25 Best Sunscreens To Protect Your Skin All Year
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Wearing SPF is an important action. It goes beyond self-care or a morning routine; it protects you from UV rays that can cause skin cancer. In addition to keeping your skin healthy, sunscreens for face and body can fend off dark spots, keep skin looking youthful, and prevent sunburns. When you list the pros and cons, it’s pretty obvious that you’ll want to apply face and body sunscreen every day, no matter how long you’re in the sun and whether or not it’s cloudy or overcast.
Now that we’ve established SPF as a nonnegotiable, we can dive into the different options. You may need to try a few different products to find your everyday sunscreen. Depending on your skin and genetics you may find you need something with more SPF or a formula that contains additional ingredients, like sunscreen for sensitive skin or sunscreen for dark skin. Whatever your needs are, there is an SPF for you.
The Best Sunscreens To Wear In 2024
Price Reference (average price):
$ | Under $25
$$ | $25-$50
$$$ | More than $50
Best Sunscreen For Face
Protecting your face from harmful UV rays is a no-brainer. Facial skin is thin and susceptible to burning and signs of aging like wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Sunlight exacerbates these premature signs of aging, so face sunscreen is a must. Many popular face sunscreens are formulated to absorb into the skin quickly so you can layer other skincare or makeup on top.
Image: Amazon
SPF 30 Fragrance-Free Face Sunscreen
Love Sun Body
Price: $$
This fragrance-free face sunscreen has an SPF of 30. It is a lightweight and non-greasy choice that is suitable for everyday use. It provides broad-spectrum defense against UVA and UVB rays and is good for sensitive skin.
Why We Love It: A face sunscreen that won’t irritate skin.
Image: Credo Beauty
Sunglow SPF 35
Kinfeld
Price: $$
This sunscreen for your face has a pink tint that assures there’s no white cast, yet doesn’t make skin look red at all. This mineral sunscreen is reef-safe and contains antioxidants for glowy skin immediately after application.
Why We Love It: The glowy after-effect is perfect for warm weather.
Image: Sephora
Invisible Shield Water-Gel Sunscreen
Glossier
Price: $
I still fangirl over Glossier, and this facial sunscreen is one product that I love to recommend. The clear, non-sticky, water-like formula glides on easily and smoothly protects your skin. It’s also the perfect layer to use before any other amazing beauty products!
Why We Love It: The coconut aroma and sheer finish is oh-so-good.
Image: Credo Beauty
Super Serum Skin Tint
ILIA
Price: $$
While not exactly sunscreen, this award-winning tinted serum from ILIA deserves a spot on the list as a sustainable beauty option that also happens to boast a SPF 40. Vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, and safe for all skin types, it also comes in 30 different shades to combine makeup, skincare, and SPF all in one smooth step. Make your beauty routine a little easier with this serum!
Why We Love It: It nourishes, brightens, and protects the skin with one easy step.
Image: Sephora
Sunvisor Radiant Moisturizing Face Sunscreen
SAIE
Price: $
At Swift, we love SAIE! This all-in-one sunscreen is a SPF-packed serum and moisturizer that includes super ingredients to keep your face clean, healthy, hydrated, and protected.
Why We Love It: It’s reef-safe and the perfect size to bring with you on the go!
Best Mineral Sunscreen
Mineral sunscreen, also known as physical sunscreen, is a type of sunscreen that uses mineral particles like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to guard the skin from UV rays. Mineral sunscreens reflect and scatter the UV rays away from the skin, rather than absorbing them like chemical SPFs. They are often considered to be a safer and more natural alternatives to chemical sunscreens, as they are less likely to cause skin irritation, cause allergic reactions, and harm environments.
Image: Sephora
Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Farmacy
Price: $$
This is a daily mineral sunscreen formulated with plant-based antioxidants to defend against pollution and environmental stressors. It is also vegan and cruelty-free and won’t leave a white shade or film on your skin.
Why We Love It: It’s lightweight, vegan, and has antioxidants.
Image: Sephora
Urban Environment Sun Dual Care™ SPF 42
Shiseido
Price: $$
This mineral face sunscreen is oil-free for a non-greasy application. It’s water-resistant and contains hyaluronic acid to help your skin retain moisture even on hot and dry days.
Why We Love It: It contains extra hydration due to hyaluronic acid.
Image: Supergoop
Mineral Sheerscreen SPF 30
Supergoop
Price: $$
Supergoop has a wide range of sunscreens that are fantastic. The brand’s newest release is Mineral Sheer Screen, an SPF 30 broad-spectrum sunscreen that doubles as a makeup primer.
Why We Love It: It’s a makeup primer and facial sunscreen all in one.
Image: Target
Body Sunscreen
Native
Price: $
Native’s body sunscreen has an SPF of 30 and has broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. It is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. The body sunscreen is available in four scents: sweet peach & nectar, coconut & pineapple, rose, and unscented.
Why We Love It: A thicker sun lotion that absorbs quickly.
Best Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Sunscreen for sensitive skin is specially formulated and designed to protect skin from the sun's harmful rays without causing irritation or allergic reactions. These products are often free of fragrances, dyes, and other irritating ingredients, and are gentle enough to be used by individuals with sensitive skin, such as those with psoriasis or those who burn easily.
Image: Amazon
Daily UV Defense Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 36
Innisfree
Price: $
This daily lotion is hydrating and soothing, perfect for an everyday sunscreen. It won’t leave a white cast on skin, and absorbs quickly so that you can continue with your makeup routine or head out the door. It’s suitable for all skin types and has green tea extract for added soothing.
Why We Love It: A lotion that boosts hydration as much as it guards against UV rays.
Image: Sephora
Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
Paula's Choice
Price: $$
The SPF 50 daily hydrating fluid gives your skin sun protection in a non-greasy formula. It’s free of fragrance, parabens, and other irritants. Plus, it uses vitamin C to help shield the skin from environmental stressors and premature aging.
Why We Love It: A formula with SPF 50 and vitamin C for glowing skin.
Image: Sephora
Protect + Glow Daily Sunscreen SPF 30
Tula
Price: $$
Tula Skincare’s daily sunscreen gel protects against UVA and UVB rays and has a lightweight, non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly. It is suitable for sensitive skin because it is free of fragrance, oxybenzone, and parabens and has Wild Butterfly Ginger Root to help shield the skin from environmental stressors.
Why We Love It: This sunscreen is sensitive-skin friendly.
Image: Amazon
Sun Protect Super Water Gel 50
NIVEA
Price: $
This is my go-to sunscreen for daily use! The silky formula always goes on smoothly and lasts for hours, and, even though it has a high SPF, it works well for reapplication, too. My skin is very sensitive, so when I found a sunscreen that I could rely on, I realized it would be hard for me to let this one go!
Why We Love It: The long-lasting formula and extra high SPF come at such a low price!
Best SPF 50+ Sunscreens
For those looking for additional coverage, use SPF 50 or higher. These formulas are good for fair skin and those who burn easily, want to defend against signs of aging, or are in direct sun for extended periods of time.
Image: Amazon
Original SPF 50
Sun Bum
Price: $
One of the greatest things about Sun Bum sunscreen is the summery coconut scent. This sunscreen is hypoallergenic, water-resistant, and has SPF 30. Its non-greasy formula is still suitable for sensitive skin and it’s free of parabens, gluten, and other irritants.
Why We Love It: A classic summer scent in an everyday lotion.
Image: Sephora
Better Screen™ UV Serum SPF 50+
Kiehl's Since 1851
Price: $
It might be a small bottle, but it packs a big punch! This lightweight sunscreen serum is loaded with collagen peptides that protect skin against sun damage, while visibly correcting early signs of aging, such as dark spots, dullness, and uneven texture. Bonus: It’s great for all skin types!
Why We Love It: A high SPF option that helps to even out skin tone with daily use.
Image: Amazon
Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 70
Neutrogena
Price: $
This is a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with an SPF of 70 from Neutrogena. Its fast-absorbing formula provides up to 80 minutes of water-resistant defense against UVA and UVB rays. As one of the cheapest options on our list, this sun lotion gives you plenty of coverage for your money.
Why We Love It: SPF 70 in a non-greasy formula that will last through any event or sport.
Image: Sephora
City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++
Murad
Price: $$$
This mineral sunscreen fights against the sun’s rays, pollution, and blue light. It also helps to hydrate and even skin tone, all while fighting against premature aging.
Why We Love It: Lots of SPF to keep skin looking youthful.
Best Roll-on Sunscreens
Roll-on and stick sunscreen applicators are handy and useful. In many cases, the formulas are transparent so that you can apply them over makeup any time of day. They’re small enough to toss in your purse for sun protection on the go, and they’re great to use as needed.
Image: Supergoop
Glow Stick SPF 50
Supergoop
Price: $$
The Glow Stick Sunscreen from Supergoop is a portable sunscreen stick with SPF 50. Its lightweight formula gives skin a dewy glow and it’s water and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes—perfect for most outdoor activities.
Why We Love It: The clear formula is lightweight but has SPF 50 that keeps skin hydrated and protected.
Image: Sephora
Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+
Shiseido
Price: $$
This SPF 50 sunscreen stick from Shiseido has a water-resistant formula that is activated by sweat or water. The clear formula works before or after makeup, so it’s a must-have for on-the-go sun protection.
Why We Love It: The smooth formula applies easily under or over makeup.
Image: Sephora
Watermelon Glow Dew Balm
Glow Recipe
Price: $$
A sunscreen serum stick that is loaded with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, it’s guaranteed to help hydrate, protect, and maintain your face’s natural healthy glow. The balm formula goes on smoothly to create a dewy look, and it’s also made with clean ingredients, meaning it’s paraben and cruelty-free!
Why We Love It: Its sweet watermelon scent and on-the-go lasting protection.
Image: Ulta
Sun Shield On-The-Glow Sheer Stick
Kopari Beauty
Price: $$
A sunscreen stick that leaves you looking and feeling radiant, this is the portable version of Kopari best-selling sunscreen. It’s made with natural, calming, and anti-irritating ingredients to keep your glow going all summer.
Why We Love It: The glittery bottle, unforgettable coconut scent, and the guaranteed golden glow.
Best Spray Sunscreens
Spray sunscreens typically come in a metal aerosol bottle. This type of application is quick since you don’t need to rub the spray in as much as a traditional lotion. They’re incredibly handy for days when you know that you’ll be reapplying your SPF, like spending time at the beach or pool or at a sporting event. Many spray sunscreens have water-resistant formulations as well.
Image: Supergoop
PLAY Body Mist & Koozie Set
Supergoop
Price: $
Supergoop’s PLAY sunscreen is made for playing outside in the sun, and this set even comes with a drink koozie. The SPF 50 body sunscreen is lightweight, has an uplifting scent, and can be sprayed even upside down for the easiest application.
Why We Love It: An easy, even spray for your whole body and a bonus koozie!
Image: Nordstrom
Classic Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
Vacation
Price: $
This retro-inspired sunscreen spray is perfect for tossing in your tote and heading out for a day by the water. The beach sunscreen is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so reapply as needed.
Why We Love It: Vintage aesthetic design and easy reapplication.
Image: Amazon
SPF 30 Sheer Zinc Sunscreen
Babo Botanicals
Price: $
This is a sheer zinc continuous spray sunscreen with an SPF of 30. It provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and is easy to apply. It’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, which is great for sensitive skin or kids.
Why We Love It: Easy application and safe for sensitive skin.
Image: Sephora
Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Shimmering Body Oil
Sol de Janeiro
Price: $$
This shimmering body oil doubles as a broad-spectrum sunscreen to nourish and protect your skin. It’s also water-resistant, reef-safe, and long-lasting, making it the perfect choice for even the hottest days at the beach with its tropical scent.
Why We Love It: It doesn’t feel greasy when applied, resulting in skin that looks great and is definitely protected!
Don’t forget that it's crucial to wear sunscreen every day—even on cloudy and rainy days—and to reapply it often, especially if you're spending extended periods of time outdoors. Find a sunscreen that works for your body type and skin tone to ensure maximum protection, which will also make you want to wear it daily. With so many different types of sunscreen available, it's important to experiment and find one that you like and will use regularly. By making sunscreen a regular part of your skincare routine, you can help prevent skin damage and reduce your risk of skin cancer, giving you more time to enjoy the time you’re spending both indoors and outdoors.
