The best sunscreens in 2024, tested by editors

Whether you’ve got fair skin, a darker skin tone or land somewhere in the middle, it’s important to protect your skin from the sun. There’s no worse way to ruin an amazing day at the beach than getting home and realizing you’re as red as a lobster.

And even if you don’t burn easily (or at all), it’s still smart to shield yourself from exposure to the sun’s rays, since they can cause damage to your skin in other ways, including?skin cancer and premature aging. That’s why wearing sunscreen is essential when spending time in the sun, whether you’re new to skin care or have a beauty routine locked down. You should even be?wearing it indoors as part of your skin care routine (yes, really!).

To help you find the best sunscreen, we talked to experts about what active ingredients to look for and other important factors. We narrowed down a pool of 22 contenders and wore, applied and reapplied each of them for several weeks. Our pool included mineral and chemical broad-spectrum sunscreens with a minimum SPF of 30. We avoided sunscreens with oxybenzone or either of the two active ingredients the FDA proposed as unsafe (aminobenzoic acid and trolamine salicylate).

To be clear, we didn’t test how well these sunscreens protect skin from the sun — for that, we relied on information from the US Food and Drug Administration and the experts we talked to (more on this below). Too many variables like skin type, time of day, the sun’s intensity and more made it impossible to measure efficacy in our real-world testing. Instead, we had multiple testers with different skin types and tones test them for other variables such as feel, appearance on the skin, smell, ease of application and others.

After multiple weeks of testing, we found six sunscreens that stood out above the rest.

Best sunscreen: Murad Multivitamin Clear Coat Broad-Spectrum SPF 50

Murad’s Multivitamin Clear Coat SPF 50 was our winner for best sunscreen, passing all our tests with flying colors. Knowing how important it is to wear sunscreen, we were mindful of picking one that would be easy to use and wear daily, which brought us to this lightweight, nourishing and clear sunscreen.

We found this broad-spectrum sunscreen to be invisible, unlike the average scented sunscreen that oftentimes creates an annoying white cast or leaves that gooey sunscreen sensation behind on your skin.

This sunscreen is also made with potent vitamins and biofermentation technology to prevent skin aging, hyperpigmentation, dark spots and uneven skin tone. When we tested it out, most thought it had an invisible application, although slightly slippery, from the start but we didn’t have a difficult time rubbing it into our skin.

One makeup-wearing tester found it smooth and light enough to wear under foundation and concealer, which she thought made it a great, everyday sunscreen to be worn with or without makeup.

We all noted it had a subtle and delightful orange scent. Some even compared its invisible and smooth nature to the Supergoop! sunscreen, sans the smell. One tester was blown away by its consistency and described it as “a completely different product compared to all sunscreens I’m used to.”

According to Sephora, this sunscreen is great for those struggling with uneven texture and pesky dark spots. A sunscreen will help prevent dark spots from getting darker, but this sunscreen is also infused with Vitamin C to amplify protection. Aside from these elements, we liked the texture too, which another tester described as “thick and easy to apply,” adding that “a little goes a long way.”

Best sunscreen runner-up: Hawaiian Tropic Everyday Active Sunscreen SPF 30

The?Hawaiian Tropic Everyday Active Sunscreen Spray?achieved a perfect score in nearly every single one of our tests. Its spray function made it extremely easy to apply, and it has a wide and even distribution, making it easy to quickly cover your entire body with a swift pass; it clocked in with the fastest full-body application for the testers who tried it out.

The spray disappeared nearly immediately into the skin and didn’t leave any lingering color or sheen. It felt a little wet at first but soon absorbed, and we completely forgot we’d even applied it. The spray’s tropical smell of coconut was pleasant, though it has a hint of chemicals and is quite strong overall, which could deter someone who has a sensitive sense of smell.

In addition to being a quick and easy sunscreen to apply, the Hawaiian Tropic Everyday Active Sunscreen comes in a slim container that barely takes up any room in a bag, plus can easily fit in a standard water bottle pouch on the side of a backpack. The cap twists into a lock position, so wherever you store it, you can be sure it won’t leak or soak any of your belongings.

The Hawaiian Tropic Everyday Active Sunscreen Spray will protect you from the sun with its expert-approved, broad-spectrum SPF 30 formulation. It’s water- and sweat-resistant for 80 minutes and is made without the chemical ingredients that the FDA and other studies have warned us to avoid. It’s incredibly easy to apply, and its smell, feel on the skin and lack of streaking place it solidly as our runner-up for best sunscreen.

Best scentless sunscreen: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

The cult-favorite sunscreen brand is known and loved for its face sunscreens and SPF tints, so we made sure to test out its body sunscreen too. The Unseen Sunscreen Invisible Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 does live up to its name since we found it invisible, weightless and scentless. All testers agreed these elements made it feel easy to apply and, more importantly, reapply.

The Supergoop! sunscreen also boasts a natural and hydrating finish, similar to the Murad sunscreen but without the subtle orange scent.

We also liked the added skin care benefits of this sunscreen, including olive leaf and fruit extracts to help the skin barrier retain moisture. To be clear, this product is meant to be used on the body, unlike most Supergoop! products designed for the face. That’s also why we appreciated this ultra-hydrating sunscreen, considering our often-neglected backs, legs and arms can get drier after sizzling under the sun.

Our only complaint is that this sunscreen is on the pricier side. Several testers found that, because the sunscreen is so easy-to-use and weightless, we could practically empty the whole bottle in one day, especially since it’s recommended to reapply this sunscreen at least every two hours or after 40 minutes of swimming or sweating. If you do the math, one tube that costs $42 for 3.4 ounces could last you a few beach trips at most.

Best sunscreen for sports: Alba Botanica Sports Sunscreen SPF 50

If you don’t want a spray or if you have a sensitive sense of smell, then the?Alba Botanica Sport Sunscreen?is the pick for you. It scored remarkably high in our testing, a few points below our overall winner, just beating out the cult-favorite Sun Bum sunscreen (which we also loved; scroll down to read about other sunscreens we tested). The chemical sunscreen shone brightest in its ease of application and ability to disappear right into the skin. Its light texture rubbed in quickly, and one of our testers even said it left her skin looking glowy.

The Alba sunscreen is marketed as fragrance-free, which rings mostly true as both our testers loved its light and subtle scent. The only dings really came with the sunscreen’s feel, as it was a little thick and left a chalky feeling on one tester’s fingers after application.

Alba’s sunscreen comes in a small, compact bottle so you can easily stash it in any bag. The cap snaps shut, and while it doesn’t have a locking mechanism, it’s quite secure and shouldn’t leak.

The Alba Botanica Sport Sunscreen’s broad-spectrum, SPF 45 lotion met all the experts’ standards for offering stellar sun protection, while avoiding the harsh chemicals the FDA has proposed as unsafe. If you’re looking for a sunscreen lotion that goes on fast or an option with little to no scent, we think the Alba Botanica Sport Sunscreen is the best one to keep you covered.

Best sunscreen with coverage: First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide SPF 30

This luxurious, weightless mineral sunscreen from First Aid Beauty is our top pick for a sunscreen with coverage. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free and a reef-safe SPF, meaning it doesn’t contain a laundry list of chemicals, specifically Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, Homosalate, PABA, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, Parabens, Triclosan, nano-sized zinc or titanium dioxide, or microplastics.

Our team of testers appreciated how light this sunscreen felt and liked knowing its a better pick for the environment too.

It’s also safe for sensitive skin, fragrance-free and, most importantly, noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores. It’s also made with light coverage in mind, so if you’re looking to cover up some blemishes without a thick foundation, all with some SPF thrown into the mix, this could be a great summertime option.

Upon first glance, this sunscreen appears to have a slightly oily film, which was described as “goopy,” but then we realized this sunscreen needs to be shaken thoroughly before use to ensure a smooth consistency. This could be a nuisance for those who want an easy-breezy sunscreen, but it could be a better option for those looking for extra coverage.

We also appreciated that the sunscreen rubbed seamlessly into the skin, all with a silky, satin finish. Our one complaint was it was trickier to apply due to the screw cap, which could get messy if you’re toting it around in a beach bag.

Best-smelling sunscreen: Vertra Coconut Vanilla Sunscreen Body Spray SPF 50

Vertra Coconut Vanilla Body Spray SPF 50 is a great sunscreen to bring on any beach day, thanks to its tropical scent and water-resistant power. According to its website, this sunscreen can withstand water for 80 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a pool or beach getaway.

If you’re not a fan of that soapy, gets-in-your-mouth sunscreen coating, this pick will save the day. One tester says, “It’s a nice break if you don’t love that sunscreen-type smell, but the overall fragrance is pretty light and sweet — and it’s not noticeable once its rubbed in and dried down.”

Our testers appreciated how easy it was to use due to its spray application, which was quick and covered a larger surface area than the tube/bottle sunscreens we tried. We also found it dried within seconds. One tester even felt “like it dried quickly but still glided over the skin,” adding that it felt less greasy than other spray sunscreens we tested.

Vertra’s sunscreen also stood out because it’s free of most harmful chemicals, including parabens, sulfates and PABA. It also boasts that it’s cruelty-free (tested on athletes, not animals) and oxybenzone- and octinoxate-free, making it a “Hawaii-compliant” sunscreen. This means it safeguards natural resources (like Hawaii’s beautiful coral reefs and ocean ecosystem) from chemicals.

Better yet, this bottle is worth the $20 price tag. We found this spray sunscreen to apply evenly and quickly, making it easy to use all over the body. We also appreciated there was no white cast and it was less greasy than other sunscreens we tested. Overall, this was a great sunscreen that glided on to the skin, all with a lovely coconut scent that’s also better for the environment. We consider that a win.

How we tested

We initially selected 12 sunscreens to test after extensively researching the different types available, their active ingredients and minimum requirements for effective protection against the sun. We later added eight more to update our testing pool. We relied heavily on research done by the FDA and spoke to various experts who echoed and supported the conclusions of the FDA.

We interviewed several experts, including dermatologists, to create these criteria.?Dr. David Colbert, the founder and head physician at?New York Dermatology Group, says micronized zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (the two mineral sunscreen ingredients) are the best active ingredients to look for because they are inertly safe. “Chemical sunblocks — the super-long words most people can’t say or spell such as methoxycinnamate — can get into the bloodstream and the environment,” he says. “I prefer physical sunblocks and, of course, sunblock clothing and umbrellas.”

The experts we talked to also praised physical sunscreens for their gentleness on the skin. “The physical sunscreens’ ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide tend to be better tolerated by people with sensitive skin and can usually be found in sunscreens for babies and children,” says?Dr. Elisabeth G. Richard, a member of the photobiology committee at?The Skin Cancer Foundation, who’s also a practicing dermatologist and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Above all, Richard says it’s more important you use sunscreen than the ingredients in it. “We believe the best sunscreen is the one you’ll use,” she says. “What’s most important is choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that suits your skin and activity.”

We tested only broad-spectrum sunscreens (meaning they block both UVA and UVB rays) that had an SPF of 30 or above and didn’t contain oxybenzone or either of the two ingredients the FDA suggested as unsafe (aminobenzoic acid — commonly referred to as PABA — and trolamine salicylate).

Performance

Portability

Other sunscreens we tested

It even has a minty fragrance for the “cool” and “refreshed” sensation. Our testers found it dried clear on the skin, although one tester found he had a bit of a white cast. Although some found it slippery, all found it lightweight and comparable to a moisturizer. This could be due to the addition of antioxidant multivitamins C and E. This could be a good option for outdoor athletes who need extra sun protection with some skin care benefits.

Our testers appreciated this sunscreen’s 2-in-1 power, meaning it acted as both a sweat-resistant moisturizer with prebiotic oat leaves to soften and moisturize skin, all while being nongreasy, hypoallergenic and oil-free. We all found it dried invisibly with no white cast and felt “really nice” on the face. The only downside was the smell, which felt the most sunscreen-like of the bunch.

This sunscreen also acts as a hydrating cream, which can help create that dewy finish because of its rich texture. One tester compared the consistency to milk, adding that “it feels more like a serum than a traditionally gloopy sunscreen.” Another tester said it had “just the right amount of rub,” meaning he would buy it again.

We liked that this tinted option was made with five powerful natural ingredients, including Vitamin C, green tea, a?ai extract, tara fruit extract, sunflower sprout and bisabolol (an anti-aging skin care ingredient that is ant-inflammatory).

This sunscreen boasts that it’s safe, clean and suitable for all skin types. One darker-toned tester saw a slight white cast left behind, but other fair-toned testers found it rubbed evenly into the skin. This is often the case with mineral sunscreens, although One Skin formulated this sheer-tinted formula with all skin types in mind. All testers noted there was no smell and that it was quite easy to use.

The Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen lotion performed quite well but not as well as its spray-bottle counterpart. It lost a few points on ease of application and size. Overall, it’s a solid sunscreen that rubbed into the skin well and wasn’t too thick, but its tropical, fruity smell may be overpowering to some.

This chemical sunscreen also scored very well in our testing, achieving high marks for ease of application, how it felt on the skin and visibility. One of our testers said it was a little harsh on her sensitive skin, though, and the chemical smell can be overbearing. But if those factors aren’t an issue for you, this option from Banana Boat is a top-notch spray sunscreen.

Sun Bum’s chemical sunscreen was one of our favorites. It has a light texture that rubs in quickly, and boy, oh boy, does it smell good. The creamy banana scent had us reaching for Sun Bum more than most of the other options in our testing pool. It was just a few points shy of our winners because it took more time to apply than the sprays and comes in a bottle that’s a bit bulky.

The lotion itself is thin enough that it applies smoothly to the skin. However, like all mineral sunscreens we tested, it took a while to sink in. One of our testers saw a slight but noticeable white cast on her skin after applying, while another said it took some rubbing but most of the chalkiness and color eventually disappeared.

This sunscreen didn’t have much of a smell, though our testers did pick up a slight chalky, mineral scent. The Coppertone felt gentle on the skin, with no issues or irritation, which makes it a go-to option for anyone with sensitive skin.

MDSolarSciences is one of the most expensive sunscreens we tested, but it fell short of our top picks in many categories. It didn’t have a discernible scent, which was nice, but it felt greasy on the skin, making our testers sweat more and leaving them desperately wanting a shower.

The biggest issue with this mineral sunscreen from California Kids was how long it took to rub into the skin. It lacks a strong scent, which is a plus, but both our testers docked points because it left a white residue that wouldn’t go away.

This sunscreen is made with the sole active ingredient of zinc oxide. It was incredibly thick and took quite a while to fully apply; even after our testers took a long time to thoroughly rub it in, it left white streaks. Several other mineral options we tested, such as the Coppertone and Alba sunscreens, were much easier to apply.

This spray sunscreen from Alba was comparable to the Coppertone mineral sunscreen. The spray function made application a much faster process, but we still had to rub in the sunscreen a lot, as it came out white and chalky.

The CeraVe sunscreen is a mineral formula with a decent smell and feel, but its petite size and ultimate portability made it stand out.

It didn’t feel amazing on the skin, with one tester describing it as matte and silky but still felt as though there was a thick film on his skin. It had a light scent reminiscent of makeup, but it’s too expensive compared with the other, better options we tested.

We appreciated the ultra-specific and targeted formulation of this sunscreen. The downside is that it comes in only two sheer tints: 1 (light to medium) and 2 (medium to deep), which seemed to be quite limited. Aside from the coverage options, we appreciated that this sunscreen didn’t have any white cast or pilling.

We found this sunscreen to be soft and silky upon application, and even hydrating, thanks to the hyaluronic acid. The sunscreen is also under $20, which is a good budget option if you don’t want to splurge on Supergoop! or other invisible sunscreens.

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