smooth it across your skin, it has a very dry feeling. It's like I'm dragging clay across my skin. Clearly, it does not leave skin soft and smooth.
Other Notes: This is hard to recommend since there are other sunscreens that aren't as gimmicky and also doesn't have a weird feeling going onto the skin.

NO-AD Sun Care Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF50
Texture: Lotiony.
Finish: Greasy.
Pros: Fragrance free, very inexpensive.
Cons: Greasy, starts pilling after half an hour, actually washes away with water (and therefore, not sweat resistant). For sports my butt.
Other Notes: This is definitely a no-go to recommend to anyone due to just the non-water resistant issue.

CVS Health Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70
Texture: Lotiony.
Finish: Greasy.
Pros: Fragrance free.
Cons: GREASY. Stay away from this stuff, it never sinks in. It feels as greasy as it looks going on the skin and after waiting for it to dry down. The formula is unstable - there is separation seen from a clear, oily fluid leaking from the bottle when you open the flip cap.
Other Notes: Maybe I got a bad batch? Who knows. This is the greasiest sunscreen I ever came across, too.

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sensitive SPF30
Texture: Thick cream.
Finish: Greasy, white cast.
Pros: Fragrance free.
Cons: White cast, greasy, and hard to apply due to thick consistency.
Other Notes: This was my first physical blockers only sunscreen. And I definitely did not repurchase due to the formula issues from barely being able to apply this to the skin and looking like a ghost afterwards.

Solbar Shield Sunscreen SPF40
Texture: Creamy.
Finish: Greasy, white cast.
Pros: Fragrance free.
Cons: Thick, hard to blend, starts pilling near my hairline, greasy, has white cast.
Other Notes: Another purely physical sunscreen with loads of issues.Why are purely physical only sunscreens like this? I haven't found one that I actually am just ok with.

Badger Baby Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Cream SPF30
Texture: Really thick cream.
Finish: Greasy, white cast.
Pros: Fragrance free, but has a scent.
Cons: Greasy feeling, leaves a white cast on skin, the cream is SUPER THICK (how does anyone spread this stuff???), and the formula is not stable (there is some clear yellow fluid separating from the rest of the solution).
Other Notes: There's a smell to this, very... Herbaceous and kinda oily? You'll never escape the white cast, though. And, the formula is not stable.

Johnson & Johnson Baby Daily face and Body Sunscreen Lotion SPF40
Texture: Really thick cream.
Finish: Greasy, white cast.
Pros: Fragrance free.
Cons: Hard to apply because the formula is pretty thick, imparts a white cast, greasy.
Other Notes: Another purely physical sunscreen with loads of issues.


Even though this is a summary of stuff I don't like, if you're still interested and click on some of the links in this post, I get commissions based on your purchases.