Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen Review and Comparsion to Supergoop

Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum 40 is a new SPF with an oil-free, fragrance-free invisible gel formula that’s been making its way across social media as a dupe for Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40.

This $8.99 1.7 oz tube would be a great bargain if it really was a dupe for Supergoop’s formula but here’s what I discovered.

Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen is very similar formula-wise and packaging-wise to Supergoop’s cult-favorite Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40. Both are 1.7 oz in size, both have a primer-like consistency, both come in a squeeze tube, and both provide a matte, invisible finish on the skin. But whereas Supergoop’s formula is $36 the one from Trader Joe’s is a mere $9 bucks!

Many people are raving about how it’s an exact dupe of Supergoop but there are some ingredients missing from Trader Joe’s version that Supergoop does include in their formula like Complex Derived Meadowfoam Seed which promises to increases hydration levels that will result in a more even skin texture.

In my experience, using both, I do think that Supergoop seems to have a lighter consistency and less of a scent. Granted, both are fragrance-free however, they do have that unusual SPF scent I associate with a public pool. The one from Trader Joe has a heavier scent than the Supergoop one. As for the formula, I felt like Trader Joe’s was a bit thicker but applied and felt the same as the Supergoop formula. It’s a lightweight gel that resembles a silicone primer much like Smashbox’s popular Photo Finish Primer. You probably know I hate silicone primers but I’ve made some peace with Supergoop’s formula because of how lightweight it is but no longer! I’m now obsessed with the new Supergoop! Every Single Face Watery Lotion SPF 50 and won’t go back to the Unseen formula every again because I realized I was suffering through wearing it. I just hate that odd, slippery silicone primer feels on my face! I also feel like it wears crappy with makeup on top! I just feel rather shiny and greasy wearing it. And yes, sadly, I felt the same about the Trader Joe’s formula. I’m convinced that silicone primers just can’t be appreciated by dry-skinned folks like me! I feel rather suffocated by it.

I can guarantee if you love Supergoop’s formula you’ll adore Trader Joe’s however, there is some downfall. I’ve been using UV Stickers lately because I’m horrible at reapplication of SPF. We’ve been on the water a lot lately and I’ve started wearing UV Stickers to remind me when to reapply my sunscreen. These are great as you stick them on your skin, let them turn clear in the sun, apply your SPF on top, and they’ll remain clear until it’s time to reapply your SPF at which point they’ll go purple. They also happen to be a great tool for showing if UV rays are getting through your sunscreen. I noticed when I applied one on my skin with Trader Joe’s new sunscreen on top they didn’t go completely clear however, Supergoop’s formula did. This means my skin was exposed to a small amount of UV rays using Trader Joe’s formula. Is this a deal-breaker? It really depends on how serious you are about your SPF. If you demand and want full coverage that will 100% protect your skin looks like Supergoop is the way to go. But if you don’t mind a small amount of UV rays being let in all for the sake of saving some money you might not mind Trader Joe’s formula!

Of course, I don’t want to sway you from a purchase. Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen definitely holds a lot of appeal for the price point and the fact it pretty much mimics Supergoop’s formula!

Is it worth a purchase?

That will be one you need to decide for yourself. Maybe buy some of the UV stickers and try it out for yourself.

Let me know what you think of the new Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum 40. I’ll be sitting here waiting and hoping that next year they do a dupe of the Supergoop! Every Single Face Watery Lotion SPF 50!

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