Below, we used dermatologist guidance to find the best sunscreen you can buy for your face and body. We divvied up the list by chemical and mineral formulations and added in some options for oily, acne-prone, and dry skin. We also threw in some of our favorite spray sunscreens, SPF moisturizers, and sunscreen sticks for good measure. And while these will be your summer staples, we highly, highly recommend stocking up for year-round use.
Best Sunscreens for Face
What should you look for in facial sunscreens?
Derms agree unequivocally that you should wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, even if your makeup also has SPF, it’s raining outside, or it’s the dead of winter. Sun protection is a must whether you can see the sun’s rays or not.
Ingredients like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid are nice additions, and if you’ve already got some sun damage from past sunburns (hello, all of us), select a sunscreen that also contains antioxidants like vitamin C, which can help fight discoloration. An important note: You don’t need extra ingredients in your SPF, especially if you layer on other skin-care products in the morning.
If you have rosacea or eczema-prone skin, opt for mineral over chemical sunscreens, as they’re naturally less irritating, according to Dr. Kim. Folks with sensitive skin should also avoid dyes and parabens and opt for fragrance-free choices.
Best Chemical Sunscreen
These broad-spectrum sunscreens use reef-safe avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene to protect against sun damage. Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen is a cult favorite because it has an invisible, fast-absorbing formula. The brand’s new Watery Lotion is a good option for every skin type and tone, thanks to skin barrier-strengthening ingredients and a non-greasy finish. Shiseido’s Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion has more than 1,000 five-star reviews to boot, and it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Coola is a growing household name when it comes to sun protection; its face lotion comes in a few heavenly scents and most of the brand’s ingredients are organic.
Supergoop!
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
Sephora
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50
Sephora
Supergoop! Every. Single. Face. Watery Lotion SPF 50
Coola
Coola Classic Face Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Best Mineral Sunscreen
These mineral SPFs are all emollient, meaning they rub in easily, which reduces your chances of dealing with a white cast on your skin. Bliss’s Block Star invisible mineral sunscreen won a SELF Beauty Award for its oil-free formulation and matte finish. Biotech skin-care brand Ourself has mineral sunscreen formulated with peptides to prevent premature aging, plus antioxidants to fight discoloration. Dr. Kim likes SkinCeuticals formulation because it’s very liquid-y, blends in well, and a little goes a long way. CeraVe’s skin-care products are packed with skin barrier-loving, protective ceramides, and the mineral sunscreen is no different. Plus, it has a thicker formulation so that it stays put all day long.
Ulta
Ourself
Ourself Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Dermstore
Walgreens
Cerave Hydrating Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Best Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin
If you deal with acne and breakouts, you want a sunscreen that doesn’t exacerbate the issue. These SPFs are formulated with ingredients that target breakouts and discoloration, like niacinamide and vitamin C. Plus, they’re all lightweight and oil-free, so they won’t clog your pores. Murad’s Correct & Protect serum and EltaMD’s UV Clear offer mineral SPF protection, while La Roche-Posay and Dermalogica are solid chemical SPF options.
Murad
Murad Correct & Protect Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Amazon
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen SPF 60
Ulta
Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF 30
Best Sunscreen for Oily Skin
Similar to acne-prone skin, oily skin needs an SPF that’s oil-free, dry-touch, and fast-absorbing. Neutrogena makes an excellent drugstore option that has chemical filters and is oxybenzone-free. EltaMD’s UV Sport uses the brand’s proprietary invisible zinc oxide to protect, all while staying put even when you’re sweating or swimming.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion
This drugstore classic is known for absorbing extremely quickly, which makes it a great choice for oily skin.Best for: oily, acne-prone skin
Amazon
EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50
Best Sunscreen for Dry Skin
Dry skin needs to soak up all the moisture—without adding an oily sheen. Black Girl Sunscreen’s moisturizing chemical SPF is formulated with jojoba, cacao, and avocado. Plus, it’s reef-safe and paraben, and fragrance-free, making it a solid pick for folks with sensitive skin. Tatcha’s The Silk Sunscreen has a lighter, hydrating formula with hyaluronic acid and soothing niacinamide, plus mineral protection from zinc oxide.
Ulta
Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Sephora
Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Best SPF Moisturizers
Based on our dermatologist guidelines, when looking for an SPF moisturizer, you should keep an eye out for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and niacinamide, plus a hearty SPF. Saie’s Slip Tint combines a moisturizer, mineral sunscreen, and foundation for a triple threat that gives you the no-makeup makeup look. Grown Alchemist makes a lightweight mineral SPF moisturizer that’s suitable for year-round use. Paula’s Choice is similar, but with chemical filters, if that’s more your jam. Mele’s Dew The Most moisturizer has chemical filters and is formulated for darker skin tones, so you won’t see any kind of white cast.
Paula’s Choice Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30
Those with sensitive skin that want a little extra glow should be sure to check out this moisturizer, which includes mineral SPF as well.Best for: dull, sensitive skin
Saie
Saie Slip Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 35
Amazon
Mele Dew The Most Sheer Facial Moisturizer SPF 30
Grown Alchemist
Grown Alchemist Natural Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30
Best Sunscreen for Body
What should you look for in body sunscreens?
If you’re going for a mineral sunscreen and you’re worried about it blending in (since they generally have thicker, more pasty textures), Dr. Kim recommends looking for one with the emollient vitamin E. You might also want to look for a body sunscreen with soothing aloe. As with facial sunscreen, look for a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and if you’ll be swimming or sweating, choose a water-resistant formulation.
Best Chemical Sunscreen
These beloved sunscreens are a breeze to apply, offer broad-spectrum protection, and are water- and sweat-resistant. Supergoop’s Play lotion is a SELF favorite for its watery formula that soaks in quickly. For a budget-friendly dupe, turn to Neutrogena’s Beach Defense lotion. Supergoop’s Glowscreen gives your skin a subtle shine, making it a great pick for outdoor weddings and vacations. Coola’s SELF Beauty Award–winning body sunscreen goes on smoothly, and our testers noted that it really helps prevent sunburn on long park days. La Roche-Posay’s milky face and body sunscreen is a derm favorite because it’s suitable for all skin types and is formulated with antioxidants for an extra boost against hyperpigmentation.
Amazon
Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion (2.4 oz.)
Ulta
Coola Peach Blossom Classic Body Sunscreen SPF 70
Amazon
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Body & Face Sunscreen SPF 60
Amazon
Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70
Amazon
Hawaiian Tropic Everyday Active Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Supergoop!
Supergoop! Glowscreen Body SPF 40
Best Mineral Sunscreen
It’s not easy finding a mineral body sunscreen that’s easy to blend in. Hawaiian Tropic’s milky mineral sunscreen is a 2021 Healthy Beauty Award winner for that reason. Supergoop’s Play mineral SPF is also supremely emollient, and it’s enhanced with green algae, a powerful antioxidant, and nourishing tucuma butter. For sensitive skin-friendly options, turn to Cetaphil’s gentle body sunscreen formulated with vitamin E and prebiotics, or Blue Lizard’s budget-friendly option that reviewers say feels weightless on the skin. Neutrogena’s and La Roche-Posay’s mineral sunscreens are beloved by derms and consumers thanks to their fast-absorbing, soft-to-the-touch feel.
Amazon
Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sun Milk Body Lotion SPF 30
Sephora
Supergoop! Play 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 30
Target
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen
Target
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Body and Face Mineral Sunscreen
Target
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Amazon
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen
Best Sunscreen Sprays
Sunscreen sprays are handy in a pinch, but we suggest not relying on them (a common sunscreen mistake) for your main SPF. Lather up with lotion formulas before you hit the beach, pool, or the trails, and tote some spray with you to make reapplication easier. Just please, for the love of everyone, don’t spray against the wind. Supergoop and Vacation make chemical spray sunscreens that are reef-safe, smell divine, and are easy to rub in. Banana Boat’s mineral sunscreen spray is hypoallergenic, meaning it’s ideal for everyone, but especially folks with sensitive skin. Bare Republic’s Clearscreen won a SELF Beauty Award for its invisible formula, affordable price, and tropical scent.
Amazon
Supergoop! Play Antioxidant Body Mist SPF 50 PA++++
Ulta
Vacation Classic Spray Sunscreen SPF 30
Walmart
Banana Boat Mineral Enriched Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
Amazon
Bare Republic Clearscreen Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
Best Sunscreen Sticks
Sunscreen sticks are concentrated, emollient formulations that are perfect for stashing in your beach bag or camping duffel. They’re great for little bits like noses, knees, elbows, and lips. Both of these options are SELF Beauty Award winners—a vigorous nod to their effectiveness. Cetaphil’s mineral option is excellent for sensitive skin thanks to the mild ingredients, plus it goes on without a white cast (no lifeguard nose here!). Coola’s SPF 30 chemical sunscreen stick smells like coconuts and is formulated with skin-loving oils to nourish while it protects.
Target
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
Dermstore
Coola Tropical Coconut Sunscreen Stick SPF 30
Related:
- The Best Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin, According to Dermatologists
- The Best Tinted Sunscreens, According to Dermatologists
- I Have Acne-Prone Skin, and These 7 Sunscreens Never Break Me Out