Is a $140 Sunscreen Ever Justified?
Let’s get one thing straight: nobody needs to splurge on luxury sunscreen. Especially in the U.S., where innovation in SPF filters is… limited, to put it kindly. I’m talking about your everyday face sunscreen—the formula you reach for year-round, not the one you stash in your beach tote.
But maybe you’re a brand loyalist and want your skincare lineup to feel cohesive. Or you’re craving a better user experience—a texture that doesn’t pill, a tint that doesn’t streak, a finish that doesn’t make you look like an oil slick by noon. I get it. There’s something to be said for a sunscreen that actually makes you want to apply it.
A few things I always look for in sunscreen: mineral-based formulas that don’t include sneaky chemical boosters, a comfortable finish that doesn’t cling to facial hair or dry patches, and ideally, no scent. I’ll happily pay more if it makes me want to apply it daily. But when the price climbs past $100, the bar is sky high.
A couple of years ago, I rounded up my favorite sunscreens for combination skin, only to learn (shoutout to a particularly thorough facial) that my skin is actually more on the dry side. That revelation, plus the current wave of high-end SPF launches, made me wonder: are any of these actually worth it?
If you’re curious about adding a designer piece to your SPF wardrobe, read on. I tried four formulas that live in the luxe, niche, and highly-curated corner of the beauty world—and I have thoughts.
About the selfies in this post: I took these using the Instagram camera—no ring light, no filters, no tweaks. Just me standing in front of a bathroom window. The photos on the right were taken exactly 10 minutes after applying each sunscreen, with zero adjustments to tone, brightness, or anything else.
Also, this is what real skin looks like at 45.
Dr. Few Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 25%
You could honestly stop reading after this one and be all set. The Dr. Few Tinted Mineral SPF might be my all-timefavorite sunscreen discovery of the past year. It’s a featherweight moisturizer loaded with antioxidants, and while the tint doesn’t deliver much pigment, it subtly evens out skin tone and imparts a lit-from-within glow. Elegant is the word that comes to mind.
Bonus points for being a true mineral formula—no stealthy SPF boosters here. The only (very minor) downside? The glass bottle feels a little too precious to throw in a dopp kit. Still, I’m obsessed.
50ml / $85 at drfewskincare.com and neimanmarcus.com
Natura Bissé Diamond Luminous Tinted SPF 30
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 7.8%, Zinc Oxide 25%
This is my “special occasion” sunscreen. The Natura Bissé Diamond Luminous SPF wears more like makeup than skincare, with a noticeable (yet sheer) medium tint that blends shockingly well—even around facial hair. I love it when I’m traveling and need a multitasking product that simplifies my routine.
The texture leans creamy and rich, so you don’t need a lot. But daily SPF application calls for a generous layer, and at this price point, that can be a mental hurdle. A true splurge, but a beautiful one.
30ml / $135 at naturabisse.com or dermstore.com (use code OMGBART for 15% off)
Eighth Day The Rejuvenating Moisturizing Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 16%
Ridiculously long name aside, Eighth Day’s SPF is as posh as the packaging suggests. I’m a huge fan of the serum, so expectations were high—and mostly met. Powered by the brand’s proprietary Peptide-Rich Plasma®, this one’s a triple-threat: UV protection, anti-aging skincare, and a primer-level finish.
The texture feels lotion-like and moisturizing, and—this may sound odd—but my skin genuinely feels firmer all day when I use it. No tightness, just lifted. If you’re looking for a face sunscreen that moonlights as skincare, this is a strong contender.
30ml / $140 at eighthdayskin.com and violetgrey.com
Augustinus Bader The Mineral SPF 50
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 9.102%, Zinc Oxide 13.175%
In short: ouch. I’m a longtime fan of The Rich Cream and The Rich Eye Cream, both of which perform beautifully for me. But this sunscreen? A major letdown.
The U.S. formula (word is there’s a different version overseas) refuses to melt into skin. Instead, it leaves behind a chalky sheen that’s anything but flattering. Even worse: the ingredient list includes Butyloctyl Salicylate, a known SPF booster that behaves like a chemical filter. So calling this “mineral” feels, at best, disingenuous.
At $140, I expected better.
50ml / $140 at augustinusbader.com or dermstore.com (code OMGBART works here, too)
