Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 Review

Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40
0.4
/ 10
Moisturizing
0.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.8 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
40
SPF icon
SPF
Review

Does Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 has to offer:
 
  • A bit of moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 0.4 out of 10.
  • High sun protection for extended outdoor activities and exposure.

Key Benefits of Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40:
 

Slight Moisturizing When Used Alone

According to CreamScan analysis, Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 is slightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 0.4 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? This product is purely occlusive, but with a low Occlusivity of 0.8 out of 10. It has zero Humectancy as we didn't find any humectant ingredients on the ingredient list.

This type of product provides relatively light occlusive moisturizing on its own but can contribute to overall moisturizing efficacy when used as part of a skincare routine, alongside another moisturizer.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

High sun protection for extended outdoor activities and exposure

With an SPF of 40, Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 provides high sun protection, making it ideal for prolonged outdoor activities such as hiking, gardening, sports, or spending time at the beach.

This level of SPF blocks up to 98% of UVB rays, significantly reducing the risk of sunburn. When formulated as broad-spectrum, it also protects against UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute to premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and long-term damage.

This level of SPF is recommended for most skin types, including those with moderate sun sensitivity. For individuals with fair or very sensitive skin, or under intense sun exposure, a higher SPF of 50+ is advised.

For optimal protection, choose products labeled broad-spectrum to ensure defense against both UVA rays, which contribute to skin aging and pigmentation, and UVB rays that cause sunburn.

It's important to apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating to maintain effectiveness.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 to your skincare routine:
 

As a Standalone Moisturizer, It Has Relatively Low Moisturizing Potential

If you use Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 for moisturizing purposes, please keep in mind that it provides relatively light moisturizing on its own, and, more importantly, it’s not optimal for any skin type.

On one hand, it has low occlusivity, which suits oily and combination skin. On the other hand, it has a low estimated concentration of humectants, which are essential for effective moisturizing of all skin types, including oily skin.

Therefore, if used as a standalone moisturizer, this product should be paired with a humectant-rich moisturizer for optimal skin hydration.

Pros & Cons of Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • Provides relatively light moisturizing on its own but can contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine
  • Provides high sun protection, ideal for prolonged outdoor activities such as hiking, gardening, or beach outings, and suitable for most skin types.

Cons: 

  • Minimal moisturizing efficacy, even for oily skin - something to keep in mind if this is your only moisturizer in your routine

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
45
22
12
6
5
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Isododecane
Function:
Origin:
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Function:
Origin:
Homosalate
Function:
Origin:
Octocrylene
Function:
Origin:
Octisalate
Function:
Origin:
Avobenzone
Function:
Origin:
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Function:
Origin:
Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Function:
Origin:
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Function:
Origin:
Polyester-7
Function:
Origin:
Isohexadecane
Function:
Origin:
Jojoba Esters
Function:
Origin:
Silica
Function:
Origin:
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
Function:
Origin:
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Function:
Origin:
Tocopheryl Acetate
Function:
Origin:
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
0.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
None
Occlusivity All occlusives 1.5 20
0.8
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
0.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
None
All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 1.5 20
0.8
All occlusives
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 0.6 3 No
All antioxidants
0.6
Tocopheryl Acetate
0.3
Tocopherol
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
All soothing 0.3 5 No
All soothing
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Isododecane
Est. %45
Function
Origin
IsododecaneAn emollient derived from petroleum with high spreadability. It is often used as a replacement for oils and silicones because it leaves no residue behind on the skin. When a product is labeled as “oil-free” it may contain isododecane instead of heavier oils.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Est. %22
Function
Origin
Dimethicone CrosspolymerA group of ingredients that are typically added to skincare products to adjust the formula. Dimethicone Crosspolymers stabilize a formula, regulate its thickness and consistency and give the product a velvety feel.
Homosalate
Est. %12
Function
Origin
HomosalateA synthetic chemical UV filter that protects against harmful UVB radiation.
Octocrylene
Est. %6
Function
Origin
OctocryleneA synthetic compound that protects skin against harmful ultraviolet light.
Octisalate
Est. %5
Function
Origin
OctisalateA UVB sunscreen also known as ethylhexyl salicylate. It is normally paired with UVA sunscreens to provide broad-spectrum protection. Octisalate also protects other ingredients, like colorants and antioxidants, from deterioration due to exposure to UV light.
Avobenzone
Est. %3
Function
Origin
AvobenzoneA popular sunscreen that protects against UVA rays, which cause premature aging and skin cancer. Avobenzone degrades after about 30 minutes of sun exposure and becomes ineffective. It is therefore often paired with UV-filter stabilizers such as octocrylene.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Est. %2
Function
Origin
PolymethylsilsesquioxaneA type of spherical powder that functions on a ball-bearing effect in which the tiny microspheres roll around on the skin and create lubricity. Polymethylsilsesquioxane offers extra slip to skincare products and makes the skin feel soft and smooth.
Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Neopentyl Glycol DiheptanoateAn emollient ester with an exceptionally lightweight feel. It absorbs quickly and produces a silky feel with excellent spreadability. It also serves as an excellent solvent and is commonly used to suspend sunscreen actives.
Polyester-7
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polyester-7
Isohexadecane
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
IsohexadecaneA clear, colorless liquid that is commonly used as an emollient. It is made up of pure hydrocarbons and leaves a dry feeling on the skin upon application. It also increases the spreadability of a product.
Jojoba Esters
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Jojoba EstersA mixture of various wax esters from jojoba oil. It is used in skincare products as a fantastic emollient, soothing, and occlusive moisturizing agent that won't leave a sticky, oily feeling on the skin.
Silica
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
SilicaA widely used cosmetic ingredient with the same chemical composition as the sand found on beaches. A common function of silica is its ability to control viscosity. In certain chemical forms, it can effectively thicken cream-style products.
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) ButterA semi-solid, buttery fat extracted from the seeds of the Shea tree that is a wonderful occlusive and emollient ingredient mainly comprised of fatty acids. Shea butter contains a large amount of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds.
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Dicaprylyl CarbonateA very fast-spreading emollient that gives a product an incredibly lightweight feel. Dicaprylyl carbonate works well as a solvent for suspending insoluble solids such as mineral sunscreens or iron oxide pigments.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopheryl Acetate

An antioxidant derivative of tocopherol (vitamin E). It helps to protect cells from free radicals and UV damage through the conversion to active vitamin E in the skin. It is more stable than tocopherol.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideA natural occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient, it is a blend of glycerin and two fatty acids, caprylic and capric acid. It creates an oil-based protective layer on the skin, thereby preventing water loss.
Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.