Testing Sunscreen: Which SPF Really Works?

Watch the video on TikTok

Transcript

Science time, let's test some sunscreen and see if it's actually as good as it says on the label. Because when a brand asks me to do a video, I respond with, only if you're up for a science experiment, this one required some new gadgets and turned up some surprises. I decided to test this one-skin body SPF against the cheaper store brand one, both SPF 30 and zinc oxide based. Remember, when it comes to sunscreen effectiveness, it's not just about the active ingredient. Especially with mineral sunscreens, which I prefer because I have sensitive skin, it's all about how they're formulated and what else they're packaged with. This is a combo UV light and camera, which shows all the skin. UV damage from my misspent youth. And this is a fancy UV meter, which measures the initial strength at 500 micro watts per centimeter squared, which gets cut to 120 when shining through these two plexiglass plates. SPF is calculated at a thickness of 2 milligrams per centimeter squared, so we measure that out for each sunscreen and mush it between the plates. The store brand dropped the UV from 120 to 25, only a five-fold reduction, which is below its official rating. Now for the one skin, it drops down to 1.3, a 92-fold reduction. There are some error margins here in terms of evenness and quantity on the plates. but probably less so than when applying it to the skin. Speaking of which, this is the UV camera showing my face with all its spotting and damage. This is me coding one-half with a 2 milligrams per centimeter square root of one-skin body SBF, it absorbing almost all the UV light, producing a deep black, and this is the store brand producing a noticeably lighter shade. And yet in normal light, the store brand leaves an annoying white cast on my skin, which is super common with cheaper zinc oxide sunscreens, while the one skin absorbs smoothly. And it's packaged with added antioxidants and their OS1 peptide, each with some research showing that it could help the skin. and heal from any UV damage that does occur. Final verdict? Yes, there are definitely cheaper sunscreens out there that will protect you from the sun. But if you're looking to upgrade your mineral sunscreen to one that's really well formulated, doesn't leave a white cast, and acts as a combo sunscreen plus high-end moisturizer, one-skin body plus face SPF are a solid choice. Use code of Visha 15 for 15% off.

Additional notes

#OneSkinPartner @OneSkin. Source caption says the video was made after testing, notes PA+++ broad-spectrum and water-resistant claims, and lists ingredient research for Helianthus, Acerola, Green Tea, and Safflower Oil.

References