We Tested 222 Sunscreens–These 9 Impressed Us the Most

The GH Beauty Lab regularly evaluates the latest body and face sunscreen formulas on the market. Each SPF must meet the following criteria to be assessed:

• Broad-spectrum protection
• SPF 30 or higher for face
• SPF 50 or higher for body
• Non-tinted

Over the past decade, the Beauty Lab has screened 1,157 face and body sunscreens. Our scientists formally tested 222 formulas on 3,532 testers and collected 60,249 data points in total to identify the best sunscreens.

In the most recent sunscreen test, Beauty Lab scientists assessed 256 new broad-spectrum chemical and mineral sunscreens across price points and polled 1,711 people on their sunscreen habits to inform the testing. After narrowing the field to the top 92 sunscreens, 766 consumer testers with a range of skin tones, ages, and locations evaluated the products.

Each tester used the sunscreen several times over the course of one week, then reported their feedback on factors such as:

• Ease of use
• Formula texture
• Scent
• Absorption
• The look and feel of skin after application
• Irritation
• Perceived sun protection ability

Beauty Lab experts then tallied 12,242 tester feedback responses to determine the top-performing sunscreens.

Here are key factors to consider when picking the right sunscreen for your skin type and needs:

✔️ Broad-spectrum protection: This is important "to protect against both harmful UVA and UVB rays," says Lucy Chen, M.D., F..A.A.D., board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida. Exposure to these wavelengths can lead to sunburns, causing skin damage that can cause skin cancer as well as signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and sagging skin.

✔️ SPF 30 or higher: A SPF 30 or greater is best, says David Lortscher, M.D., board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, California and founder of Curology. You may want to go even higher: A GH Beauty Lab study found that women on average apply only about 1/3 of the amount of sunscreen needed to achieve the SPF level indicated on the product packaging. So for added insurance and especially outdoors, opt for an SPF 50 or higher, recommends GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek.

✔️ Active ingredients: Choose between chemical and mineral sunscreen active ingredients (or a mix of both):

• Chemical formulas absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, according to Michael Somenek, M.D., a plastic surgeon in Washington, D.C. "This process allows the body to release the UV rays, which ultimately prevents the skin from burning," he says. Chemical sunscreens tend to be better for swimming due to their water-resistant nature but while they are often easier to apply and don't leave a white residue, you will need to reapply sunscreen more often than you would with a mineral option.
• Mineral formulas (also called physical sunscreens) form a barrier on your skin that reflects, scatters or absorbs UVA and UVB rays. "While they were traditionally thought to work only by reflecting UVA and UVB rays, modern research shows that mineral sunscreens also absorb a significant amount of UV radiation," says GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann. These sunscreens can be more difficult to spread on skin and leave behind white cast, but they usually provide more lasting protection than chemical formulas.

✔️ Formula type: GH Beauty Lab scientists prefer lotions and creams over sprays since "they last on skin longer and are more likely to form a uniform protective coating over skin than sprays," Wizemann explains. In addition, "If your skin is prone to dryness, a cream may be better for you," Dr. Chen says. As for kids, "Sprays are easy to use, but they might require a second coating, so spray generously," she notes.

✔️ Water-resistance: This means the SPF will stand up against sweaty days or time spent swimming. But know that there’s no such thing as waterproof or sweatproof sunscreen. Under current FDA guidelines, there are only “water-resistant for 40 minutes” or “water-resistant for 80 minutes” options. "Sweat- and water-resistant" labeling means the formula maintained its SPF level on testers’ skin in a water bath for the indicated time, says Steven Q. Wang, M.D., Chief of Dermatologic Oncology & Dermatologic Surgery at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, California. Beyond that timeframe, it should be reapplied.

✔️ Your skin type: If you have dry skin, "look for ingredients like dimethicone, glycerin, aloe, and oils and avoid spray or gel sunscreens with alcohol," advises Dr. Chen. She adds that those with oily skin should opt for a lightweight sunscreen that contains oil-absorbent ingredients like silica.

"Sunscreens are made of a combination of active ingredients or UV filters that shield the skin from cancer and photoaging-causing UV radiation and inactive ingredients, such as emollients to moisturize, emulsifiers to mix oil and water, preservatives to prevent microbial growth, and stabilizers to improve shelf life, all of which enhance the products' texture, application, and stability," Wizemann explains. "The FDA regulates sunscreens for their safety and efficacy and categorizes them as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs."

"Per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration OTC Sunscreen Monograph, there are several ingredients that can be used as sunscreen actives to absorb, reflect or scatter radiation in the UV wavelength between 290 and 400 nanometers (about 290-320 nm for UVB and 320-400 nm for UVA)," Wnek says. "Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB radiation and contain active ingredients that can be chemical or mineral, or a combination of the two." The eight most common sunscreen active ingredients and what UV spectrum they protect against is as follows, according to Wizemann:

MINERAL

• Zinc Oxide: UVA, UVB
• Titanium Dioxide: UVB, some UVA

CHEMICAL

• Avobenzone: UVA
• Octocrylene: UVB, some UVA
• Homosalate: UVB
• Octisalate: UVB
• Oxybenzone: UVA, UVB
• Octinoxate: UVB

While it varies by formula type, "sunscreens in lotion form contain ingredients similar to other lotions on the market such as water, oil or silicones, emulsifiers, thickeners, pH adjusters, and preservatives," Wnek adds. "They can also be made with fragrance, film formers (if the product is water-resistant), moisturizers, antioxidants, and other skincare ingredients like anti-agers."

"’SPF’ stands for ‘sun protection factor,’" Wnek says. "It is a ratio of the amount of solar energy (UV radiation) need to cause sunburn on skin with sunscreen versus without sunscreen." A popular misconception is that SPF indicates the time you can go between reapplication, but a higher SPF doesn't mean you can go longer without reapplying; you should always reference the drug facts label for how often each sunscreen needs to be reapplied."

According to GH Beauty Lab experts, sunscreen is sunscreen, so from a protection perspective, one product can do it all. But sunscreen for your body may feel too greasy or heavy on the face or can contain fragrance that could irritate those with sensitivity, so if you have oily, combination, or sensitive skin, you might want to consider products that are specially formulated for your face. These formulas are less likely to clog pores or cause irritation and more likely to be free of fragrance.

A GH Beauty Lab survey of 1,711 adults found that 63% of people apply sunscreen daily on their face and only 13% on their face and body. To make everyday application more appealing, seek out formulas that are lightweight and fast-absorbing so they don't interfere with your clothing or makeup, Beauty Lab experts advise. Lotions and creams are generally easier to apply on smaller areas of exposed skin that need coverage on a daily basis as opposed to spray formulations. For the face, seek out sunscreens labeled for your skin type (i.e. dry, oily, sensitive, acne-prone, etc.), as they will be more likely to work for your complexion's needs.

Spread it liberally on all exposed areas 30 minutes before going outdoors. "Liberally" means one ounce, two tablespoons, or one small shot glass-full of sunscreen for the body and a nickel-size dollop for the face, the GH Beauty Lab says. For sprays, they recommend spritzing the sunscreen all over skin, then rubbing it in. Follow it with a second coat “to help cover spots you missed the first time,” Dr. Wang suggests. Another trick: Slather SPF all over before you get dressed to ensure full coverage.

“And remember, sunscreen isn't a complete block—no matter what the SPF is,” Dr. Lortscher says. To further minimize sun damage, dermatologists recommend layering on sun-protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses, and seeking shade between peak UV exposure hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Your best bet is tripling up with the three "S's" any time of the day, the GH Beauty Lab recommends: Apply sunscreen, stay in the shade, and wear sun-protective clothing and sunglasses.

• Lucy Chen, M.D, F.A.A.D., board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida
• David Lortscher, M.D., board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, California and founder of Curology​
• Michael Somenek, M.D., a plastic surgeon in Washington, D.C.
• Steven Q. Wang, M.D., Chief of Dermatologic Oncology & Dermatologic Surgery at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, California
• Sabina Wizemann, GH Beauty Lab Director
• Danusia Wnek, GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist