You may know Eucerin as the drugstore brand that formulates creams and lotions for dry skin, but did you know that this affordable brand also offers an extensive collection of sunscreen products? In fact, the Eucerin Sunscreen collection consists of 31 different products! We understand it may seem daunting to choose the best sunscreen with so many options, so we’ve narrowed down the 8 best Eucerin Sunscreens in this review.
Below we’ll cover the formulation details, including the key ingredients in Eucerin Sunscreens and the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their use in skin care. We’ll also share some Eucerin Sunscreen reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of these products.
What Are The Top 8 Best Eucerin Sunscreens?
Eucerin formulates sunscreens for all skin types and concerns, from acne-prone skin to hyperpigmentation to sun-sensitive skin and even skin prone to sun allergies such as Polymorphous Light Eruption (PLE). Here’s our breakdown of the top 8 best Eucerin Sunscreens:
Eucerin Sunscreen Oil Control
This Eucerin Sunscreen for face has a gel-cream texture and an oil-free formula, which is why the brand recommends this sunscreen for those with oily and acne-prone skin.
Inside the formula you’ll find broadband and photostable UVA and UVB filters for very high UV protection, as well as Licochalcone A to neutralize free radicals caused by UV and HEV light.
The “Oil Control Technology” in this product includes the combination of carnitine with denatured alcohol, which create an immediate dry touch finish and a long-lasting anti-shine effect.
Carnitine not only helps to control sebum production, it also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
There’s a moderate amount of denatured alcohol in this formula, which will help to absorb oil, but it could also potentially dry out the skin and damage the skin barrier. We’ll explain more about the pros and cons of denatured alcohol in the Key Ingredients section below.
Bottom Line: This Eucerin sunscreen is formulated for those with oily and acne-prone skin, however, keep in mind that one of the oil control ingredients is denatured alcohol.
Eucerin Daily Hydration Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30
This moisturizer provides broad spectrum SPF 30 protection while also moisturizing and softening skin. It has a thick creamy texture that absorbs into skin quickly without leaving a greasy or sticky residue.
The brand uses four chemical sunscreen ingredients in this product, including avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene. Together, these ingredients provide broad spectrum SPF 30 protection.
The rest of the formula contains pretty basic ingredients, such as emollients and humectants, that you’ll find in any moisturizer. While there isn’t anything particularly unique about the formula, we at least can appreciate that it’s free from fragrance, parabens, and dyes.
Bottom Line: A basic moisturizer with a thick, creamy texture that provides broad spectrum SPF 30 protection.
Eucerin Daily Protection Face Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Eucerin’s Daily Protection Face Lotion is a lightweight lotion that protects the skin from UV rays while also moisturizing.
The sunscreen ingredients include three chemical sunscreens (ensulizole, octinoxate, octisalate) with two mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide). Together, these ingredients provide broad spectrum SPF 30 protection.
Similar to other Eucerin sunscreens, the rest of the formula is rather basic with a mix of humectants, emollients, and silicones. But we can’t really complain; the formula moisturizes well and provides broad spectrum protection at an affordable price.
Bottom Line: This Eucerin sunscreen has a lightweight texture that sinks into skin quickly in order to moisturize while providing broad spectrum protection.
Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Lotion With SPF 15 Sunscreen
Ubiquinone, also known as coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), is used in this Eucerin Sunscreen to defend against signs of skin aging. CoQ10 is naturally found within the mitochondria of cells and is essential for cellular energy production.
When applied to the skin, CoQ10 functions as an antioxidant that can counteract both short‐term environmental oxidative stress as well as age‐related CoQ10 deficits. The formula also contains vitamin E for added antioxidant protection.
The one drawback with this face lotion is the SPF 15 is not enough to protect against sunburn and skin cancer because most organizations, including the American Academy of Dermatology, ecommend using at least SPF 30.
Bottom Line: The antioxidant Coenzyme Q10 is used in this Eucerin Sunscreen for face to defend against signs of aging, but keep in mind that the SPF 15 is not enough to protect against sunburn and skin cancer.
Eucerin Sun Allergy Protect Gel Cream SPF 50+
Eucerin Sun Allergy Protect Gel-Cream SPF 50+ is a face and body sunscreen specially developed for sun-sensitive skin and skin prone to sun allergies such as Polymorphous Light Eruption (PLE).
This sunscreen for sun allergies offers very high broad spectrum UV protection. It’s formula with a unique ingredient called alpha-glucosylrutin in order to help prevent sun-induced allergies such as PLE.
Alpha-glucosylrutin is a naturally derived ingredient extracted from the pagoda tree. Well tolerated by skin, it’s a powerful antioxidant and helps prevent the oxidative stress caused by sun-induced free radicals. This oxidative stress can be a key trigger of sun allergies such as PLE. Alpha-glucosylrutin has been clinically proven to significantly reduce the risk of developing sun allergy symptoms.
The one drawback with this Eucerin sunscreen is the amount of denatured alcohol in the product formula (it’s the third highest concentration ingredient), which could lead to skin dryness and irritation.
Bottom Line: If you have sun-sensitive skin and skin prone to sun allergies like (PLE), Eucerin Sun Allergy Protect Gel Cream could be a good option due to the inclusion of alpha-glucosylrutin, but keep in mind that the formula contains a high amount of skin-drying alcohol.
Eucerin Sun Creme Sensitive Protect SPF 50+
This is a facial sunscreen to protect and soothe sensitive and dry skin. The fragrance-free formula has a light, creamy texture that absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy or sticky residue.
In addition to the active sunscreen ingredients, this Eucerin sunscreen features Licochalcone A and Glycyrrhetinic Acid as key ingredients.
Licochalcone A is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin-soothing ingredient. It’s derived from the root of the Chinese Licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza Inflata) which uses natural compounds to protect its cells from excessive sunlight.
When used in skincare products, Licochalcone A works to reduce inflammation and neutralize free radicals that negatively influence skin cells and accelerate the aging process. It helps to protect the deeper epidermal skin layers from sun-induced effects.
Glycyrrhetinic Acid is derived from the roots of the Chinese Licorice plant − Glycyrrhiza Glabra − and is known for its antioxidant and skin-soothing properties. It helps to protect the skin cells in the deeper epidermal layers from harmful UV-induced free radicals and supports skin’s own DNA repair mechanism.
However, like most of the Eucerin sunscreens, the formula contains a very high concentration of the skin-drying denatured alcohol.
Bottom Line: A facial sunscreen with a light creamy texture that protects skin with SPF 50+ while also reducing inflammation and supporting the skin’s own DNA repair mechanism.
Eucerin Sun Fluid Pigment Control SPF 50+
If you’re struggling with hyperpigmentation, one of the most important things you can do is to use a broad spectrum sunscreen daily in order to prevent dark spots from worsening. Eucerin Sun Fluid Pigment Control SPF 50+ is a good option due to its very high SPF rating.
Like other Eucerin sunscreens, this formula includes Licochalcone A and Glycyrrhetinic Acid as key ingredients. There’s also Thiamidol, a Eucerin patented ingredient that’s clinically proven to reduce dark spots and prevent their reappearance.
However, like most of the Eucerin sunscreens, the formula contains a very high concentration of the skin-drying denatured alcohol.
Bottom Line: This broad spectrum sunscreen is specifically formulated for those with hyperpigmentation, although we’re concerned with the high concentration of denatured alcohol.
Eucerin Sun Lotion Extra Light Photoaging Control SPF 50+
Eucerin Sun Lotion Extra Light Photoaging Control SPF 50+ is a sunscreen lotion for the body with an extra-light texture that absorbs immediately.
Like many of the other Eucerin sunscreens, the formula includes broadband and photostable UVA/UVB filters, Licochalcone A, and Glycyrrhetinic Acid.
Additionally, this Eucerin sunscreen includes sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid, a type of glycosaminoglycan (sugar molecule) that also attracts moisture from the environment and draws that moisture into the skin’s upper layers.
Sodium hyaluronate not only improves skin hydration, it can also help to give you a more plump, youthful complexion because the extra moisture is extra volume.
Sadly, this is another Eucerin sunscreen with a very high concentration of the skin-drying denatured alcohol. Actually, due to the way denatured alcohol damages the skin barrier, it’s actually pro-aging, meaning this ingredient can make lines and wrinkles look worse over time.
Bottom Line: While this Eucerin sunscreen is claimed to help with signs of aging, we believe it will contribute to signs of aging over time due to the inclusion of such a high concentration of skin-drying denatured alcohol.
Related: Best Sunscreens for face
What Are The Key Ingredients in Eucerin Sunscreens?
If there’s one thing we noticed about the Eucerin Sunscreen collection, it’s the high concentrations of denatured alcohol in nearly all products. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of denatured alcohol.
On one hand, alcohol functions as a penetration enhancer by disturbing the skin barrier so that key ingredients can penetrate deeper into the skin. It also helps to remove excess oil and temporarily tighten skin while giving products a weightless feel and quick-drying finish.
On the other hand, alcohol-based products can cause excessive skin dryness. Over time, this can cause the sebaceous glands to compensate by producing even more oil, leading to clogged pores and acne.
Furthermore, alcohol can disrupt the lipids that make up the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of skin), according to a publication in the journal BBA Biomembranes.
While there are some benefits of denatured alcohol, we don’t believe the benefits outweigh the risks, which is why we don’t recommend using the Eucerin Sunscreens with “Alcohol Denat” listed in the top five ingredients.
Sunscreen Ingredients: Chemical vs. Physical
Eucerin uses both chemical and physical sunscreen ingredients in their sunscreen products, which may leave you wondering; what’s the difference? And does it matter which type I use? Below we’ll give you a brief overview on the differences between these types of sunscreen ingredients.
Chemical sunscreens protect the skin by first absorbing UV light, then transforming that light energy into some other form of energy, such as heat.
Common chemical sunscreen ingredients include oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, and homosalate. You can find these ingredients in many Eucerin sunscreen products.
A benefit of chemical sunscreens is their ability to defend the deeper layers of skin, including collagen fibers and other tissue, against the aging effects of UVA rays, as well as preventing penetration by the UVB rays responsible for tanning and sunburn.
A drawback of chemical sunscreens is that they are thinner than physical sunscreens and therefore, rub off easier and must be reapplied more frequently.
Another more serious drawback of chemical sunscreens is that research has shown they do absorb through the skin and into the bloodstream. It’s still unclear if these chemicals are linked to health conditions, but it’s known that they do enter the body.
A few Eucerin sunscreens include mineral (also known as physical) sunscreens, including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients protect your skin by using physical UV filters to block or deflect UV light.
Physical sunscreens tend to be better tolerated by most skin types because they are not absorbed into the skin. Thus, they are especially useful for those with heat sensitive skin (i.e. rosacea patients) as well as those with acne-prone skin as they are typically less pore-clogging.
However, physical sunscreens are thicker than chemical sunscreens and can often leave a white cast after application.
How Much Do Eucerin Sunscreens Cost?
Eucerin Sunscreens are priced slightly less than other drugstore brands that offer sunscreens, such as CeraVe and La Roche Posay. For example, the Eucerin Sunscreen Oil Control costs $6.99 USD for an 8 ounce tube on Amazon.com
Where to Buy Eucerin Sunscreens?
Eucerin sunscreens are not sold on the brand’s website. You must buy Eucerin products on third party online retailers, such as Walmart, Target, Amazon, and more.
Eucerin sunscreens are also sold in physical retail locations throughout the United States, such as Walmart, Target, Walgreens, etc.
What is The Eucerin Return Policy?
Eucerin does not have a return policy on their website since they do not sell products on their website and, therefore, don’t accept returns.
Is Eucerin Cruelty Free?
Eucerin is not cruelty free.
Our Verdict
Overall, we don’t recommend Eucerin Sunscreens, primarily because most of them contain very high amounts of skin-drying denatured alcohol.
Pros
- Eucerin sunscreens offer broad spectrum protection, and most of them are SPF 30 and above
- The brand combines the active sunscreen ingredients with innovative ingredients, such as Licochalcone A, Alpha-Glucosylrutin, Thiamidol, and more
- Many positive Eucerin Sunscreen reviews
Cons
- Eucerin is not cruelty free
- Most formulas contain very high amounts of skin-drying denatured alcohol
References:
American Academy of Dermatology “Sunscreen FAQs”
BBA Biomembranes, May 2012, pages 1410-1419
JAMA. 2019;321(21):2082-2091
