It’s been a long time I did a post on skincare dupes and I know you guys LOVED that series! So today let’s talk about affordable alternatives for popular (but pricey) high-end sunscreens.
You already know all the reasons it’s important to wear sunscreen every single day, but if you are like me and don’t want to spend $50 every time you buy a new face sunscreen (which I do quite frequently!) you’ve come to the right place!
Although these affordable sunscreen dupes might not have exactly similar texture as their expensive counterparts, they provide the same great skincare benefits without the hefty price tag and fancy packaging of course! It’s all about the formula, not the brand or price.
So, here are the affordable alternatives for 10 high-end sunscreens that are sure to please you (and your wallet!)
1. Splurge: Supergoop Glowscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 ($38)
Save: e.l.f. SKIN Suntouchable Whoa Glow Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 ($14)
Supergoop’s Glowscreen protects, hydrates and primes skin for makeup with a gorgeous glowy finish without being greasy or sticky. The formula is also infused with Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide and cocoa peptides to help boost moisture. It comes in 4 flexible shades from a pink pearl glow to a deep bronze glow.
On the drugstore front, e.l.f. Whoa Glow sunscreen has a very similar formula that imparts your skin a glowing radiance with a healthy dose of hydration (thanks to aloe, hyaluronic acid, and squalane) Available in 3 flattering shades for a radiant glow, this one also doubles as a glowy primer under makeup….all under $15!
2. Splurge: EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 40 ($41)
Save: DRMTLGY Universal Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46 ($29)
Designed for normal to dry and combination skin, the Elta MD sunscreen has a lightweight moisturizing formula with a sheer tint to help even skin tone while adding a healthy glow. It’s a hybrid sunscreen with 9% Zinc Oxide and 7.5% Octinoxate to provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. The fragrance-free formula also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to retain moisture.
The DRMTLGY Tinted sunscreen is an amazing and affordable alternative with higher SPF and a few extra anti-aging ingredients like Niacinamide! The hydrating, sheer tinted formula evens skin tone and gives you a soft glowy finish without a greasy or heavy feel. It provides broad-spectrum UV protection with 12% zinc oxide and 7.5% octinoxate. Great alone or worn under makeup, it’s also fragrance-free.
3. Splurge: Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ ($64)
Save: Naked Sundays CabanaGlow SPF50 Mineral Glow Serum Drops – Sheer Tint ($35)
Infused with silk extract, Tatcha Silk sunscreen has a sheer, weightless liquid texture that just glides on the skin beautifully. The mineral SPF formula layers beautifully under makeup as well and is also infused with potent antioxidants, Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide to hydrate and even skin tone over time. But it comes with a hefty price tag ($64)…ouch!
You can save your hard-earned dollars with the Naked Sundays CabanaGlow mineral sunscreen that’s just as amazing but much more budget-friendly! The sheer tinted formula has a very lightweight serum texture that evens out skin tone with a natural radiant finish. It also works well as a smoohing primer under makeup. This sunscreen also contains hyaluronic acid for hydration and antioxidant-rich pink algae.
4. Splurge: Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Mineral Cream SPF 30 ($36)
Save: Eucerin Sensitive Tinted Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 35 ($16)
The Drunk Elephant Tinte sunscreen has a lightweight, mineral-based formula (20% zinc oxide) with a golden medium tint that sheers out and works well on a range of light-to-medium skin tones. The creamy formula feels nourishing, blends easily and leaves a glowy finish. It also contains potent antioxidants such as astaxanthin, Vitamin C and ubiquinone to defend skin against free radical damage. The gentle, fragrance-free formula is especially great for sensitive skin.
Eucerin tinted mineral sunscreen offers the same broad-spectrum SPF and powerful antioxidant benefits but costs a whole lot less! It’s formulated with 24% zinc oxide but leaves NO white cast, thanks to the sheer tint that blends in easily (works best for light-to-medium skin tones) with a dewy finish Plus, the formula is also enriched with 5 antioxidants (Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Licochalcone A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Oxynex) It’s also hydrating, fragrance-free and suitable for sensitive skin.
5. Splurge: CAY SKIN Isle Glow SPF 45 Sunscreen ($36 for 1.5 oz)
Save: Sun Bum Glow Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 ($15 for 2 fl oz)
Cay Skin Isle glow sunscreen has a lightweight, nude-toned pearlescent formula that gives skin a dewy glow and blends easily without leaving a white cast. The hydrating formula is also infused with Niacinamide, nutrient-rich sea moss and antioxidants to help combat free radicals.
The Sun Bum Glow sunscreen is just as beautifully formulated and gives you a dewy, radiant glow while moisturizing and protecting skin from the sun. The sheer tinted formula blends seamlessly on all skin tones and also contains antioxidant-rich kakadu plum extract to boost skin’s natural luminosity. And it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
6. Splurge: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 ($38)
Save: elf Suntouchable Invisible Broad-spectrum SPF 35 Sunscreen ($14)
Supergoop’s Unseen sunscreen is a bestseller and for a good reason! It has a weightless, silky-smooth gel texture and the formula goes on clear with an invisible finish on all skin tones. It also contains meadowfoam seed and red algae for hydration and antioxidant benefits. Plus, it doubles as a makeup-gripping primer and is also water and sweat resistant (40 minutes)
The elf Invisible Sunscreen is essentially the same thing at a fraction of the price! It has a lightweight clear gel formula with an invisible velvety-smooth finish that dooesn’t feel greasy and doubles as a blurring primer to grip makeup for long-lasting wear. Plus, the fragrance-free formula is also enriched with aloe and meadowfoam seed and is water-resistant (80 minutes)
Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 is another fantastic dupe for the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen
7. Splurge: First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 ($36)
Save: Bliss Block Star Sheer Tinted Daily Sunscreen SPF 30 ($16)
First Aid Beauty’s luxuriously lightweight mineral sunscreen has a sheer tint that blends seamlessly into all skin tones with a satin finish. It has a silky liquid texture with a barely-there feel and delivers a soft blur effect for the perfect “no-makeup makeup” look while providing reliable SPF protection with 22% zinc oxide — without any white cast! Suitable for all skin types, it also layers well under makeup.
On the drugstore side, Bliss Block Star sunscreen is just as great at less than half the price! It’s so sheer and lightweight with a universal tint that effortlessly blends into skin with a natural velvety-smooth finish (no greasy sheen or white cast at all!) It also delivers a subtle blurring effect and wears perfectly under makeup – or on its own! It’s a great beauty bargain that’s perfect for all skin types!
8. Splurge: Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free SPF 42 Sunscreen ($50)
Save: OLAY Prime + Protect Facial Sunscreen SPF 35 ($16)
Shiseido’s Urban Environment sunscreen has a very lighweight liquid formula that absorbs easily without any white cast and leaves a smooth, mattifying finish. It also doubles as a makeup primer. The oil-free formula is infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid plus antioxidant-rich licorice root extract to soothe skin. Overall, a great option for combination to oily skin but pretty expensive at $50!
Olay’s Prime + Protect sunscreen does the same thing at an easily affordable price point ($15!) With a silky matte finish, it has a super lightweight liquidy formula that’s perfect for oily skin and also works well as a primer for makeup. No white cast, no greasy mess – just an invisible, shine-free finish. Plus, it also contains Niacinamide and vitamin C for skin-brightening benefits.
9. Splurge: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Sheer Tint Moisturizer SPF 45 ($56 for 1.7 oz)
Save: Eucerin Age Defense Face Sunscreen Tinted Lotion – SPF 50 ($16 for 2.5 oz)
Formulated with 30% Hyaluronic Acid complex to provide long-lasting hydration, the PTR sunscreen has a lightweight creamy texture with an adaptable, sheer tint that blends into all skin tones. It makes your skin look smoother with a more even-toned complexion and healthy glow! The moisturizing formula also works well under makeup, but it’s hefty price tag can be a deal-breaker!
If you want to save yourself some serious cash, go for the Eucerin Age Defense tinted sunscreen that costs only $16! Lightweight and non-greasy, it has a sheer blendable tint for all skin tones and leaves skin looking smoother and more even-toned with a natural radiance. Suitable for sensitive skin, the fragrance-free formula is also enriched with hyaluronic acid for hydration along with a blend of 5 antioxidants.
10. Splurge: RMS Beauty SuperNatural Radiance Serum SPF 30 Sunscreen ($48)
Save: Undefined R&R Sun Serum Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 ($28)
RMS Beauty tinted mineral sunscreen serum smooths, hydrates and evens skin tone while giving you a healthy glow + broad-spectrum UV protection. Available in 3 ultra-sheer shades (light, medium and rich), the formula feels weightless and blends easily. It is also formulated with a complex of natural peptides such as quinoa seed extract, Niacinamide and pea extract to boost radiance instantly and over time.
On the drugstore front, Undefined sun serum is quite similar but costs much less! It’s also a tinted mineral sunscreen with lightweight serum formula that evens skin tone while smoothing and hydrating skin. This one also comes in 3 flexible shades (light, medium and deep) and is water-resistant for up to 40 min. Not to mention, it’s also infused with Niacinamide, tremella mushroom, raspberry seed, jojoba and vitamin E for antioxidant benefits.
11. Splurge: Supergoop! 100% Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40 ($40 for 1.5 oz)
Save: DRMTLGY Matte Universal Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46 ($29 for 1.7 oz)
Designed for oily and combination skin, Supergoops’s mattifying tinted sunscreen smooths skin’s appearance and doubles as a makeup-gripping primer. The oil-free formula has a whipped airy cream texture with a matte finish, and minimizes the appearance of pores and excess shine. Plus, it contains wild ginger and bamboo extract to provide antioxidant properties.
The DRMTLGY Matte tinted sunscreen is an amazing and affordable alternative with even more skin-loving ingredients like Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E! The lightweight formula with oil-absorbing properties and a velvety matte finish evens out your skin tone while eliminating excess shine and minimizing the look of pores.
Loving these affordable sunscreen dupes? I have 10 MORE dupes coming up in the Part 2 of this series! And don’t forget to bookmark this page for your reference and PIN the images above to keep it all handy!
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