You are already aware of how important it is to use the best sunblocks you can get your hands on. Yes, wearing sunscreen is our best line of defense against skin cancer, but it also has numerous positive effects on the skin, like preserving the skin’s natural barrier, preventing acne, and smoothing out fine wrinkles. Really, there’s no good excuse to skip it. However, knowing how to use it and enjoying using it present two distinct challenges. Finding an excellent sunscreen that matches your needs has never been simpler thanks to the market’s variety of options.
The three common forms of sunscreen are lotions, sticks, and sprays. They can have a chemical formula or a mineral formula consisting of physical blockers. Although the type you want is a matter of personal preference, search for a sunscreen that offers at least SPF 30 protection.
The Best Sunblocks – Our Selection
For our selection, we looked for sunscreens that offered a range of SPFs, were affordable, effective, and had extras like hypoallergenic or eco-friendly properties. The Top 10 sunscreens for summer 2022 are listed below.
Best Sunblocks on a Budget: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen with SPF55
The Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen from Neutrogena claims to provide a weightless feel and a matte finish. Furthermore, as it provides broad spectrum SPF 55 protection, you won’t have to choose between texture and strength. Fast-absorbing sunscreen uses avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone, among other well-known chemicals, to offer protection that is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. You don’t have to worry about sunscreen clogging your pores or gluing up your hands because it claims to be oil-free and non-greasy. Mainly offered as a physical sunscreen, Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen employs zinc oxide to provide broad spectrum SPF 50 protection.
Best Sunblocks – Overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen
The Anthelios Sunscreen by La Roche-Posay is a lightweight, fragrance-free product that may be used anywhere. It’s a reliable top choice because it offers broad-spectrum SPF 60 protection. The chemical sunscreen uses well-known components like oxybenzone, homosalate, octisalate, avobenzone, and homosalate to offer water-resistant sun protection for up to 80 minutes. Additionally, it contains a ton of thin moisturizers that claim to keep your skin feeling nourished while not clogging your pores. The physical sunscreen Anthelios Sunscreen by La Roche-Posay uses zinc oxide and titanium oxide rather than chemicals to provide broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection.
Best Sunblocks for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe Hydrating Body Sunscreen
Do you need sunscreen that is suitable for delicate skin? The CeraVe Hydrating Body Sunscreen has what you’re looking for. The sunscreen promises to be mild on the skin and has earned the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and the Skin Cancer Foundation “Daily Use” Seal of Recommendation. The broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection provided by the physical sunscreen is derived from a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The sunscreen, like all of CeraVe’s products, has three crucial ceramides (particularly, ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II), which support and maintain your skin’s protective barrier.
Best Sunblocks for Dry Skin: Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70
The Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen from Aveeno is made to moisturize and protect at the same time. The chemical sunscreen makes use of well-known chemicals like avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone in order to provide broad-spectrum SPF 70 protection that is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Although the sunscreen claims to be non-greasy and lightweight, it has a lot of standard lotion chemicals. Glycerin and propylene glycol are two moisturizers that will hydrate the skin; dimethicone and beeswax, however, will work to lock in that moisture so that the hydration lasts.
Best Sunblocks for Face: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
Sunscreens can get thick, greasy, and very makeup-unfriendly. But Supergoop!’s Unseen Sunscreen promises to avoid these common pitfalls. The face sunscreen draws on go-to ingredients—like avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, and octisalate—to offer broad spectrum SPF 40 protection. And because it’s lightweight and free of oils, it promises to be a particularly great pick for everyday use. Treat the sunscreen like a primer, and wear it under your makeup. It promises to keep oily skin feeling matte, and it was designed not to leave any pesky white residue behind.
Best Sunblocks for Darker Skin Tones: Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30
In the sunscreen market, Black Girl Sunscreen has instantly gained popularity. The sunscreen, which was created by women of color for the benefit of people of color, uses traditional components like avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene to provide broad-spectrum SPF 30 that is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Sunscreen is a wonderful choice for daily usage because it claims to dry entirely clear. Additionally, it functions as a lotion because it is loaded with hydrating elements including avocado oil, jojoba oil, and sunflower oil.
Best Reef-Safe: ThinkSport Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Thinksport’s Safe Sunscreen protects the reef, which makes it a perfect choice for people who travel, for example, to Mexico. The sunscreen uses zinc oxide in order to provide broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection that is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Since the sunscreen is packed with natural moisturizers (including aloe extract, vegetable glycerin, and hyaluronic acid derived from plants), it will moisturize and calm the skin while providing protection. It also claims to be lightweight and quickly absorbed. Of course, the fact that Thinksport’s Safe Sunscreen is completely reef-safe is one of its best-selling features. You may use the sunscreen in the ocean without giving it a second thought because it doesn’t contain any chemicals known to harm coral reefs.
Best Powder: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50
The Sunforgettable Brush-On by Colorescience Sunscreen is a physical sunscreen that applies like a powder and is simple to incorporate into your daily routine. The sunscreen uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to provide SPF 50 protection that lasts up to 80 minutes while being water-resistant. The sunscreen will moisturize while providing protection because it contains many hydrating elements. You can reapply as often as necessary with the portable sunscreen because it is convenient to carry about. Because of the matte finish, you can use sunscreen powder alone or over makeup.
Best Mousse: Supergoop! PLAY Body Mousse
The PLAY Body Mousse from Supergoop! This is a body mousse, whipped into a smooth consistent creme. This makes it simple to see where you’ve applied sunscreen and where you need to apply more. The chemical sunscreen provides SPF 50 protection. And it’s water-and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes by utilizing traditional chemicals including homosalate, octisalate, and avobenzone. Shea butter, olive oil, and vitamin E are among the components that promise to calm the body. And, the mousse also feels soft rather than sticky.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: EltaMD UV Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 46
EltaMD’s UV Broad Spectrum Sunscreen uses a mix of traditional chemicals. For example, octinoxate and zinc oxide provide broad-spectrum SPF 46 protection like many sunscreens do. But sunscreen application doesn’t end there. It also claims to moisturize and exfoliate. This is exactly why it’s so fantastic for skin that tends to break out in pimples.
The sunscreen moisturizes with sodium hyaluronate and employs Cyclomethicone to seal in the moisture. Lactic acid serves as an exfoliator, cleaning the pores and reducing excess oil production. At the same time, other components work to moisturize the skin. Simply putting on sunscreen accomplishes the tasks of a whole skincare routine.
