The 17 Best Everyday Sunscreens, According to Dermatologists
You can trust these insider favorites for your body, face and lipsBy Kelly Mickle
Whether you’re headed to the beach, golf course, office or a cool spot in the shade—daily sunscreen is nonnegotiable. Not only does overexposure to the sun increase our risk for skin cancer, but the sun’s powerful ultraviolet (UV) rays can dry out our skin, causing pain, breakouts and premature fine lines and wrinkles. Even on cloudy days, more than 80% of the sun’s harmful UV light breaks through, upping the odds for burns and skin damage.
The best way to make sunscreen part of your routine? Find one you actually like. Sounds easy enough, but a stroll down the drugstore aisle—or TikTok sunscreen trends—shows almost endless options. The labels can also be confusing: A study in “JAMA Dermatology” finds that less than half of consumers even understand the terminology on sunscreen bottles. (Scroll down to learn when and how much to apply.)
Protect yourself with these sunscreens dermatologists trust to protect their clients’ skin—and their own, too.
Oil-free for face
What Dendy Engelman, M.D., a dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City, appreciates that this fragrance-free sunscreen is “it is extremely lightweight, absorbs quickly and seamlessly into the skin, and doesn’t leave my face feeling chalky or heavy,” she says. One of its key ingredients is vitamin E, which is excellent at maintaining moisturized skin and reducing inflammation, Dr. Engelman explains. It provides UVA/UBC protection and its blend of antioxidants help defend your skin from free radicals. It’s also oil-free, suitable for all skin types and can be used on face and body.
Great for acne-prone skin
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is a go-to recommendation from Tiffany J. Libby, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and the director of Mohs micrographic and dermatologic surgery at Brown Dermatology in East Providence, R.I. “I truly love it for all and not just acne-prone patients,” says Dr. Libby. She notes the sunscreen for face is mineral based with zinc oxide and hyaluronic acid for hydration—as well as niacinamide, which can decrease oil in skin to help treat acne and fight pigmentation.
Soothing mineral stick
This drugstore find is a derm-favorite because it’s formulated with sheer zinc and titanium dioxide to provide broad-spectrum protection against the sun’s UV rays. It’s designed for face and ears, but can be used on chest and body as well. Dr. Engelman notes that zinc and titanium oxide are less irritating than chemical sunscreens. Dr. Libby appreciates its “prebiotics and vitamin E to soothe and provide further protection against free radicals.”
Instant glow in a stick
This cult favorite for face and body does double duty as a sunscreen and highlighter. The invisible dry oil stick keeps cheeks, decolletage and shoulders hydrated and glowing—and protected from the sun. It’s a top pick for dermatologist Onyeka Obioha, M.D., founder of Boutik Dermatology in Los Angeles. Dr. Obioha likes it because it’s “nonsticky and spreads more easily.”
Sensitive skin pick
Dr. Libby hails this primer/sunscreen/tinted SPF 40 for face as “phenomenal for sensitive skin types and one of my favorites to use daily.” The mineral-based formula (it gets its protection from zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) is gentle and fragrance-free.
Spray for face and body
Love the convenience of a spray? LaRoche-Posay Anthelios Spray Lotion Sunscreen provides great protection (it’s SPF 60) in an ultra light and non-greasy spray that is water resistant for up to 80 minutes, says Dr. Libby. The 360-degree lotion spray even works upside down, for no-fuss application in those hard-to-reach areas.
Protection for dark skin tones
For people of color, finding sunscreens that don’t leave a gray tint on your skin can be a real struggle. Enter: Black Girl Sunscreen, an SPF 30 sunscreen formula made by a woman of color that promises to dry completely clear. Dr. Obioha likes that “it’s hydrating and blends in well.” It’s made for face and body and key ingredients include Jojoba, Sunflower and Avocado.
Made for kids & babies
Rubbing a thick cream into a wriggly kid is the last thing you want on a hot day, so any kid-safe sunscreen that’s easy to use is a win. “Mustela Mineral Sunscreen for face and body comes in a pump bottle, which I find extremely convenient,” says Dr. Libby. Water resistant for up to 80 minutes, it’s sheer, lightweight and safe for sensitive skin types. More welcome news: It is endorsed by the Skin Cancer Foundation and National Eczema Association.
For sports in the sun
This SPF is formulated to keep up with all your outdoor adventures. Designed for faces, it’s sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and can withstand rubbing and wiping. Bonus: The oil-free, non-comedogenic formula means it won’t clog pores during exercise like other sunscreens, says Dr. Obioha, who recommends it to her clients in sunny L.A.
Reef-safe and vegan
You’ll play easy knowing this sunscreen is planet-friendly: Love Sun Body’s 100% natural origin mineral sunscreens are certified by Ecocert COSMOS Natural, the international standard for natural cosmetics. Designed for body, the brand notes it’s reef-safe (made without oxybenzone and octinoxate), cruelty-free and vegan. Dr. Engelman notes it’s “incredible for protecting the skin,” with a water-resistant formula that makes it ideal for a beach or pool day.
Tinted moisturizer with SPF
Glo Skin Beauty
C-Shield Anti-Pollution Moisture Tint SPF 30
For busy summer days, a good tinted SPF comes in handy. Serving as a 3-in-1 facial moisturizer, sunscreen and lightweight mineral makeup, Glo Skin Beauty’s C-Shield Anti-Pollution Moisture Tint SPF 30 provides hydration and protection, Dr. Engelman notes.
Lip protection in 3 shades
Colorescience
Sunforgettable Total Protection Color Balm SPF 50
Don’t forget to protect your lips! For that task, Dr. Libby recommends Colorescience’s SPF 50 balm, which not only protects lips with avobenzone and octisalate, but also packs moisturizing shea butter. Another plus: It comes in three pretty colors.
Nice-price sunscreen
Blue Lizard
Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide SPF 50+
This popular sunscreen designed for head-to-toe use gets high marks from our derms for being budget-friendly and readily available. That’s not all it has going for it: The bottle turns blue or pink when exposed to the sun’s UV rays, “which is a fun way to remind the family it is time to reapply,” says Dr. Libby.
Anti-aging champ
Elizabeth Arden
Prevage City Smart SPF 50 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen
Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart not only shields your face and neck from harmful UVB rays, but uses its patented technology to support the skin’s natural repair process and protect against environmental toxins and pollutants. “This formula is rich with antioxidants and skin-loving ingredients to protect and nourish your skin,” says Dr. Engelman.
Natural with a light scent
With the look of liquid gold and the light scent of coconut milk, this plant-powered sunscreen body gel offers broad spectrum protection, plus hydration via a blend of macadamia, hibiscus, avocado and coconut oils. “It blends in seamlessly with all skin tones and gives the skin a nice glow and shimmer,” reports Dr. Obioha. Packaged in a recyclable bottle, the company notes the gel is vegan, cruelty-free and water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.
Sun protection in a powder
Colorescience
Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Sunscreen
Powder formulas make it easy to reapply sunscreen to your face throughout the day—without messing up your makeup. Our derms’ top-rated powder SPF is Colorescience Brush-On Mineral Powder Sunscreen. It gives you UVA/UVB protection (SPF 50) and water-resistance for up to 80 minutes (take that humidity). Also nice: It comes in different shades so you can find your best match.
Lightweight and ultra sheer
Hate thick, greasy lotions? Luckily, you don’t need a heavy cream for heavy protection. “First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide SPF 30 is perfect for those looking for that barely-there feel as it is lightweight and ultra-sheer on skin,” Dr. Libby says about the sunscreen designed for face.
Answers to your sunscreen questions
What should you look for in a sunscreen?
“There are three key things to look for when purchasing a sunscreen: an SPF 30 or higher, water resistance and broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays,” says Dr. Libby.
How much sunscreen should you apply?
As for how much you should apply, go with “two finger lengths for your face,” says Dr. Obioha. “For your body, the average adult needs the equivalent of a shot glass worth (1 ounce) of sunscreen to cover the entire body.”
When should you apply sunscreen?
Apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before you head outside to give it time to soak in—and reapply throughout the day, especially after swimming or sweating. “You want to be sure to rub the sunscreen thoroughly into your skin, ensuring you’re reaching all exposed areas, including your neck, face, ears, tops of your feet and legs,” says Dr. Engelman.