I’m a Beauty Editor, and These Are the Best Sunscreens of All Time

Sunscreen is the most integral part of a daytime beauty routine. Not only does using a broad-spectrum sunscreen help protect us from the ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) rays that cause wrinkles, sunburns, and potentially cancer, but modern SPFs are cosmetically elegant and help prep the skin for makeup. They can also be worn on makeup-free days when someone needs sun protection that works as hard as they do outdoors. Why am I confident these are the best sunscreens money can buy?

Well, as Best Products' beauty editor with several years of experience covering the skincare industry, I carefully tested all of these products. Some have been long-term favorites, while others are newer discoveries that made me critically evaluate my old sunscreen rotation. The best part? Everything starts at $11 — and who doesn't love that?!

Since I know first-hand that shopping for sunscreen can be overwhelming, I chatted with some of the most notable names in dermatology for their honest guidance. They helped demystify common myths and conceptions about sunscreen, including how much to apply, frequency of use, the difference between mineral and chemical sun protection, and so much more. Consider this the ultimate guide to sunscreen as we enter the summer season.

Best Sunscreens of 2023

Sunscreen 101

Why Is it Important to Wear Sunscreen Daily?

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp, M.D., advocates for actively wearing sunscreen to help reduce UV radiation from breaking down collagen and elastin in the skin’s top layer associated with fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity. He says, “Sunscreen also protects skin from the development of sunspots, which represent areas of increased melanin production as a result of accumulated sun exposure.”

According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Gloria Lin, M.D., sun and UV exposure are cumulative over someone’s lifetime, meaning there's an increased risk of skin cancer and accelerated skin aging regardless of how light or dark the skin is — no, really. In our guide to the best sunscreens for dark skin tones, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sumayah Jamal, M.D., echoes Lin's sentiment. Jamal says, “We do develop skin cancer, and it’s usually discovered at a later and more dangerous stage than in our Caucasian counterparts because of the lack of skin cancer awareness in our community.”

What Is SPF in Sunscreen?

SPF stands for the Sun Protection Factor a sunscreen offers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests SPF 15 or higher, while the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests SPF 30 or higher. They’re both solid guidance, but our experts agree that an SPF of 30 or above is the better option. “SPF 30 or higher is required in order to provide adequate protection, so while you do not necessarily need SPF 100, there is a significant difference between SPF 15 and 30,” says Lin.

What Is Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen?

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Hale, M.D., says broad-spectrum sunscreen protects our skin from the sun’s ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. She is the SVP of the nonprofit Skin Cancer Foundation and chief medical advisor to the Vacation sunscreen brand, so to say I trust her guidance (and frankly, all of the featured doctors on this list) would be an understatement. The AAD also advises using broad-spectrum sunscreen for all-encompassing coverage.

A quick breakdown of the two types of rays and what they impact: UVA rays lead to photo-aging — they give you wrinkles and sunspots. UVB rays cause burning and can lead to skin cancer.

Sunscreen and Cloudy Weather

Lin considers sunscreen to be so essential, we must apply it even on rainy and cloudy days. “Harmful UV rays are present year-round and can penetrate clouds, so sunscreen is meant to be worn daily regardless of season or UV index. In addition, snow, water, and sand can reflect the rays from the sun, increasing the exposure to the body, so it’s possible to get a sunburn even on a winter day. Daily sunscreen can help mitigate these risks by protecting the skin,” she explains.

Sunscreen Frequency

Lin, who practices at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York, argues it's not enough for us to slap on a sunscreen and be done for the day. She notes that sunscreen lasts only 2 hours or less due to sweating and water exposure. If a sunscreen says it's sweat- or water-resistant, check the label carefully to see how often you should apply it. In our guide to facial sunscreen, experts told us we should reapply typically every 40 or 80 minutes.

Water- and Sweat-Resistant Sunscreen

Fellow board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anthony Rossi, M.D., notes that most patients usually don’t apply enough sunscreen and skimp on reapplying. To help protect yourself from head to toe, he suggests wearing sunscreen and using hats, sunglasses, and sun protective clothing to help shield yourself from solar rays.

Chemical vs. Mineral Sunscreens

Chemical and mineral sunscreens have their benefits and limitations, but Hale argues that the real answer is whichever formula that gets someone wearing sunscreen is best. Hale likes chemical sunscreens on her body and physical, zinc-based formulas on her face. While board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anthony Rossi, M.D., prefers mineral sunscreens because they offer broad-spectrum protection and are less irritating than chemical sunscreens. At the end of the day, wearing sunscreen is much better than skipping it when exposed to sunlight.

Mineral sunscreens

• Active ingredients: Zinc and titanium dioxide
• Pros: Offer instant protection, lasts longer in direct sunlight, gentle for babies and sensitive skin, active ingredients don't absorb into the skin, and is typically safer for the environment, including coral reefs.
• Cons: Some can leave behind a white cast, which is the embarrassing grey or purple appearance on the skin.
• How it works: Mineral sunscreens create a physical block that bounces the sunlight away from the skin.

Chemical sunscreens

• Active ingredients: Oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, and homosalate
• Pros: Easier to rub into the skin, no white cast issues, and typically sweat- and water-resistant.
• Cons: Past rodent tests have shown they partially absorb chemical sunscreens, but the studies were done on rodents, not humans.
• How it works: Once fully absorbed into the skin, chemical sunscreen converts UV rays that penetrate the skin into heat, which is released from the body.
  

So, is chemical sunscreen safe? “Chemical sunscreen is absolutely safe,” says Hale. “While chemical sunscreens have been detected by the FDA in the bloodstream, there simply isn’t enough data to prove them to be harmful.” Rossi adds that chemical sunscreens have been around for a while, “and overall, their use tends to be safe for the masses that have used them.” He says everyone should definitely use sunblock to protect their skin from skin cancer and minimize photo-aging.

How Much Sunscreen Do We Need?

The dermatologists we consulted recommend applying about 1.5 ounces or a shot glass full of sunscreen from head to toe. Rossi notes that most patients usually don’t apply enough sunscreen and skimp on reapplying. To help protect yourself from head to toe, he suggests wearing sunscreen and using hats, sunglasses, and sun protective clothing to help shield yourself from solar rays.

TL;DR

Actively wearing and reapplying sunscreen is essential because Hale argues that healthy tans don't exist and burns can lead to longterm damage. “A tan is temporary, but the damage lasts forever. A safer way to get a base tan is by using a sunless tanning lotion, but people need sunscreen on top of that because you can still burn,” she says. “It’s important that people know that sun damage is an ongoing, lifelong process. Some people think the damage is already done by adulthood, but in reality, if you start incorporating sunscreen into your daily routine as an adult, you will have less sun damage, fewer wrinkles, and less skin cancer going forward. It’s not too late!”

How We Chose

I love wearing sunscreen daily, so I felt at home researching the hundreds of options available across the digital aisles of Sephora, Amazon, Dermstore, and more. Since I regularly test products, it's safe to say I have a massive sunscreen collection, so for this story, I tested 16 sunscreens, and these eight are worth incorporating into our daily routines. Some are best suited for outdoor workouts, like swimming and jogging, while others are safe enough for little ones and adults with sensitive skin. And because I love a good deal, prices start at just under $10.