This article is part of our series Battle of brandsin which we compare category leaders with similar products to determine which is really worth your money.
Trader Joe’s made a big splash in the beauty scene last year when it launched a translucent, invisible sunscreen that the Internet quickly compared to Supergoop’s acclaimed Unseen Sunscreen!. The hashtag #traderjoessunscreen has appeared on TikTok and now has 9 million views. Skincare junkies and professionals alike rushed to test it out – and now so do we.
Both sunscreens use chemical filters to absorb UV rays and protect your skin from absorbing harmful sunburn triggers and skin cancer. Superman! and Trader Joe’s sunscreens have the same active ingredients (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and otocrylene) and provide the same SPF 40 protection.
Chemical filters allow formulas to feel light and invisible when applied, unlike the powdery and white feeling you may experience with some mineral sunscreens. These two formulations also have isododecane and dimethicone crosspolymer as the main ingredients.
As cosmetic chemist Javon Ford confirmed on TikTok, the similar formulation of the products gives a very close comparison. The price difference could be attributed to the quality of the dimethicone crosspolymer and polymethylsilsesquioxane, which Ford notes can be quite expensive ingredients.
When shopping for sunscreen, you’ll want to look for a broad spectrum product. This means that the sunscreen will protect against UVA and UVB rays, which can both cause damage to skin cells which can eventually lead to skin cancer. Superman! and Trader Joe’s sunscreen both offer broad spectrum protection, however, you’ll notice that Supergoop! sunscreen with an additional PA+++ rating. So what does this mean?
The PA+ rating system was developed in Japan to indicate a sunscreen’s level of UVA protection. (The SPF system, on the other hand, measures how much protection a product provides from sunburn-causing UVB rays.) The scale ranges from PA+ to PA++++, with the latter offering the highest level of protection.
UVA rays make up 95% of UV radiation on Earthand although they don’t cause sunburn like UVB rays, you will get tan from UV radiation as these rays penetrate the skin and cause cell damage. Furthermore, UVA rays are present with suitable intensity during daylight hours and can penetrate clouds, fog and glass.
PA+ systems can work in tandem with SPF ratings, as they measure UVA and UVB radiation respectively. However, many sunscreens today are broad-spectrum and must meet FDA standards for protection from UVA and UVB rays to be labeled as such. As mentioned, both Supergoop! and TJ’s sunscreen has a broad spectrum, so even though Trader Joe’s tube doesn’t have a PA+ rating, you can rest assured that it provides at least the FDA-approved level of UVA protection. In the case of Supergoop! PA+++ sunscreen only provides more information to consumers that it provides a high level of UVA protection.
Both have a gel-like consistency that feels soft, silky, and has a matte finish. In terms of texture, they’re comparable to silicone makeup primers – and both claim they make great makeup primers, too. I have not experienced any clumping with any other skin care or makeup products that I apply before or after sunscreen.
The difference is minimal, but as Ford noted in his TikTok, Supergoop! The sunscreen has a more “cushioning” application than the Trader Joe’s alternative, which has a drier oil feel (due to the silica – both formulations are oil-free). Trader Joe’s sunscreen also has a longer drying time, while Supergoop! It feels like it melts into the skin almost instantly.
One area where I believe Trader Joe’s sunscreen clearly wins is product design. The Daily Sunscreen has a convenient flip cap, while the Unseen Sunscreen has a screw cap. It’s a small thing, but having to remove the top and potentially misplacing the lid adds some unnecessary elements.
After going viral, Trader Joe’s sunscreen quickly sold out on store shelves, which is the only place to buy directly from the brand. In store, sunscreen is only $9 – a quarter of the price of Supergoop! However, because it can be difficult to buy in person, people have turned to third-party sellers, such as on Amazon, for a fix. This comes with a higher price tag — around $21 — due to shipping and handling costs from the seller.
On the other hand, Unseen Sunscreen is much easier to find if you need a sunscreen with an absolute SPF. You can buy it online from the brand or at Sephora, Ulta or verify Super goop! store on Amazon.
If you’re running on Trader Joe’s, you should check out the health and beauty aisle to find Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen to save some money. But if you can afford it, Unseen Sunscreen is still a top-recommended SPF that will incorporate seamlessly into your routine. Soft, odorless and completely transparent, both sunscreens provide an invisible sunscreen film.
