As the weather warms up and summer approaches, wearing sunscreen is incredibly important. But you should ALWAYS wear it. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. 365 days per year. It doesn’t matter if the sun is shining or if you’re only “outside for a couple minutes.” UV rays can penetrate windows & clouds everyday, which can cause wrinkles and sun damage! So we’ve rounded up the best sunscreens for summer by type to protect yourself.
What’s the best sunscreen?
But what’s the actual best sunscreen? It’s the one you’ll actually use EVERYDAY. So find one you like and commit yourself to using SPF daily!
When choosing a sunscreen, there are 2 kinds: chemical and mineral (or physical). Chemical ones absorb UV rays before they reach your skin. Typically, these will be easier to apply since they don’t have that white cast, but you will need to reapply more often than a mineral sunscreen.
Mineral ones will reflect or filter UVA and UVB rays. While they last longer than physical sunscreens, they typically have zinc oxide which make it harder to spread out onto your skin and also leave a white cast.
But always remember, YOU ALWAYS NEED TO REAPPLY, especially if you’re outdoors swimming or sweating.
Best Sunscreens by Type
Best Overall Brand:
We love Supergoop! They carry a product for everyone and for every use, from lips to sprays to powders. We haven’t found a Supergoop! product we don’t love. If we could, we would buy 1 of each product and use them all.
Best Mineral Sunscreen Brand:
Beautycounter is known for safer skincare & makeup! They’re all clean products. Because they are mineral sunscreens, they do leave a bit of white cast, but we found these to be less difficult to rub in than other mineral ones!
Best Sunscreen for Face:
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
This one goes on great under makeup and doubles as a primer. It also is clear, so no white cast!
Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF 40
If you’re looking for something that gives you a little bit of a glow, try this Supergoop! one. It also has blue light protection.
Supergoop! Mattescreen Sunscreen SPF 40
If you have oily skin, this one mattifies.
Best Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin:
La Roche Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Oil Free Dry Touch Sunscreen Lotion
This one goes on great under makeup and doesn’t irritate skin.
MISSHA All Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk EX SPF50+/PA+++ 40ml
MISSHA is a Korean skincare brand, and this “sun milk” is amazing! It’s lighter and has a more watery consistency. It feels moisturizing when you apply it.
MAKEP:REM UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
This is also another Korean brand. It absorbs quickly and has special technology to lower the temperature of your skin.
Best to Apply Over Makeup:
Supergoop! Defense Refresh (Re)setting Mist SPF 40
We know how important it is to reapply your sunscreen, but we also know how much it sucks to when you’re wearing makeup. This is why getting this Supergoop! spray is the best! It has SPF 40 AND it’s a setting spray. You can easily spritz it on over your makeup throughout the day.
Tarte SEA Set & Protect Mineral Sunscreen Powder Broad Spectrum SPF 30
If you prefer a powder to a setting spray, this one from Tarte is easy to carry around since it has a brush attached!
Best Sunscreen for Lips:
Don’t forget your lips! Your lips can burn, and you do need to protect them with SPF.
Fresh Sugar Sport Treatment Sunscreen SPF 30
We love this one for everyday especially if we’re going to be out in the sun all day.
Fresh Sugar Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 15
This is great if you want a bit of color.
Best Sunscreen for Hair:
Moroccanoil Protect & Prevent Spray
Yes, you do need to protect your hair, especially if you color your hair. The sun will damage your hair and also fade your color, so we use a spray that doubles as a heat protectant for styling and UV protection.
Best Sunscreen Stick:
Sunscreen sticks are great for on-the-go. They’re also great for reaching spots like your ears, back of your ears, and the back of your neck, which are often overlooked.
Shiseido Clear Stick UV Protector WetForce Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50+
Best Sunscreen for Eyes:
Eye creams with SPF do exist! You can use whatever sunscreen you use on your face, but if you want something specifically for your eyes, try these.
Dermalogica Total Eye Care with SPF 15
SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50
Best Sunscreen for Body:
We prefer sprays to lotions. We know that sprays aren’t perfect since they can miss spots, but it’s much harder to apply lotion ourselves on our back. So we take care to spray, where there is no wind and as much as we can all over our bodies.
Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist SPF 30
This Beautycounter one will require you to still rub it in after you spray, but it is amazing!
Coola Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 Fragrance-Free
Coola’s spray has always been go-to. They’re easy to apply and don’t feel sticky.
Best Sunscreen for Sports:
Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport Sunscreen Spray – SPF 100
Neutrogena Sport has been our go-to since we were kids. They’re easy to apply and are water and sweat resistant. But please remember you still do need to reapply if you are sweating or in water!
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Sun protection is so important to protect yourself from skin cancer and also for anti-aging! We’re not saying you should never sit outside in the sun. If you do, just remember to take care of your skin. Use your favorite sunscreen, reapply, and wear a hat!
– Jo & Grace
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