Sunscreen Ranker Independent ranker
TA
Tage

Cica-Tree Invisible Sun Gel

SPF 50+ · PA++++ Invisible No white cast — chemical/hybrid filters that disappear on skin. KR South Korea global Formulation variant: global. Region-specific reformulations are tracked as separate products.

Silicone-gel matte finish, fragrance-free, no alcohol; uses homosalate + octocrylene + avobenzone — moderate health penalty for legacy filters.

◐ CHEM Chemical filters Chemical filters — Organic filters absorb UV. Cosmetically elegant; filter selection matters. ((· BS Broad spectrum Broad spectrum — Blocks UVA + UVB across the full sun-damage spectrum. F F-FREE Fragrance-free Fragrance-free — No added fragrance or perfume — lower irritation risk for reactive skin. A A-FREE Alcohol-free Alcohol-free — No drying short-chain alcohols (denatured / SD alcohol).
77.6
Composite
Composite score · independent
Ranks #453 of 1558 in the current catalogue. Silicone-gel matte finish, fragrance-free, no alcohol; uses homosalate + octocrylene + avobenzone — moderate health penalty for legacy filters.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%.
Verdict Should you buy it?

A silicone-forward matte gel with a six-filter chemical blend anchored by homosalate, octisalate, avobenzone, and Tinosorb S. The finish is sleek and invisible, but the reliance on legacy salicylate and homosalate filters drags down filter modernity.

Pros
  • Dimethicone-elastomer-silica base for a true matte, blurring finish
  • Tinosorb S and amiloxate broaden the legacy US-style filter mix
  • Short, focused INCI with minimal botanicals
  • Fragrance-free and free of denatured alcohol
  • Centella and tea tree water for a soothing positioning
Cons
  • Homosalate and octocrylene carry endocrine-disruption scrutiny
  • Heavy silicone base may pill under makeup or other silicone layers
  • Tocopheryl acetate is the only meaningful antioxidant

Who it's for: Oily skin seeking a matte, invisible chemical sunscreen and untroubled by legacy salicylate filters.

01 Score breakdown
UV protection How well the product blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 100
Filter modernity Penalises legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen filters. 58
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, known sensitisers. 62
Reef / env. safety Reef toxicity, biodegradability of UV filters and surfactants. 85
Cosmetic elegance Spread, finish, white-cast, comfort on skin. 80
Health safety Endocrine concerns, systemic absorption signals across the formula. 68
02 Composition · key UV filters 6 filters resolved
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
Homosalate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Octisalate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Avobenzone Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Bemotrizinol Modern Next-gen photostable filter; low irritation profile.
Amiloxate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Octocrylene Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
03 At-a-glance facts
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid blends both.
Chemical
Broad spectrum Protects across both UVA and UVB ranges. UVA causes aging and deeper damage; UVB causes burns.
Yes
Formulation & feel
Texture How the formula feels at application — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Gel
Finish How the formula looks on skin once dry: matte, natural, dewy, or glowy.
Matte
Tinted Adds sheer pigment (iron oxides) that masks the white cast common to mineral filters and gives a skin-tone finish.
No
Fragrance-free No synthetic perfume added. Not FDA-defined in the US; the EU requires 'Parfum' + the 26 named allergens on the label. 'Unscented' differs — may contain masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
Yes
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Does not refer to fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl alcohol, which are emollients.
Yes
04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 18 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 1 LEGACY FILTER 6 MINERAL FILTER 0 ADDED FRAGRANCE 0 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 0 ALCOHOL 0 WATCH 0 ACTIVE 2
Dimethicone·Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer· Homosalate Homosalate — legacy UVB filter; endocrine literature. ·Silica·Laureth-4· Ethylhexyl Salicylate Octisalate — older filter; well-tolerated. ·Acrylates Copolymer· Butyloctyl Salicylate Salicylate-class booster; supports avobenzone. · Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane Avobenzone — UVA filter, needs stabilisation. · Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine Tinosorb S — broad-spectrum, very photostable. · Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate Amiloxate · Octocrylene Octocrylene — degrades to benzophenone over time. ·Tocopheryl Acetate·1‚2-Hexanediol· Ethylhexylglycerin Humectant — the workhorse hydrator. ·Water· Centella Asiatica Extract Centella — calming, repair. ·Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
Source: brand-published INCI. Last verified 19 Jun 2026. Show in detail
01 Dimethicone Dimethicone
02 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
03 Homosalate LEGACY FILTER Homosalate — legacy UVB filter; endocrine literature.
04 Silica Silica
05 Laureth-4 Laureth-4
06 Ethylhexyl Salicylate LEGACY FILTER Octisalate — older filter; well-tolerated.
07 Acrylates Copolymer Acrylates Copolymer
08 Butyloctyl Salicylate LEGACY FILTER Salicylate-class booster; supports avobenzone.
09 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane LEGACY FILTER Avobenzone — UVA filter, needs stabilisation.
10 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine MODERN FILTER Tinosorb S — broad-spectrum, very photostable.
11 Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate LEGACY FILTER Amiloxate
12 Octocrylene LEGACY FILTER Octocrylene — degrades to benzophenone over time.
13 Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E Acetate
14 1‚2-Hexanediol 1,2-Hexanediol
15 Ethylhexylglycerin ACTIVE Humectant — the workhorse hydrator.
16 Water Water
17 Centella Asiatica Extract ACTIVE Centella — calming, repair.
18 Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water Tea Tree Leaf Water