best sunscreen in Germany
Expat Life in Germany,  Lifestyle

Where to Find The Best Sunscreen in Germany

Last updated on January 6th, 2023 at 02:55 pm

Looking for the best sunscreen in Germany? I have made a master list of the best sunscreens for various categories such as alcohol-free sunscreens, best sunscreens for dark skin tones, as well as best pharmacy and drugstore sunscreens in Germany.  

 

Here are some of my most important criteria when picking an ideal sunscreen.

  • Cosmetically elegant
  • No-white cast
  • Alcohol-free
  • Parabens free (note that not all parabens are harmless to your skin)
  • Fragrance-free
  • Non-comedogenic
  • Hydration is a huge bonus (I use Tretinoin and actives!)

 


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1) My favourite sunscreens in Germany (or anywhere!)

 

Here are some of my HG sunscreens in Germany that do not leave any white cast on my NC 35 – NC 40 skin tone and check all the other boxes.

 

Rohto Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk (SPF50 PA ++++) 

Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk is the sunscreen with the highest class UV cut effect in the Skin Aqua series (I too, don’t know what that means! ;)).

But I have been using this one for the past few years and have only good things to say.

Sunscreen in germany
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Pros

  • It contains both physical and chemical UV filters.
  • It contains some highly photostable filters (meaning it’ll sun protect your skin for several hours without reapplication)
  • It has several superstar ingredients such as glycerin, hydrolyzed collagen, arginine, panthenol and hyaluronic acid.
  • It basically doubles up as a lightweight moisturiser-sunscreen
  • It leaves a ZERO white cast on my SE Asian skin!
  • It comes in a very compact flat-tube packaging (typically seen with Korean and Japanese sunscreens). You can easily carry it anywhere!

Cons:

  • It’s not so widely available in Germany. The only way to order it is online. Sometimes it can take up to a month to arrive.

This one definitely gets a 5/5 from me for value for money and performance.

pharmacy Sunscreen in Germany
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to get it

Amazon

YesStyle Germany

 

 

Frezyderm Sunscreen Velvet Face (SPF 50)

Frezyderm is a cruelty-free Greek skincare brand that to my surprise isn’t that well known in Germany. I accidentally found it when I was browsing in pharmacies in Crete (I’m always on a hunt for local skincare products whenever I travel)

After years of searching and trying numerous sunscreens, Frezyderm checks most of the important skincare product criteria for me.

best sunscreen for dark skin in Germany
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Pros

  • With only 17 ingredients it is one of the most ‘minimal’ sunscreens out there!
  • Unlike any other sunscreens that I’ve used, Frezyderm is transparent with a gel-like consistency.
  • It’s so fluid that it’s very easy to spread on the skin.
  • For my dry skin, it doubles up as an extra layer of moisturiser.
  • It plays nicely with my makeup and BB creams.

Cons

  • The packaging seems quite bulky and it could definitely be more recyclable.
  • Even though it is very lightweight and hydrating, people with oily skin may find it a bit greasy. But it is perfect for anyone with dry dehydrated skin.
  • At €24.99/ 50ml it is a bit pricey. For me, though the benefits such as hydration and no white tint are worth the price.

    Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to get it

Buy it on Amazon.de

 

 

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence (SPF50+/PA++++)

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence is another repeat buy sunscreen in Germany for me.

Pros

  • The best part is obviously that it does not leave any white cast and is very cosmetically elegant.
  • It is super lightweight, non-greasy and feels like a moisturiser on the skin instead of an icky sunscreen.
  • I prefer its small compact packaging over the bulky Frezyderm bottles. It is my ‘on the go sunscreen’ since it easily fits in my handbag or day backpack.

Cons

  • It contains alcohol, although I have felt no drying effects (so far). I usually wear it during the warm humid time of the year to offset any side effects of alcohol.
  • It also has fragrance, but honestly, it must be very mild because I didn’t notice until I researched the ingredients list.
drugstore sunscreen in Germany
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to get it

Amazon

YesStyle Germany

 


Related: Where to find Korean cosmetics in Germany


 

Disclaimer:

I do not have personal experience with the following sunscreens. The list is based on the most recommended sunscreens by Reddit users (on the EuroSkincare subreddit) and I’ll do my best to include both pros and cons of these products.

I highly recommend that before buying any skincare products you check the ingredients list on websites like incidecoder or cosDNA.

Both of these websites have a large database of ingredients and skincare products. If you want to make sure the product you’re buying is allergy-safe, or you want to verify whether it is alcohol/ paraben/ perfume free, you can easily do this by checking the product on either of these websites.


 



 

2) Best sunscreens for dark skin in Germany

 

Bioderma Photoderm Max Family Milk (SPF50+)

Pros:

  • Leaves no white cast
  • Lightweight and lovely texture
  • Easy to spread on the skin
  • Makes the skin feel supple

Cons:

  • It leaves a shiny finish
  • It stings the eyes a bit
  • Feels extremely oily and greasy for some skin types
sunscreen for dark skintones in germany
Source: www.incidecoder.com

 

Where to buy this sunscreen in Germany

Douglas 

Amazon

Flaconi

 

 

SVR Sensifine AR (SPF50+)

Pros:

  • Leaves no white cast.
  • It is cosmetically-elegant
  • Has a light powdery feel when applied to the skin.

Cons:

  • Some users reported that it stings the eyes.
  • It feels tacky and greasy for some skin types.
  • It leaves a prolonged shiny look on some skin types.
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to buy this sunscreen in Germany

Amazon

 

SVR Cicavit (SPF50+)

Pros

  • No white cast
  • Applies easily,
  • Fragrance-free
  • Doesn’t sting the eyes

Cons

  • Leaves a relatively shiny finish on the skin
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to buy this sunscreen in Germany

Amazon

 

 

Uriage Bariesun Lait Kids (SPF 50)

Pros

  • No white cast,
  • Great filters
  • Lightweight lotion-like texture
  • Leaves a glowy finish that is not oily or shiny

Cons

  • It pills if you rub your face after application
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to buy this sunscreen in Germany

Amazon

 


Need more Korean sunscreen recommendations? Read my full article about the best Korean sunscreens for dark skin here.


 

3) Alcohol-free sunscreens in Germany

 

Sundance Sonnenfluid Sensitiv LSF 50

Pros

  • No alcohol
  • Not a greasy or shiny finish
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • Leaves a white cast
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to buy this sunscreen in Germany

Amazon

 

 

Speick Sun Mineral Sun Protection SPF 30

Pros

  • Alcohol-free
  • Waterproof
  • Mineral-based
  • Not a very shiny finish

Cons

  • Leaves a minimal white cast
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to buy this sunscreen in Germany

Amazon

 

 



 

4) Cosmetically elegant sunscreens in Germany

 

Alga Maris Organic Sun Milk (SPF 30)

Pros

  • Contains mineral UVA and UVB filters
  • Leaves a nice glow
  • Light, non-greasy texture
  • Feels nourishing on the skin

Cons

  • Contains perfume
  • Hard to clean off the skin
  • Can be drying for some skin types
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to buy this sunscreen in Germany

Amazon

 

 



 

5) Best pharmacy sunscreens in Germany

 

Pharmacies are called ‘Apotheke’ in German.

You will find a few of them in every major street and city centre in Germany. They usually have a large red ‘A’ symbol with a large green ‘+’ sign so it’s easy to identify.

Most Apotheke in Germany consists of popular European, particularly French and German skincare products.

Here are some popular good quality pharmacy sunscreens in Germany.

 

Avene Suncare Cream (Spf 50)

Pros

  • Contains highly photostable filters (it’ll protect your skin from the sun for several hours without reapplication)
  •  Lightweight
  • Doesn’t clog pores
  • Suitable for sensitive skin types

Cons

  • Leaves a heavy white cast
  • Leaves a shiny look on some skin types
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to buy this sunscreen in Germany

Any pharmacy in Germany

Amazon

Douglas

Flaconi

 

 

La Roche Posay Anthelios Shaka Fluid (SPF 50+)

Pros

  • Very moisturizing,
  • Doesn’t clog pores
  • Fungal acne safe

Cons

  • Contains alcohol
  • Contains fragrance
  • LRP is associated with Nestle
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to buy this sunscreen in Germany

Any pharmacy in Germany

Amazon

Douglas

Flaconi

 

 

Eucerin Oil Control Sun Gel-Cream Dry-Touch (SPF 50+)

Pros

  • It is not very shiny
  • Has a mattifying effect
  • Has a gel-cream texture

Cons

Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to buy this sunscreen in Germany

Any pharmacy in Germany

Amazon

Douglas

Flaconi

 

 

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion (SPF 25)

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Suitable for acne-prone skin
  • Hydrating effect with a nice texture
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Balls up under makeup
  • It Stings eye for some users
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to buy this sunscreen in Germany

Any pharmacy in Germany

Amazon

 



 

6) Best drugstore sunscreens in Germany

 

Drugstores are called ‘Drogerie‘ in German.

DM, Rossmann and Müller are the three most popular and commonly found drugstores in Germany.

 

Sunozon Med Sonnenfluid LSF 30

Pros

  • Very minimal sunscreen with just 18 ingredients
  • Contains very highly photostable filters
  • Suitable for allergy-prone, sensitive skin
  • Quite inexpensive

Cons

  • Contains a type of alcohol
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to buy this sunscreen in Germany

Rossmann

 

 

Ladival Active Sun Protection for Face and Lips (SPF 30)

Pros

  • Comes with a lip applicator
  • Compact size that can fit in small bags
  • Reportedly suitable for sensitive skin
  • Rosacea friendly

Cons

  • Contains alcohol
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to buy this sunscreen in Germany

DM

Amazon

 

 

Nivea Sun UV Face Sensitive Sun Cream 

Pros

  • Suitable for sensitive skin
  • Mattifying on oily skin
  • Works well with make-up
  • Perfume-free
  • Great value for money

Cons

  • Contains alcohol
  • Can sting the eyes as per a few users’ feedback
  • Does not contain the most photostable filters (you will have to reapply every couple of hours)
Source: www.incidecoder.com

Where to buy this sunscreen in Germany

DM, Rossmann, pretty much any grocery store in Germany.

Amazon

Flaconi

 



 

Feeling like a sunscreen geek? Learn more about what to look for in a perfect sunscreen in detail here.

 

Did I miss your favourite sunscreens in Germany on this list? Please let me know about your go-to sunscreen in the comments below!

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