Our Scientists Tested Hundreds of Sunscreens to Find the Best (2024)

This Rodan + Fields SPF for both body and face was the winner of the GH Beauty Lab's most recent body sunscreen test. Although it has a higher-than-average price, it excelled across the board for its featherlight “silky” texture and sheer finish that didn’t leave a white residue even on deeper-toned skin.

In GH Beauty Lab evaluations, an impressive 100% of users agreed that it was easy to apply, absorbed well and didn’t leave a white cast on skin, feel greasy or sticky or stain fabrics. It is also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. “I loved everything about this” and “I found the protection first-rate,” two testers raved. Several said they would purchase it.

The Hawaiian Tropic drugstore bargain SPF rated highly for many attributes in GH Beauty Lab evaluations, earning perfect scores for not drying or irritating skin. It ranked high for easily absorbing, not feeling tacky or oily on skin, having a pleasant aroma and rinsing off effortlessly. The formula also came out near the top for effective sun protection and not leaving white residue on skin.

In addition, its "beachy" scent was a total crowd-pleaser, even with testers who tend to be especially critical about fragrance. "It worked perfectly," a tester marveled, though two did note that they thought the consistency was runny.

A GH Beauty Lab’s face sunscreen test winner, Vichy came out on top in almost every category. It earned the best score for being easy to apply, making skin feel hydrated and not leaving a white cast, being sticky, causing breakouts or irritation or interfering with makeup. A full 100% of testers also agreed it had an appealing texture. (All of these benefits come at a higher cost, though.)

The formula ranked highest at effectively protecting skin from sunburn. Users disagreed on its scent: Some adored it while others were put off by it. "It blended in easily and didn't leave a white film and was also very moisturizing without being greasy," a tester noted. Another reported: "My skin looks/feels more healthy and vibrant after using this."

Hawaiian Tropic's affordable buy won the Beauty Lab's most recent face sunscreen test, outperforming formulas multiple times the price. With a lighweight serum texture, it received the highest scores on many attributes, including having a shine-free finish, pleasant texture and scent, not leaving a chalky film on skin and no irritation or breakouts. Among testers, 100% agreed it soaked in fast and wasn't oily or tacky.

Good to know: While some tester liked the tube's slim design, others said it took time to prime the pump and the cap didn't stay in place well. "The product was super light and did not leave any residue like usual sunscreens I use," a user commented. A second revealed: "I plan to switch to this!"

Have a breakout-prone or oily complexion? There's no worry of sunscreen worsening it with this Dr. Jart lotion. It earned top marks in GH Beauty Lab testing for not causing breakouts, bumps or irritation and leaving skin shine-free. (The mineral formula may leave a white cast behind, however.)

A tester called it "one of the best on the market: It did not cause a rash or create any skin problems." Many users were also fans of the SPF's "citrus" scent that "didn't have a whiff of a sunscreen smell."

Created to be more like a skincare serum than a sunscreen, Neutrogena's high level SPF was an overall user favorite in GH Beauty Lab testing for its waterlight feel. The formula achieved the highest score for its texture, as well as not irritating skin or causing redness (although it can sting eyes).

Note that it leaves more of a glowy finish than a matte one. "My makeup went on well over it," a tester remarked. Another said "it is so light I don't know it's even on my face." Several commented they would buy the product.

Mineral sunscreens can be cosmetically elegant, too. Case in point: This liquid from Colorescience, which was the best mineral formula in the Beauty Lab's most recent face SPF test. It scored highest for being easy to apply, not leaving a residue on skin and not interfering with makeup — a feat for a zinc oxide formulation.

"The best face sunscreen I have ever used," a tester enthused. "I couldn't believe how easy it went on my face, like my moisturizer." Another agreed: "It felt light and airy on my face. I couldn't even tell I was wearing sunscreen!" Beauty Lab note: This sunscreen should be shaken well before application to distribute the ingredients and has an initial white cast that disappears once rubbed into skn.

For those who prefer to spritz on their sun protection, Hampton Sun was the winning spray in the GH Beauty Lab's most recent body sunscreen test. Evaluations found it was the easiest spray to apply, doesn't leave a white film on skin or rub off on fabrics, won't dry out skin and rinses off easily.

A few caveats: It may leave skin feeling tacky or slippery and some testers commented on the strong scent. "The application was great — covered a wide angle without spraying all over the place," a tester said. Another reported that "it held up in the sun; I spent time at the pool and no issues."

This tropical-scented Sun Bum mist ranked highly in past GH Beauty Lab sunscreen testing, applying easily and leaving no chalky cast on skin. The formula came out on top for not creating a white residue and provided effective sunburn protection.

The “continuous and even” spray “covered my skin quickly,” two testers said. “I would definitely buy this,” another added. Good to know: Some users found that it left an oily finish on skin that took time to dissipate.

A great choice for those with sensitive skin, the Everyday Humans lotion received the highest score for not stinging or irritating skin in the GH Beauty Lab's most recent body sunscreen test. An impressive 100% of testers who also used it on their face reported no irritation to eyes or the surrounding skin.

The gentle formula infused with skincare ingredients also performed well for its pleasant texture and rinsing off easily. But note that the package is smaller than other body sunscreens. "I liked how well it absorbed into my skin, leaving it feeling moisturized but not greasy, that there was no noticeable scent and that it didn't cause any allergic reaction!" a tester raved.

Shiseido's luxe SPF earned the highest score in GH Beauty Lab testing for not leaving skin feeling dehydrated, making it an ideal match for those with dry skin types. It also ranked highly for rinsing off easily, not leaving a white film on skin and having a pleasant fragrance. One drawback: The sunscreen comes at a higher cost than most.

Some users found it felt runny and slippery on skin, but one tester loved "the silky feel when the product was applied — felt luxurious and more like a moisturizer than a sunscreen!" Another user's take: "Quite light and fresh; this is actually one of the best lotion sunscreens I think I have ever used."

A unique milk formula, Hawaiian Tropic was the best mineral sunscreen in the GH Beauty Lab's most recent body sunscreen test, made with the active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It was the most-liked among consumer testers of all the mineral sunscreen lotions evaluated, least likely to stain fabrics and earned the highest score for its pleasant "tropical" scent.

Users found the SPF easy to apply and rinse off, non-drying on skin and praised the pump packaging. Note that the bottle is smaller than the average size of a body sunscreen and it ranked only average for absorption, so it may leave a greasy feel on skin. "I looked forward to putting on this product," a tester remarked. Another noted: "It has wonderful staying power; even through sweat, the sunscreen stayed in place — no staining, no running."

GH Beauty Lab testers who described themselves as Mexican American, Black or African American and Asian origin rated this high SPF La Roche-Posay formula the best for not leaving a white film on the skin in a recent test. The lotion for both face and body also ranked high for not feeling oily or tacky, though some testers reported seeing a slight sheen after use and one reported tearing up from the scent.

"It did not leave a white cast on my face and absorbed very well into the skin," a tester commented. "It was weightless and even on the go I forgot that I was wearing a SPF 100 sunscreen."

RELATED: 12 Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin That Won't Leave You Looking Ashy

Made with 20% zinc oxide mineral suncreen and organic, naturally-derived ingredients like chamomile and cocoa butter, bargain-priced Babo Botanicals was a top performer in the GH Beauty Lab's sunscreen test. Lab evaluations found it was easy to apply and rinse off, didn't stain or rub off on fabrics and doesn't leave skin feeling oily or dry, though testers commented on its thick texture that might take some getting used to.

"It felt great on my skin and didn't look white. I loved it!" a user commented. Two more added: "Goes on easier than other zinc products," and "I forgot I had it on," but the aroma of its fragrance-free formula was polarizing.

RELATED: Best Natural and Organic Sunscreens

The GH Beauty Lab regularly evaluates the latest body and face sunscreen formulas on the market. Each SPF must meet the following criteria to be assessed:

• Broad-spectrum protection
• SPF 30 or higher for face and SPF 50 or higher for body
• Non-tinted

Over the past decade, the Beauty Lab has analyzed 795 face and body sunscreens, formally testing 128 formulas on 2,601 testers and collecting over 34,189 data points in total to identify the best formulas.

In the most recent body sunscreen test, Beauty Lab scientists assessed 62 new broad-spectrum chemical and mineral sunscreens across price points and polled 1,139 people on their sunscreen habits to inform the testing. After narrowing the field to the top sunscreens, 257 consumer testers across demographics and skin tones evaluated the products.

Each tester applied the sunscreen at least twice over the course of one week, then reported their feedback on factors such as ease of use, scent, texture, absorption, the look and feel of skin after application, irritation, transfer and perceived sun protection ability. Lab experts then calculated 4,883 consumer feedback questions to determine the top-performing sunscreens.

Here are key factors to consider when picking the right sunscreen for your skin type and needs:

✔️ Broad-spectrum protection: This is important "to protect against both harmful UVA/UVB rays," says Lucy Chen, M.D, F.A.A.D., board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Florida. Exposure to these wavelengths can lead to dangerous sunburns, causing skin damage that can lead to skin cancer as well as signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and sagging skin.

✔️ SPF 30 or higher: A SPF 30 or greater is best, says David Lortscher, M.D., board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, California and CEO of Curology. And you may want to go even higher: A GH Beauty Lab study found that women on average apply only about 1/3 of the amount of sunscreen needed to achieve the SPF level indicated on the product packaging. So for added insurance and especially outdoors, opt for an SPF 50 or higher, recommends GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek.

✔️ Active ingredients: Choose between chemical and mineral sunscreen active ingredients (or a mix of both):

• Chemical formulas absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, according to Michael Somenek, M.D., a plastic surgeon in Washington, D.C. "This process allows the body to release the UV rays, which ultimately prevents the skin from burning," he says. Chemical sunscreens tend to be better for swimming due to their water-resistant nature but while they are often easier to apply and don't leave a white residue, you will need to reapply sunscreen more often than you would with a mineral option.
• Mineral formulas (also called physical sunscreens) form a barrier on your skin that reflects or filters UVA and UVB rays. These sunscreens can be more difficult to spread on skin and leave behind white cast, but they usually provide more lasting protection than chemical formulas.

✔️ Formula type: GH Beauty Lab scientists prefer lotions and creams over sprays since "they last on skin longer and are more likely to form a uniform protective coating over skin than sprays," says GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann. In addition, "If your skin is prone to dryness, a cream may be better for you," Dr. Chen says. As for kids, "Sprays are easy to use, but they might require a second coating, so spray generously," she notes.

✔️ Water-resistance: This means the SPF will stand up against sweaty days or time spent swimming. But know that there’s no such thing as waterproof or sweatproof sunscreen. Under current FDA guidelines, there are only “water-resistant for 40 minutes” or “water-resistant for 80 minutes” options. "Sweat- and water-resistant" labeling means the formula maintained its SPF level on testers’ skin in a water bath for the indicated time, says Steven Q. Wang, M.D., Chief of Dermatologic Oncology & Dermatologic Surgery at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, California. Beyond that timeframe, it should be reapplied.

✔️ Your skin type: If you have dry skin, "look for ingredients like dimethicone, glycerin, aloe and oils and avoid spray or gel sunscreens with alcohol," advises Dr. Chen. She adds that those with oily skin should opt for a lightweight sunscreen that contains oil-absorbent ingredients like silica.

"Sunscreen is considered a drug in the United States," Wnek explains. "Per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration OTC Sunscreen Monograph, there are several ingredients that can be used as sunscreen actives to absorb, reflect or scatter radiation in the UV wavelength between 290 and 400 nanometers (about 290-320 nm for UVB and 320-400 nm for UVA)."

Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB radiation and contain active ingredients that can be chemical or mineral, or a combination of the two, she says. "Some of the most common chemical sunscreen actives are avobenzone, hom*osalate, octisalate and octocrylene," Wnek notes. "The most prevalent mineral sunscreen actives are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide."

While it varies by formula type, "aside from the active ingredients, sunscreens in lotion form contain ingredients similar to other lotions on the market such as water, oil or silicones, emulsifiers, thickeners, pH adjusters and preservatives," she says.
"They can also be made with fragrance, film formers (if the product is water-resistant), moisturizers, antioxidants and other skincare ingredients like anti-agers."