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I wasn’t always a sunscreen devotee. Even the best sunscreens felt gross and made me break out. Like so many millennials, I didn’t understand the risks of turning into a lobster at the beach when I was in high school or of spending hours in tanning beds leading up to prom. I know better now, and thankfully, sunscreens have come a long way in terms of formula and feel. I now put it on every day, hoping to undo my sun-worshiping sins, or at least prevent any more damage.
“Wearing sunscreen is so important because it protects us from harmful UV rays that can lead to sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer,” says Ellen Marmur, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare. “Because of these risks, I recommend wearing sunscreen every day. Whether you are driving your car, going to the beach, or even just going on an airplane, sunscreen plays a pivotal role in protecting your skin.”
OK, so we’ve established that sunscreen is important. But once you commit to wearing it daily, picking a sunscreen can be a daunting task. There are so many options out there, and they really are very different. If you want to explore further than our top pick, Blue Lizard's Mineral Sunscreen, we talked with skin-care experts and road-tested them all year round. Here’s what you need to know to help you pick the right sunscreen for you, and our top picks for the best sunscreens out there right now.
For more outdoor guides, check out our guides to the Best Lightweight Hiking Boots, the Best Merino Wool Clothing, and the Best Electric Cargo Bikes.
Updated May 2026: We've added new options from La Roche-Posay, Good Weather Skin, and Tubby Todd. We've also moved some older recommendations to an honorable mentions list and updated links and prices.
Mineral Vs. Chemical Sunscreens
There are two main ways a sunscreen can provide protection: physically or chemically. Mineral sunscreens create a physical barrier that sits on top of the skin and reflects UV rays away from you. Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients that sink into the skin and absorb UV rays, converting them to heat to be released by your body. Some sunscreen formulas use a hybrid of mineral and chemical ingredients.
There are pros and cons to each kind of sunscreen. Mineral formulations leave a white cast (unless they’re tinted) and tend to feel thicker and heavier than chemical sunscreens. They’re often gentler and are less likely to cause irritation, which makes them a good option for folks with sensitive skin, Marmur says. They’re also safer for the environment and don’t cause as much damage to coral reefs.
Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, don’t leave a cast and feel lighter on the skin. Since they sink in deeper, you might find that they hold up better during sweaty activities, Marmur says. The downside? Certain ingredients in chemical sunscreens can cause skin irritation for some.
“Avobenzone destabilizes when it's exposed to light and is a possible cause of dermatitis,” Marmur says. Some products include stabilizing agents to help prevent this. Two other chemical sunscreens, oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been banned in Key West, Florida, and Hawaii for their detrimental impact on marine life, and there are concerns that these ingredients could lead to hormone disruption in humans, though there isn’t ample evidence to support this.
SPF stands for sun protection factor, and the rating refers specifically to how well a product fights UVB rays. “The difference in percentage of protection between SPF 30 and SPF 100 is quite small, and probably much smaller than you expect," Marmur says. For example, SPF 30 ensures that 97 percent of UVB radiation is being blocked, while SPF 50 boosts that percentage to 98, and SPF 100 ups it to 99 percent. So, higher is technically better, but there isn’t a huge difference in the protection you’re getting.
“That being said, I would recommend using sunscreen with at least SPF 30, since it generally has a similar percentage of protection compared to an SPF as large as 100,” Marmur adds. No matter the SPF rating, you want a product that provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Given what we know about sunscreen and the safety of common ingredients, “the benefits of wearing it significantly outweigh the risks,” Marmur says. Not only is wearing sunscreen regularly a matter of safety, but it's one of the best things you can do to prevent premature aging. “Good SPF habits now are like money in the bank, insuring against expensive lasers to remove the sun damage or worse, against surgery and scars from skin cancers,” Marmur says.
Many of the concerns raised about oxybenzone are linked to studies done in rats, in which the animals were fed the compound. According to one analysis from the Archives of Dermatological Research, it would take a human 277 years of oxybenzone sunscreen use to achieve an equivalent dose of the chemical that caused adverse effects in the rats. Oxybenzone is also present in many products people use, like nail polish, hairspray, and plastics. “There are zero reported cases of proven adverse systemic reactions to sunscreens,” Marmur says. “But there are millions of skin cancers yearly, directly linked to UV radiation from the sun damaging the DNA of the skin.”
That being said, there are certain ingredients you should avoid.
Marmur recommends avoiding added fragrance in sunscreen products, especially for folks with sensitive skin. Avobenzone, a common chemical sunscreen ingredient, can cause skin irritation for some people. Retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A that’s used in some sunscreens, has been postulated to increase the risk of skin cancer when it's exposed to sunlight. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are particularly bad for coral reefs. None of the sunscreens on this list contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, or retinyl palmitate.
What Are Reef-Safe Sunscreens?
Reef-safe and reef-friendly aren’t regulated designations, so brands can use the terms as marketing tools without getting any certifications, and they don’t mean a product won’t cause any harm to the environment. However, there are certain sunscreens that are less impactful on marine ecosystems than others. In general, mineral sunscreens are less damaging to coral than chemical ones.
Best Overall
Blue Lizard
Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50
Of all the body sunscreens I tested, this was my favorite, and the one I’ll continue to reach for in the future. I attended the wellness retreat Mountain Trek in Ainsworth Hot Springs, British Columbia, in August 2024, where I tested a lot of these sunscreens, including this one, on our daily three-hour hikes. What really won me over about the Blue Lizard SPF was the feel and minimal white cast. It has a just-right consistency that’s thick enough to not be drippy or greasy, but thin enough to easily rub in. It feels hydrating but not sticky, like regular body lotion.
While the product has no added fragrance (big points for us sensitive-skin folks), I thought it had a very mild and pleasant beachy, tropical scent. It did have a slight white cast, like pretty much all non-tinted mineral sunscreens, but it was the least visible of all the mineral body sunscreens I tried out—barely noticeable on my pale skin. It held up well against sweat out on the trails (it’s water-resistant up to 80 minutes) and didn’t cause any irritation or breakouts anywhere on my body. It’s reef-safe, too.
Specs Mineral or chemical? Mineral SPF 50 Added fragrance? No Reef-safe? Yes Sweat- and water-resistance 80 minutes Best for the Face
Photograph: Kristin Canning
Good Weather Skin
The One Daily Sun Cream
The One Daily Sun Cream from Good Weather Skin somehow doesn’t leave any white cast—not even a hint—which is rare for a mineral sunscreen. It’s also packed with healthy skin-promoting ingredients, like hydrating squalane, antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn oil, acne- and dark-spot-fighting niacinamide, and peptides to support collagen production. I was truly impressed with how lovely this buttery formula felt on my skin, and the glowy, dewy—but miraculously clear—finish it left behind. It has a subtle citrus scent, and feels and looks more like a luxe moisturizer than a sunscreen.
The brand also makes Daily Lip Sun Gloss, a tinted mineral lip product that feels innovative and fun, too. It smells mildly of sunscreen, but there’s no taste, and ingredients like plumping hyaluronic acid, antioxidant-rich rosehip oil, and skin-barrier-supporting mango butter make it super soothing on dry lips. It comes in Ripe Berry and Iced Coffee, offering a sheer wash of color and sun protection at the same time.
Specs Mineral or chemical? Mineral SPF 30 Added fragrance? No Reef-safe? Yes Sweat- and water-resistance 40 minutes
Best Texture and Best Scent
Photograph: Kristin Canning
Thrive
Regenerative Skincare Bodyshield SPF 50
I usually don’t gravitate toward thick sunscreen lotions (the mineral ones especially can feel extra heavy and have separation issues, like a bottle of ketchup), but this formula from Thrive Regenerative Skincare has a rich, moisturizing texture that doesn’t separate and still feels breathable once it’s rubbed in. It’s also non-greasy and smells lovely—orange, grapefruit, lemon, anise, cedarwood, peppermint, patchouli, and vetiver oils give it a bright, fresh, subtle scent. The fragrance won’t work for everyone, but I didn’t have any irritation when I tested the product on my face and body while snowboarding in Aspen.
I was also impressed by the minimal white cast left behind—always a big surprise for a mineral sunscreen. The 80-minute water resistance comes from pine gum and wood resin (as opposed to microplastics, which many sunscreens utilize). The formula also boasts skin-soothing macadamia, as well as antioxidant-rich plants like lippia, fridericia chica, and patens, which are sourced from regenerative farms in Costa Rica.
Specs Mineral or chemical? Mineral SPF 50 Added fragrance? Yes Reef-safe? Yes Sweat- and water-resistance 80 minutes Best for Outdoor Sports
Photograph: Kristin Canning
Freaks of Nature
Daily Defender, SPF 30
Few people have probably worn more sunscreen in their lives than 11-time World Surf League champion Kelly Slater, so it’s not exactly a shock he’s come out with his own line of mineral-based sunscreens. The “microbiome protecting” formula includes Slater’s patented Freak Barrier Defense System, which includes, among other things, vegan spider silk and vegan shark squalene. It’s also cruelty-free, and unlike some other sunscreens, its water resistance isn't derived from microplastics.
There is a white cast—though not beyond what one might expect from a mineral sunscreen—and the finish is slightly greasy, but if you’re going to be sweating anyway, it shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. In short, this is a sunscreen for people who have to wear sunscreen constantly and would prefer it to be both clean and performance-oriented. There’s a Peak Performance version with a beefier SPF rating, but be forewarned: That one leaves even more of a white cast. During my testing (a week of daily hiking), I appreciated that it was totally unscented, and even more so that I didn’t have to worry about its unique, airless recycled-plastic pump bottle squishing or spilling in a bag or jacket pocket. —Kat Merck
Specs Mineral or chemical? Mineral SPF 30 Added fragrance? No Reef-safe? Yes Sweat- and water-resistance 40 minutes
Best Lotion
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Photograph: Kristin Canning
Banana Boat
Light As Air Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Banana Boat products remind me of being a kid at the pool, which might have led me to prejudge this sunscreen as being gloppy, greasy, and overly scented. Not the case with this Light as Air iteration—I actually loved it! I put this on before a motorcycle ride in the sun, and it rubbed in easily and absorbed right away. It’s truly not greasy and really felt like I had nothing on.
The consistency is a little thicker than body lotion, there’s no white cast, and the smell is like a milder version of Love Spell or some other sweet/fruity/floral Victoria's Secret scent (which I liked, but it might be a bit much for some).
Specs Mineral or chemical? Chemical SPF 50 Added fragrance? Yes Reef-safe? No Sweat- and water-resistance 80 minutes Best With Makeup
Photograph: Kristin Canning
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen
When I want a face sunscreen that offers more of a makeup look, this is the one I reach for. La Roche-Posay's Anthelios tinted sunscreen, which comes in four shades, has a lightweight, breathable liquid formula that dries down to a matte finish. It provides a "your skin, but better" amount of coverage and pairs well with concealer and other cream face products. Once it’s absorbed and dried down, I can’t feel it on my skin at all. It’s made with Cell-Ox Shield, La Roche-Posay’s proprietary sunscreen technology that combines UVA and UVB filters with antioxidants like Senna alata (also known as Cassia alata), which comes from a medicinal plant and helps protect against inflammation. This sunscreen doesn’t immediately melt when I sweat, and has never irritated my sensitive skin or caused breakouts. A bottle easily lasts me six months, which makes the price much easier to stomach. One note: If you have dry skin, the matte finish might not work for you.
Specs Mineral or chemical? Mineral SPF 50 Added fragrance? No Reef-safe? Yes Sweat- and water-resistance 40 minutes
Best for Kids
Photograph: Kristin Canning
Tubby Todd
Mineral Sunscreen Mist
This sunscreen has provided great protection on spring ski days and bike rides in Colorado. The gentle mineral formula—which utilizes both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, as well as soothing aloe vera extract—and the fine, even, easy-to-apply mist make it a great choice for kids. It rubs in with minimal effort, and there’s no sticky, tacky feeling or residue left behind, which means it doesn’t feel gross to put a shirt or pants back on over it. Mineral sunscreens can feel heavy at times, but this one is genuinely lightweight. It leaves a very minimal white cast, has a subtle, oat-like scent, dries down quickly, and leaves my skin feeling soft. I’ve never gotten any irritation from it, even on my back and shoulders, which can sometimes break out after sunscreen use. This one will definitely stay in my SPF rotation.
Specs Mineral or chemical? Mineral SPF 50 Added fragrance? No Reef-safe? Yes Sweat- and water-resistance 80 minutes Best Chemical Stick
Photograph: Kristin Canning
Neutrogena
Ultra Sheer Face Stick Sunscreen SPF 60
If you like the idea of a sunscreen stick (hello, convenience!), but want to avoid a white cast, this is the one for you. The Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Stick glides on like butter (but doesn’t feel like it on your skin). It leaves behind a layer of lightweight hydration that you don’t even have to rub in—it absorbs quickly and leaves zero cast. I tested this pocket-size stick on a spring ski day at Winter Park in Colorado, and I loved how easily it went on and how gentle it felt on my cheeks, nose, and chin, which are typically irritated by chemical sunscreens. I shared it with my friends when it was SPF reapplication time, and they also raved about the easy-on glide and feel.
It does have a slight chemical smell, but it isn’t noticeable on the skin (you can really only smell it if you sniff the stick itself). Thanks to the addition of antioxidants vitamin C and E, this sunscreen will also help fight skin-damaging free radicals and provide soothing moisturization.
Specs Mineral or chemical? Chemical SPF 60 Added fragrance? No Reef-safe? No Sweat- and water-resistance 80 minutes
Best Mineral Stick
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Photograph: Kristin Canning
CeraVe
Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
This little stick provided great protection on my face and neck during several hikes in British Columbia, holding up well against sweat. It glides on easily and feels nice (no stinging!), but it needs to be rubbed in a bit to avoid the lifeguard nosecoat look. Even after rubbing it in, there is a slight white cast. I really liked the mild, fresh, oat-y, milk-y scent, and the size and ease of application just make it feel like a no-brainer product to throw in your bag.
I can’t always be convinced to stop mid-hike to reapply a liquid sunscreen, but this is so easy to pull out of a pocket and swipe on your face as you move (or sit on a chairlift on a ski day) that I feel like having it on hand is really going to benefit my skin. It also contains ceramides, which support the skin barrier, and moisturizing hyaluronic acid. With this twist-up bar, there’s no mess, no sticky hands, just a great on-the-go product.
Specs Mineral or chemical? Mineral SPF 50 Added fragrance? No Reef-safe? Yes Sweat- and water-resistance 40 minutes Best Gel
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Photograph: Kristin Canning
Supergoop!
Unseen Body Sunscreen SPF 40
This sunscreen has the texture of a makeup primer or a silky gel. It goes on totally clear, which is why it would be a good pick for anyone with darker skin or who really hates to have a white cast. It feels hydrating, then weightless, though the invisible nature and barely-there feel does make it a little hard to tell what kind of coverage you’re getting. It also has a slight chemical smell.
It’s very expensive, which makes it feel more like a splurge product for a vacation where you might be wearing nice clothes and really don’t want greasy white stains, rather than an everyday product.
Specs Mineral or chemical? Chemical SPF 40 Added fragrance? No Reef-safe? No Sweat- and water-resistance 40 minutes
Best Tinted
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Photograph: Kristin Canning
All Good
Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
This is a holy grail product for me—I’ve used it every day for years, and despite testing tons of new products for this story, the All Good sunscreen still takes the cake. The skin on my face is super sensitive, and acne and rosacea are big issues for me. I’ve been on a journey to find a facial sunscreen that doesn’t cause irritation or breakouts, and this is really the only one that works for me consistently. Lightweight, quick-absorbing, and non-greasy but hydrating, this product doesn’t drip into my eyes or sting when I sweat, and the tint means it doesn’t have a white cast despite being a mineral sunscreen (which I prefer).
Actually, the sheer brown coloring blends in so well with my light, olive-toned skin (there are no orange or pink pigments, bless) that this sunscreen has completely replaced foundation for me. I’ve worn it on marathon training runs in extreme Colorado heat, while paddle-boarding, cycling, and snowboarding, and for everything in between. It contains soothing skin-care ingredients like calendula, green tea, coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, and aloe. I feel like this sunscreen not only protects me from UV damage, but actually makes my skin better. It has a subtle buttery scent, and there’s no added fragrance.
Another win: One 3-ounce bottle lasts several months for me. It’s worth noting that not everyone will like a tinted sunscreen. It comes in only one shade, so it won’t work for all skin tones, and the iron oxide can transfer and stain light fabrics. I’ve never had issues with this, but some reviews mention it. If you like the idea of SPF makeup (and are OK with light coverage and a glowy finish), I highly recommend giving this a try.
Specs Mineral or chemical? Chemical SPF 30 Added fragrance? No Reef-safe? Yes Sweat- and water-resistance 80 minutes
Honorable Mentions
I've tested a lot of sunscreens. Here are a few that I like that are worth a mention, if not a spot in my top picks above.
Photograph: Kristin Canning
Ogee Skin Enhancing Primer for $49: I’m extremely picky about the sunscreen that goes on my face, and this silky primer won me over. Packed with skincare ingredients like jojoba oil, microalgae extract, and antioxidant-rich gooseberry fruit juice and cranberry seed oil, it has a lightweight, glowy, pore-blurring, skin-smoothing finish that sits beautifully under makeup without pilling.
Murad Multi-Vitamin Clear Coat for $42: This splurge-y chemical sunscreen is great for folks who want to avoid a cast or are fans of makeup primer. It has a totally clear, lightweight gel texture and leaves skin feeling smooth, silky, and ready for makeup application (though you can totally wear it on its own!).
Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Sunscreen Spray for $26: I used this spray before several trail runs in Colorado, and I was impressed by how well it held up against sweat. I didn’t feel like it was running or dripping off of me at all; once it soaked in, it really felt dry and weightless and didn’t budge.
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