HAESKN vs Supergoop: Which SPF for Sports?

HAESKN vs Supergoop: The Real Difference

You've narrowed it down to two: HAESKN Sun Stick and Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. Both promise no white cast. Both claim they work for active lifestyles. But when you're mid run or two sets into a padel match, only one of them actually delivers.

Here's what separates them.

The Format Difference

HAESKN: Stick. SPF 50. Fits in your running shorts pocket.

Supergoop Unseen: Liquid primer. SPF 40. Comes in a tube.

That format gap matters more than you think. HAESKN's stick lets you reapply with one hand while holding a water bottle or racket. Supergoop requires both hands, pump dispensing, and rubbing in. Fine at home, awkward mid activity.

If you need to reapply during movement, the stick wins.

The stick format isn't just about size. It's about friction. Every step you remove from reapplication increases the chance you'll actually do it. Squeeze a tube, pump liquid into your palm, rub it across your face, wipe your hands. Each step is a small barrier. When you're tired at mile 10, small barriers become deal breakers.

HAESKN removes all of that. Twist the cap. Swipe three times. Done. The barrier to reapplication drops to near zero.

Water Resistance: The Real Test

HAESKN holds for 80 minutes of sweat and water exposure. That's lab tested, FDA compliant.

Supergoop Unseen does not claim water resistance on its official product labeling. It's formulated for daily wear, not high intensity endurance sports. During sustained sweat exposure like a half marathon or outdoor padel session, formulas without water resistance claims may break down faster.

The gap shows up around mile 8. Sweat starts pooling. HAESKN stays put. Supergoop needs reapplication, but reapplying a liquid primer mid run is not practical.

Water resistance isn't just about swimming. It's about sweat. Your body produces roughly 1 liter of sweat per hour during intense exercise. That sweat mixes with sunscreen, dilutes it, washes it away. A water resistant formula bonds better to skin. It resists that breakdown.

80 minutes is the FDA maximum claim for over the counter sunscreens. HAESKN hits that ceiling. Supergoop Unseen does not make a water resistance claim on its packaging, which typically indicates the formula may not hold up as well during prolonged sweat exposure.

For a morning run or indoor workout, that's fine. For outdoor endurance sports, it's not enough.

White Cast: Both Clear, But Different Textures

Both formulas use chemical UV filters. Neither leaves white residue on darker skin tones.

But the finish differs:

HAESKN: Matte, lightweight, absorbs fast. Formulated with K-beauty texture technology. Wears invisibly over or under makeup.

Supergoop Unseen: Silky primer feel. Fills pores, smooths texture. Works as a makeup base, but can feel heavier during intense activity.

If you want something you won't notice during a long run, HAESKN's matte finish breathes better.

The texture difference comes down to formulation goals. Supergoop was built for beauty consumers who want a smooth canvas for makeup. HAESKN was built for athletes who want protection that disappears.

Both work. But one is optimized for performance, the other for appearance.

K-beauty formulation technology focuses on lightweight layers. The same philosophy that makes Korean cushion compacts and essences feel weightless applies here. HAESKN absorbs into skin without sitting on top. Supergoop creates a silky barrier that smooths texture but adds weight.

If you're wearing it all day indoors, that silky feel is a bonus. If you're running 10 miles in summer humidity, you want something that breathes.

SPF Level

HAESKN SPF 50. Supergoop Unseen SPF 40.

For outdoor sports with sustained UV exposure, SPF 50 covers more margin. Dermatologists recommend SPF 30 minimum for active lifestyles, but higher is better when reapplication windows stretch.

If you're training for a spring race or spending 2+ hours on a padel court, that extra 10 SPF points matter.

SPF measures UVB protection (the rays that cause sunburn). Both products also offer broad spectrum protection, which means they block UVA (the rays that cause aging and deeper skin damage).

But SPF 40 blocks about 97.5% of UVB rays. SPF 50 blocks about 98%. That 0.5% difference sounds tiny, but during a 2 hour outdoor session, it adds up.

The real benefit of SPF 50 is margin for error. If you miss a spot during reapplication, or if the product wears off faster than expected, you have more buffer.

Ingredients: What's Actually Inside

Both brands use chemical UV filters approved by the FDA.

HAESKN active ingredients:

Homosalate 10%

Octisalate 5%

Avobenzone 3%

Octocrylene 10%

Plus Korean skincare actives (niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, centella) for skin barrier support.

Supergoop Unseen active ingredients:

Avobenzone 3%

Homosalate 8%

Octisalate 5%

Octocrylene 4%

Supergoop's inactive formula includes red algae extract and meadowfoam seed oil. It's built to double as skincare and primer.

The difference: HAESKN is formulated for reapplication during activity. Supergoop is formulated for all day base wear. Different goals, different ingredient choices.

Let's break down what these actives do:

Avobenzone: Absorbs UVA rays (the long wave UV that penetrates deeper). Both formulas use 3%, the FDA maximum.

Homosalate: Absorbs UVB rays (short wave UV that causes sunburn). HAESKN uses 10%, Supergoop uses 8%.

Octisalate: Another UVB absorber. Both use 5%.

Octocrylene: Stabilizes avobenzone and absorbs UVB. HAESKN uses 10%, Supergoop uses 4%.

HAESKN's higher concentration of homosalate and octocrylene gives it stronger UVB protection and better photostability. That matters during long outdoor exposure.

The inactive ingredients also differ. HAESKN adds niacinamide (brightens skin, reduces inflammation), hyaluronic acid (hydrates), and centella asiatica (soothes and repairs). These are staples in Korean skincare.

Supergoop adds red algae extract and meadowfoam seed oil for hydration and texture smoothing. It's formulated to feel like skincare, not just sun protection.

Both approaches work. HAESKN treats sunscreen as a performance tool with skincare benefits. Supergoop treats it as skincare with sun protection.

Price

HAESKN Sun Stick: $24 for 18g (0.63oz).

Supergoop Unseen: $38 for 50ml (1.7oz).

Per ounce, HAESKN runs around $38. Supergoop comes in at around $22 per ounce. But volume comparison misses the point. You use stick sunscreen differently. Less product per application. More controlled coverage. Longer shelf life in a portable format.

If you're buying for sports, you're paying for convenience. HAESKN's stick format fits that need. Supergoop's tube is better for daily skincare routines.

Cost per use matters more than cost per ounce. A stick application uses less product because you're not rubbing it in with your hands. You swipe directly onto skin. Less waste. More precision.

A single HAESKN stick lasts roughly 3 months with daily reapplication during outdoor training. That's about $0.24 per day. Compare that to skipping reapplication (and risking sun damage) because your current sunscreen is too annoying to use mid activity.

The real cost isn't the price tag. It's whether you'll actually protect your skin when it matters.

Who Uses Each One

HAESKN users: Runners, padel players, cyclists, hikers. People who train outdoors and need to reapply without stopping. Sponsors events with HOKA Run Club, ON Running, and Padel United Sports Club.

Supergoop users: Beauty enthusiasts, makeup wearers, people building a daily skincare routine. Supergoop built a reputation in the beauty space first, sports second.

Both brands work. But they serve different primary needs.

HAESKN's partnerships reveal its focus. HOKA and ON Running are premium running brands with dedicated communities. Padel United Sports Club targets racket sports athletes. These aren't casual fitness brands. They're serious about performance.

Supergoop partners with Sephora, Ulta, and beauty influencers. Its marketing emphasizes glow, texture, and makeup compatibility. Athletes can use it, but that's not the core audience.

Your use case determines which brand fits better.

The Reapplication Reality Check

Most people skip reapplication because it's annoying. Liquid sunscreen during a run? You stop, dig through your bag, squeeze, rub, wipe your hands. By the time you're done, you've lost momentum.

HAESKN's stick removes that friction. One hand. Three swipes. Done. No stopping. No mess.

That's the real advantage. Not SPF numbers or ingredient lists, but whether you'll actually use it when it matters.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours, or immediately after swimming or heavy sweating. In practice, almost no one does this during outdoor training.

Why? Because it's inconvenient. You have to carry extra product. You have to stop. You have to clean your hands afterward. The friction kills compliance.

HAESKN was designed to remove that friction. Slip it in your pocket. Pull it out without breaking stride. Swipe and go. No cleanup.

That design choice makes the difference between theoretical protection (what the SPF rating promises) and real world protection (what you actually get when you use the product correctly).

Eye Safety

Chemical sunscreen stings if it runs into your eyes with sweat. Both HAESKN and Supergoop use chemical filters, so both carry that risk.

HAESKN's stick format gives you better control. You avoid the eye area easily. Supergoop's liquid can migrate during heavy sweat.

If eye safety is a top concern, consider HAESKN's Mineral Sun Stick instead (zinc oxide, no sting). Or apply chemical formulas carefully and use a headband to manage sweat.

Eye sting happens when chemical filters mix with sweat and drip into your eyes. It's not dangerous, just uncomfortable. The sting lasts about 30 seconds and clears once you wipe it away.

To minimize risk:

Don't apply sunscreen directly above your eyebrows (leave a small gap)

Use a sweatband or visor to catch sweat before it drips

Reapply carefully during activity (don't over apply near the eye area)

If you've had bad experiences with chemical sunscreen and eye sting, switch to mineral formulas. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide don't sting. HAESKN makes a Mineral Sun Stick for this exact reason.

But if you prefer the lightweight feel of chemical filters, both HAESKN and Supergoop work. You just need to apply them carefully.

Makeup Compatibility

Supergoop Unseen was designed as a makeup primer. It smooths texture, fills pores, creates a velvet finish under foundation.

HAESKN works over or under makeup, but it's not marketed as a primer. The matte finish won't interfere with your base, but it won't enhance it either.

If makeup performance is your priority, Supergoop edges ahead. If you need sun protection that doesn't mess with your look during a workout, HAESKN is cleaner.

Makeup compatibility matters for people who wear SPF as part of their daily routine. If you apply sunscreen, then foundation, then head to work, you want a product that layers smoothly without pilling or disrupting your base.

Supergoop Unseen excels here. The silky primer texture grips foundation and keeps it in place. It's a hybrid product: part sunscreen, part beauty tool.

HAESKN takes a different approach. It's designed to layer invisibly. You can wear it under makeup without interference, or over makeup for midday reapplication. But it won't enhance your makeup the way a primer does.

For athletes who wear makeup to the gym or for post workout plans, HAESKN's ability to reapply over makeup without disturbing it is the bigger benefit.

Portability and Packaging

HAESKN's stick is pocket sized. 0.63oz. About the length of a lip balm. Twist cap. No leaks.

Supergoop Unseen comes in a pump tube. 1.7oz. Fits in a bag, not a pocket. Requires two hands to dispense.

For outdoor sports, portability matters. If you can't carry it easily, you won't bring it. If you don't bring it, you won't reapply.

HAESKN fits in running shorts pockets, cycling jersey pockets, padel bag side pockets. You can clip it to a hydration vest. It weighs almost nothing.

Supergoop's tube is too bulky for most athletic pockets. It works if you're carrying a bag or backpack. But for minimalist athletes (runners, cyclists who travel light), it's not practical.

Packaging also affects shelf life. Stick formulas are sealed. Less air exposure. Less oxidation. HAESKN's twist up design keeps the product fresh longer.

Pump tubes expose the formula to air every time you dispense. Over time, that can degrade the active ingredients (especially avobenzone, which breaks down in UV light and air). Supergoop's opaque packaging helps, but sticks have an inherent advantage.

When to Choose HAESKN

Choose HAESKN if:

You play outdoor sports (running, padel, tennis, cycling, hiking)

You need to reapply during activity

You want 80 minute water resistance

You prefer SPF 50

You want a stick that fits in your pocket

You value portability and one hand application

You train in hot or humid conditions

You need sunscreen that works over sweat

You want K-beauty texture without white cast

When to Choose Supergoop Unseen

Choose Supergoop Unseen if:

You want a daily SPF that doubles as makeup primer

You're applying once in the morning and staying indoors most of the day

You prefer a silky, pore smoothing texture

You don't need water resistance

You already have a skincare routine and want SPF that layers well

You prioritize makeup compatibility over athletic performance

You like the feel of a liquid formula

Final Verdict

HAESKN and Supergoop solve different problems. Supergoop built a product for beauty lovers who want invisible SPF under makeup. HAESKN built a product for athletes who need to reapply without breaking stride.

Both formulas are clear on all skin tones. Both use chemical UV filters. But format, water resistance, and portability separate them.

If you're training for a race, playing padel, or spending hours outside, HAESKN's stick format and 80 minute sweat resistance make it the better tool.

If you're looking for a daily face SPF that primes your skin, Supergoop Unseen does that job well.

Pick the one that fits your actual use case. Not the one with the prettiest packaging.