Everyone knows Sephora is a beauty store where you can find almost anything and everything related to makeup, skincare, body care, hair care, and self-care, but they also released curated sets under their Sephora Favorites brand. They recently released their Sun Safety Kit, which is wildly popular and features a collection of sunscreens from various brands.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
1 of 2
Everything came packaged in this blue and pink bag that felt like it was made of a scuba-like material. I am not sure if it's completely waterproof, but that's definitely the vibe it gives off.
Sephora will donate $25 from the sale of each kit to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, with a minimum donation of $700,000. There's a QR code on the back of the product packaging that will take you to a link to learn more about the charity. Also, did you know that to get full protection from the sun, you should be applying about a ¼ teaspoon’s worth for your face and neck (and one full ounce for your entire body)? I do my best to apply this amount every morning, and I stick with the three fingers method to apply. I squirt a line of sunscreen down each of my three fingers, and that should be enough (or more) to give me enough product to provide the SPF listed by the brand.
The Breakdown – What’s Inside This Limited Edition Box From Sephora
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 PA+++, 20 mL - Estimated Value $12 (buy the 50 mL version for $30)
Expiration Date: October 2023
In the past year, I have realized I have an allergy to certain chemical sunscreen filters, though I haven't figured out which ones specifically—I know sunscreen formulation plays a role. I am stubborn I haven't sworn off chemical sunscreens altogether (and instead am working on a trial and error to try and narrow it down more); however, because of this, mineral sunscreens are having a big moment in my life. This one by Biossance is made with sugarcane-derived squalane along with zinc, and it absorbed into my skin without too much effort and didn't leave a white cast on my (admittedly very fair) skin.
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50, 7 mL - Estimated Value $13.13 (buy the 12 mL version for $22.50)
Expiration Date: September 2023
This is one of my favorite sunscreens and has one of the most elegant textures out of any sunscreen I have tried. I've emptied two full-size bottles and am currently on my third—the only downside about this product is the high price tag. It truly has the texture of a moisturizer and is hydrating enough that you can skip a moisturizer altogether, but it doesn't feel greasy or heavy on my skin. Even though this has all chemical filters, it's one of the few that doesn't irritate my allergies, too.
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30, 10 mL - Estimated Value $13.33 (buy the 15 mL version for $20)
1 of 2
Expiration Date: September 2, 2024
Believe it or not, I was not always good at applying sunscreen. It was actually this product from Dr. Jart in a Sephora Sun Safety Kit from five or so years ago that actually got me in the habit of applying sunscreen every day, so I will always have a fond spot in my heart for this product (and will always have a jar of it handy). I do now prefer to use this as a redness color corrector on top of a different sunscreen rather than as a standalone sunscreen just because I want to make sure I am applying enough for full sun protection, but I love how this evens out my complexion: when I apply this, I follow up with a setting powder, and then I call it a day. The SPF in this comes from a mineral filter, too, which means this is safe for my allergies.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50, 10 mL - Estimated Value $6.80 (buy the 50 mL version for $34)
Expiration Date: December 2022
This is one of the trendiest (and newly released) sunscreens out right now, but I certainly wouldn't call it one of the best-performing. It has a noticeable fruity watermelon smell that some people may find fun and others will find irritating, and it does absorb quickly into my skin. I could only leave this on for a few minutes before being able to tell this would be a no-go for my allergies because it quickly started to burn my eyes, but I've seen quite a few of my Instagram friends complain that they had issues with this sunscreen pilling as well. I appreciate that Sephora included this sunscreen in this set since it's a newer launch, but I won't be finishing this sample or seeking it out again.
innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 36, 10 mL - Estimated Value $3 (buy the 50 mL version for $15)
Expiration Date: July 28, 2023
K-Beauty brands just seem to be a few steps ahead of Western brands when it comes to their ability to produce a high-quality sunscreen at an accessible price point (and they've been doing it for years!). The full-size version of this sunscreen is only $15, and it's formulated with Centella and green tea along with chemical filters. It absorbed quickly into my skin and left behind no white cast, and it has a refreshing scent that I found pleasant rather than bothersome.
Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops, 0.14 oz - Estimated Value $4.43 (buy the 1.01 oz version for $32.00)
No expiration date listed
I am super pale, and since I burn so easily, I have embraced my pastiness rather than embarking on a constant journey for the golden glow that looks so wonderful on other people. I have used these Isle of Paradise self-tanning drops more than once before, though, and they really do work. You mix a few drops into your moisturizer of choice, and within 4-6 hours a sun-kissed glow will start to develop on your skin. Because you get to control how many drops you use, you get to control the intensity of your tan—and I find the product to be much easier to use compared to other self-tanners.
Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30, 50 mL - Retail Value $33
1 of 2
Expiration Date: September 2023
If you struggle to use sunscreen every day and have dry skin, this may be the one that gets you in the habit since it's a moisturizer and SPF in one. I found it to be hydrating without being too heavy, which is important considering you want to make sure you're applying the proper amount to get full SPF protection. Those with oily skin will probably not love this, but overall it's a really solid sunscreen—and I love that the cost of this entire set is only $6 more than the retail price of this full-size sunscreen.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30, 30 mL - Estimated Value $25.20 (buy the 50 mL version for $42)
Expiration Date: November 2023
We received the full-size bottle of this sunscreen in last year's kit, and I fell in love with it—I would have been a pretty happy camper to see another full-size tube in this year’s kit, though I am happy we at least have a pretty generously sized sample. This is a 100% mineral sunscreen trade with 16% non-nano zinc oxide, so it protects against UVA and UVB rays while also working to limit the effects of blue light rays (HEV). This sunscreen also has some nice skincare ingredients like lingonberry and sea buckthorn extract, and these botanicals work as antioxidants to help prevent skin damage. Mineral sunscreens got a bad rap for being heavy, hard to blend in, and notorious for leaving a white cast behind, but luckily, the technology behind mineral sunscreens has come a long way. This sunscreen absorbs really well into my skin with no white cast, and it does a great job at protecting my fair skin—I brought this tube with me on a birthday trip to Vegas last summer where we kayaked the Colorado River, and this was the sunscreen I used to keep be sunburn-free.
Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Sunscreen, Primer & Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 50, 10 mL - Estimated Value $13.33 (buy the 30 mL version for $40)
Expiration Date: March 2022
This sunscreen sample actually arrived expired, which means it cannot guarantee the SPF 50 claimed. I burn too easily to want to bother risking it, so I’ll use my review from last years Sephora Sun Safety Kit, where this also appeared.
“This sunscreen is designed for those with oily or combination skin, and it has a cooling gel texture that absorbs into my skin easily and leaves behind a smooth finish. It has some silicones in it to give it the feel of a primer to wear under makeup, however since it has both denatured alcohol and peppermint extract this is a sunscreen that doesn’t work for my sensitive skin. If your skin isn’t sensitive and you’re looking for an SPF sunscreen to wear under makeup, this may be worth trying out!”
Clinique Pep- Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50, 30 mL - Retail Value $23
No expiration date listed
This sunscreen came in last year's Sun Safety Kit, and I remember not being super excited about trying it… and then it became my favorite discovery in the entire set. While I wish that a different sunscreen had been full-size just for variety’s sake, I do still really love this sunscreen and it’s absolutely going to get used. This is a 100% mineral sunscreen using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as filters, but it has a very thin, almost watery texture that spreads out over my skin easily. It does have a tint to it, and while sometimes some tinted sunscreens leave me looking orange, this blended in nicely—I like to set my tinted sunscreens with a setting powder and skip foundation altogether.
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen, 7 mL - Estimated Value $2.92 (buy the 60 mL version for $25)
No expiration date listed
I wish this kit came with more water-resistant sunscreens! Luckily, there is at least this one that’s made with Shiseido’s signature "wet force" technology, and I really appreciate that. For best results, you should apply this about thirty minutes before you plan on getting wet (or sweating heavily), and then make sure to reapply after 80 minutes to keep that skin protected. This went onto my skin clear, and I really liked the light texture of it. It does have a bit of that traditional sunscreen scent, but that just leaves me wishing for a warm sunny day and the beach.
Sunday Riley Light-Hearted SPF 30 Sunscreen, 5 mL - Estimated Value $3.89 (buy the 45 mL version for $35)
Expiration Date: July 2023
I received the full-size version of this sunscreen through my Allure Beauty Box subscription, but I never actually opened it. I was happy to see a mini in this set so I could sample the sunscreen out and decide if I liked it enough to keep it or if I would want to pass my tube along to a friend. This contains a blend of both chemical and mineral sunscreen filters. I found the texture to be a little on the thick side so it took a tad bit longer to rub in, but not an unreasonable amount of time. This didn't leave a white cast on me but it did leave my skin a bit shiny, so I don't see those with oily skin being a fan of it. For me, I'm in the habit of applying a setting powder on top of my sunscreens anyway, which takes care of that shiny finish.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++, 15 mL - Estimated Value $15 (buy the 20 mL version for $20)
Expiration Date: September 2023
If you've been into subscription boxes for a while, chances are that you've already tried this sunscreen. I've received it plenty of times, but I am still happy to have another travel-sized tube to add to my arsenal. I actually didn't love this sunscreen when I first tried it a few years ago- it has a silicone base that makes the texture super similar to the OG Smashbox Primer (and people usually love it or hate it because of that). But, it kept coming in boxes and I continued to try it, and now I really enjoy it. I like to use this sunscreen when I will be wearing makeup, and this will work as a primer for me while also protecting me from the sun.
Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen, 7 mL - Estimated Value $5.13 (buy the 30 mL version for $22)
Expiration Date: October 2023
This is a moisturizer and SPF combo like the Kiehl's sunscreen, only this is much more lightweight- my oily skin friends, rejoice! It has a light melon scent that I found pleasant, and it absorbed easily into my skin with no white cast.
CAY SKIN Isle Glow Face Lotion SPF 45, 10 mL - Estimated Value $7.11 (buy the 45 mL version for $32)
Expiration Date: November 2023
I really wanted to like this sunscreen—it has a pearlescent finish to it that left my skin luminous and pretty, and it absorbed easily into my skin. Unfortunately, I could only wear this for about fifteen minutes out in the sun before needing to wash it off to avoid it triggering a cascade of allergy symptoms. I was bummed, but if you don't have issues with chemical sunscreens, then this is definitely worth checking out.
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $39
Cost Breakdown:
- Biossance: $12
- Dermalogica: $13.13
- Dr. Jart: $13.33
- Glow Recipe: $$6.80
- Innisfree: $3
- Isle of Paradise: $4.43
- Kiehl's: $33
- Dr. Dennis Gross: $25.20
- Lancome: $13.33
- Clinique: $23
- Shiseido: $2.92
- Sunday Riley: $3.89
- Supergoop!: $15
- Fenty Skin: $5.13
- Cay Skin: $7.11
Sephora promised a value of $185, and by my math, everything adds up to $181.27. Personally, I'd call that close enough to say that Sephora met its promised value.
Keep track of your subscriptions by adding this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Key Takeaways
I love the Sephora Sun Safety Kit. They release a new one every spring that's packed with sunscreen, and always make a donation to a cancer charity in conjunction with the sale of the set. Last year's set sold out within just a few days, so I am glad Sephora got quite a bit more stock of this set this year. Overall, I thought this set was pretty great. I've been struggling to adjust to figuring out which sunscreens I am allergic to and which ones are fine, and I love that this gives me a good assortment to try. I do think there were quite a few repeats from last year's set, and I think I would have preferred for the second full-size sunscreen to have been different than the Clinique one since the full-sized Clinique was also featured last year. My Lancome sunscreen arriving expired was just a mild inconvenience for me since I already knew that it didn't work for my skin, but of course, I would have preferred it if that hadn't occurred. Overall, though, I definitely think I got my money's worth, and I had a lot of fun trying out all of the sunscreens in this set.
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you buy it today? Yes, this is still available.
What do you think of the Sephora Favorites: Sun Safety Kit? What's your favorite sunscreen?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.