Quick Summary:
Date Tested: 08/18/2022
The Supergoop! brand of sunscreen care products are a line which were regularly recommended to me when I asked my friends about which sunscreens I should test.. Since then I have found them to be extremely good performers, albeit sold at a premium price. To date, I haven’t come across a Supergoop product that has failed to meet that price/performance standard, pretty cool!
The Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 sunscreen lotion is apparently the first sunscreen formulation that’s totally invisible. Cool, now if only they could make anything that it touches invisible, id be on that like wet on water. For science of course.
By the way, have you ever read the Super Goop Unseen SPF 40 description on their web site? It reads like some sort of condom ad, kinda funny if you ask me.
“The original, totally invisible, weightless, scentless sunscreen with SPF 40 that leaves a velvety finish. This innovative, antioxidant-rich multitasker has a unique oil-free formula that glides onto skin while providing broad spectrum SPF 40 protection. Use it as a makeup-gripping primer under foundation when you want a little more coverage, or on its own if you want a more natural look. It’s a totally game-changing way to wear sunscreen every day, and it will have you SPF-Obsessed.”
Supergoop!’s Web Site
What wasn’t explained in that weirdly chosen adjective laden blurb is that the Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 is a chemical based sunscreen using the chemical UV filters of Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 8%, Octisalate 5%, and Octocrylene 4% (did you know that the max % of Avobenzone allowed in the USA is 3%?).
In the sunscreen test, the Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 did a spectacular job reducing UVI by 99.76%, UVA by 99.86%, and UVB by 98.24%. Typical high end results from Supergoop.
Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 ingredients
Active ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 8%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 4%
Inactive Ingredients:
Isododecane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Isohexadecane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Meadowfoam Estolide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyester-7, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Jojoba Esters, Mannitol, Olibanum, Lecithin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Diatomaceous Earth, Zinc Sulfate, Silica, Tocopherol
Manufacturers Website: www.supergoop.com
The Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 characteristics at a glance:
- The original, totally invisible, weightless, scentless sunscreen with SPF 40 that leaves a velvety finish.
- Frankincense: Helps the skin be resilient and provides a soothing effect.
- Complex Derived from Meadowfoam Seed: Increases hydration levels, resulting in a more even skin texture.
- Viscosity is good.
Prepared slide ready for testing
The Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 was quite transparent, yet there was this teeny tiny smidge of white stuff…which honestly could have been some sort of minimal cross contamination (I tested an open bottle) from my sister in law. It didn’t appear over the little center hole area so I considered it ok to test.
Below are the results from 2 hours of testing in my UV testing station.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 UV blocking test results
Ultraviolet light quick reference:
UVA: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 315nm – 400nm. The “Aging UV light” – Causes wrinkles.
UVB: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 280nm – 315nm. The “Bad UV light” – Causes skin cancer.
UVI: The global sun UV index. The more a sunscreen can reduce the level of UVI, the better.
UV test results:
Ultraviolet sensor readings:
| Before Sunscreen | After Sunscreen | % UV Blocked | |
| TEMP | 84.25 | 84.2 | |
| UVA | 24949 | 35.7 | 99.86% |
| UVB | 1234 | 21.75 | 98.24% |
| UVI | 14.6 | .04 | 99.76% |
Want to know more about how I test sunscreen? Head here to read about the details.
Testing notes:
The Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 protects extremely well, is pretty much invisible, but also has a higher price tag. I would definitely recommend this product for its UV blocking abilities and also because its got an ingredient included which one of the wise men brought to little baby Jesus, Frankincense.
Now if Supergoop! could only make an invisibility potion next…you know, one that’s got a velvety finish.
Want to try the Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 lotion?
Exceptionally strong yet invisible UV protection. Recommended.
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What do u think about Supergoop spf 30 mineral sunscreen? You are the best!!
I got erythema every time I used one of three different supergoop sunscreens – this was one of them. They simply do not work.
Stumbled upon your site while researching sunscreens and I absolutely love what you’re doing! For the Supergoop Unseen Consumer Reports rated it 1/5 for its UVB protection levels, showing an SPF of 8 in their tests. I’ve also heard way too many stories from people about burning with this sunscreen, so I’m curious about the discrepancy between CR and your tests in that regards, thank you!
Hi Jenny, just sent you an email!