The Best Sunscreen for Your Beach Days, According to Reviewers
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Stay safe in the sun with top-rated sunscreen.
Warm-weather vacations and summer days mean being outside in the sun, especially if you’re spending time at the beach, pool, or lake. One of the things you’ll undoubtedly need on hand for all of these fun outdoor activities is sunscreen. And not just any sunscreen is good enough — you want the best sunscreen.
Sunscreen is important not just when you’re at the beach, but every day. When used as directed, sunscreen is proven to decrease your risk of skin cancers and skin precancers, as well as help prevent premature skin aging caused by the sun, including wrinkles, sagging and age spots. Unfortunately, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, so make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen with you for your outdoor activities this summer so you can stay safe in the sun. 1
When you walk into the drugstore and see how many sunscreen products there are on the shelves, it can feel a little overwhelming! And there are so many different SPF options, how do you know which is right for you? SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, which tells you how long it will take you to burn compared with not wearing sunscreen. So SPF15 means it will take your skin 15 times longer to burn than without sunscreen. If you want to learn more about how sunscreen works, you can visit the Skin Cancer Foundation website here.
With this list, you’ll know which products are loved among other beachgoers and outdoor enthusiasts. This will hopefully make shopping for the best sunscreen a little easier for you!
Most of these sunscreens are brands that are available in drugstores and therefore easily attainable in the United States, with a select few being specialty brands where ordering online is your best bet.
This list of the best sunscreen contains a variety of sunscreen products, including chemical sunscreen, mineral sunscreen, lotion sunscreen, spray sunscreen, and stick sunscreen. No matter what you’re looking for in a sunscreen, there should be something that fits your needs in the list below.
The Top-Rated, Best Sunscreen
Some of the best sunscreen according to reviewers, in no particular order.
Disclaimer: Product information is believed to be accurate at time of original publishing. You should check the manufacturer’s website for the most up-to-date product information and not rely solely on the information provided in this article.
Coola Fragrance-Free Organic Mineral Body Sunscreen Lotion
- 70%+ certified organic ingredients
- Non-nano Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide sunscreen actives
- Broad Spectrum SPF 50 mineral protection
- Water-Resistant (80 minutes)
- Sheer finish hydrates & nourishes
- Plant Protection®
- Ideal for sensitive skin
- Antioxidant Enriched
- Vegan / Gluten-Free / Paraben-Free
- Hawaii Reef Compliant Act 104
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray
- Zinc Only Mineral Protection – Provides broad spectrum protection without harmful airborne titanium dioxide
- Antioxidant enriched – Contains nourishing botanical ingredients to soften and moisturize the skin
- Made with Earth Friendly Propellant – Has an ultra-low global warning potential (GWP)
- Gentle on Skin – Contains no parabens, phthalates, gluten or alcohol making it ideal for sensitive skin
- Sweat and Water Resistant (80 minutes) – Up to 80 minutes water resistant so you stay protected longer
- We <3 The Reef – Free from Oxybenzone and Octinoxate to help protect delicate coral reefs
Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick
- Free of oxybenzone and octinoxate
- For all skin types
- Dermatologist-tested, Opthalmologist-tested, Non-comedogenic
- Water-Resistant 80 minutes
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Oxybenzone-Free Sunscreen Lotion
- Lightweight feel that glides on skin with an invisible, non-greasy finish
- HELIOPLEX® formula to provide superior broad spectrum protection
- Oil-free and non-comedogenic for a non-greasy feel
EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
- UVA/UVB sun protection
- Will not rinse off in water or drip into eyes due to perspiration
- Water-resistant (80 minutes)
- Paraben-Free, Fragrance-Free, Noncomedogenic, Sensitivity-Free, Oil-Free
Related: 16 Essential Beach Toys to Keep Your Kids Entertained All Day
Neutrogena Beach Defense® Water + Sun Protection Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum
- 80-Minute water-resistance to last against the waves
- HELIOPLEX® formula to provide superior broad spectrum protection
- Fast-absorbing so you can get back to the beach fun faster
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen Body
- A 100% invisible, weightless, scentless body sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF & skincare benefits
- Moisturizing and fast-absorbing
- A silky, nourishing, glide-able gel formula
Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Face Stick
- An easy to use Face Stick
- Helps prevent sunburn
- Water resistant (80 minutes)
Hawaiian Tropic Weightless Hydration Clear Sunscreen Spray
- Weightless and clear formula looks and feels as if it’s barely on
- Continuous spray for fast application and twist lock top for no mess
- 12-hour Moisturization
- Lightweight and non-greasy
- Dermatologist tested
- Water resistant – for up to 80 minutes
- Iconic Hawaiian Tropic® Scent – this tropical scented sunscreen celebrates the island botanicals of Hawaii
- Does not contain oxybenzone or octinoxate
- PETA-certified Cruelty-free – we never test on animals
- Broad Spectrum UVA and UVB Protection
- Available in SPF 15, 30, and 50 for the protection level you want
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen
- Octinoxate- & Oxybenzone-free sunscreen provides broad spectrum SPF 60 protection
- Face and body sunscreen in a non-greasy, fast-absorbing texture leaves skin hydrated and smooth with a velvety texture
- A powerful antioxidant complex to help protect skin from free radicals caused by UV rays
- Water resistant (80 minutes)
- Formulated and rigorously tested for skin tolerance, even on sensitive skin
Related: The Best Beaches in New England That You’ll Want to Visit
Save This List of the Best Sunscreen
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You now know about the top-rated, best sunscreen that you can get for this summer or for your vacation, based on ratings.
There are so many sunscreen products available so it can be hard to decide which is best for you. We hope this list of the best sunscreen makes it a little easier the next time you’re selecting sunscreen!
Most of these sunscreen products can be found in your local drugstore, or you can use the links provided to order online.
Have you tried any of these sunscreen products before? What do you think is the best sunscreen? Let us know in the comments.
- Facts and statistics courtesy of The Skin Cancer Foundation. ↩︎
