Everyone’s obsessed with ‘clean’ beauty. But the term is basically meaningless.
Supergoop! calls Unseen Sunscreen a “clean chemical sunscreen.” That’s a marketing term, not a regulated standard. Let’s see what’s really in the bottle.
It’s a $38 primer-sunscreen hybrid. The claim? A totally invisible, silicone-based gel that protects without the white cast.
SPF 40
Broad-spectrum protection, as tested.
Invisible Finish
Truly disappears on all skin tones — its one undeniable win.
Silicone Base
Feels like a blurring primer. Makes makeup slide on.
Photo: Jana Ohajdova / Unsplash
The active sunscreen agents are avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene. All are FDA-approved chemical filters.
They work by absorbing UV rays. But ‘clean’ brands often villainize these exact ingredients. The contradiction is wild.
- Avobenzone: Stabilized for broad-spectrum UVA protection.
- Homosalate: A UVB filter.
- Octisalate: A UVB filter.
- Octocrylene: Helps stabilize avobenzone; also a UV absorber.
Photo: Aleksandrs Karevs / Unsplash
The texture is bizarre — a slick, velvety gel that vanishes in 8 seconds. Leaves a pore-blurred, slightly tacky film.
By week two, I noticed it pills if you rub your face. And that silicone layer? It can trap oil. My t-zone was shiny by noon.
Photo: Nora Topicals / Unsplash
Zero white cast. Solid sun protection. But it’s not the “clean” unicorn it’s sold as. It’s a clever, functional primer with SPF.
Photo: Joaquin Arenas / Unsplash
A great product hiding behind fuzzy marketing. It works, but don’t buy it for the ‘clean’ label.