I TRIED 3 VIRAL SUNSCREENS. THE RESULTS SURPRISED ME

Honest review.

Mar 31, 2025

This photo changed my life.

Meet William McElligott, a 69-year-old truck driver. For nearly three decades, the left side of his face soaked up sun rays through his truck window, while the right side mostly stayed shaded.

The result is striking proof of what dermatologists have preached forever: sunscreen isn't optional—it's essential. One side of William's face aged dramatically faster than the other, turning me from sunscreen reluctant into sunscreen obsessed.

I think we all share some collective sunscreen trauma, probably stemming from unresolved childhood beach memories. You probably remember exactly what I'm talking about—that sunscreen was always:

Impossible-to-blend
Left a dreaded ghostly white cast
Embarrassingly uncool when your mom slathered it all over your face

Thankfully, sunscreen has seriously upped its game. We no longer have to choose between protecting our skin and looking like Casper.

I've tested countless sunscreens over the years—first to find a favorite, now just to stay updated on the latest formulas. This week, I put three viral sunscreens to the test to see if they're truly worth the hype. Here’s my brutally honest review.

Review Parameters:

Different sunscreens cater to different needs, and mine have evolved over the years. To help you better understand my perspective, here’s what I prioritize:

Absolutely no white cast
Moisturizer-like feel
Easy to blend
Plays nicely with makeup
Can comfortably be worn without makeup

Versed Daily Mineral Sunscreen

This lightweight sunscreen works beautifully for all skin types, including acne-prone skin. It has a subtle peachy hue designed to neutralize the white cast typically associated with mineral sunscreens, although it isn't tinted. Normally priced at $24.99, it's deeply discounted at the time of writing ($9.99).

Watch this video to see how effortlessly it blends, no audio:

SHOP HERE

YSE Skin Glow

This sunscreen ($48) delivers a completely different experience. The brand describes it as a primer on the website, and I agree. Despite the commercials leaning into the SPF angle, it feels more like a glow-boosting primer than a traditional sunscreen. The packaging is luxe, and with SPF 30, it leaves an intense, radiant finish. Emphasis on intense—especially if you’re generous with application, like I am.

However, it looks amazing under makeup, creating the coveted effect of a natural glow from within. While the brand claims you can wear it alone, you'll see in the demonstration video why I personally prefer it beneath makeup. Make sure it's fully absorbed before applying makeup, and avoid layering too many products to prevent pilling.

Demonstration video:

SHOP HERE

Fun fact: YSE was founded by the stunning actress Molly Sims. While this sunscreen might appeal to a specific taste, another product from her line genuinely blew me away: Her Exfoliating Pads "Your Favorite Ex."

Absolutely love it! ($15)

I used it before bed, and by morning, my skin looked noticeably brighter.

She also offers a particularly luxe eye cream.($65)

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotic

This Korean sunscreen feels just like applying a luxurious moisturizer. It gives your skin a beautifully hydrated glow that the demonstration video doesn't fully capture. Even my reluctant husband looked incredibly moisturized after trying it. Easy to blend, it pairs seamlessly with makeup, leaves no white cast, and isn’t tinted. I'd particularly recommend it for mature skin, as it adds back some of the dewiness we naturally lose over time. Plus, it's SPF 50. Fantastic for all skin types.

This product particular version is sold out almost everywhere, I did find it here and at the moment I'm writing this, it's available at an even better price than what I paid!

Watch the demonstration video here:

SHOP HERE

I genuinely adore this sunscreen.

Which sunscreens or beauty products should I test next? Share your suggestions in the comments!