Y’all know I love a good SPF in my skincare routine. And today, we’re diving deep into the world of sun protection and comparing two popular facial sunscreens: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 and Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen. Like most impressionable young women, I was influenced by TikTok to try out the TJ sunscreen. A few of my favorite skinfluencers boasted that it was an affordable dupe of my favorite SPF product and immediately I was wary. With a trusted beauty brand like Supergoop! can a grocery store sunscreen *really* compare?! I tried out both sunscreens for 24 hours with and without makeup to see which one reigned supreme. But picking the undisputed winner from a simple comparison was a bit harder than I thought. From where to buy, price differences, ingredients, sun protection, and more, I’m breaking down everything you need to know. Let’s see which sunscreen you’ll want to add to your beauty shelf.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 took the internet by storm when beauty influencers and skincare enthusiasts raved about its lightweight, invisible formula. It became a go-to sunscreen for many makeup lovers due to its ability to work seamlessly as a primer without fear of flashback. While it used to be a challenge to find a white-cast-free sunscreen, Supergoop seemingly led the charge in creating SPF options for all skin types. Now we have dozens of skincare companies like Black Girl Sunscreen, K-beauty brands, and even drugstore brands hoping to offer similar products! Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen, on the other hand, gained its viral status through word-of-mouth recommendations. I’ve personally tried many Supergoop dupes and this is by far the closest to the Unseen Sunscreen, but for considerably cheaper!
In terms of price, Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 falls on the higher end of the spectrum, with a price tag of around $38 for just a 1.7 oz bottle. Yikes. Supergoop has always positioned itself as the luxury brand of SPF in its marketing and it works. While expensive, I use it daily in my facial skincare routine and a bottle can last me 2-3 months. But if you’re looking to save (more than) a few bucks Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen is quite budget-friendly. It costs just $9 for the same 1.7 oz tube. A MAJOR win when it comes to sun protection. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, The Trader Joe’s Supergoop dupe may be the way to go.
The reason why I haven’t stocked up on plenty of TJ versions is accessibility. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 is widely available online, including on the Supergoop! website, Sephora, and other beauty retailers. And as someone who constantly does things last minute or forgets they’ve run out of SPF, I love having options. On the other hand, Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen can only be found at Trader Joe’s stores. There are currently 3 Trader Joe’s stores in the entire Charlotte area. And no matter which TJ I encounter, I find the shopping experience is not always the easiest. If I happened to be in a part of town with a Trader Joe’s, I’d quickly scramble inside to see they’re either sold out or only had a few left on the shelves. Thanks to its virality, most locations limit your purchases to one bottle per customer. You can buy it for ~$20 from unverified resellers on Amazon or Walmart, but I wouldn’t recommend it for quality control purposes. If you happen to have a Trader Joe’s near you, stock up on your next grocery run!
Let’s take a closer look at the shared ingredients between the two. Both sunscreens are fragrance-free and non-comedogenic making them suitable for sensitive and/or acne skin types. But at face value, it looks like there’s not much difference between the two products. Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen and Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 have the same key ingredients like avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene. I also consulted with my chemical engineer husband and he advised despite the uncanny similarities there are probably other proprietary differences they’re unable to list to the public.
When it comes to sun protection, both options are effective. Both sunscreens offer SPF 40 and provide broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB. All of this is a fancy way of saying they do an equal job of adequately protecting you from harmful UV rays, skin aging, and sunburns. Just make sure to reapply throughout the day if you’re in the sun!
Besides the price, this is the real difference between the products. Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen has a thinner consistency in comparison. While both sunscreens are a clear formula, the TJ one just feels a bit “lighter.” If I’m going makeup free for the day, I actually prefer the TJ for more of a glowy look. There’s more bounce to the texture and it provides a dewy finish all day long. But for oily skin types, beware of this drawback. It was difficult to keep my makeup from sliding off in the summer heat with primer and setting spray after 2 hours in the sun.
We know that Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 truly earns its name by offering an invisible, weightless finish. The gel-like texture glides smoothly onto the skin, leaving no white cast behind. It has a slightly thicker consistency than the TJ but it’s a marginal difference. It also works beautifully as a primer under makeup, providing a smooth canvas for your foundation. As someone with a dry skin type, I find the Supergoop! version to leave a matte-like finish about 15 minutes after application. But for the everyday routine, both options are still a winner.
After comparing the Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 and Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen, it’s clear that both products have their strengths and weaknesses. If you’re looking for a lightweight, invisible sunscreen that doubles as a primer, Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 is a great choice. It’s a fan favorite for a reason and has been in my personal skincare routine for years. If you don’t mind sacrificing the higher price tag for accessibility, it’s a must-have.
On the other hand, $9 is truly hard to beat. If you’re seeking an affordable sunscreen without a white cast, particularly if you have sensitive skin, Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen is worth considering. Easy application and a glowy finish to keep you looking dewy all year round? It sounds like a skincare dream tbh.
Everyone has different skin. What works for me (dry skin/sensitive skin) might not work for you even if we have similar skin types! Ultimately, the choice between these two sunscreens comes down to personal preference and YOUR specific skin needs. Whichever sunscreen you choose, remember that consistent sun protection is essential for maintaining healthy, youthful skin. Stay sun-safe, my fellow beauty lovers!
Have you tried the TJ fave or have another sunscreen you’d like me to review? Let me know in the comments!
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