Quick Summary:
Date Tested: 4/16/2026
In this Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50 sunscreen lotion review, I test an awful SPF 50 sunscreen. Thanks again go to Kai for this sample!
If you haven’t noticed, I had been MIA since around January, and have not posted any updates because I started nursing school. Everything they say about nursing school is true. I had no idea I would literally eat, breathe, and live nursing every day. I severely underestimated how much work and studying is required to do well in the program. It might be because I am in an ABSN program, but golly-gee-willikers, it’s overwhelming at times.
What else is as overwhelming? The idea that a sunscreen designed to block UV, actually increases it! How does a sunscreen actually increase the amount of UV being transmitted? I have no idea, but this is one of them that does.
The Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50 is a chemical sunscreen formula which contains Avobenzone at 2.3%, Homosalate at 6.6%, and Octisalate at 4.5%.
The Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50 reduced -3.12% of irradiated UVA, -4.49% UVB, and -2.75% of total UVI. How…How…This is so bad, it’s laughable.
Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50 ingredients
Active ingredients: Avobenzone 2.3%, Homosalate 6.6%, Octisalate 4.5%
Inactive Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Pentylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Tocopherol, Ectoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum/Fragrance, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491)
Manufacturers Website: www.tatcha.com
Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50 characteristics at a glance:
- Disappears on skin for milky-light SPF 50+ / PA++++ protection
- Helps visibly correct UV damage and reduce dark spots
- Delivers cellular hydration & soothes stressed skin
- Viscosity is low
Prepared slide BEFORE testing
The Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50 distributed poorly on the prepared slide sample, and had major thinning towards the center of the slide sample. The accumulation of sunscreen at the edges of the slide sample are indicative of the low viscosity of the formula.
Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50 UV blocking test results
Ultraviolet light quick reference:
UVA: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 315nm – 400nm. The “Aging UV light” – Causes wrinkles.
UVB: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 280nm – 315nm. The “Bad UV light” – Causes skin cancer.
UVI: The global sun UV index. The more a sunscreen can reduce the level of UVI, the better.
UV test results:
Ultraviolet sensor readings:
| Before Sunscreen | After Sunscreen | % UV Blocked | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEMP | 75.59 | 75.6775 | |
| UVA | 40,116 | 41,366.75 | -3.12% |
| UVB | 2,304 | 2,407.5 | -4.49% |
| UVI | 23.83 | 24.485 | -2.75% |
Want to know more about how I test sunscreen? Head here to read about the details.
Testing notes:
This is a terrible sunscreen. Stay away!
Want to try the Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50?
Not Recommended
Disclosure: the Amazon link shown is the only affiliate link I am sharing on this post. I will earn a commission if you click on the amazon listed product link and place an order (at no cost to you). I do not collect any personally identifying information. Every little bit helps to keep this site up and running, I do appreciate it!