Beet Shield SPF 50+

Before the Beet Shield existed, most American skincare enthusiasts had never heard of Tinosorb S. That changed in 2019 when Liah Yoo, the YouTube skincare educator who had spent years explaining why European and Asian sunscreen filters were superior to what the FDA approved, decided to put her money where her content was. The result was a sunscreen that felt like a manifesto: here are the filters dermatologists and cosmetic chemists have been praising, here is the antioxidant support system they should be paired with, and here is what a modern sunscreen should feel like on your face.

The formula was genuinely ambitious for an indie brand. Three next-generation UV filters — Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Tinosorb S) at 3%, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (Uvinul A Plus) at 3.5%, and Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T 150) at 2% — provided broad-spectrum coverage with exceptional photostability. Unlike older filters that degrade under UV exposure and need constant reapplication, these maintain their protective capacity for significantly longer. The addition of Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate and Polysilicone-15 rounded out the UV protection, creating a multi-filter system that addressed both UVA and UVB wavelengths with built-in redundancy.

Then there was the namesake ingredient. Beta Vulgaris — beetroot extract — provided the antioxidant backbone, rich in betalains that scavenge the free radicals UV light generates even after it passes through filter protection. This wasn't just branding; the formula stacked EGCG (from green tea), resveratrol, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, and Lithospermum Erythrorhizon root extract on top of the beet base, creating a genuinely layered antioxidant defense system. The philosophy was clear: UV filters prevent most damage, and antioxidants mop up whatever gets through.

Texturally, the Beet Shield delivered on the promise that sunscreen doesn't have to feel like sunscreen. It applied as a lightweight, slightly tinted fluid — the warm tone from the beetroot gave it an almost-primer quality — and set quickly into a dewy, comfortable film. No white cast, no pilling, no heaviness. For people accustomed to the thick, chalky American sunscreens of the era, it felt revelatory. It layered beautifully under makeup, played well with other skincare, and disappeared into the skin in seconds.

The elephant in the room, of course, is the 2021 discontinuation. When independent laboratory testing from a third-party organization suggested that several popular sunscreens — including the Beet Shield — might not meet their stated SPF claims, the skincare community erupted. Krave Beauty's response was notable: rather than disputing the findings or quietly reformulating, Yoo published a transparent statement, pulled the product, and committed to developing a more reliably tested replacement. It was, by most accounts, exactly the kind of accountability the industry needed.

The alcohol content is worth addressing directly. Denatured alcohol sits fairly high on the ingredient list, which means it contributes meaningfully to the formula's elegant, quick-drying texture — but at the cost of potential irritation for sensitive skin. If your barrier is compromised or you tend toward reactive redness, that alcohol is doing double duty: making the sunscreen feel great while possibly undermining the skin it is meant to protect. For normal, oily, or combination skin, this is unlikely to cause issues. For dry or sensitive skin, it is a legitimate concern.

From a value perspective, twenty dollars for 50 mL of sunscreen featuring Tinosorb S and Uvinul A Plus was genuinely excellent pricing — these are premium filters that typically appear in pricier European formulations. The antioxidant complex at this price point was similarly hard to match.

The Beet Shield remains significant not for what it was — a single discontinued product — but for what it represented. It pushed the conversation about sunscreen filter technology into the mainstream skincare community, demonstrated that indie brands could formulate at a high level, and ultimately showed that transparency and accountability matter more than any single product. If you are looking for a sunscreen to buy today, this is not it. But understanding why it mattered helps you evaluate everything that came after it.

Formula

The Science

The Beet Shield's UV filter system centered on three next-generation organic filters that represented a meaningful advancement over traditional sunscreen actives. Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Tinosorb S) is a broad-spectrum absorber covering 280-400nm — both UVA and UVB — with exceptional photostability. BASF's data shows that Tinosorb S retains 98.4% of its absorptive capacity even after 50 minimal erythemal doses of UV exposure, and critically, it stabilizes other less photostable filters in the same formula. Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (Uvinul A Plus) provides dedicated UVA protection in the 320-400nm range, complementing Tinosorb S's broader coverage. The third filter, Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T 150), is a potent UVB absorber with similarly high photostability.

The antioxidant strategy was built on complementary mechanisms. Beetroot extract provides betalains — nitrogen-containing pigments with documented radical-scavenging activity. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the primary catechin in green tea, has extensive research supporting its photoprotective properties. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2005) demonstrated that topical green tea polyphenols reduced UV-induced erythema and DNA damage markers. Resveratrol contributes via the sirtuin activation pathway, while sodium ascorbyl phosphate adds stable vitamin C activity. This layered approach — different antioxidants targeting different oxidative pathways — reflects a thoughtful formulation philosophy where each component addresses a distinct aspect of UV-induced damage rather than simply stacking similar molecules.

References

1. Green tea polyphenols and their potential role in health and disease — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2005)

Dermatologist Perspective

Dermatologists have long advocated for broader access to next-generation UV filters like Tinosorb S and Uvinul A Plus, which offer superior photostability compared to traditional FDA-approved options. Board-certified dermatologists note that the Beet Shield's filter combination represented what modern sunscreen formulation should look like — broad-spectrum coverage with built-in photostability. However, the 2021 SPF testing controversy highlighted a critical point that dermatologists emphasize: actual on-skin protection depends not just on filter selection but on formulation stability, application amount, and manufacturing consistency. Dermatologists recommend that consumers look for sunscreens with validated SPF testing and, regardless of the product chosen, apply the recommended amount (approximately 2mg per square centimeter) and reapply every two hours during active sun exposure.

Guidance

Created by Liah Yoo — a former AmorePacific strategist turned YouTube skincare educator — the Beet Shield was one of KraveBeauty's earliest products. It became a cult favorite for its elegant texture and modern UV filter system, but was voluntarily discontinued in 2021 after third-party testing questioned whether it met its SPF 50+ claim.

About Krave Beauty Emerging Brand (2–5 years)

KraveBeauty was founded in 2017 by Liah Yoo, a former AmorePacific strategist and popular skincare YouTuber. The brand earned B Corp certification in 2024 and maintains a deliberately small product lineup, though its formulations rely on well-studied ingredients rather than proprietary clinical research.

Brand founded: 2017 · Product launched: 2019

Myth vs. Reality

Myth

The Beet Shield was proven to be dangerous or provide no sun protection.

Reality

Independent testing suggested it may not meet its full SPF 50+ rating, but this doesn't mean it provided zero protection. KraveBeauty chose to discontinue and reformulate rather than contest the findings, which was a responsible and transparent response.

Myth

Beetroot extract in sunscreen provides significant UV protection on its own.

Reality

Beetroot extract is an antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals caused by UV exposure, but it does not absorb or block UV rays. The actual sun protection comes entirely from the chemical UV filters in the formula.

FAQ

Common Praise

"Lightweight, non-greasy texture"

"No white cast on any skin tone"

"Pleasant dewy finish without looking oily"

"Layers well under makeup"

Common Complaints

"Alcohol scent on initial application"

"Questioned SPF protection after 2021 independent testing"

"Not available in the US as a regulated sunscreen"

"Can feel slightly tacky in humid weather"

Notable Endorsements

Lab Muffin Beauty Science (Michelle Wong)Liah Yoo YouTube community

Appears In

best sunscreen for oily skin best sunscreen for no white cast best korean sunscreen best lightweight sunscreen

Related Conditions

sun damage aging hyperpigmentation

Related Ingredients

tinosorb resveratrol green tea vitamin c