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Long considered more of a chore than a luxury, applying sunscreen has newfound appeal, thanks in part to the latest formulas on the shelves. The best sunscreen now sidesteps the biggest drawbacks, like a ghostly white finish and off-putting scent, and offer more elegance by way of a transparent appearance, weightless feel, and even the inclusion of nourishing ingredients. After all, diligent sunscreen application is easiest if you actually enjoy what you use—and these innovative formulas have succeeded in making that happen.
Our Top Picks
- Best Face: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, $43
- Best Body: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60, $20
- Best Lips: Cay Skin Isle Lip Balm SPF 30, $15
- Best Hands: Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl Broad Spectrum SPF 25 Hand Cream, $30
- Best Chemical: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, $38
- Best Mineral: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide, $15
- Best Spray: Sun Bum Original SPF 70 Sunscreen Spray, $17
On a surface level, all sunscreens have the same task: to minimize skin’s exposure to sunlight, and in doing so, reduce both the signs of photodamage (such as dark spots and fine lines) and the risk of skin cancer. Beyond that, though, there are many differences between them.
“Sunscreens work by either blocking and scattering the sun’s rays before they penetrate the skin or by absorbing the ultraviolet light before it damages the skin,” says Tina Alster, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Washington, D.C. Moreover, they can differ in their level of protection, their additional benefits, and even the area of the body they’re meant to protect.
With that in mind, consider these the best sunscreens to consider for every need and preference.
In this article:
- How does sunscreen work?
- Who should use sunscreen?
- What SPF rating do I need?
- How much sunscreen should I use?
- How often should you reapply sunscreen?
- What to look for in a sunscreen
- Meet the Experts
Best Face: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Why We Love It: Regularly recommended by dermatologists, this sunscreen stands out for its lightweight, completely transparent formula, which allows it to blend seamlessly into all skin tones. It pairs sun protection with niacinamide, a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient, as well as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. We’re also partial to its fragrance-free, non-comedogenic formulation.
- SPF Level: 46
- Texture: Lightweight cream
- Chemical or Physical: Both (9.0% zinc oxide, 7.5% octinoxate)
Best Body: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Why We Love It: Designed for both face and body, this oil-free lotion has a dry-touch feel that leaves skin feeling smooth, fresh, and not at all greasy—which remains the case even in high temperatures and humidity. The formula also provides extra protection with the brand’s proprietary Cell-Ox Shield technology, which pairs UV filters with antioxidants that serve as a secondary line of defense against free radical damage.
- SPF Level: 60
- Texture: Lightweight cream
- Chemical or Physical: Chemical (3% avobenzone, 15% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 7% octocrylene)
Best Lips: Cay Skin Isle Lip Balm SPF 30
Why We Love It: Historically, lip balms with sun protection have been lacking, with either a sticky feel, unappealing flavor, or both. That’s not the case with this clear balm, which feels slick (yet not greasy) and comes with a gourmand flavor of vanilla and brown sugar. The formula, which nourishes with a blend of vitamin E and shea oil, imparts a light-catching gloss.
- SPF Level: 30
- Texture: Clear gel
- Chemical or Physical: Chemical (3% avobenzone, 10% homosalate, 5% octisalate)
Best Hands: Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl Broad Spectrum SPF 25 Hand Cream
Why We Love It: As with the face, the hands are constantly exposed to the elements—but they rarely receive the same level of sun protection, which is why sun spots and thinning skin abound over time. This hand cream, which offers broad-spectrum protection, replenishes moisture with a combination of shea butter and avocado and jojoba oils without leaving a slippery feel.
- SPF Level: 25
- Texture: Rich yet fast-absorbing cream
- Chemical or Physical: Chemical (2% avobenzone, 7.5% octinoxate, 5% octisalate)
Best Chemical: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
Why We Love It: Those resistant to traditional sunscreen formulas—white, goopy, and hard to blend—may find their match in this formula, a smooth gel that melts into skin in a matter of seconds. It’s unscented, oil-free, and completely transparent on all skin tones. It also works as a makeup primer, making it an ideal base beneath concealer and foundation.
- SPF Level: 40
- Texture: Gel
- Chemical or Physical: Chemical (3% Avobenzone, 8% Homosalate, 5% Octisalate, 4% Octocrylene)
Best Mineral: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide
Why We Love It: The advantage of mineral sunscreens is that they offer a far lower risk of reaction and irritation than their chemical counterparts. This formula takes it a step further; it's free from parabens and fragrance, making it ideal for even the most sensitive skin types. The plastic cap also responds to UV exposure, turning blue as a reminder to reapply sunscreen.
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Lightweight lotion
- Chemical or Physical: Physical (10% zinc oxide, 8% titanium dioxide)
Best Spray: Sun Bum Original SPF 70 Sunscreen Spray
Why We Love It: What sunscreen sprays lack in precision, they offer in convenience. This particular mist—which delivers a sheer, dry-touch formula with natural compression, not aerosol—feels weightless on skin and adds additional protection with vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant to neutralize free-radical damage. (Still, consider rubbing the sunscreen in after misting it on to ensure complete coverage.)
- SPF Level: 70
- Texture: Dry-touch mist
- Chemical or Physical: Chemical (3% avobenzone, 10% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 10% octocrylene)
Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 70
Why We Love It: Luxury can indeed be found in the drugstore aisles, as is the case with this Neutrogena sunscreen. It has a lightweight, not-at-all-greasy feel that can hold its own among the higher-end options, as well as an oil-free and non-comedogenic formulation that makes it suitable for those prone to breakouts.
- SPF Level: 70
- Texture: Dry-touch lotion
- Chemical or Physical: Chemical (3% avobenzone, 15% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 1% octocrylene)
Best for Mature Skin: Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Daily Lightweight Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen
Why We Love It: Not only does this innovative formula protect skin, but it actively repairs it as you wear it. (This added benefit is the work of a patented enzyme derived from plankton, which addresses dark spots, fine lines, and other frequent signs of sun damage.) It feels more like an emulsion than it does a cream, which enables it to sink into skin upon contact.
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Watery emulsion
- Chemical or Physical: 11% zinc oxide
Best Tinted: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Why We Love It: Streamline your routine with this multitasker, which brings together moisture, tint, and broad-spectrum sun protection in a single product. It replenishes skin with a blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and squalane, while non-nano zinc oxide shields skin from damage. You can choose from 30 shades of sheer coverage.
- SPF Level: 40
- Texture: Slick serum
- Chemical or Physical: Physical (12% non-nano zinc oxide)
Best Korean: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++
Why We Love It: Despite progress from stateside SPFs, Korean sunscreens are known for their formidable formulations like this sunscreen. It leaves skin with a dewy finish, and you can reapply it without it ever becoming cakey. It’s also infused with a combination of rice and fermented grain extracts, which are rich in amino acids and vitamins. But what really sets this formula apart is the PA rating; this measures protection against UVA rays, which are responsible for signs of aging. (SPF, meanwhile, only measures protection against UVB rays, which cause sunburns and skin cancer.) Its PA rating is P++++, which is the highest available in Korea.
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Lightweight cream
- Chemical or Physical: Chemical (Ethylhexyl triazone, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, diethylhexyl butamido triazone, methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol)
How does sunscreen work?
Sunscreen works differently depending on its formulation. There are two types, chemical and physical. For the former, “the skin absorbs the rays, and then the sunscreen converts that UV into heat,” says Ryan Turner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of TRNR Skin. “The skin then releases that heat.” For that reason, chemical sunscreens should be applied at least 15 minutes before you head outdoors, since the formula needs time to absorb into the skin.
Physical sunscreens, meanwhile, use minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to shield skin from UV rays. “When you apply this type of formula, it creates a protective coating on the skin off of which the UV reflects,” says Dr. Turner. “The UV rays basically bounce off the skin due to the minerals in the sunscreen.”
Who should use sunscreen?
Everyone should use sunscreen. While those with melanin-rich skin may assume they have built-in protection—which is true to some extent—research shows that it’s comparable to an SPF of about 13, which isn’t enough to prevent skin cancer and sun damage (and far short of the SPF 30 recommended by experts).
What SPF rating do I need?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your minimum number should be broad-spectrum SPF 30. SPF, short for sun protection factor, “refers to the amount of UV radiation it takes to produce a sunburn when wearing sunscreen, in comparison to how much UV exposure it takes for unprotected skin to get sunburned,” says Dr. Alster.
However, “higher-SPF products don’t necessarily protect skin better than lower-SPF ones,” she says. In theory, a sunscreen with SPF 50 should allow you to stay in the sun 50 times longer without burning than you could without sunscreen, but there are other factors at play. Ultimately, “that statistic varies depending on the person’s skin type and physical activity, the sun’s intensity, and the amount of sunscreen applied,” she says.
How much sunscreen should I use?
Ideally, you should use one ounce of sunscreen for your whole body. “That’s equivalent to the size of a golf ball or shot glass, which is much more than most people apply,” says Dr. Alster, who adds that she’s often surprised when patients inform her that they have leftover sunscreen following a beach vacation.
How often should you reapply sunscreen?
The standard advice is to reapply every two hours while you’re outdoors, or immediately after swimming or exercising, according to Dr. Alster. While some sunscreens may bill themselves as water-resistant, they’re not waterproof—so reapplication is necessary.
What to look for in a sunscreen
First, consider the texture, which is a matter of both personal preference and your skin type. For instance, “if you have acne-prone skin, you may want to avoid creamy or oily textures and instead seek out gels and powders, while dry skin will likely benefit from those richer textures,” says Dr. Turner. Meanwhile, sprays are ideal for those with speed in mind—for instance, parents applying to kids–but for regular use, stick with a lotion, since it can be difficult to get an even application with a spray, he says.
Also, think about what you plan to do outdoors. “The use of a sunscreen stick with zinc oxide on the face can help you avoid getting stinging in the eyes while sweating or swimming, which sometimes deters sunscreen usage,” says Dr. Turner. And finally, if you frequently apply sunscreen over makeup, he recommends a mineral-based SPF powder like Colorescience Sunforgettable. These are “so easy to toss in a bag and quite convenient to reapply,” he says.
The right filter depends on a few factors. For one, chemical sunscreens just tend to be more enjoyable to use. They’re “typically more cosmetically elegant in that they do not leave a white cast on the skin, and go on with lighter feel and quicker absorption,” says Dr. Turner. The downside, however, is that they can contribute to redness and irritation among those with sensitive skin and inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea and eczema. Plus, certain sunscreen filters, such as octinoxate and oxybenzone, may harm living coral reefs and have been categorized as “hormone disruptors,” meaning they may mimic or block natural hormone processes when they’re absorbed, says Dr. Turner. However, “the data on the effect in humans remains limited in understanding this potential impact on hormones,” he says.
Meanwhile, since mineral filters aren’t absorbed by skin and rather sit on the surface, creating a physical barrier, they’re considered safe. “They are also less likely to cause skin irritation or breakouts,” says Dr. Turner. And while they’ve historically had drawbacks—such as being difficult to blend and less resistant to water—their formulation has evolved over the years. Now, “there are mineral sunscreen formulas for everyone in every format, though a white cast may still be a drawback for the most melanated skin,” he says.
SPF measures UVB radiation, and therefore only accounts for how long it would take for you to burn with a given SPF versus without any sun protection. And, if they’re used correctly—meaning it’s been applied liberally and reapplied as needed—there’s little difference between an SPF 30 and SPF 50. However, human error can have an outsized impact. “The small difference may have some effect on your cumulative amount of UV radiation exposure if you are in the direct sun for long hours, or you are mostly exposed to the mid-day sun,” says Dr. Turner. “At SPF 30, you’ll be blocking your skin from about 97% of the sun’s rays. SPF 50 only bumps that coverage up to about 98%.” At the moment, there’s no level of SPF that can protect you from 100% of the sun’s rays, he says. Instead, diligent usage is your best bet for healthy, youthful skin.
Meet the Experts
- Tina Alster, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Washington, D.C
- Ryan Turner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of TRNR Skin