The 22 Best Everyday Sunscreens, According to Dermatologists (2024)

Whether you’re headed to the beach, a golf course, a poolside cabana or just your office, daily sunscreen is nonnegotiable. Unprotected, UV exposure increases your risk for not only skin cancer, but also premature wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity and uneven pigmentation, for starters. Even on cloudy days about 80% of the sun’s damaging radiation can break through, upping the odds of skin damage.

The best way to make sunscreen part of your daily routine? Find a product or two that you actuallylike.Sounds easy enough, but drugstores, beauty emporiums and department stores stock endless options, includingmineral formulas, and relatively few of us seem to remember everything to look for on sunscreen labels, according to reporting in “JAMADermatology.”

To make the process easier for yourself, check out these top dermatologists’ go-to sunscreens. Once you’ve found a good fit, scroll down to learn how much and when to apply. (Hint: more than you think.)

Perfect base layer

“Studies have shown that people generally use about 1/4 to 1/2 of the amount of sunscreen they should to get the SPF protection listed on the bottle,” says PapriSarkar, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Newton, Mass. “I usually use two layers of sunscreen in the morning to make sure that I’m actually getting the SPF I want, and this sunscreen is my current favorite first layer.” She likes that it’s moisturizing, goes on “super clear” and works well with any makeup or sunscreen she layers on top. One caveat: While some, including Dr. Sarkar, consider the summery fragrance a bonus, the scent-sensitive may not.

Oil-free for face and body

A fragrance- and oil-free option, this sunscreen “is extremely lightweight, absorbs quickly and seamlessly into the skin and doesn’t leave my face feeling chalky or heavy,” says Dendy Engelman, M.D., a dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City.One key ingredient, vitamin E, is excellent at maintaining moisture and reducing inflammation, Dr. Engelman explains, while the overall antioxidant mix helps defend against damaging free radicals.

Great for acne-prone skin

EltaMD’s UVClear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46is a go-to forTiffany 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. The product’s niacinamide, for example, can help counteract breakout-induced redness, but can also even out and brighten skin that doesn’t happen to be acne-prone.

Good for scalp protection

“When men have thinning hair, it is particularly challenging to protect the scalp,” saysJoshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Department of Dermatology in New York City.The issue: “not enough hair to protect you from the sun, but too much to make sunscreen application easy.” That’s where this ultralight liquid comes in. “With its thin consistency, the product can be rubbed into the scalp and allow you to get around the hair.”

Best for indoor use

The sun isn’t the only light source to protect your skin from. “SPF is a daily essential both indoorsand outdoors,” says ​MonaA. Gohara, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn. “Visible light—from lightbulbs, computer screens, cellphones—can cause hyperpigmentation, especially in brown skin,” she explains, adding that iron oxide-containing sunscreens are ideal for indoor protection. And the quick, easy, no-mess application makes this compact “perfect for work or home.”

Easy-to-apply mineral stick

This drugstore findis a derm favorite because it’s easy to apply on the go and formulated with sheer zinc and titanium dioxide—mineral sunscreens that are less likely to cause irritation than their chemical counterparts, notes Dr. Engelman. For her part, Dr. Libby likes the inclusion of “prebiotics and vitamin E to soothe and provide further protection against free radicals.”

Shine-free hydration

Though there are plenty of good hydrating sunscreens, they often come with a sheen that not everyone wants. By contrast, “this SPF 50 is quite moisturizing, but doesn’t make you look oily,” says Dr. Sarkar. “It has added antioxidants to protect against pollution and dries down matte and clear, so it’s great for people who don’t want added shine or color.”

Tinted moisturizer with SPF

If you do want a bit of color and radiance with your sun protection, Dr. Engelman recommends this 3-in-1: a facial moisturizer, sunscreen and lightweight mineral makeup. Despite being oil-free, the blend leaves you dewy and glowing.

Instant glow in a stick

If you want glow but no color, consider this cult favorite, a sunscreen and highlighter in one. The easy-to-apply dry oil keeps cheeks, decolletage and shoulders hydrated, glowing and protected from the sun without being sticky, says board-certified dermatologist Onyeka Obioha, M.D., founder ofBoutik Dermatologyin Los Angeles.

Best for eye protection

The thin skin around your eyes is especially vulnerable to UV rays, which can in turn exacerbate darkness, bags and wrinkles in the area. So for anyone concerned about those issues, this subtly de-puffing, brightening SPF is formulated to “protect the delicate eye skin from UV rays, and in tandem address its unique cosmetic concerns,” says Dr. Gohara.

Sensitive skin pick

Dr. Libby saysthis tinted primer-sunscreenis “phenomenal for sensitive skin types and one of my favorites to use daily.” Beyond being gentle and effective, this mineral-based formula is fragrance-free.

Spray for face and body

This 360-degree lotion spray works even upside down to give you ultralight, non-greasy SPF 60 protection that’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, says Dr. Libby. Just bear in mind that with sprays, a sufficiently thorough application can be tricky, so make sure you’re not skimping or missing spots.

Protection for darker skin

For people of color, finding sunscreens that don’t leave a grayish skin tint can be a struggle. Enter: Black Girl Sunscreen, anSPF 30 sunscreen formulathat’s made by a woman of color and promises to dry completely clear. Dr. Obioha likes that it’s also hydrating (the avocado, cacao and jojoba see to that) and “blends in well.”

Made for kids & babies

A wriggly child and a squeeze tube of thick sunscreen don’t make for a winning combo on a hot day, so any kid-safe SPF that’s easy to use is a win. “Mustela Mineral Sunscreenfor face and body comes in a pump bottle, which I find extremely convenient,” says Dr. Libby. Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, the formulation is also sheer, lightweight, safe for sensitive skin and endorsed by the Skin Cancer Foundation and the National Eczema Association.

For sports in the sun

This facial SPF is formulated to keep up with all your outdoor adventures. It’s sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and can withstand rubbing and wiping. Bonus:The oil-free, non-comedogenic formulawon’t clog pores when you’re working out, says Dr. Obioha, who recommends it to her clients in sunny L.A.

Reef-safe and vegan

Love Sun Body’s natural origin mineral sunscreens are certified byEcocert COSMOS Natural, an international standard for natural cosmetics. The brand notes that this reef-safe (oxybenzone- and octinoxate-free) formulation for body is also cruelty-free and vegan. Most important, notes Dr. Engelman, “it’s incredible for protecting the skin,” with a water-resistant formula ideal for the beach or a pool day.

Lip protection in 6 shades

Don’t forget to protect your lips: Dr. Libby recommendsColorescience’s SPF 50 balm for its SPF 50 and moisturizing shea butter. Another plus: The balm comes in six pretty colors.

A tube and timer in one

This popular sunscreendesigned for head-to-toe use gets high marks from our derms. Not just an effective and sensitive skin-friendly SPF 50, it also comes in a tube that turns blue or pink when exposed to the sun’s rays—“a fun way to remind the family it is time to reapply,” says Dr. Libby.

Anti-aging champ

Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart defends against UV rays and pollutants while supporting natural repair with a patented technology. “This formula is rich with antioxidants and skin-loving ingredients to protect and nourish” your face, says Dr. Engelman.

Glowy body sunscreen

With the look of liquid gold and the light scent of coconut milk,this plant-powered broad spectrum sunscreenalso hydrates thanks to a mix 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 gel is vegan, cruelty-free and water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.

Bonus protection in a powder

Though SPF powders aren’t a substitute for a sturdy base layer of SPF, they work well as supplemental protection, layering easily over makeup and, for good measure, taking down the shine of a humid summer afternoon. Our derms’ top-rated powder:Colorescience’s Brush-On Mineral Powder Sunscreen SPF 50, which comes in multiple shades, provides UVA/UVB protection and stays water-resistant up to 80 minutes.

Lightweight and ultra sheer

If you want heavy-duty protection but without putting heavy products on your face, this one’s for you. “First Aid BeautyWeightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide SPF 30is perfect for those looking for that barely-there feel as it is lightweight and ultra-sheer on skin,” says Dr. Libby.

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 (about 1.5 ounces) 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.