Beet The Sun SPF 47

In the short, eventful history of KraveBeauty's sunscreen endeavors, the Beet The Sun SPF 47 PA++++ occupies a peculiar position: it was arguably the best version of the product that ever existed, and almost nobody got to use it. Launched as a mid-cycle reformulation sometime around 2020, it addressed the single most common criticism of the original Beet Shield — the prominent alcohol content — while keeping everything that made the original special. Then, barely a year later, it was swept up in the same SPF testing controversy that killed the original and disappeared from shelves.

The formula tells the story of a brand that was genuinely listening. The core UV filter system is identical to the original Beet Shield: Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (Uvinul A Plus) for UVA protection, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Tinosorb S) for broad-spectrum coverage, and Ethylhexyl Triazone plus Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate and Polysilicone-15 for UVB. These are the same next-generation filters that made the original exciting — photostable, broad-spectrum, and elegant in a way that older FDA-approved filters simply are not.

What changed was everything around them. The alcohol that sat fourth on the original's INCI list is gone, replaced by Ethanolamine as a pH adjuster — a fundamentally different function at a much lower concentration. In its place, the formula gained Lysolecithin (an emollient phospholipid), Lauric Acid (a fatty acid skin conditioner), Oryza Sativa Rice Bran Extract (antioxidant and soothing), and Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil (nourishing, rich in palmitoleic acid). The result was a sunscreen that felt noticeably creamier, more comfortable, and more skin-nourishing than the original — without sacrificing the lightweight, fast-absorbing character that made the Beet Shield popular.

The antioxidant complex survived intact. Beta Vulgaris beet root extract, EGCG, resveratrol, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate all made the transition, providing the same multi-layered photoprotection philosophy: UV filters prevent most damage, and four different antioxidant pathways clean up whatever gets through. Allantoin rounds out the soothing component, providing gentle cell-turnover support.

Texturally, the SPF 47 split the difference between the ultra-light, dewy original and a traditional moisturizing sunscreen. Without alcohol to drive rapid evaporation, it sat on skin a few seconds longer during absorption but ultimately settled into a comfortable, natural-looking finish that was neither greasy nor matte. For dry skin types who found the original too drying, this was exactly the right compromise. For oily skin types who loved the original's quick-dry elegance, it felt slightly heavier — a valid trade-off that comes down to personal preference.

The inclusion of lauric acid is the one formulation choice that warrants caution. While lauric acid has antimicrobial properties and functions well as a skin conditioner, it is rated as moderately comedogenic and can trigger breakouts in acne-prone individuals. This is a minor but real consideration for anyone with congestion-prone skin.

At the same twenty-dollar price point as the original, this represented outstanding value — next-generation UV filters, a multi-antioxidant complex, and a gentler, more nourishing base for the price of a basic drugstore sunscreen. The sustainable, compact packaging maintained KraveBeauty's environmental commitments.

The tragedy of the Beet The Sun SPF 47 is one of timing. It fixed the right problems, kept the right innovations, and arrived at a moment when the brand was building genuine trust with an increasingly ingredient-savvy consumer base. Then the third-party SPF testing results arrived, and KraveBeauty made the principled but painful choice to pull everything rather than defend a potentially compromised product. Whether the SPF 47 version specifically underperformed its claim remains unclear — the testing controversy primarily targeted the original SPF 50+ formula — but the brand chose a clean break over selective defense.

For the historical record, this was a genuinely good sunscreen: modern filters, thoughtful antioxidant support, alcohol-free comfort, and an honest price. Its short lifespan tells us more about the volatility of the sunscreen market and the courage required to prioritize consumer safety than it does about any flaw in the formula itself.

Formula

The Science

The UV filter system in the SPF 47 version is functionally identical to the original Beet Shield, built on three next-generation organic filters. Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Tinosorb S) provides the broadest coverage, absorbing across 280-400nm with exceptional photostability — BASF data shows 98.4% filter integrity after 50 minimal erythemal doses. Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (Uvinul A Plus) adds dedicated UVA absorption in the 320-400nm range, while Ethylhexyl Triazone delivers potent UVB coverage. All three filters are photostable, meaning they maintain their protective capacity without degrading under UV exposure — a significant advantage over avobenzone-based systems that require stabilizers.

The reformulation's shift from alcohol to emollient carriers had implications beyond comfort. Lysolecithin — a phospholipid emollient — can enhance the penetration and even distribution of UV filters across the skin surface, potentially improving actual on-skin protection. Oryza Sativa rice bran extract contributes gamma-oryzanol, a compound with demonstrated antioxidant and UV-absorbing properties studied in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. The antioxidant complex — EGCG, resveratrol, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, and beet extract — remained unchanged from the original, providing multi-pathway photoprotection that targets different aspects of UV-induced oxidative damage.

Dermatologist Perspective

Dermatologists widely regard the Tinosorb S and Uvinul A Plus filter combination as among the most effective and photostable options available globally. Board-certified dermatologists have noted that the removal of alcohol from this reformulation would make it more suitable for patients with compromised skin barriers, eczema-prone skin, or those using concurrent irritating treatments like retinoids and AHAs. The addition of emollient ingredients like macadamia oil and lysolecithin aligns with dermatological recommendations to pair sun protection with barrier support. Dermatologists frequently point to this type of formulation — effective filters, antioxidant support, minimal irritation potential — as the ideal approach to photoprotection.

Guidance

The SPF 47 version was a mid-cycle reformulation that addressed the most common complaint about the original Beet Shield — the high alcohol content. By swapping alcohol for gentler carriers and adding rice bran extract and macadamia oil, KraveBeauty created a version that was both skin-friendly and technologically advanced. It was discontinued alongside the original during the 2021 SPF testing controversy.

About Krave Beauty Emerging Brand (2–5 years)

KraveBeauty was founded in 2017 by Liah Yoo, a former AmorePacific strategist and skincare YouTube educator. The brand earned B Corp certification in 2024 and is known for its minimalist, essentials-focused product lineup.

Brand founded: 2017 · Product launched: 2020

Myth vs. Reality

Myth

The SPF 47 version provided less protection than the SPF 50+ original.

Reality

The difference between SPF 47 and SPF 50 is negligible in real-world use — approximately 97.9% vs 98% UVB filtration. The reformulation used the same UV filter technology at similar concentrations.

Myth

Removing the alcohol from the formula weakened the sunscreen's UV protection.

Reality

Alcohol in sunscreens primarily serves as a solvent and texture enhancer — it helps the formula spread and dry quickly but does not contribute to UV filtration. The UV filters themselves were unchanged.

FAQ

Common Praise

"Improved texture over the original without the alcohol sting"

"Excellent antioxidant-enriched formula"

"No white cast with a natural finish"

"Comfortable enough for daily wear on dry skin"

Common Complaints

"Short market lifespan before discontinuation"

"Difficult to find after being pulled from shelves"

"Lauric acid may cause breakouts for acne-prone skin"

"Slightly richer texture than the original felt heavy to oily skin users"

Appears In

best sunscreen for dry skin best alcohol free sunscreen best korean sunscreen best antioxidant sunscreen

Related Conditions

sun damage aging hyperpigmentation

Related Ingredients

tinosorb resveratrol green tea allantoin