14 Best Sunscreens for Every Person and Skin Concern, Approved by Derms

_{Original photo courtesy of Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley}

The lips are one of the most overlooked areas when it comes to sun protection. This is especially problematic, since the skin on the lips is the thinnest of anywhere on our faces, making it more susceptible to sun damage, says Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology. That’s why we suggest keeping this lip balm with SPF on you at all times. This versatile drugstore pick offers excellent overall value and has an important attribute: It contains the recommended SPF 30 (many other formulas fall short at 20 or even lower). It’s also as hydrating as you’d hope a lip balm would be. The ingredients list boasts skin nourishers including shea butter, vitamin E, and castor seed oil, says Jeremy Brauer, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York.

“I’ve been using this lip balm for as long as I can remember,” says Earley. “Sure, it’s a little bit greasy upon application, but it’s not at all sticky, and there’s really nothing that compares when it comes to hydration. I must have a half dozen tubes around the house and in my car.”

Type: Chemical / Active ingredients: Avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone / SPF: 30 / Water-resistant: No

• What we love: Hydrating; budget-friendly
• What could improve: Not water-resistant

_{Original photo courtesy of Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle}

Another oft-forgotten area of the body? Your hairline and scalp. We know: What about your blowout? The best scalp sunscreens are typically powder SPFs, which work much like dry shampoo powders. So basically, you have no excuse—and derms say Colorescience is a great bet. This unique formula is lightweight and easy to use, says Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Art of Skin MD in the San Diego area. It’s more versatile than you might think since you can use it on the rest of your body too, she says; it’s one of her top recommendations for oily skin because it can help tame excess oil and shine.

“I like that this powder sunscreen is easy to fold back up without the bristles bunching up, thanks to the sleeve that comes up and down,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle. Our testers also like that it comes in a few different shades, so you can cherry-pick the one that’ll work best for your hair and skin.

Type: Mineral / Active ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide / SPF: 50 / Water-resistant: Yes (80 minutes)

• What we love: Nongreasy; mineral formula; high SPF; comes in a variety of shades
• What could improve: Expensive, especially given the size

_{Original photo courtesy of Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley}

If the cute and functional packaging on this product doesn’t catch your eye—it has a little clip that allows you to hook the sunscreen onto your bag!—what’s inside the tube definitely will. The formulas is ever so slightly tinted and incredibly lightweight. It blends into skin in an instant and doesn’t leave any hint of white in its wake—something that’s surprisingly hard to find in mineral sunscreens.

“I think I fall more in love with this sunscreen every time I use it,” says Earley. “When it dries, my skin feels so soft and silky—not at all tacky like so many others.” We only wish the bottle were a bit bigger. Thankfully, a little bit goes a long way.

Type: Mineral / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide / SPF: 50 / Water-resistant: Yes (40 minutes)

• What we love: Leaves skin silky soft; includes clip to attach to a bag
• What could improve: Bottle is very small.

You know a sunscreen is good when stores simply can’t keep it in stock. Sure, not all viral sensations actually have legs, but we can 100% vouch for this one. The retro-inspired pick won Best Body Sunscreen in our 2023 Glamour Beauty Awards for its unique mousselike formula that absorbs quickly and blends seamlessly into all skin tones. It’s also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes to boot.

The scent is unlike anything you’ve ever smelled before too, says Glamour commerce writer Andrea Navarro. “The notes in this are so interesting! It smells like banana, coconut, pool water, pool toys, and even swimsuit Lycra.” It’s truly a must-have for your next beach vacation.

Type: Chemical / Active ingredient: Homosalate / SPF: 30 / Water-resistant: Yes (40 minutes)

• What we love: Lightweight; unique whipped texture; no white cast
• What could improve: Can leave skin a little tacky; water-resistant for only 40 minutes

_{Original photo courtesy of Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley}

Another newcomer worth writing home about, Herbivore’s Star Seed is basically a tinted moisturizer with SPF. The mineral SPF’s slight tint suits a wide range of skin tones and blends in like a dream. Touch your skin after slathering this one on, and our testers say you won’t believe how silky smooth it’ll feel. The sun blocker has very real skin benefits too, thanks to ingredients like vitamin C for brightening and prebiotics that help strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier to keep you glowing longer.

“I honestly didn’t know sunscreen could feel this luxe,” says Earley. “Not only does it apply so effortlessly, but the finish is top-grade. It even has a totally irresistible light floral scent. A true everyday go-to.”

Type: Mineral / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide / SPF: 30 / Water-resistant: No

• What we love: Hydrating and brightening; lightly tinted to suit many skin tones
• What could improve: Not water-resistant

_{Original photo courtesy of Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley}

Affordable? Check. Feels great on skin? Check. Effective? Check again. La Roche-Posay is everything you want in an SPF—and many of the dermatologists agree wholeheartedly. “It’s a great sunscreen brand for hydration and sun protection for all skin types and ages,” says Deborah Longwill, DO, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Miami Center for Dermatology. It’s oil- and fragrance-free, so sensitive-skin types can wear it, but if you need sunscreen for dry skin, you’ll really dig this formula. It’s water-based and packed with antioxidants to help moisturize and defend against environmental aggressors at the same time.

Testers say the sunscreen is as lightweight as it gets and not at all greasy or sticky. “It absorbs effortlessly, so you can easily apply makeup on top for daily wear,” says one tester. “I love that it’s water-resistant too—even if only for 40 minutes.”

Type: Mineral / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide / SPF: 50 / Water-resistant: Yes (40 minutes)

• What we love: Lightweight; absorbs quickly; oil-free; fragrance-free
• What could improve: Some users wish the formula weren't so runny.

_{Original photo courtesy of Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley}

You can find this sheer SPF at any drugstore, but it’s a far cry from basic. The 100% clear formula is a favorite of Zaineb H. Makhzoumi, MD, a director of clinical services and head of dermatologic surgery and oncology at University of Maryland Medical Center, who notes the brand’s spray sunscreen is also a great option for protecting the scalp.

“This feels just as lightweight as more expensive formulas and leaves no white cast or grease behind,” says Glamour beauty writer Bella Cacciatore. Our testers, Cacciatore included, say the formula has a mattifying effect that makes it a great sunscreen for oily skin. It dries essentially upon contact and is great for layering with makeup. We like that it has a higher SPF than most of the other formulas on our list too.

Type: Mineral / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide / SPF: 50 / Water-resistant: Yes (80 minutes)

• What we love: Widely available drugstore pick; doesn’t leave a white cast
• What could improve: Some users say it stings their eyes.

Don’t be put off by the unique green color of this SPF, because that’s a key reason it’s such a worthy SPF for acne-prone skin. The hue helps cancel out any redness associated with irritated or acne-prone skin. And because it’s a gel-cream formula, it lends a soothing effect as it settles into the skin.

“My skin type (combination and prone to breakouts) and skin tone (olive) have made it hard for me to find a good sunscreen,” says Glamour contributor Deanna Pai. “Most tend to feel cloying or prove hard to blend out invisibly.” This lightweight sunscreen is different, she says, noting it blends in seamlessly. It’s not at all heavy or shine-inducing—even if you skew oily and acne-prone, she says.

Type: Mineral / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 35 / Water-resistant: No

• What we love: Lightweight; nongreasy; great for redness and rosacea
• What could improve: Can be drying; not water-resistant

_{Original photo courtesy of Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley}

It doesn’t get much more satisfying than finding a drugstore sunscreen that works as hard as this one does. For starters, it’s suitable for all skin types, says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in NYC. And here’s what it delivers: broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection, as well as hydrating ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin barrier.

Our testers love just how lightweight it is and tell us the noncomedogenic formula didn’t irritate even the most sensitive of the bunch. Glamour's Calle regularly reaches for this one—typically for a no-makeup beach day. “The consistency is thick but after some rubbing it settles in nicely and leaves a glow,” she says. And if you don’t want a tinted sunscreen, no problem. It’s available in an untinted formula.

Type: Mineral / Active ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide / SPF: 30 / Water-resistant: No

• What we love: Light coverage; nontacky formula; comes in an untinted version
• What could improve: Not water-resistant

Sunscreen is a nonnegotiable, no matter what shade your skin is. But individuals with darker skin tell us it can be difficult to find a high-quality SPF that doesn’t make their skin look chalky. Enter Black Girl Sunscreen, made by a woman of color to address this very issue. Think of it as a moisturizer-sunscreen hybrid. Though it packs the SPF 30 you need, the ingredient list also counts hydrating ingredients like jojoba, cacao, and avocado.

Our testers raved about this sunscreen for darker skin. “Life-changing would be an understatement,” Glamour contributor Brionna Jimerson told us when she first tried it. “It's not ashy, greasy, or sticky. And most important, it's completely invisible. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to be able to sweat without worrying that my sunscreen is leaving gray-purple streaks down my face. Most of all, though, I love that it's a sunscreen made for me.”

Type: Chemical / Active ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene / SPF: 30 / Water-resistant: Yes (80 minutes)

• What we love: No white cast; hydrating; completely invisible; water-resistant for 80 minutes
• What could improve: May not be ideal for sensitive skin

It’s no surprise this formula is the overall best-selling baby sunscreen on Amazon. Parents just want what’s best for their little ones, and Thinkbaby’s mineral sunscreen earned the highest rating you can get from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an independent organization that tracks chemical safety in products. Trust us: When it comes to sunscreen, that’s not an easy accolade to earn.

And though it’s considered safer than the vast majority of sunscreens out there, it’s just as effective. Slather it on both the face and body, and your kiddos will get water-resistant protection from non-nano zinc particles—important, because this type of zinc doesn’t absorb into skin. The price you pay for this kind of protection is a slight white cast, but our tester said the formula spreads well and isn’t at all oily or goopy.

Type: Mineral / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide / SPF: 50+ / Water-resistant: Yes (80 minutes)

• What we love: Better texture than most zinc formulas; high EWG rating; water-resistant; reef-friendly
• What could improve: Does tend to leave a slight white cast, especially on darker skin

_{Original photo courtesy of Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley}

Do men need a category of sunscreen dedicated just for them? Absolutely not, but there are some attributes that inherently make an SPF a little more guy-friendly. Take this sunscreen stick for example. It's compact, making it portable enough to stash in a backpack, glove compartment, or even a pocket (truly, it’s that small). It’s easy to apply—no fingers required, something Deeptej Singh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sandia Dermatology in Albuquerque, tells us his male patients say is key when they seek out sunscreen for men. It also goes on 100% clear and is water-resistant for a full 80 minutes, making it the ideal choice for active individuals.

“This SPF is tiny—smaller than the palm of my hand,” our tester said. “My biggest problem with traditional sunscreen is that I forget to apply, because I don’t carry a bag with me, but spend a lot of my workday outside. I keep this one in my pocket or the cup holder in my car, which helps me remember.”

Type: Mineral / Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 45 / Water-resistant? Yes (80 minutes)

• What we love: 100% clear; very portable; water-resistant for 80 minutes
• What could improve: Expensive, especially given the size