We tested out the Unicorn Snot sunscreen to see if it lived up to the hype.
Listen, we're all a little extra from time to time. And at this moment in time, a lot of folks are extra in that they want to figure out how to be human unicorns.
instagram.com / Via Via Instagram: @please
And would you look at that! Brands are hopping on the unicorn train with every kind of product, right down to unicorn SUNSCREEN. FCTRY just introduced a glitter sunscreen called Unicorn Snot — right in time for summer.
Emily Rekstis / Via emilyrekstis.com
It’s SPF 30 and water-resistant, making it about as effective as most sunscreens. The biggest difference is that it's filled with colorful glitter.
“If the glitter causes the sun to reflect back onto the skin, combined with the direct sunlight, it could cause a ‘double hit’ effect,” dermatologist Dr. Kenneth Mark explains. This is similar to the idea of the sun bouncing off the surface of a body of water or snow. It magnifies the skin’s exposure to the sun.
When I spoke with a FCTRY rep, they validated this question once again, stating that theoretically it's possible, depending on the glitter. However, they explained that the FDA very carefully regulates sunscreen and the formula’s efficacy.
Simpson World / Via simpsonworld.com
“For us that meant we had to run extensive tests on all three of our formulas,” explained FCTRY’s CEO, Jason Feinberg. “Even though the only ingredient that changed between them was the glitter itself.” He assured me that all three passed, “with flying colors. No pun intended.”
Dr. Debra Jaliman approves, saying the chemical sunscreen does provide safe sun protection. Her main hesitation is that the glitter might irritate the skin, so people with eczema or rosacea should steer clear and opt for a regular, non-glitter formula.
Giphy / Via giphy.com
She also doesn’t recommend applying it to the face since the glitter could easily get in your eyes and cause irritation.
Feeling generally positive about the product’s sun protection, I tried it out during a sunny day while working in the park.
Emily Rekstis / Via emilyrekstis.com
It goes on white so you can see how much is being applied, but rubs in clear — except for, you know, specks of glitter. It comes in three different colors: blue, pink and gold. The first one I put to the test was the gold one, hoping it would give me a bit of a bronzed, sun-kissed look.
The glitter didn’t pop as much as I had assumed it would, but to be honest, I was into it.
Emily Rekstis, Emily Rekstis / Via emilyrekstis.com
It shimmered when the sunlight caught it, but didn’t look like I spilled a bottle of glitter on myself while crafting.
After sitting in the sun for two hours mid-day, I went back in to check out if I saw any redness. Of course, it’s not the most scientific test (there are a lot of factors to consider) but it’s notable enough. I didn’t seem to experience any burning or noticeable sun damage.
After seeing how sheer the gold's glitter came out, I was curious what the pink and blue would look like on. After applying one color on each arm, I realized that they delivered some underwhelming results in the glitter department.
Emily Rekstis, Emily Rekstis / Via emilyrekstis.com
All three are made with iridescent rainbow glitter, which is probably why they looked so similar on. Still, I had assumed that the blue or pink would stand out a lot more. I will say though, the pictures don't really do it justice. There was definitely more glitter than these images let on. I found it to be kind of difficult to capture the reflection exactly right on camera, so just keep that in mind.
Although it won't be my go-to pick for beach days, if you want to feel a little more like a unicorn while you're at the beach, try it out!
instagram.com / Via Instagram: @unicornsnot
Although it's currently sold out, you can backorder it on unicornsnot.com for $19.99 each.
