The Best Sunscreens

I usually don’t gravitate toward thick sunscreen lotions (the mineral ones especially can feel extra heavy and have separation issues, like a bottle of ketchup), but this formula from Thrive Regenerative Skincare has a rich, moisturizing texture that doesn’t separate and still feels breathable once it’s rubbed in. It’s also non-greasy and smells lovely—orange, grapefruit, lemon, anise, cedarwood, peppermint, patchouli, and vetiver oils give it a bright, fresh, subtle scent. The fragrance won’t work for everyone, but I didn’t have any irritation when I tested the product on my face and body while snowboarding in Aspen.

I was also impressed by the minimal white cast left behind—always a big surprise for a mineral sunscreen. The 80-minute water resistance comes from pine gum and wood resin (as opposed to microplastics, which many sunscreens utilize). The formula also boasts skin-soothing macadamia, as well as antioxidant-rich plants like lippia, fridericia chica, and patens, which are sourced from regenerative farms in Costa Rica.

Few people have probably worn more sunscreen in their lives than 11-time World Surf League champion Kelly Slater, so it’s not exactly a shock he’s come out with his own line of mineral-based sunscreens. The “microbiome protecting” formula includes Slater’s patented Freak Barrier Defense System, which includes, among other things, vegan spider silk and vegan shark squalene. It’s also cruelty-free, and unlike some other sunscreens, its water resistance isn't derived from microplastics.

There is a white cast—though not beyond what one might expect from a mineral sunscreen—and the finish is slightly greasy, but if you’re going to be sweating anyway, it shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. In short, this is a sunscreen for people who have to wear sunscreen constantly and would prefer it to be both clean and performance-oriented. There’s a Peak Performance version with a beefier SPF rating, but be forewarned: That one leaves even more of a white cast. During my testing (a week of daily hiking), I appreciated that it was totally unscented, and even more so that I didn’t have to worry about its unique, airless recycled-plastic pump bottle squishing or spilling in a bag or jacket pocket. —Kat Merck

Banana Boat products remind me of being a kid at the pool, which might have led me to prejudge this sunscreen as being gloppy, greasy, and overly scented. Not the case with this Light as Air iteration—I actually loved it! I put this on before a motorcycle ride in the sun, and it rubbed in easily and absorbed right away. It’s truly not greasy and really felt like I had nothing on.

The consistency is a little thicker than body lotion, there’s no white cast, and the smell is like a milder version of Love Spell or some other sweet/fruity/floral Victoria's Secret scent (which I liked, but it might be a bit much for some).

When I want a face sunscreen that offers more of a makeup look, this is the one I reach for. La Roche-Posay's Anthelios tinted sunscreen, which comes in four shades, has a lightweight, breathable liquid formula that dries to a matte finish. It provides a “your skin, but better” amount of coverage and pairs well with concealer and other cream face products. Once it’s absorbed and dried down, I can’t feel it on my skin at all. It’s made with Cell-Ox Shield, La Roche-Posay’s proprietary sunscreen technology that combines UVA and UVB filters with antioxidants like Senna alata (also known as Cassia alata), which comes from a medicinal plant and helps protect against inflammation. This sunscreen doesn’t immediately melt when I sweat and has never irritated my sensitive skin or caused breakouts. A bottle easily lasts me six months, which makes the price much easier to stomach. One note: If you have dry skin, the matte finish might not work for you.

This sunscreen has provided great protection on spring ski days and bike rides in Colorado. The gentle mineral formula—which utilizes both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, as well as soothing aloe vera extract—and the fine, even, easy-to-apply mist make it a great choice for kids. It rubs in with minimal effort, and there’s no sticky, tacky feeling or residue left behind, which means it doesn’t feel gross to put a shirt or pants back on over it. Mineral sunscreens can feel heavy at times, but this one is genuinely lightweight. It leaves a very minimal white cast, has a subtle, oat-like scent, dries down quickly, and leaves my skin feeling soft. I’ve never gotten any irritation from it, even on my back and shoulders, which can sometimes break out after sunscreen use. This one will definitely stay in my SPF rotation.

If you like the idea of a sunscreen stick (hello, convenience!), but want to avoid a white cast, this is the one for you. The Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Stick glides on like butter (but doesn’t feel like it on your skin). It leaves behind a layer of lightweight hydration that you don’t even have to rub in—it absorbs quickly and leaves zero cast. I tested this pocket-size stick on a spring ski day at Winter Park in Colorado, and I loved how easily it went on and how gentle it felt on my cheeks, nose, and chin, which are typically irritated by chemical sunscreens. I shared it with my friends when it was SPF reapplication time, and they also raved about the easy-on glide and feel.

It does have a slight chemical smell, but it isn’t noticeable on the skin (you can really only smell it if you sniff the stick itself). Thanks to the addition of antioxidants vitamin C and E, this sunscreen will also help fight skin-damaging free radicals and provide soothing moisturization.

This little stick provided great protection on my face and neck during several hikes in British Columbia, holding up well against sweat. It glides on easily and feels nice (no stinging!), but it needs to be rubbed in a bit to avoid the lifeguard nosecoat look. Even after rubbing it in, there is a slight white cast. I really liked the mild, fresh, oat-y, milk-y scent, and the size and ease of application just make it feel like a no-brainer product to throw in your bag.

I can’t always be convinced to stop mid-hike to reapply a liquid sunscreen, but this is so easy to pull out of a pocket and swipe on your face as you move (or sit on a chairlift on a ski day) that I feel like having it on hand is really going to benefit my skin. It also contains ceramides, which support the skin barrier, and moisturizing hyaluronic acid. With this twist-up bar, there’s no mess, no sticky hands, just a great on-the-go product.

This sunscreen has the texture of a makeup primer or a silky gel. It goes on totally clear, which is why it would be a good pick for anyone with darker skin or who really hates to have a white cast. It feels hydrating, then weightless, though the invisible nature and barely-there feel does make it a little hard to tell what kind of coverage you’re getting. It also has a slight chemical smell.

It’s very expensive, which makes it feel more like a splurge product for a vacation where you might be wearing nice clothes and really don’t want greasy white stains, rather than an everyday product.

This is a holy grail product for me—I’ve used it every day for years, and despite testing tons of new products for this story, the All Good sunscreen still takes the cake. The skin on my face is super sensitive, and acne and rosacea are big issues for me. I’ve been on a journey to find a facial sunscreen that doesn’t cause irritation or breakouts, and this is really the only one that works for me consistently. Lightweight, quick-absorbing, and non-greasy but hydrating, this product doesn’t drip into my eyes or sting when I sweat, and the tint means it doesn’t have a white cast despite being a mineral sunscreen (which I prefer).

Actually, the sheer brown coloring blends in so well with my light, olive-toned skin (there are no orange or pink pigments, bless) that this sunscreen has completely replaced foundation for me. I’ve worn it on marathon training runs in extreme Colorado heat, while paddle-boarding, cycling, and snowboarding, and for everything in between. It contains soothing skin-care ingredients like calendula, green tea, coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, and aloe. I feel like this sunscreen not only protects me from UV damage, but actually makes my skin better. It has a subtle buttery scent, and there’s no added fragrance.

Another win: One 3-ounce bottle lasts several months for me. It’s worth noting that not everyone will like a tinted sunscreen. It comes in only one shade, so it won’t work for all skin tones, and the iron oxide can transfer and stain light fabrics. I’ve never had issues with this, but some reviews mention it. If you like the idea of SPF makeup (and are OK with light coverage and a glowy finish), I highly recommend giving this a try.