Since bursting into the scene in 2020, Bubble Skincare has become an affordable and fun option in the beauty department. When it was first introduced, the brand presented an offering comprised of toners, cleansers, masks, and moisturizers, leaving one big gap: Sunscreen. But fret not because that's now solved with not one but two SPF options added to the brand's lineup.
Earlier this summer, Bubble Skincare introduced Plus One and Solar Mate, its two plant-based sunscreen options especially designed (and developed with a dermatologist) for those who hate the feeling of sunscreen. Both sunscreens have a few things in common: they are made of zinc oxide (which claims to leave no white cast or any skin tone), are non-comedogenic, feature a non-pilling, lightweight formula with SPF 40, and retail for just $19. The difference lies in the finishes — Plus One provides a tinted glowy finish, while Solar Mate has an invisible mattifying finish.
On paper, they sound amazing, but how do they bode in the summer heat? Five Teen Vogue set to find out and compiled all their thoughts for you. Below, we put Bubble Skincare's Plus One tinted sunscreen to the test on sensitive-dry, sensitive-normal, and normal skin, as well as Solar Mate on sensitive-dry and sensitive-combination skin.
Jillian Selzer, Social Media Manager (Sensitive-Dry Skin)
I have moderate-to-severe rosacea, which means my face is pretty much constantly red in most places. This is why I gravitated towards Plus One for the tint factor. The last thing I want to do is cover myself in a heavy foundation when it's hot and sticky outside in the summer, so having a lighter option that still protects my skin and balances out my complexion is the ideal compromise.
I was pleasantly surprised by the shade itself. I'm quite pale, and normally tinted sunscreens or moisturizers are too dark on me. Admittedly, I did need to blend a bit better into my hairline and neckline to avoid obvious discoloration, but overall I felt like I had a healthy glow, and some of my redness was neutralized. It doesn't beat the coverage of foundation (and it's not meant to!), but it's great for days when I want to keep my routine at the bare minimum.
One downside? Once it was absorbed, my skin felt a bit dry. Even though I was going makeup-free this day, I felt the need to apply a hydrating primer and face mist to replenish the moisture in my skin. Overall, I'd wear this on makeup-free days but will stick to a more moisturizing option when I'm layering it with other products.
Honestine Fraser, Senior Social Media Manager (Sensitive-Dry Skin)
I'm usually a tinted sunscreen girly because I have such a hard time finding a mineral sunscreen that doesn't leave a white cast on my face. Needless to say, I was really excited (but a bit scared) to try out Bubble's Solar Mate and, honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. While I'm not a fan of the scent of the sunscreen (it smells a bit like Play-doh to me), it gets the job done.
I used it a few times for trips to the beach and loved that it felt lightweight on my face. I feel like a lot of sunscreens have a heavier texture, but this one did not, despite the pungency. The best part was that it blended into my skin, and I didn't see a white cast while I was out and about. I also was a really big fan of the packaging! The pump makes it less messy, and you get the perfect amount of product to apply. I'm definitely adding it to my routine and will 100% be bringing it with me on my next vacation.
Allison Hill, PR Associate (Sensitive-Normal Skin)
I'm picky when it comes to sunscreen since I always want the most protection from a product. While I wouldn't say Bubble's Plus One is the best tinted sunscreen out there, I will say it's fantastic as a make-up primer. (In fact, it's now my favorite primer!)
I'm one of those girls who wears a complete beauty look every day, so I'm always searching for the best combination of products to keep my look on point while protecting my skin. This product does a great job at creating that nice shine on your skin while evening out your texture, so it's excellent for achieving a glassy dewy look. Tip: I highly recommend making sure your skin is prepped and ready before putting on the sunscreen for maximum dew and shine. Another tip that made the product even better for me was utilizing a beauty spatula to spread out my foundation (I use Chanel Les Beige) to create a perfect base to add blush, bronzer, and highlighter on top of.
Some of my caveats with the tinted sunscreen, in particular, are the limited shade range, the fact that it's only SPF40 (I recommend using a higher-powered sunscreen on beach days or scorching days), and, and this may be kind of silly, but making sure the bottle is always bottom up. I made the mistake of leaving it sideways in my bag and spent the next few days struggling to pump the product out!
Juan Velasquez, Editorial Business Manager (Sensitive-Combination Skin)
I have been diagnosed with papulopustular rosacea, which means my T-zone flares up with acne and whiteheads. Because of that, I'm fairly careful about introducing new products into my routine, but sunscreen is one realm where I can play around. I gravitated towards Solar Mate since I knew I would need heavy-duty face sunscreen on my vacation to Taxco, Mexico. I knew I would be doing tons of outdoor activities and needed something that wouldn't wash off right away, and Solar Mate delivered. The sunscreen held up even when I was jumping from waterfalls in the Sierra Madre Mountains.
One thing that mineral sunscreens can do is leave a paleness or make my dark beard look gray, which Bubble's did not. I was able to apply it generously but work it in enough not to leave that whitewashed film over my skin and facial hair. I love wearing sunscreen, but I don't want everyone else to know I have it on and this product really delivered in that department. One thing I did not love was that it was a little sticky, but in a way, I guess it made me feel like it was actually working and definitely was resilient against sweat and water.
Brie Schwartz, Commerce Director (Normal Skin)
I’m often trepidatious about using mineral sunscreens since they frequently leave a chalky white cast or, at the very least, take me forever to rub in. While I love tinted sunscreen (I typically use Supergoop’s popular Glowscreen), I didn’t have high hopes for a product that combined the two features. I was so pleasantly surprised when I tried Bubble's Plus One. It applies like a dream to my skin – totally evenly with the ease of a moisturizer – and it basically looks like makeup, offering a natural-looking finish.
I never wear concealer or foundation — mostly because I’ve yet to find one that doesn’t cake — and despite writing about beauty for decades, I’m pretty hopeless about knowing my way around blenders and brushes. That’s what I adore about this cheery green tube. The SPF goes on effortlessly, is odor-free, and even appears to minimize my pores the way a primer would. It’s basically a two-in-one. While I’ll still turn to Supergoop when I want a face full of highlighter, after a few applications (don’t forget to reapply!), it looks greasy. Plus One, on the other hand, is matte with just a hint of dew and still feels light despite its mineral ingredients and after multiple coats throughout the day. Just make sure you have a napkin (or beach towel) on hand, though, because it will leave some residue on your fingertips. It’s officially my new go-to.
Bubble Skincare's sunscreens are only available on hellobubble.com for now. They will hit Ulta, Walmart, and CVS later this summer.
