105. SPF Roundup

All the Ones I’m Loving and Eyeing

Hi, I’m Maggie, and welcome to Tender Forms Off-Camera: a bi-weekly newsletter on all things slow: beauty, fashion, and living. Links in this newsletter may include affiliate links or discount referrals. If you enjoy and would like to support this newsletter, click the button below or shop through my links! No pressure, but thank you if you do.

---

Few things excite me more than the hunt for the perfect sunscreen. In recent years, mineral sunscreens have come a long way in launches, sales, and formulas. Within just this last year, I have tried more amazing SPFs and am so excited to share them just in time for the sunnier days ahead.

The following are all mineral sunscreens. This is mainly because my skin, unfortunately, can’t tolerate chemical sunscreens. Aside from that, I also feel better with mineral sunscreens due to their little to no-impact on animals and the environment. They all utilize non-nano zinc oxide (titanium dioxide sunscreens tend to throw my skin off balance and break me out). None of these have any added fragrance, but I have noted their scent profiles, if any. And there’s a wide range spanning from budget-friendly to luxury, as well as different formulations depending on what you’re seeking from your SPF. (I purchased all of the following myself.)

---

Untinted

Le Prunier Plumscreen® Broad Spectrum SPF 31 UVA/UVB/HEV PA+++ 

Price + Net Wt.: $78, 60ml | 2floz ($39/oz) 

Packaging: Aluminum tube, plastic threaded cap 

Texture: A light liquid-cream

Finish: Satin, 90% dry down 

Scent: Soft marzipan 

Zinc-Oxide: 4.7% 

First, I realize there is a tint to this. It doesn’t provide coverage but does cancel out any whiteness, and for that reason, I’ve kept it in the untinted category. Out of almost the entire list, this is perhaps the one that will be loved across the board, no matter your skin tone or skin type. 

I’ll cut to the point: all the raves you’ve read, heard, and seen are warranted. This is such a pleasing, delightful, “minimal” SPF. The sunscreen dispenses in a light sand color. I use roughly two finger lengths for my face and neck. Due to the size of the opening and the sunscreen’s consistency, it’s tough to do just two thin lines, so I usually end up using more. 

As you work it into the skin, it transforms and appears seemingly whiter in a creamy mini-foam texture before disappearing into the skin. It leaves a beautiful, skin-like finish and dries down the most out of today’s roundup. 

I have tried this layered over skincare, but as I love a more matte finish, I’ve found going directly in after a generous spritz of hydrosol is simply the best. It also cuts my morning routine way down, so what’s not to love about that? Plumscreen also feels like a proper skincare sunscreen, likely due to its moisturizing blend of oils and extracts, plus its minimal use of zinc oxide. I wanted to include the zinc-oxide percentage in each because I know that’s important to some, including myself. I can’t help it; my brain does equate a higher percentage of zinc oxide to better protection. It is what it is. 

However, I can definitively say that I’ve never been sunburnt while wearing Plumscreen. Do I use a thicker layer if I know I’ll be outside for an extended period of time? Absolutely. 

As for its skincare benefits, I’ve almost used up an entire tube and can’t say that I’ve noticed many “clinically demonstrated skin benefits” as they claim. My skin is by no means worse, but it hasn’t changed much, either. And for that, I believe the skincare properties are more in the general skin upkeep category rather than something that will show a more immediate, noticeable difference. (But please comment if you’ve noticed any benefits!) 

I should note that this is also the one I use on my body. But just so you know, I’m a bit of a vampire and don’t go out in the sun often. I don’t own a separate body sunscreen. Because this one sets the most and doesn’t have a white cast or is tinted, it is also the safest for me to use with a variety of clothing. I haven’t encountered any transfer or staining with it, either!

*The above link provides $10 off (not affiliated). They also offer a 10ml size at $28 if you’d like to try it before investing in the full-size tube. I have tried the 10ml before, and it provides a good couple of uses; more than enough for you to see whether it fits you. 

LESSE Every Tone SPF 30 

Price + Net Wt.: $75, 60ml | 2floz ($42.50/oz)

Packaging: Glass bottle, plastic pump and friction cap  

Texture: A loose gel-cream 

Finish: Satin, 80% dry down 

Scent: Berry-adjacent, spicy, subtle gourmand  

Zinc-Oxide: 17% 

I wrote a brief preface to this in the last newsletter. While it may have seemed there were more cons than pros, let me dive deeper into why I reach for this one again and again. 

This is the priciest option in today’s roundup; however, it’s not the most expensive out there. (See Ava Isa Sun-è-Serum Drops SPF 35 Sunscreen in last year’s roundup.) LESSE feels very much like a designer brand to me but in the category of skincare. So a large part of why I’m so drawn to them is because this is what I imagine living my designer-brand, “quiet luxury” life would be like. While I can’t afford to have the entire line right now, at least I have this SPF. 

I use two pumps across the face and neck, and that dispenses a good amount. This needs to be layered over skincare and well-prepped skin, especially if you are dry. My skin is normal to dehydrated. Right now, I’m battling some dry patches from incorporating retinol into my routine. In the mornings, I’ll splash my face with cold water, give a generous spritz of hydrosol, then follow with three drops of my Stark CITY oil. Then I’ll smooth two pumps of this and slowly massage it into my skin in down and outward motions. I’ve found this helps it not accentuate any dry patches (known or unknown). 

This routine provides a beautiful skin-like finish. It’s slightly dewier than if I went in just with the LESSE SPF, but it’s not too dewy (which is never my preference). This also provides me with some coverage. And that’s because there is a white cast to it. 

Yes, I know the name is titled “Every Tone,” and the brand claim’s there is no white cast. And this would be true if you’re using a minuscule amount as opposed to the amount needed for proper SPF 30 protection. Despite having a white cast, the reason I love it is because my face is already darker than my body. The white cast brightens my face one to two shades lighter and, therefore, matches my body. The beauty of a high percentage zinc-oxide formula lies within the opacity of the zinc, evening out your skin tone and reducing redness. For this reason, it almost acts like a tinted sunscreen for me, offering me beautiful coverage without relying on complexion products.

Not to mention that this feels beautiful on the skin. Usually, high zinc formulas will have a drying effect, but once this settles on the skin, it feels just like skincare. Because there is some body to this sunscreen, it grips the skin and provides a “protective layer” feeling without the weight. 

I experience more skincare benefits from this formula than I do from Plumscreen. The main ones being anti-inflammatory and reducing redness. I run hot. And throughout the day, as the outside temperature builds, so does my body temperature, causing my face to redden and feel hot. This sunscreen somehow has a magical calming effect on my face. And this alone makes me keep reaching for it. 

Last, I want to talk about removal. As stated earlier, this has great grip and lasts, making it also slightly challenging to remove at the end of the day. Oil cleansers will remove this with no problem, but I do recommend double cleansing. Somehow, my skin always looks better at the end of the day than at the start with this sunscreen. It’s pretty amazing. 

SALT & STONE Lightweight Sheer Daily Sunscreen SPF 40

Price + Net Wt.: $34, 60ml | 2floz ($17/oz)

Packaging: Aluminum tube, plastic threaded cap  

Texture: Thick cream  

Finish: Slightly dewy, 60% dry down 

Scent: None 

Zinc-Oxide: 22.75% 

I don’t currently have this one on hand, but just know that I love it. This has its own dedicated newsletter review, but I thought I’d reiterate some of it here. 

To me, this sunscreen is #1 because of its collective pros in all categories. 

1. Aluminum packaging (my preferred vessel material so it can be easily recycled)

2. The price for the amount you get

3. Its uncanny ability to give you the appearance of healthy, radiant skin

4. No fragrance and oil-free

5. High SPF 

The formula of this SPF is also very interesting. It dispenses as a thick cream, but once massaged into the skin, delivers almost “glass”-like skin. It feels heavy at first, but once it sets, it’s breathable and comfortable and acts as an incredible primer for makeup. (In fact, you may remember this as part of my holy-grail base routine.) 

Yes, this, too, has a white cast. However, I’m surprised there’s not more from how much zinc oxide is in this. Despite its higher amount of zinc, the white cast is actually less than LESSE’s. 

And this, too, has body and grip. It won’t slip and slide around on you and doesn’t have a greasy feeling. It also has the feel of well-prepped skin. However, it dries down the least in today’s roundup, especially when layered over skincare. There is a slight tacky quality to it, but that’s why I think it makes a terrific primer. Powder foundation applies beautifully over this, as well as all other makeup. And it helps makeup last.

If you are layering over skincare, make sure you let your skincare sink in before applying this. If you follow too closely, depending on how much you massage, it can pill slightly. I find pressing it into the skin versus deeply massaging/rubbing it applies better if you’re short on time. 

This is the first sunscreen I recommend to anyone who’s asking.

---

---

Tinted

Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen 

Price + Net Wt.: $32, 30ml | 1floz ($32/oz)

Packaging: Plastic squeeze tube, plastic threaded cap

Texture: Liquid serum

Finish: Dewy-satin to satin, 60% dry down 

Scent: Natural oils 

Zinc-Oxide: 12.6% 

I have been super reluctant in purchasing this because I’ve just found that serum foundations or SPFs never go nor sit well with my skin. They always tend to show texture I didn’t even know I had. However, my friend who knows my love for satin-matte finishes pretty much convinced me, and then they released their latest shades, one being a light neutral undertone (one that was previously missing). So naturally, I pulled the trigger. 

The formula is as lovely as everyone says. And for those who don’t like the Saie Slip Tint (me) or find the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 too dewy, you’ll likely enjoy this one more. The finish all depends on what’s underneath and how much you use. 

I follow the same skincare as I do for the LESSE SPF, and then go in with two finger-lengths on SunnyDays. The reason I layer this over skincare is that it will catch on dryness and texture if your skin isn’t prepped. And even after my skin is well moisturized and all skincare has sunk in, I still have to be pretty gentle with application. I use a dense brush and pat this in otherwise, it still catches and reveals hidden texture (like all serum complexion anything on me). However, this provides a stunning finish. Skin-like, no redness, even skin tone, etc. 

This has pretty incredible coverage ranging anywhere from light-medium to medium-full. Even with two finger-lengths, you get at least medium coverage. Because of how much this covers, I don’t feel comfortable even using two finger-lengths. It is too much coverage for me. 

The other con is that it never truly dries down. But in a different way than the SALT & STONE. This will transfer and can feel slippery on the skin. I highly recommend powdering if you tend to touch your face a lot. 

Now, I know this sounds like more cons than pros, but the reason I added this is that it is a wonderful tinted sunscreen option. If you’re looking for a tinted sunscreen that is actually two-in-one (sunscreen and coverage), then this one’s for you. Especially if you can find one to match your skin tone. 

I do have a bit of a gripe with their shade descriptions, though. I ordered their new 13 La Cienega because it’s described as “light with neutral undertones.” However, it was too deep for me. This meant that my only other option would have been 05 Fairfax “fair with pink undertones.” And you know that I’m never a pink undertone. So I reached out to their customer service and, to my surprise, they shade-matched me to 10 Larchmont “light with yellow undertones.” It turns out 10 Larchmont is lighter in depth despite also being listed as “light.” However, it’s still not light enough for me. I mix this equal parts (1 finger length) with the LESSE (1 pump) to create a beautiful shade match and stunning finish. This is probably my favorite way to wear it rather than on its own. I’d wear it alone as my sole SPF if the shade were a better match.

*Be on the lookout for the next Tender Forms Pay It Forward, as 13 La Cienega will be listed! 

---

Future

As of now, these are high on my list to try. 

FORAH Everyday Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 

Price + Net Wt.: $47, 89ml | 2.87oz ($16.38/oz)

Packaging: Aluminum tube, plastic threaded cap

Texture: Light cream?   

Finish: ? 

Scent: ?

Zinc-Oxide: 10% + Titanium Dioxide 7%

Okay, you got me. This is another one where brand design and packaging caught my eye. I’m not thrilled with the addition of titanium dioxide, but I do appreciate the extensive list of soothing botanicals. 

ROSE INC Solar Power Luminous SPF 30 Serum 

Price + Net Wt.: $46, 30ml | 1floz ($46/oz)

Packaging: Glass bottle and dropper, plastic cap 

Texture: Liquid serum?  

Finish: ? 

Scent: ?

Zinc-Oxide: 14% 

Having tried the Ava Isa sunscreen in what looks to be the same bottle and dispense mechanism, I’m not too excited packaging-wise. It’s usually tough to get an adequate amount in one go from this style of packaging. However, if the formula and finish are great, I’ll happily overlook it! I’m also happy to know that they offer a 10ml version at $18 and that the mini is available at Sephora. However, wow, this is a pricey sunscreen. It’s even more expensive than LESSE (price per ounce)!

Zoca Lotion Reef-Safe Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 36

Price + Net Wt.: $24, 7.5ml | 2.5floz ($9.60/oz)

Packaging: Aluminum tube, plastic threaded cap 

Texture: Cream? Appears close to SALT & STONE in photos. 

Finish: ? 

Scent: ?

Zinc-Oxide: 22.5% 

This has been on my list for over a year, and I accidentally thought there was coconut oil in this formula which deterred me from it. But that was my mistake as there is none! I can’t believe the amount you get for the price. That plus the sound of its very soothing ingredients: lavender, chamomile, and calendula. I can’t wait to try this one. This would be an excellent face and body option.

---

Thanks so much for reading! What are your favorite sunscreens and ones on your list? I’d love to know!

As always, I hope you have a great start to your week. See you soon!