M CENTRAL INSIGHT
// news

Woman Tests 10 Sunscreens and Finds 3 That Actually Work

By William Rodriguez
still from a video of a woman who tested 10 sunscreens on her legs
Copyright @loanvu_uk / TikTok

If your weekend plans include bathing suits, beach toys, or inflatable pool rafts, then you'll want to add "pick up sunscreen" to the to-do list. In fact, many experts would argue that sunscreen is the most important product in your skincare toolbox. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, applying sunscreen daily can decrease your risk of melanoma by 50 percent. But with so many options out there, how do you pick the best one?

As a kid, your sunscreen brand of choice may have been Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic, or Coppertone. Over the years, skincare companies like Neutrogena and CeraVe have produced their own sun protection formulas. And now, makeup brands are getting in on the action, too.

With the UV index now in full force, TikToker and skincare influencer Loan Vu (@loanvu_uk) put 10 sunscreens from different brands to the ultimate test. In a slideshow that has amassed 47 million views, Vu sampled 10 sunscreens to see which products have the best UV protection and the best value for money based on performance.

RELATED: 10 Popular Makeup Items That Cause Breakouts, Esthetician Says in New Video.

Her test trial included Biore UV Aqua Rich, AHC SPF 50 Pure Mild Sun Cream, Isdin Fusion Water Magic SPF 50, Mistine Aqua SPF 50, Parasola UV CUT Spray SPF 50, Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk, L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Clinical Spf 50+ Daily High UV Protection Face Sunscreen, EHD SPF 50+ Sunscreen Cream, La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVmune 400 Invisible Fluid, and Winona Sunblock Milk Sunscreen SPF 48.

The TikTok slideshow begins with a photo of Vu's legs separated into sections with red and black tape. Each exposed section of her leg features a generous pump of sunscreen; a text overlay includes the brand name as well as a product photo.

After spending time in the sun, Vu snapped a post-test photo without the tape so users could see which products held up best against the sun. While parts of Vu's legs look almost untouched by the sun's rays, other applied areas are noticeably darker.

still from a video of a woman who tested 10 sunscreens on her legs
Copyright @loanvu_uk / TikTok

Using an emoji ranking system, Vu said she was pleased with AHC SPF 50 Pure Mild Sun Cream, Mistine Aqua SPF 50, Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk, and Winona Sunblock Milk Sunscreen SPF 48.

However, Vu deemed the sunscreens by EHD, L'Oreal, and La Roche-Posay most effective. Not only did the products successfully protect her skin from harmful UV rays, but they all earned Vu's recommendation stamp.

Of the two products, Vu gave a special shoutout to the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVmune 400 Invisible Fluid and L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Clinical Spf 50+ Daily High UV Protection Face Sunscreen.

The La Roche-Posay sunscreen is a fast-absorbing fluid formula with a matte finish. In another sunscreen TikTok review, Vu noted that it's great for hyperpigmented skin and doesn't leave a greasy or "hyper shine" afterlook.

"A big yes from me," she said.

@loanvu_uk

#onthisday #sunscreenreview

♬ original sound – LoanVu_uk

The L'Oreal sunscreen product is infused with Vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps prevent dark spots. It also has SPF 50, which gives the skin optimal sun protection.

Vu's TikTok has racked up thousands of comments. One user agreed with her test, writing, "I need the EDH sunscreen."

"Girly fr sacrificed herself for us," praised another.

"Thank u for sacrificing ur skin for our knowledge," reads another comment.

Another La Roche-Posay customer chimed in, sharing that the sunscreen is "good for oily skin bcz it'll leave matte look."

Emily Weaver Emily is a NYC-based freelance entertainment and lifestyle writer — though, she’ll never pass up the opportunity to talk about women’s health and sports (she thrives during the Olympics).Read moreFiled UnderSources referenced in this article
  1. Source:
Read This Next
  • Closeup of young woman putting on sunscreen

    8 Best Mineral Sunscreens for Your Face

    Protect your sensitive skin from the sun this summer.May 24, 2024
  • Cropped image of a smiling woman wearing a white robe putting micellar water on a cotton pad

    Is Micellar Water Good for Your Skin?

    These are all the biggest benefits of the popular product.May 9, 2024
  • Young woman wearing an orange sleeveless shirt and jeans holds up a bottle of lotion while shopping in a drugstore

    Best Drugstore Skincare Products

    These are the non-negotiable parts of your morning routine.April 18, 2024
  • Woman examining skincare product in drugstore

    5 Worst Skincare Product Ingredients

    These can do more harm than good, experts say.April 1, 2024
  • Dermatologist Maren Locke holds up a skincare product from Dollar Tree

    7 Dollar Tree Skincare Products for Anti-Aging

    Why blow your budget when you can get the same products for less?March 9, 2024
  • woman sitting on bed and applying cream on Hand.

    $7 Skincare Buy Rivals $380 Crème de la Mer

    You might be able to get the same skincare results with Nivea, at a much lower cost.February 29, 2024
  • older woman skincare routine

    Dermatologist Shares 5-Step Skincare Routine

    Try this every morning for real results, Dr. Suchismita Paul says.February 20, 2024
  • Gorgeous mid age older adult 50 years old blonde woman wears bathrobe in bathroom applying nourishing antiage face skin care cream treatment, looking at mirror doing daily morning beauty routine.

    8 Best Skincare Ingredients for Wrinkles

    Erase your wrinkles with these powerhouse products.January 30, 2024
  • Ulta Beauty storefront on a sunny day

    Makeup Expert Shares 6 Beauty Dupes at Ulta

    They rival the best high-end products, she says.April 10, 2024
  • Makeup artist Lauren Hale posing with a Q-tip

    5 Beauty Tricks to Look Years Younger

    Fine-tune your technique for an instant glow-up.April 5, 2024