Alexandra Anele has reviewed more than ten sunscreens on camera, and her approval rate sits at 53%. That means she passed on or had mixed feelings about nearly as many as she liked. Her standard is simple: a sunscreen has to feel good, stay comfortable around the eyes, and leave no white cast or dry patches.
What does Alexandra Anele recommend in sunscreen?
When Alexandra approves a sunscreen, the same things come up every time. She wants formulas that sit lightly, absorb fast, and never sting the eyes, because eye irritation is an instant dealbreaker. She named Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ (Korean formula) her top pick, praising its dry, milky texture and the fact that it layers under makeup without pilling. Most of all, she said it never stung her eyes once. She also rates Skin Aqua Super Moisture Barrier UV Gel SPF50+ PA4+ as her go-to for summer, because it absorbs quickly and leaves no sticky or greasy film, even on the body. For tinted sunscreens she reaches for Neutrogena Pure Screen Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid, which she likes as a foundation swap for its sheer, comfortable coverage.
In her words
"The Round Lab Birch Juice, the filters do not sting my eyes, which is fantastic. This is slightly more of a dry formula, [...] it's a little bit more [...] lightweight, like it has a little bit more of that sort of milky, whipped milk sort of texture to it. And this is what I like to use underneath my makeup. So, this does not peel on me, which is fantastic, and it doesn't sting my eyes."
"This is a foundation that will always be in my collection. It's very full coverage. It's described as a serum, but it's got a pretty mousse texture. The mousse is so lightweight. When I start to blend it out, it feels like a lightweight, creamy mousse. Sometimes with a full coverage foundation you have a heavy feel and it just sits on the skin. This one sinks into the skin and doesn't feel that way. This has a very lightweight feel. Again, the color is not completely perfect."
"This is a really good sunscreen. It's SPF 30, it's mineral, it's Neutrogena, it's tinted, and they have like various shades which is nice as well. I do like it as a foundation replacement. This is also a very moisturizing formula. It adds a little bit of a tint, nothing too crazy, but for summertime and like bronzy skin I really like that, just like a nice sheer coverage that's comfortable."
"This is a great sunscreen, it's super lightweight, absorbs quickly. It's my go-to summer sunscreen because a sunscreen that is sitting on top of my skin, there is nothing worse than that, especially on my body. If I go to cross my legs and they are sticky, nah. So yeah, it's very good if that's the kind of thing that disgusts you like it does me."
"For concealer I've just really been liking this one from Luna. I got it when I was in Japan, it's a Korean concealer and I really like it and it's got SPF and that's like really exciting."
"Nivea has a really great sunscreen as well, very similar formulas."
How many sunscreens has Alexandra Anele reviewed?
Alexandra Anele has reviewed 19 sunscreens, for an approval rate of 53%. 10 approved, 3 mixed, and 6 skipped.
What has Alexandra Anele skipped in sunscreen?
The ones she skipped mostly failed on feel or caused eye irritation. Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum SPF 50+ PA++++ stung her eyes badly enough that she ruled it out entirely, even while noting it is very hydrating. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen dried out her skin and left a white build-up in skin creases, so she would not go back to it. Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation was one she wanted to love but simply did not. And ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 has stayed complicated for her after a batch with an off smell left a bad impression.
"The second it got near my eyes it stung like crazy. So if you're someone who's really really really sensitive to sunscreens and you've been curious I would not recommend it. It is extremely hydrating, like it gives a shine, like it really gives a shine, but the eye stinging is a dealbreaker for me. I would recommend the Sun Relief sunscreen over this any day."
"I bought one like a long time ago and it smelled rancid. I think I got [...] a bad batch or something. I heard from some other people who had that problem as well, and then I tried it later on and it didn't have that scent, so I'm pretty sure I got a really bad batch. But I [...] have a complicated relationship with skin tint to be honest with you."
"It's Tower 28 sunscreen. I wanted to love it. They have like a bunch of different colors and [...] I just don't like it. It's really disappointing. Not to call them out directly, I love a lot of their products, but I just really wanted to love this and didn't."
"I picked this up because I was getting really low on those other ones. [...] It's water resistant, so when you first put it on you can feel it a little bit and it does kind of dry down, but it makes it dries out my skin like crazy, especially the SPF 70. And anywhere where your skin creases, like in your elbows, you'll see white start to build up. So if I had to choose between this and this, I wouldn't recommend this, but I have it now so [...] I'm going to use it."
What should you take from Alexandra Anele's picks?
Alexandra's sunscreen reviews are worth following if texture and eye comfort matter to you. She is consistent about what puts her off, so when she does approve something, you know it cleared a real-world test. Her pick of Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ (Korean formula) is the one she keeps coming back to, and her honest pass on several well-known names is probably the most useful thing she has published on this subject.
Watch Alexandra Anele say it
Every verdict here comes from a video. These are the moments themselves, each one jumping straight to the bit about that product.
- Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ (Korean formula)Named a winnerWatch at 15:04
- Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum SPF 50+ PA++++Skipped itWatch at 6:39
- ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40Skipped itWatch at 20:10
- Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen FoundationSkipped itWatch at 7:02
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SunscreenSkipped itWatch at 9:10
- Ciele Tint & Protect SPF 50+ Tinted Serum FoundationSkipped itWatch at 20:18
- Ultra Violette Vibrant Screen SPF 50 Sweat-Safe Face and Body SunscreenSkipped itWatch at 12:00
- IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF 50+Rated itWatch at 20:51
- Neutrogena Pure Screen Mineral UV Tint Face LiquidRated itWatch at 0:59
- Skin Aqua Super Moisture Barrier UV Gel SPF50+ PA4+Rated itWatch at 12:06
- Luna Concealer SPF 34Rated itWatch at 15:03
- Nivea SPF 50 Japanese SunscreenRated itWatch at 8:34
- Verdio UV Moisture Gel SPF 50Rated itWatch at 7:52
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++ (Korean formula)Rated itWatch at 5:51
- Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airy Fit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50Rated itWatch at 14:24
- MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15Rated itWatch at 3:35
About this expert
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This guide reflects what Alexandra Anele said across her videos about 19 products in sunscreen, aggregated by The Guru Index. Sponsored takes are excluded. The approval rate is the share of these products she approved. It is general information, not medical advice.