Save this story Save Story Save this story As someone who preaches the importance of daily sun protection to anyone who will listen, I often get asked what’s the best sunscreen I’ve ever used. I could list a few of my faves (and when pressed, I do) but I usually relay the same answer that dermatologists tell me when I ask them the same question: the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually use everyday.
We are blessed with so many sunscreen options, it’s hard to go wrong with most of them. But how does one choose that perfect formula that will make you remember this very important step in your routine? To figure that out, there are a couple of things you have to consider. If you’re an active outdoors person, for example, you might want something that’s portable and waterproof. If you have sensitive skin, you might want something with gentle ingredients that won’t cause irritation. And on top of all of that, you’ll have to understand all the different types of sunscreen available to you.
It can be a lot, but that’s where this handy guide comes in. From chemical to mineral and all the different applications, experts break down every type of sunscreen to help you make wise skin health (and shopping) decisions. Read on below.
Types of Sunscreens What does SPF mean? How do you pick the right sunscreen? How We Tested Meet the experts Types of Sunscreen There are two types of sunscreens you can choose from: mineral sunscreens and chemical sunscreens. The difference between the two can be broken down as follows:
Mineral sunscreens, also known as physical sunscreens, block the sun’s harmful UV rays from penetrating the skin. As Marisa Garshick , MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, explains it, mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to scatter and reflect the UV rays when it bounces off the skin to protect it from damage.
There are many pros of mineral sunscreen, but they are most known to be less irritating and great for sensitive skin. Though they may leave behind a white cast, Dr. Garshick says that newer formulations have been developed to minimize that. For example, Beauty Pie’s Traceless Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 , Good Weather Skin The One Daily Sun Scream SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen , and ILIA Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 are all lightweight textures that blend into the skin very well, while something like the EltaMD UV Recovery 100% Mineral Face Sunscreen , which has a green tint to color correct any redness.
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According to Hadley King , MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, chemical sunscreens absorb the sun’s UV rays and create a chemical reaction to turn the UV rays into heat that will be released from the skin. They’re usually made of chemical ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, and homosalate, and Dr. Garshick says these formulations are generally easier to rub in and won’t leave a white cast. But because they are made of various chemical filters, she does warn that some people may experience some irritation or sensitivity to these types of formulas. Some gentle chemical sunscreens to try include Beauty of Joseon’s Day Dew Sunscreen or the Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 (and they add a nice dewy glow for a boost of radiance).
And as of 2026, the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) now allows for chemical sunscreens to include a new ingredient: bemotrizinol (BEMT). As Krupa Koestline , cosmetic chemist and founder of KKT Innovation Labs Krupa Koestline, once explained to Vogue , BEMT is a filter that absorbs both UVB and UVA rays. As opposed to other sunscreen formulations that combine different chemical filters to provide sun protection at a wider range on the UV spectrum, BEMT gives you all of that that in one single filter and will protect you from the UVB wavelengths that cause skin cancer and UVA radiation that causes wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and other signs of skin aging. It’s been used all over the world for decades, but now a few brands in the US are slowly launching formulas with it. Try something like Ultraviolette’s Unblock Screen SPF 50 or the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Defense SPF to give the new chemical filter a try.
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Spray sunscreens are made of the same ingredients you’d find in lotions. The only thing that’s really different is the application. Aptly named, you are spraying on sunscreen rather than just lathering it on, which Dr. King says it can be most convenient for body application and hard-to-reach areas. She recommends something like the Supergoop! PLAY Antioxidant Body Mist SPF 50 , which she says is a good option for people who want something lightweight and easy to use on the body.
To make sure you’re getting enough sunscreen to protect yourself, she recommends holding the nozzle close to your skin and spraying generously until your skin visibly glistens. Then you’ll rub it in evenly. She adds that you’ll need one ounce to cover your entire body, so those typical 6 ounce spray bottles will contain approximately six full-body applications. From there, follow the same basic sunscreen rules, such as reapply every two hours and immediately after swimming or any activity where you’ll be sweating a lot. Something like the Vacation Classic Spray SPF 50 blends in well into the skin and is easy to spray all around your body (you also can’t beat the lovely scent), while the Caudalie Vinosun High Protection Glow Oil is extra moisturizing and gives your body a boost in radiance. And if you’re trying to look for a spray for the face, try Naked Sundays Hydrating Glow Mist Setting Spray SPF50 ; it’s lightweight and gives you a nice glowing complexion.
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Stick sunscreens are solid formulas that contain the same filters and ingredients as their lotion counterparts. Dr. King says these are best used for the face (and also the hands). The same reapplication rules apply and she recommends doing it every two hours while outdoors or doing activities where sunscreen might be washed off. She likes Blue Lizard’s Sensitive Mineral SPF 50+ Stick , for example, because it’s a portable and effective mineral sunscreen that you can take anywhere. You can also try the Abib Airy Sunstick Protection Bar SPF50+ or the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Clear Stick SPF 60+ , both of which are water resistant for 80 minutes, while the EADEM Sunsuede Daily Sunscreen and Blurring Primer to help those with oily skin control sebum production for a smoother complexion.
The biggest downside with a stick formulation is that you run the risk of not applying enough, as it’s hard to measure a shot glass’s amount with a solid formula. She points to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) guidelines on stick sunscreen application that recommends applying four back-and-forth passes over each area of skin that you want to protect. Then rub it all in for an even layer.
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Powder sunscreens are usually made of finely-milled powder, and contain ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Dr. King says they are a great option for facial reapplication, particularly over makeup, like her favorite the Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50 . Other great options include the Brush on Block SPF 30 Mineral Powder Sunscreen or the iS Clinical PerfecTint Powder SPF 40 , as both come with a brush applicator to help you control how much product you want to sweep. The Avene Mineral Tinted Compact SPF 50 also provides an easy, seamless blend.
With powder sunscreens, you can’t use it alone for sun protection and she recommends pairing it with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ lotion or cream. “It is difficult to apply enough powder to achieve the initial SPF protection,” she explains.
When you’re using a powder sunscreen, she says to make sure whichever brush you’re using is fully loaded, and apply generously. Do multiple passes over each area, working gently with repeated strokes across your forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, ear, and other exposed areas. Be sure to reapply every two hours when outdoors or whenever you’re doing an activity in the water or sweating profusely.
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We’re always told to look for sunscreen with SPF, but what does that actually mean? SPF stands for sun protection factor and as Dr. King explains it, it measures how much a sunscreen will shield your skin from ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which can cause sunburn .
The number of SPF ranges, such as SPF 30, SPF 50, and SPF 100, but the amount of protection provided is marginal once you go past SPF 30. SPF 30, for example, will block 96.7 % of UVB rays, while a SPF 50 blocks 98% and SPF 100 blocks 99%. She says that when sunscreen is applied adequately (read: every two hours and shot glass’s worth for the entire body), it doesn’t really matter which SPF you opt for. Most dermatologists will recommend using at least an SPF 30 for best protection and if you want to go higher, you can. “No sunscreen can block 100 percent of the sun's UVB rays,” she says. “[Anything] over SPF 30, there is only a small improvement in percent.”
“Higher SPF isn't necessarily better,” agrees New York City-based board-certified dermatologist David Kim , MD. “The key is to find one that you like, has SPF 30 or higher, and actually use it every day.”
SPF can also measure the time it takes for your skin to burn when using sunscreen compared to the amount of time it will turn red without protection. “The basic calculation is [that] if it takes one minute for your unprotected skin to start turning red in the sun, using an SPF 15 sunscreen should prevent reddening 15 times longer. So the number of minutes it takes for your unprotected skin to turn red multiplied by the SPF gives you the theoretical number of minutes that your protected skin will [have] before it turns red,” Dr. King explains.
But it’s important to note that SPF only protects against UVB rays and not ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which cause the skin to show signs of anti-aging and may also result in cancer. That is why Dr. Garshick recommends also looking for a sunscreen that has both SPF and broad-spectrum coverage so that you have protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
Dr. Kim says there are few things you’ll want to ask yourself before settling on that one perfect sunscreen for you. He says to first decide whether you want mineral versus chemical UV filters. Dr. Garshick recommends mineral sunscreens for those with sensitive skin. Dr. King also loves mineral sunscreens in general as they block a wide range of UV wavelengths and are photostable. “There are fewer concerns about their potential adverse effects both to the body and to the environment,” she adds. “And they have come a long way from their chalky, white, hard-to-spread predecessors. There are many brands making physical sunscreens that are easy to apply and look great.”
Dr. Kim then says you’ll want to decide what SPF you want. Again, as long as it’s SPF 30 and you’re reapplying every two hours, any SPF will provide adequate protection. Dr. Garshick adds that you may also want to consider a sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVB and UVA rays. If you’re someone who tends to sweat a lot or doing some sort of physical activity under the sun, she adds that you’ll want to consider looking for a sunscreen that is water-resistant.
Last, Dr. Kim says you may want to consider between a tinted formulation or a non-tinted. His own sunscreen, the Lightsaver Tinted Activated Mineral Sunscreen SPF 33 contains nourishing ingredients such squalane and niacinamide as well as zinc oxide to protect the skin from the harmful UV rays. But he says that tinted sunscreens often have iron oxide which helps prevent hyperpigmentation and can hide dark spots and even out uneven texture.
But again, this is all based on personal preference. All experts agree that the best sunscreen is whatever formula will get you to wear it everyday and reapply appropriately. So choose wisely. Your skin—and your health—will thank you in the long run for it.
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue ’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional insight on the industry’s standout products; ones specialists would actually use on and recommend to their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to sunscreens, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, finish, SPF level, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Hadley King , MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick , MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology David Kim , MD, board-certified dermatologist Discover More Beauty Recommendations From Vogue Shopping The Best Eyebrow Pencils for Older Women Create Natural-Looking Volume and Fullness
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Source: Lifestyle
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