Do They Work? – Beautiful With Brains

Final Up to date on December 18, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Look, I’ve been burned by sufficient “pure” sunscreens to have belief points. You realize the sort: they promise reef-friendly safety and go away you trying such as you robbed a bakery and face-planted into the flour bin. Or they really feel so greasy you can fry an egg in your brow. On this MyChelle sunscreen evaluate, we’ll see in the event that they’re any completely different. They’re promising broad-spectrum safety, reef-friendly formulation, and a few magical “nourishment” that works for all pores and skin varieties. Do they shield your pores and skin with out turning you right into a ghost? Do they really feel respectable or do they capsule up like low cost cloth? And most significantly, is MyChelle merchandise price your cash or must you save your money for one thing that truly works? Let’s dig in.

MyCHELLE Solar Defend Liquid SPF 50 Non-Tinted ($27.99)

That is their flagship liquid sunscreen and actually, it’s a blended bag that actually is determined by your pores and skin kind. The feel is light-weight and it truly absorbs with out sitting on prime of your pores and skin like a moist blanket, which is uncommon for a 100% zinc oxide components at 20.5% focus. It dries right down to a genuinely matte end, which is nice for those who’re oily or mixture, however for those who’re dry you may really feel like your face is being slowly mummified. The components makes use of safflower oleosomes because the supply system which helps it unfold higher than most mineral sunscreens, and there’s raspberry seed oil in there for some antioxidant motion. It may capsule for those who layer an excessive amount of skincare beneath it, and whereas it’s speculated to be non-tinted, it will probably go away a slight forged on deeper pores and skin tones. It’s waterproof however not waterproof, so for those who’re sweating buckets you’ll have to reapply. For $27.99, it’s respectable in case your pores and skin tolerates it, however I’d seize a pattern first earlier than committing.

Lively Substances: Zinc Oxide 20.5%
Advantages: Broad-spectrum SPF, matte end, absorbs comparatively rapidly for mineral sunscreen, reef-safe
Cons: Can capsule with different merchandise, probably drying on dry pores and skin, slight white forged attainable, love-it-or-hate-it components
Finest For: Oily to mixture pores and skin
Perfume-Free: Sure

MyCHELLE Solar Defend Stick SPF 50 ($14.99)

Should you want touch-ups on the go otherwise you’re coping with children who gained’t sit nonetheless, this stick is definitely fairly handy. It’s obtained 17% zinc oxide so that you’re getting strong safety, and it’s waterproof for 80 minutes which suggests it’ll survive your sweaty commute or pool time. The components glides on easily as a result of it’s filled with emollient oils (avocado, jojoba, shea butter, cocoa butter) which makes it moisturizing but in addition means it’s not going to dry down fully matte. In case your pores and skin is oily, this may really feel waxy or heavy, such as you’re sporting an precise protect on their face. It makes use of beeswax as the bottom so it’s not vegan, and whereas it says it “dries clear,” you’ll have to mix it in otherwise you’ll have seen streaks. The value is correct at $14.99 and the scale is TSA-friendly, however that is actually higher for spot utility or physique use than full-face protection except you don’t thoughts the feel.

Lively Substances: Zinc Oxide 17%
Advantages: Water resistant 80 minutes, transportable, moisturizing oils, reef-safe
Cons: Waxy really feel, sits on prime of pores and skin, requires mixing, not vegan (incorporates beeswax), can really feel heavy
Finest For: All pores and skin varieties for spot utility; higher for physique than face
Perfume-Free: Sure

MyCHELLE 3-in-1 Tremendous Serum ($28.00)

That is MyChelle’s try at making a tinted serum-meets-SPF hybrid, and it’s truly fairly good if you wish to streamline your routine. It’s obtained 16.2% zinc oxide which provides you SPF 30 safety, plus hyaluronic acid and squalane for hydration, so theoretically you’re getting sunscreen, serum, and lightweight protection in a single bottle. The feel is extra liquidy than most tinted sunscreens which makes it mix simpler, and it is available in three shades (Mild, Mild/Medium, Medium/Darkish) so that you’ve obtained choices. The end is described as “dewy” which suggests for those who’re oily, you’ll in all probability really feel greasy by midday and want powder. The bentonite clay in there may be supposed to soak up extra oil however actually, it’s not sufficient to fight the squalane in case your pores and skin is already pumping out sebum. For dry pores and skin although? This might work fantastically as a result of it’s genuinely hydrating. The protection is sheer – don’t anticipate this to cowl something main – however it evens out pores and skin tone and provides you that “I awakened like this” glow. 

Lively Substances: Zinc Oxide 16.2%
Advantages: Combines SPF + hydration + sheer tint, hyaluronic acid and squalane for moisture, light-weight texture, three shade choices
Cons: SPF 30 is decrease than perfect, dewy end might be an excessive amount of for shiny pores and skin, sheer protection solely, reapplication messes up make-up
Finest For: Dry to regular pores and skin wanting minimal protection
Perfume-Free: Sure

MyCHELLE Replenishing Photo voltaic Protection Physique Lotion SPF 50 ($32.99)

Lastly, a physique sunscreen that doesn’t really feel such as you’re spreading spackling paste on your self. That is 21% zinc oxide which is beefy safety, and it’s truly formulated to really feel extra like a physique lotion than a sunscreen, which is precisely what you need. It’s obtained coconut oil and shea butter so it’s moisturizing with out being disgustingly greasy, and it melts into pores and skin fairly effectively for a mineral components. The hyaluronic acid helps with hydration and the components is waterproof for 80 minutes. However right here’s the truth test – at $32.99 for six oz, that is costly for physique sunscreen. You’re supposed to make use of a shot glass price of sunscreen on your entire physique, which suggests this bottle is lasting you perhaps 5-6 purposes for those who’re doing it proper. The components itself is strong – no white forged, absorbs decently, doesn’t scent bizarre – however the value makes this a luxurious merchandise when there are cheaper physique sunscreens that work simply as effectively. 

Lively Substances: Zinc Oxide 21%
Advantages: Excessive SPF 50 safety, moisturizing with coconut oil and shea butter, minimal white forged, waterproof 80 minutes, reef-safe
Cons: Costly ($32.99 for six oz), gained’t final lengthy with correct utility, not sensible for normal physique use
Finest For: All pores and skin varieties, higher for face than physique on account of value
Perfume-Free: Technically sure (incorporates vanillin which provides scent however isn’t conventional perfume)

MyCHELLE Solar Defend Clear Spray SPF 30 ($21.99)

Spray sunscreens are handy however they’re additionally tough as a result of most individuals don’t apply sufficient and find yourself with patchy safety. This one has 12% zinc oxide which is on the decrease finish – that’s why it’s solely SPF 30 – and it’s waterproof for 80 minutes. The spray mechanism makes it fast to use and it’s obtained safflower seed oil and bentonite clay to steadiness moisture and oil management. However right here’s what it’s essential know: you can’t spray this immediately in your face. You must spray it into your fingers after which apply, which type of defeats the entire “handy spray” factor. And like all spray sunscreens, it’s essential be actually beneficiant and rub it in to ensure you’re getting even protection (and fairly often you’ll miss spots as a result of you’ll be able to’t see the rattling factor!). The components is ok – not sticky, absorbs fairly effectively – however the decrease SPF means you’re reapplying extra usually. That is higher as a supplementary sunscreen for reapplication in your physique relatively than your foremost safety. Should you’re utilizing it for face utility particularly, simply purchase an everyday liquid sunscreen and save your self the trouble.

Lively Substances: Zinc Oxide 12%
Advantages: Handy spray utility, waterproof 80 minutes, incorporates safflower seed oil for moisture, reef-safe
Cons: Decrease SPF 30, can’t spray immediately on face, requires rubbing in for even protection, will undergo rapidly with correct use
Finest For: Physique reapplication, not perfect for major face safety
Perfume-Free: Technically sure (incorporates vanillin for scent)

MyCHELLE Solar Defend SPF 28 Unscented ($25.99)

That is their fundamental, no-frills every day face sunscreen and it’s very a lot a “your mileage might fluctuate” scenario. It makes use of each zinc oxide (11.6%) and titanium dioxide (0.67%) which provides you broad-spectrum safety, and the SPF 28 is shut sufficient to SPF 30 that it’s fantastic for every day use. The components has aloe and vitamin E that are soothing, and it’s genuinely unscented – no important oils, no perfume, nothing. It absorbs rapidly and dries matte which is nice for shiny pores and skin, however that is the place the issues begin. It capsules, particularly across the nostril and mouth, and it may be drying in case your pores and skin isn’t correctly moisturized beneath. It’s additionally finicky about layering – for those who put an excessive amount of skincare beneath, it turns right into a flaky mess. Should you put on make-up over it, it will probably look cakey. On the flip aspect, in case your pores and skin is oily and you retain your routine minimal, this may work completely fantastic.

Lively Substances: Zinc Oxide 11.6%, Titanium Dioxide 0.67%
Advantages: Actually unscented, fast absorption, matte end, incorporates soothing aloe and vitamin E, reef-safe
Cons: Drugs on many individuals (particularly round nostril/mouth), might be drying, tough to layer with different merchandise, make-up can look cakey over it
Finest For: Oily pores and skin with minimal skincare routine
Perfume-Free: Sure

Availability

Obtainable at Mychelle

The Backside Line

Right here’s the cope with MyChelle – they’re legitimately reef-safe and clear, however “pure” doesn’t imply “works for everybody.” Mineral sunscreens are simply more durable to formulate effectively. Zinc oxide desires to take a seat in your pores and skin and go away a white forged, and when manufacturers attempt to repair that, they create new issues like pilling or greasiness. MyChelle does an honest job contemplating these limitations, however it’s essential know your pores and skin kind earlier than shopping for. Oily pores and skin? Some formulation will work nice. Dry pores and skin? Others will really feel like sandpaper. The pricing is far and wide too – some are affordable, others really feel costly for how briskly you’ll undergo them. Should you’re dedicated to mineral sunscreens and prepared to experiment, MyChelle is price making an attempt. Simply seize samples when attainable and be ready for trial and error. Your pores and skin may love them, otherwise you may rage-quit mineral sunscreen fully.