Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 Versus e.l.f. cosmetics Hydrating Face Primer

Woooooow - is this even a sunscreen??

I picked this up thinking it was the old TJ sunscreen people liked, not knowing it was this new texture...

Woooooow - is this even a sunscreen??

I picked this up thinking it was the old TJ sunscreen people liked, not knowing it was this new texture and formula.
I'm poor so I haven't tried the higher end sunscreens like SuperGoop, so this is the first sunscreen I've ever used like this!

If you've ever used the Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel as a makeup primer hack (it's basically just a clear silicone gel, cheaper than buying actual silicone primers) - this feels EXACTLY like that! Which I like! Because that means this sunscreen feels and works just like my favorite pore-filling makeup primer.

It goes on completely clear, doesn't make your face oily or shiny like other clear chemical sunscreens. Minimal to no smell. No alcohol burn. The only downside I could see is not being able to visually see where you've applied it, but the slippy texture should tell you if you've applied it there or not.

Since it feels just like a silicone primer, it slips around like a silicone primer too. I could see this being very easily wiped off throughout the day. It does leave a layer you can feel on the skin, but to me it just felt like your usual makeup layer does.

I used my espoir Be Velvet cushion compact over it, and it did look a *little* cakey and dry. (Be Velvet is a matte formula, I didn't use moisturizer before sunscreen, and it's winter so YMMV!)

After using this regularly during the summer I'll come back to decide if it's acne safe for me or not and adjust my rating.

Edit: Wore a nickle sized amount (directions call for dime size) on a clean and moisturized face with nothing applied over it for a 30 minute walk with my dog, and I got a little sunburned. Disappointing. It was a 75F degree day, UV Index of 7, around 1pm and I wore a hoodie over my neck and sunglasses, and my cheeks and nose are burned. I don't use AHA, retinols, or niacinamide currently - I'm just very pale and very sensitive to UV (Fitz I) that I burn within 30 minutes.

So, first wear out in early spring and it's looking like it doesn't even work as SPF. Booooo.

Could not get over the sensation
I have mixed feeling about this one but ultimately it's a no go. I liked it applies matte and does not make my...

Could not get over the sensation
I have mixed feeling about this one but ultimately it's a no go. I liked it applies matte and does not make my already oily skin look shiny. However when applying the correct amount for SPF coverage it's very slippery and does not absorb. I can feel it on my skin all day, just a film of sunscreen, which is technically what it's supposed to do but the sensation was too heavy. I have the same problem with Supergoop Unseen sunscreen which this one is supposed to be a dupe of.