The 5 Best Sunscreens You Need This Summer (& Beyond)

Every year, around this time, the question of the best sunscreens comes up — and I'm always thrilled, since it's one of my areas of expertise.

First of all: if you're not already using sunscreen on the daily, start doing it NOW. Even in winter. Even on cloudy days. Dollar for dollar, daily sunscreen use is the best and more cost-effective anti-aging product you can buy. Trust me. You'll thank me later when you're less wrinkly and sunspotted, and look much younger than your actual age without lasers, needles, and surgery (which I'm not against, for the record, but they're $$$, and we need that money for clothes, amirite?).

Hate the way your sunscreen feels/smells/looks? I feel ya. Here's where I can help. As a lifelong devotee of sun protection, I am always seeking out the least horrible sunscreens, because those are the ones I'll actually use. I prefer products that are fragrance-free, non-irritating, non-greasy, mostly free of oil and alcohol, and which provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.

I'm always trying out new sunscreens because I hope that there's something even better out there. Below are the ones that I personally use and repurchase.

For Face:

Best All-Around: 

TiZO SPF 40 Tinted Mineral Sunscreen - My current favorite everyday facial sunscreen. This serves as my moisturizer, sunscreen, and foundation, as it has a sheer tint that helps prevent the white cast that many mineral sunscreens can leave.

I've tried countless mineral/physical sunscreens, and so many of them are way too greasy or heavy to feel comfortable on my skin. This one blends in smoothly, doesn't feel greasy, has no scent whatsoever, and dries to a natural finish. I usually top mine with powder to mattify and cover up my acne scarring, but some might prefer the slightly glowy look.

The tint only comes in one light shade, which could be too light for other women of color. An untinted version is also available.

UV Protection: Physical. Titanium Dioxide (8%), Zinc Oxide (3.8%)
Features: Light tint, blendable texture, non-greasy, fragrance-free, water-resistant
Best for: Sensitive skin that is normal to oily. Fair to light skintones.
Available at: Amazon, Jet, Ebay

Oily Skin: 

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Clear Skin Sunscreen - My savior on sweaty days. This is my pick for the days when you don't want to feel anything on your face, but still want great SPF protection.

I first discovered this sunscreen while in Paris a few months ago. I like to buy beauty products abroad, due to liquid restrictions and because the EU has more approved sunscreen ingredients than the US does, which means better sunscreens with more advanced formulations and better textures are often available there.

This is the U.S. equivalent of my favorite sunscreen from that trip, and I'm happy to report that it is very similar. It's extremely lightweight, easy to blend, and dries to a matte texture that is great under makeup. Perfect for the truly sweltering days or for the oily-faced like me. Since the active ingredients in this one are chemical instead of mineral/physical, this sunscreen works well for people with darker skin, for whom physical sunscreens can be too white.

UV Protection: Chemical. Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (15%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (7%)
Features: Weightless, fragrance-free, easy to blend, helps control sweat and oil, water-resistant
Best for: Normal to oily skin, sweaty people, humid climates, all skintones
Available at: Ulta, Target, Amazon

Dry Skin: 

Cerave AM Moisturizing Lotion - My favorite basic moisturizing sunscreen that's cheap as chips.

This sunscreen is a staple in my bathroom, as it's inexpensive, effective, and perfect for the days when I feel like my face is a little bit on the dry side. I also use it daily as my neck sunscreen (yup, I like to have a separate product for that area), since my neck is usually drier than on my face, and I personally prefer not to use tinted or more expensive products on my neck.

UV Protection: Chemical & Physical. Homosalate (10%), Meradimate (5%), Octinoxate (5%), Octocrylene (2%), Zinc Oxide (6.3%)
Features: Moisturizing, fragrance-free, easy to blend, chemical and physical UV protection.
Best for: Normal to dry skin, budget-conscious people
Available at: Amazon, Target, Jet, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Ulta

Honorable Mentions for Face: 

• Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46 - A reasonably lightweight physical and chemical sunscreen. I used this for a while, but didn't love the somewhat shiny finish and the "suncreen-y" smell. It's a solid option that works well under makeup, but not my personal favorite. I prefer CeraVe for a similar, less expensive option.
• Coola SPF 30 Classic Face - The entire Coola line is pretty decent, but I find that the mineral ones begin to separate and become unusable rather quickly. I prefer the classic line, but they contain oils which are inadvisable for the acne-prone like me. 
• Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence - Asian sunscreens are often the gold standard, as Asians have traditionally preferred to stay pale rather than tanning, and their sunscreen technology has evolved quickly to include cheap, effective, and lightweight options aplenty. This Japanese sunscreen is phenomenally light, with a creamy, yet watery texture. I have used it, but no longer do because of its high alcohol concentration — the alcohol smell is unmistakably strong when applying. However, this could be great for those who want their skin to feel completely bare while being protected. Be warned: this does ship from Japan and may take forever to get to you...
• Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50+ - Shiseido is a Japanese company that makes a lot of great, though pricey sunscreens, and this one is both of those. Though this sunscreen is well-formulated and lightweight, it can be a bit drying and definitely leaves a white cast on my fairly light skin. But it is a good option if you're looking for something that is both mineral and water-resistant! 

For Body:

Everyday: 

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sensitive SPF 30+ - This one has been my new go-to daily body sunscreen this summer.

Australia really knows their sunscreen, and this one is fragrance-free, all-mineral, paraben-free, and rubs in nicely with no white cast or residual greasiness. It offers broad spectrum protection and is perfect for adults and kiddos alike!

Note: this one is not water- or sweat-resistant, and should not be used for swimming. The Regular and Sport formulas from Blue Lizard are better for that purpose.

UV Protection: Physical. Titanium Dioxide (5%), Zinc Oxide (10%)
Features: Fragrance-free, easy to blend, paraben-free
Best for: Everyone, Sensitive skin, children & babies, budget-conscious people
Available at: Amazon, Jet, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond

Water-Resistant: 

Supergoop Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 - My pick for swimming and exercising (or just everyday, if you like), and for the awesome pump.

As I know all too well with UX, sometimes it's the little things that matter, and this sunscreen that comes in a whopping 18oz pump bottle is a favorite primarily because of the size and ease of use of that pump. I'm much more likely to apply enough sunscreen when I have no fear of running out, and can easily pump more out if I need to. It also comes in smaller sizes for portability, but the best price by volume is the big bottle.

The sunscreen itself has a nice, fluid texture, and blends in easily with no white cast, and a bit of hydration, and is appropriate for exercise and swimming as it's water-resistant, though I have also used this for everyday. This is one of the few sunscreens that I'd recommend that are not fragrance-free, but it only has a light fragrance that is pretty inoffensive.


UV Protection: Chemical. Homosalate (10%), Octinoxate (7.5%), Octisalate (5%), Avobenzone (3%)

Features: Convenient pump, lightweight, hydrating, light scent, water- and sweat- resistant
Best for: Use around water or when exercising, normal skin, all complexions, people prone to apply too little sunscreen
Available at: Amazon, Nordstrom, Sephora

Honorable Mentions for Body: 

• Aveeno Natural Protection Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50 - Another water- and sweat- resistant option that is billed as a face lotion for some reason, I have used this for my body, and while it's a bit thicker and creamier than I prefer, it's always good to have a fragrance-free mineral-based waterproof sunscreen if you're sensitive and active. Note: do not confuse this with the similarly-named "Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion Sunscreen with Broad Spectrum SPF 50," which uses chemical rather than mineral sunscreen ingredients and includes fragrance.
• Nivea Sun Protect Super Water Gel SPF 50 - Disclaimer: I haven't tried this sunscreen myself, because I'm still waiting for my order from over a month ago to get to me (UGH, why?), but it comes highly rated by trusted sources, so I'll put it out there. It's another lightweight Japanese option, comes in a pump bottle, and is very inexpensive. Sounds like it might be my body sunscreen unicorn. I can't wait to try it and will report back once I do, but if you order it today, be warned that you might not actually receive it until after summer is already over... 

Which sunscreens are your favorites? Are there any I've missed in this guide? 

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Main image via Na Nin.