Supergoop Every Single Face Watery Lotion SPF 50 review: stands up to long, sweaty days on the trail

Meet the reviewer

Supergoop Every Single Face Watery Lotion SPF 50: first impressions

If you're used to spending long days on the trail or on belay, good sun protection should be at the top of your list and you should apply sunscreen no matter what season you're in. The more hours you spend outdoors, the more likely you are to opt for cheaper sunscreen to keep costs down, and in doing so, you might be used to greasy skin and stinging eyes when you start to sweat. This sunscreen provides robust broad spectrum protection without weighing you down or feeling greasy.

You might take one look at the name and assume that this sunscreen has something to do with Gwyneth Paltrow; it doesn't. Supergoop is a sunscreen company formed in 2005 (one year before the Hollywood actress' Goop) by Texan Holly Thaggard. The story goes that after one of her friends was diagnosed with melanoma, she lobbied to get sunscreen pumps into schools in Texas. Fast forward nearly 20 years and today her brand is responsible for 40 different SPF skin products.

• List price: $34/ £
• Broad spectrum: Yes
• SPF: 50
• Type of protection: Chemical
• Sizes: 1.7 fluid oz
• Water and sweat resistance: 40 minutes
• Active ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 9%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 9%

The idea behind this product is that, while many of us should be wearing SPF every day, most of us don't because it doesn't feel nice. Every Single Face aims to get around that with a formula that you don't notice when it's on your skin, and we think they've done a terrific job. This lotion is easy to apply thoroughly but doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy at all, which means you're more likely to use it.

It has a slight, pleasant scent but basically, once it's on your face you forget it's there and we've tested it on hikes, trail runs, via ferratas and pool days already this summer and have yet to see a sunburn. It comes in a round bottle which we've found slides nicely into the shoulder strap pockets of backpacks. The only real downside is the price, which is premium, but we've stretched it out by bringing along cheaper stuff for our bodies and saving this for faces only.

Supergoop Every Single Face Watery Lotion SPF 50: in the field

As a hiker and trail runner, I'd say I'm pretty conscientious about sun protection, mostly because I lived in the high Rockies for years where the sun is truly ferocious. However, when it comes to buying sunscreen, I usually just look for something that's at least SPF 30 and isn't too expensive. As a result, I spend a lot of time with a greasy face and stingy eyes.

I got this sunscreen as part of a goodie bag while on a press trip to Corsica with The North Face this spring and I've ended up taking it with me on subsequent trips to the Lake District, Gran Canaria , Corfu and most recently, Verbier . In all of those places, I saw a nice dose of sunshine and had ample opportunity to put this to good use.

Here’s how it performed:

Performance

Because this is a high-protection formula, I expected it to be a little harder to spread but instead it has a nice, thin consistency and is really easy to apply. To my delight, it doesn't feel greasy at all and in fact, on a recent three-day running trip in the Alps, I forgot to wash my face in the evening after wearing it all day – ordinarily I can't wait to wash off sunscreen.

It has a nice, clean scent, feels totally weightless and non-greasy and whether I've been trail running in 80-degree weather in Greece or hiking all day in the UK, it never ends up in my eyes, much to my relief.

I've been following the directions, reapplying every two hours and using a sun hat and haven't had any issues with sunburn or any skin reactions, so in terms of how it feels and behaves on my skin, I have zero complaints.

Sustainability

Sustainability is always an issue with sunscreen, because while it protects our skin against the sun, it's not so great for the creatures of the sea. This is a chemical-based formula, which makes it not reef-friendly, so I wouldn't use this for spending time in the sea (learn more about the differences between chemical and physical formulas in my article on how to decode the label on your sunscreen ).

That said, Supergoop does claim that all their formulas are cruelty-free and reports that their shipping boxes and packing contents are 100% recyclable which does earn them some eco creds back.

Value

I won't lie. This is one expensive bottle of sunscreen at $20 per ounce and there's no way I'd have picked it up in the shop without trying it first. That said, if you're in the market for a really high-quality, non-greasy sunscreen that won't upset your skin, you do get good value and high protection from this formula. I've made mine last by only using it on my face and relying on cheaper stuff for the rest of me, and honestly I can see myself buying more of it when it finally runs out.

Supergoop Every Single Face Watery Lotion SPF 50: the bottom line

In terms of performance, we think this sunscreen is brilliant for hikers, trail runners and other sweaty outdoor activities. Its weightless, non-greasy feel and easy application make it much more welcoming for sunscreen-haters and the round bottle is easy to stick in any pocket for travel, with lots of protection in return. It is an expensive product, however, and you can find a similar performance from products like Banana Boat Light As Air SPF 50+ at a lower price.

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