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THINK YOU can skip sunscreen this spring and summer? Wrong, very wrong. Stuck sitting in your office instead of running around town? UV rays can penetrate your office window and cause just as much damage—and don’t even get us started on the additional skin damage from your desktop’s blue light. UVA rays are a year-round concern for skin aging and cancer. Period.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, there were over 5.4 million nonmelanoma cases of skin cancer in over 3.3 million Americans last year. Worse, it’s the most common type of skin cancer (with 1 in 5 Americans developing the disease, annually) that’s totally preventable. The sun, in all its goodness, is also extremely harmful. After all, it emits UVA and UVB rays, something that can not only cause skin cancer, but sun spots, wrinkles, leathery skin, and more.
Best Sunscreen for Everyday Use
Supergoop PLAY Everyday Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
$34 at Sephora
$34 at Sephora
Read more
Best Facial Sunscreen
EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46
$41 at Amazon$41 at AmazonRead more
Best Drugstore Sunscreen
Banana Boat Ultra Sport Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+
$11 at Walmart$11 at WalmartRead more
Best New Sunscreen
Dune Suncare The Bod Guard Invisible Gel Sunscreen
$25 at Ulta Beauty$25 at Ulta BeautyRead more
Best Sunscreen for Darker Skin Tones
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion
$18 at Walmart$18 at WalmartRead more
Best Sunscreen for Traveling
Coola Refreshing Water Hydration Stick
$21 at Ulta Beauty$21 at Ulta BeautyRead more
Best Mineral Sunscreen
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide
$13 at Amazon$13 at AmazonRead more
Best Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen
$20 at Amazon$20 at AmazonRead more
Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens | Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin | Best Zinc Oxide Sunscreens | Best Moisturizers With SPF
“Ultraviolet radiation leads to DNA damage of skin cells and reactive oxygen species that subsequently increases the risk of skin cancers,” says Dr. Y. Claire Chang, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in NYC. Dr. Chang explains that wrinkles and fine lines are caused by your own collagen being broken down by the sun’s exposure.
Lucky for you, our panel of Men’s Health Grooming Editors of advisors have been testing over 100 sunscreens in the past year to find the best UV-protecting creams, serums, and sprays to put on this spring and summer.
What to Look for in Sunscreens
UVA and UVB Protection
First and foremost, the best sunscreens offer broad-spectrum coverage (both UVA and UVB). “Wearing a good broad spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection is critical is protecting your skin against free radical damage caused by sun exposure, which can lead to skin cancers and worsened aging of the skin like wrinkles and dark spots,” says Dr. Morgana Colombo, MD, board certified dermatologist, and co-founder of Skintap.
SPF 30+
Dr. Chang says the best sunscreens must have an SPF level of 30 or more, which can protect your skin up to 97% of the sun’s harmful UVB and UVA rays. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and refers to the amount of protection it provides against one type of ultraviolet radiation. “SPF 30 should take 30 times longer to burn than without sunscreen,” she explains. “Sunscreen should be part of your daily skincare routine and reapplied every 2-3 hours.”
Water Resistance
Dr. Brendan Camp, a board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology, says the absolute best sunscreens should be water resistant. They’ll last longer on your skin whether you’re working out, or just sitting next to a window.
Best Sunscreen for Everyday Use
Supergoop PLAY Everyday Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Best Sunscreen for Everyday Use
Supergoop PLAY Everyday Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
$34 at Sephora$22 at Nordstrom$68 at Dermstore
Pros
Pleasant smellWater resistant and long lasting
Cons
Leaves a slight white cast
After a year of comprehensively testing sunscreens, our editors and advisors landed on Supergoop’s marquee lotion as the best for everyday use. Dr. Camp put our consensus succinctly. “It meets the American Academy of Dermatology’s SPF requirements, is water resistant, and offers broad spectrum coverage,” he says. “Plus it is not sticky or greasy, and it’s hydrating and fast-absorbing.”
Supergoop’s Play Everyday lotion lives up to its name. We wore it to the beach, the office, and at the gym, and found that it stayed on our skin for hours, and had a pleasant, neutral smell that really made it ideal for every day use.
Though some of our testers with darker skin tones noticed a slight white cast after application, the residue wasn’t visible enough to negate the lotion’s other benefits. It’s difficult to find one sunscreen that’s ideal for every body, but we found that Supergoop’s Play Everyday Sunscreen Lotion was the most effective on the most people we’ve tested this on.
| SPF | 50 |
|---|---|
| Type of protection | Chemical |
| Active ingredient | Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate |
| Reef safe | Yes |
EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46
Best Facial Sunscreen
EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46
$41 at Amazon$20 at Walmart$41 at Skinstore
Pros
Goes on smoothly Great for sensitive skin
Cons
ExpensiveSweat resistant, but not water resistant
If your face is especially sensitive, you’ll probably need a separate sunscreen for your mug. Four of our grooming contributors and five dermatologists we’ve consulted with have all recommended Elta MD’s UV Clear Broad-Spectrum sunscreen as a reliable facial sunscreen. Zinc Oxide is its key ingredient, which works as a physical barrier to deflect UVA and UVB rays from your skin.
“It’s great for rosacea or acne-prone skin, because it contains ingredients that promote healthy-appearing skin, like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid,” says Dr. Camp.
Plus, our grooming contributor Cristina Mayor loves that it barely leaves a white cast, and because of its oil-free formula, has a smooth, silk-like application. Yes, it’s sweat resistant, though our testers found that the formula rubbed off during water sports, so it’s best to invest in a true water-resistant sunscreen if you’re beach or pool bound.
Read more: Best Facial Sunscreens
| SPF | 46 |
|---|---|
| Type of protection | Physical |
| Active ingredient | Zinc oxide, octinoxate |
| Reef safe | No |
Banana Boat Ultra Sport Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+
Best Drugstore Sunscreen
Banana Boat Ultra Sport Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+
$11 at Walmart
Pros
AffordableLasts on skin for hours
Cons
Not great for sensitive skin
Come summer time, you’ll probably want a low-cost, highly effective sunscreen that you can lather on at the beach. In that case, your best bet is grabbing Banana Boat’s tried-and-true sunscreen spray, which has an impressive 50+ SPF, and is water and sweat resistant for up to 80 hours. Our testers have tried this at the beach, on hot summer hikes, and were impressed that Banana Boat’s Ultra Sport spray held up under the hottest, sweatiest conditions. Plus, our editors noted that it won’t bleed down into your eyes when you’re sweating up a storm.
And because it’s a spray sunscreen, application is easy. But just make sure you apply evenly and liberally and rub in the spray for maximum effectiveness. Also some of our testers found that the Banana Boat’s Ultra Sport Clear caused them to break out when using on their faces, so it’s best to use this on your body if you’re planning to be active outdoors for hours. But when it comes to value, this drugstore sunscreen is worth its weight in gold.
Read more: Best Drugstore Sunscreens
| SPF | 50 |
|---|---|
| Type of protection | Chemical |
| Active ingredient | Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate |
| Reef safe | Yes |
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Dune Suncare The Bod Guard Invisible Gel Sunscreen
Best New Sunscreen
Dune Suncare The Bod Guard Invisible Gel Sunscreen
$25 at Ulta Beauty
If the the classic, tried-and-true sunscreens aren’t working out for your skin’s needs, we recommend this gel-based formula from upstart Dune Suncare. Winner of our 2023 Men’s Health Grooming Awards for best sunscreen, our editors loved its light, smooth formula that’s also hydrating.
In short, our Grooming Editor Garrett Munce says of Dune, “This gel protects your skin from the sun without any white cast or greasiness, but also contains ingredients like antioxidant Vitamin E to help further protect your skin from sun damage and Hibiscus Extract to keep it hydrated.”
Plus, it’s water resistant for up to 40 minutes, which is enough protection time for a plunge at the pool or beach. Even though it’s a chemical formula, The Bod Guard has a pleasant, sea salt scent.
| SPF | 30 |
|---|---|
| Type of protection | Chemical |
| Active ingredients | Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene |
| Reef safe | Yes |
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion
Best Sunscreen for Darker Skin Tones
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion
$18 at Walmart$13 at Nordstrom Rack$16 at Ulta Beauty
Pros
Leaves an invisible finish Water resistant for up to 80 minutes
Cons
Chemical smell may be too strong for some people
Finding an affordable sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast can be tough, since most of the best sunscreens we’ve tried for darker skin tones were also pretty expensive. Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost sunscreen was a welcome exception. Our editors found that its lightweight, non-greasy formula left an invisible sheen on our skin, and absorbed almost immediately. Plus, it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, which makes this great for the beach.
Dermatologist Robert Finney, MD, also recommends the Hydro Boost sunscreen for patients with sensitive skin, since it contains hyaluronic acid to help keep your skin hydrated but still not greasy or sticky. We did find that it had a chemical smell, which could be off putting for some.
Read more: Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin Tones
| SPF | 50 |
|---|---|
| Type of protection | Chemical |
| Active ingredients | Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene |
| Reef safe | Yes |
Coola Refreshing Water Hydration Stick
Best Sunscreen for Traveling
Coola Refreshing Water Hydration Stick
Now 30% Off$21 at Ulta Beauty$30 at Nordstrom$30 at Anthropologie
Pros
Barely leaves a white castGoes on easily
Cons
Expensive
Looking for an ultra portable sunscreen? We recommend Coola’s new Hydration Stick, which looks and applies like a deodorant stick, and has SPF50 protection. It goes on easily, and has a dewy finish that’s not sticky. Testers who had combination and oily skin found that the Water Hydration Stick didn’t cause any breakouts, and it left a barely noticeable white cast.
Because of its slender design, it’s easy to stick in your dopp kit, making it great for travels. Though we found that you can get through one stick pretty quickly, and given that it’s $30 for .8 oz, Coola’s hydration stick is pretty expensive. But because all of our positive testing notes, we think it’s worth the price.
| Type of protection | Chemical |
|---|---|
| SPF | 50 |
| Active ingredients | Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene |
| Reef safe | Yes |
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Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide
Best Mineral Sunscreen
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide
Now 13% Off$13 at Amazon$15 at Walmart
Pros
Relaveitly lightweightBarely leaves a white castWater resistant
Cons
Expensive
There are lots of reasons to use mineral sunscreens over their chemical counterparts. Since the former sits on your face, rather than being absorbed in your skin, it creates a thick layer that offers more protection and less irritation. However, it also tends to be thick, and can leave a nasty white cast.
Not so with Blue Lizard’s mineral sunscreen, which has all the benefits of some of the best mineral sunscreens we’ve tested, but has a relatively lightweight formula that doesn’t feel so goopy and sticky. Plus, while it does leave a slightly white cast, it isn’t as noticeable as the other mineral sunscreens we’ve tested. Plus, this broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen is sweat and water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Oh, and the coolest part? The bottle changes color in UV rays to remind you to reapply sunscreen.
| Type of protection | Mineral |
|---|---|
| SPF | 50 |
| Active ingredients | Zinc oxide, titanium Dioxide |
| Reef safe | Yes |
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen
Best Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen
$20 at Amazon$36 at Walmart$20 at Skinstore
Pros
Absorbs easilyLightweight formula
Cons
Leaves a white cast for darker skin tones
“This is one of the brand’s best-selling SPF moisturizers for acne-prone skin,” says Dr. Camp, “this oil-free sunscreen protects from the sun and absorbs excess oil that can clog pores.”
In detail, according to Dr. Shirazi, the Anthelios is “formulated with ceramides to support the skin barrier, Niacinamide to help reduce inflammation and discoloration, glycerin to hydrate.” Dr. Garshick also adds: “This lightweight sunscreen is easy to apply and fast-absorbing, making it a great option for daily use. It also contains Cell-Ox Shield Technology and antioxidants. It is broad-spectrum and can be used by all skin types.”
In addition, the brand’s use of prebiotic thermal spring water also makes it a good choice for those with acne-prone skin. And at this price, it’s a no-brainer.
Read more: Best Acne Sunscreen
| Type of protection | Chemical |
|---|---|
| SPF | 60 |
| Active ingredients | Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene |
| Reef safe | Yes |
What Is the Best Sunscreen for Everyday Use?
In general, you want to find a sunscreen formula that is lightweight, fast-absorbing, water-resistant and doesn’t have a strong fragrance so you can easily add it to your daily skincare routine. After testing over 50 sunscreens, our editors found that Supergoop’s Play Everyday Lotion offered the best protection, water-resistance, and smell.
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What Type of Sunscreen Works Best for Sports or Swimming?
The best sunscreens for sports and swimming are water resistant formula that offer up to 80 minutes of protection. These products contain ingredients that allow them to stay on the skin for prolonged periods. However, no sunscreen is waterproof; sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours and after sweating or swimming, says Dr. Camp.
How to Apply Sunscreen
People miss 10 percent of their face when they’re applying SPF, one of the most common sites for skin cancer, according to a study presented at the British Association of Dermatologists’ Annual Conference.
So, what’s a guy to do? You guessed it: Applying sunscreen thoroughly, liberally, and often is the first step.
For full coverage, try portioning out your sunscreen for each section of your body—you should total about the contents of a shot glass, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
When men portioned out their sunscreen before applying it, they used 51 percent more sunscreen and covered 83 percent more skin, one 2014 study found.
Heather Rogers, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, recommends using this guideline: Make sure you’re hitting any area that’s perpendicular to the sun, like the top of your head, shoulders, and tops of your feet, because they get a more direct hit of the rays. Plus, make sure to reapply after every two hours, or after a swim or sweat session.
Mineral sunscreens—which work by reflecting, scattering, and blocking UV rays—don’t need extra time to activate. But chemical sunscreens, known as “chemical absorbers” because they convert UV rays into heat, need 30 minutes to set into your skin.
Read more: Ways You’re Using Sunscreen Wrong
Why Trust Us?
For the past five years, Men’s Health has dedicated itself to discovering and recommending the best grooming products for men via hands-on testing and in-depth research. Men’s Health grooming has been featured on national news outlets like The TODAY Show and Good Morning America, showcasing the latest new grooming products for men and presenting why we love the brands we select.
Aside from constantly updating and adding to our ever-growing grooming section, Men’s Health also dedicates an annual Grooming Awards package where we break down the best new products for men—ranging everywhere from skincare to shaving. Our Grooming Editor, Garrett Munce, who consulted on this story, has been testing sunscreens for the past decade, so he absolutely knows what he’s talking about.