Beauty Battles are posts or videos where I pit two similar products against one another. I give my review on each product and choose my favorite, or the clear winner. I was recently asked to try and review some sunscreens, so I jumped at the chance to make this video/post.

As I mentioned in my recent sunscreen post, I truly believe that using sunscreen is the number one anti-aging thing you can. Like they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth is worth a pound of cure”. It is far better to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays starting as soon as possible than it is to wait till you are in your 40s and start the hunt for some magical cream to reduce the signs of aging like fading sun spots and minimizing wrinkles.

So in this special edition of Beauty Battle, we are going to do this bracket style. I have selected four sunscreens that were highly rated and best sellers from both Ulta and Sephora. Through the subsequent battles we will find our clear winner out of the four.

Shhhhh….special secret for you. I have already picked the winner. I have been wearing these four off and on for weeks now. I have worn them alone, on top of my normal daytime skincare routine, and with foundation and powder on top. I’ve worn them about my normal day at home on the weekends, I have worn them throughout my normal day at work where I am both in and out of the sun and I have worn them in full sun while at the Disney parks. Needless to say I have really put them to the test.

While reviewing these I’m looking at texture, coverage, scent, how well they reacted with my skin and other products, whether they felt heavy or greasy and how well they did at protecting my skin. So let’s dive into the first two (as always if you wish to purchase these or learn more, click the picture or the posted links).

VICHY CAPITAL SOLEIL SPF 50 SUNSCREEN

What They Say:

Capital Soleil SPF 50 sunscreen lotion is an ultra-light daily face sunblock with antioxidants that is a water-resistant sunscreen with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection

Non-sticky, non-greasy sunscreen with no white residue and a matte finish

My Review:

The texture of this one is very light but very runny and liquidy. I did find that this one really needs to be shaken well before use. It also has that traditional sunscreen like smell. Although this was light in texture, I could definitely feel it on my skin. When I wore it, I felt like I couldn’t wait to get home and wash my face.

Another thing to note about this that was nice is that I didn’t get that white cast on my skin. Ya know the look…pale and ghostly like it wasn’t rubbed in all the way? This actually absorbs into skin nicely, even though I felt it was sitting on my skin a little bit more than I would like.

COOLA Mineral Face SPF 30 – Cucumber Matte

What They Say:

Coola Mineral Face SPF 30 is a Farm to Face® organic sunscreen moisturizer featuring fortified broad-spectrum sun protection that feels unbelievably light on skin. 

Designed for those long active days in the sun—light enough for everyday use! Plant-derived oleosome technology optimizes the performance of this formula, while antioxidant-rich Plant Protection® helps fight free radicals and hydrate and nourish the skin barrier. It’s water-resistant up to 40 minutes. 

My Review:

First, the texture of this is nice. It is thick and creamy but absorbs quickly into the skin leaving a soft powdery finish that helps give that matte finish. The matte finish of this was my favorite part. This feels so light and fresh on the skin and if you are more oily, you will love the matte finish it gives.

The scent of this is lovely too. No typical sunscreen chemically smell.

And the winner is…

The Coola Mineral Face SPF30 – Cucumber Matte! I really love the texture of this, it is so light and absorbs into the skin well leaving a beautiful matte finish. The scent is nice and pleasant. Overall, I felt this one covered and protected well without feeling heavy or greasy. I didn’t even feel like I was wearing a sunscreen when I had this one on.

To see more of my thoughts on these two check out the video below.