We should all know by now that applying and reapplying sunscreen is a necessity, even if you’re indoors by a window or someone who claims to never burn. But this is especially true when you’re basking under the sun. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and UV light exposure is its most preventable risk factor. Although slathering sunscreen on your face and body may be a nuisance, it can be one of the easiest ways to prevent sun damage, wrinkles and painful sunburns.
I get it, applying a gooey, sticky and often pungent sunscreen to your skin isn’t an ideal start to your day. That’s why the invisible, weightless and cast-free, cult-favorite Supergoop! sunscreen quickly became a favorite amongst skincare enthusiasts. If you’ve gone down the Reddit rabbit hole or watched any makeup vlogger, you’ve likely heard rave reviews boasting the amazing benefits of this $42 sunscreen. According to the Supergoop! website, this beloved sunscreen has won more than 25 beauty awards and garnered more than 16,000 five-star reviews.
So, when I heard there was a dupe at a fraction of the cost, I knew I had to get my hands on it and test the two head-to-head.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen vs. Visor Daily Oil-Free Clean Sunscreen
This fan-favorite broad-spectrum sunscreen is not only velvety smooth, but it’s also designed with skincare benefits in mind. The Supergoop! formula is crafted with red algae to help fortify skin, frankincense to visibly smooth skin and meadowfoam seed oil complex to nourish skin. It’s also water- and sweat-resistant, which is why makeup wearers love using this sunscreen as a primer.
Visor’s daily sunscreen is clear, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic — meaning it won’t clog your pores. Like the Supergoop! sunscreen, this one is also made with skincare benefits in mind, particularly hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to brighten skin, in addition to the moisturizing benefits of jojoba and shea butter.
Quick comparison
|
Supergoop!
|
Visor
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $42 for 3.4 fl. oz |
$26 for 3.4 fl. oz |
| Sunscreen Type | Broad spectrum UVA/UVB |
Broad spectrum UVA/UVB |
| SPF level | SPF 40 |
SPF 40 |
| Formula | Not oil-free |
Oil-free |
| Cast | Clear |
Clear |
| Finish | Silky, natural finish |
Moisturizing, fast-absorbing |
| Skincare benefits | Red algae, frankincense, meadowfoam seed oil complex, shea butter, diatomaceous earth and jojoba esters |
Vitamin C, jojoba, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, meadowfoam, lecithin and diatomaceous earth |
| Recommended reapplication period | After 40 minutes of swimming or sweating, immediately after towel-drying and at least every two hours |
After 80 minutes of swimming or sweating or every two hours |
How I tested
I ran both sunscreens through the same set of tests to ensure both got a fair review. To do this, I applied Supergoop! sunscreen on my left arm and Visor sunscreen on my right arm and wore both for a full day.
To clarify, I didn’t test each sunscreen’s ability to protect my skin from the sun’s rays. Instead, I focused on each sunscreen’s ease of application, visibility, smell and overall feel. Here’s how I specifically factored each into the test.
- Ease of application: I applied the sunscreens to each arm, according to their directions, and noted how easy or tricky they felt.
- Time of application: I applied the sunscreens according to each one’s recommended uses and measured the average time it took to absorb into my skin.
- Sunscreen visibility: After applying each sunscreen, I noted if it left any color or white cast.
- Sunscreen feel: I examined how each sunscreen felt on the skin, noting if it was sticky, oily, silky, greasy, thick or thin.
- Sunscreen smell: I compared the scents of both sunscreens when applied and throughout the day.
- Water resistance: I ran both sunscreen test patches underwater to test how well both resisted moisture.
- Oil absorption: I placed a healthy dose of sunscreen on a Post-It note to visibly see how greasy/oily each sunscreen was.
Supergoop! is soft but might leave your skin feeling oily
It’s unbelievably soft and silky?
The Internet was 100% right about the softness of this sunscreen — it’s velvety smooth and feels like a foundation primer. After initially rubbing a dollop of this product onto my skin, I instantly felt more moisturized. I can see why makeup users recommend using this sunscreen as a primer before applying foundation. Applying this sunscreen before layering on makeup is a great way to hydrate and prep skin for a glowy appearance, all with the added benefits of sun protection.
It was non-irritating
I’m extremely sensitive to most skincare products, especially when it comes to sunscreens. The Supergoop! sunscreen didn’t irritate my skin at all, and my arm felt noticeably softer and dewier immediately after application.
It’s extremely oily
I’m all for a dewy look, but the Supergoop! sunscreen felt overly greasy to the touch. It didn’t feel sticky or gooey like most generic body sunscreens, but I still felt coated in a noticeable layer of oil. My laptop and phone were even slathered in oily fingerprints, which, of course, is bound to happen with any sunscreen. It was especially prominent with this one, though.
However, one bonus with the oily formula is that I did feel ultra-moisturized. But as someone with already oily skin, I would avoid using this on my acne-prone face.
It has a strong scent?
Although the Supergoop! formula is made without synthetic fragrances, I could still smell that hard-to-shake sunscreen scent. Honestly, this could be a plus for some folks, but for me, it felt like I could practically taste the sunscreen.
Visor is nearly invisible upon application and contains several skin-friendly ingredients
It feels invisible
Kudos to the team who developed this sunscreen. Unlike the oily feel of Supergoop!, the Visor sunscreen felt weightless and even cooling on my skin. It was also free of any fragrance, which added to its invisibility factor.
Because it’s oil-free, I prefer using this on my face rather than the greasier Supergoop!. It glides on smoothly during application and doesn’t leave any residue once it absorbs.
The price can’t be beat
For $26, the Visor option contains 3.4 fluid ounces of high-quality sunscreen, which is a better bang for your buck than the also 3.4-fluid-ounce (but $42) Supergoop! bottle. Especially if you’ll be using it every day.
The unique ingredients act as skincare
Although Supergoop! sunscreen has additional benefits like frankincense and meadowfoam seed oil complex to nourish and soothe skin, I thought Visor’s ingredients were more beneficial for my skin type.
Visor sunscreen is formulated with vitamin C, which is known to be a potent antioxidant that helps reduce redness and hyperpigmentation. As someone with acne-prone skin, I’m always looking for products that can help with pesky pockmarks or irritation. I loved that I could use this sunscreen to kill two birds with one stone — not only am I protecting my skin against sun rays but I’m giving my spots some extra love, too.
I also appreciated that Visor contains hyaluronic acid, which helps build collagen and prevents fine lines and wrinkles. I religiously apply hyaluronic acid daily, so having this ingredient in my sunscreen saves me a step in my morning routine. Instead of having a cluttered bathroom counter with Vitamin C serums, hyaluronic acid creams, moisturizers and sunscreens, Visor can be a go-to for most of my daily skincare needs.
It takes slightly longer to absorb into the skin
It’s a bit thicker than the Supergoop! formula, so it does take longer to settle into the skin. But because of its heavier formula, it does create a nice shine on your skin — almost like a clear gloss or highlighter.
A dermatologist’s take
Ahead of this test, I spoke with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Angela Lamb, who answered a few hard-hitting questions about the importance of sunscreen and what ingredients to look for when shopping.
Here’s what she had to say.
Bottom line
Both sunscreens are a great option for everyday, indoor use — they’re moisturizing and have added skincare benefits. Better yet, both dry clear, meaning you won’t get that annoying white cast that some sunscreens leave behind.
Even though both exceeded my expectations, I preferred the Visor sunscreen for its oil-free formula. You may too if you have combination skin. But if it’s a dewy look you’re after, the Supergoop! sunscreen may be a better option, especially if your skin needs extra hydration.
