Discover Your Perfect SPF Match
Whether you're soaking up the sun at the beach or just stepping out for a day in town, a good sunscreen is your best ally against the sun’s rays.
While there are plenty of things you can do at home to raise your skin’s UV threshold and prevent or reduce burning, for many of us, a good sunscreen comes in handy regardless.
Finding the right one can be tricky with so many options out there.
In this roundup, I've gathered the top sunscreens that not only protect your skin but also feel great to wear.
Here’s a sneak peek at three great sunscreen options:
Best budget sunscreen: NATURIUM UV Reflect Antioxidant SPF 50
Best mineral sunscreen: HERO Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 & HERO Superbeam Sunscreen SPF 30 (tinted)
Best sunscreen stick: Vertra's SPF 45 sunscreen face stick
Let's dive into the best picks for keeping your skin safe and healthy:
1. Hero Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30
Key Ingredients: 17.53% zinc oxide (non-nano), green surge, extremolytes
Best For: acne-prone skin
HERO Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 is perfect for those with acne-prone skin, offering SPF 30 with a surprisingly lightweight, non-tinted finish.
In fact, the Hero sunscreens are my favorite every since Vertra discontinued the “Beach Break Sunscreen”… (rip)
This 100% mineral-based sunscreen is fragrance-free and silicone-free, and uses 17.53% non-nano zinc oxide for strong UVA and UVB protection.
Packed with antioxidant-rich botanicals and natural bio-ingredients, the gel-cream formula hydrates without feeling greasy and provides a glowy finish.
It’s non-tinted but can leave a white cast on darker skin tones, making it more suitable for medium to light skin tones.
Apply it as the final step in your morning skincare routine and reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
Don't forget to protect your hands, chest, and ears.
Broad-spectrum and reef-safe, HERO Superlight Sunscreen is clinically proven to be non-irritating and keeps your skin clear and healthy while offering daily sun protection.
2. Hero Superbeam Sunscreen SPF 30 (tinted)
Key Ingredients: zinc oxide 17.53%, pearl + apricot pigments, niacinamide
Best For: sensitive skin
HERO Superbeam Sunscreen SPF 30 is your go-to sunscreen for both protection and a radiant complexion.
Just like the HERO Superlight Sunscreen, it features a 100% mineral formula, but with a special twist.
This sunscreen includes zinc oxide for broad spectrum SPF 30 protection, effectively blocking UVA and UVB rays.
What sets Superbeam apart are its light-diffusing pearl and apricot pigments, which give your skin a subtle glow, making it ideal for no-makeup days or as a luminous primer under makeup.
Niacinamide in the formula helps brighten your skin, enhancing your natural radiance.
It also leaves your skin feeling moisturized without any greasy or sticky residue.
Superbeam provides the glow you want with the sun protection you need, making it an essential part of your daily skincare.
3. Vertra Invisible Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 45
Key Ingredients: zinc oxide 22%
Best For: outdoor Activities
Vertra's SPF 45 sunscreen face stick ensures long-lasting, water-resistant sun protection.
This mineral sunscreen is perfect for activities like surfing, skiing, or any outdoor adventure. I love that I can throw it in my bag for easy application throughout the day.
This formula offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with SPF 45 and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
It's designed to go on clear, leaving a non-greasy finish that makes it ideal for everyday use.
The sunscreen stick is free from parabens, oxybenzone, octinoxate, and fragrances, catering to those who prefer cleaner skincare options.
Its mineral formula provides effective sun defense without the common drawbacks of sunscreen like unpleasant smells or a greasy texture.
As someone who is picky about sunscreen, I appreciate that Vertra's face stick has a lightweight and moisturizing feel.
The packaging is cleverly designed to prevent leaks, making it travel-friendly.
4. Naturium UV Reflect Antioxidant SPF 50
Key Ingredients: 2% InfraGuard, bio-fermented powder, amino acid derivative
Best For: sensitive, dry, aging, combination, and oily Skin Types
NATURIUM UV Reflect Antioxidant SPF 50 is more than just sunscreen; it's like a serum that delivers weightless SPF coverage with a silky smooth finish that feels almost like velvet.
It's equipped with organic chemical filters and enhanced with 2% InfraGuard to protect against blue light and pollution-induced free radicals.
This product features a bio-fermented powder blended with an amino acid derivative to diffuse light and provide a soft-focus finish.
Trust me, unless you're a serious skincare junkie, you've never tried an SPF like this.
The ultralight texture is perfect for those who are acne-prone as it won’t clog pores or cause breakouts.
Plus, it has ingredients that help absorb oil, giving you that sheer matte look all day long—ideal for people with oilier skin types.
And yes, I promise, zero white cast!
I'm a huge fan and have already repurchased this product.
Whether you're facing a long day outdoors or just need reliable daily protection, NATURIUM UV Reflect Antioxidant SPF 50 ensures your skin stays protected, comfortable, and flawless without any greasiness or sticky residue.
5. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50
Key Ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
Best For: All Skin Types
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 gives you both UVA and UVB protection while keeping your skin hydrated with its light, refreshing texture.
This sunscreen is water-resistant and keeps your skin moisturized for up to eight hours without leaving any white residue.
It's light enough to wear under makeup every day.
It's oil-free and non-comedogenic, so it won't clog your pores, making it great for all skin types, including acne-prone skin.
This sunscreen is part of Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost line, which uses generous amounts of hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to keep your skin plump.
It's a good choice for daily sun protection and keeping your skin hydrated.
However, I've noticed that Neutrogena's sunscreen stings my eyes a bit, which is common with many chemical sunscreens.
It’s also thicker and, while moisturizing, may leave your skin feeling slightly greasy.
I still think it’s a good purchase if you’re balling on a budget, but buyer be aware!
6. Beyou Cosmetics Niacinamide Daily Moisturizer Mineral Sunscreen SPF40
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) & zinc oxide
Best For: Replacing your foundation
Beyou Cosmetics' Niacinamide Daily Moisturizer Mineral Sunscreen SPF40 is great for anyone who wants a sunscreen that does more than just protect from the sun.
This sunscreen mixes the skin-friendly benefits of niacinamide with zinc oxide, a natural mineral that blocks harmful UV rays.
With SPF 40, it offers strong protection against sunburn and sun damage.
Niacinamide helps reduce redness, makes skin firmer, and evens out your skin tone.
The formula is lightly tinted and not greasy, making it perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
It's free from oils, fragrances, and ingredients that clog pores, so it's good for people who are outside a lot or who usually get irritated by chemical sunscreens.
However, BeYou may leave a noticeable white cast, making it more suitable for people with lighter skin.
And PS - I absolutely love the BeYou Eye Cream. It singlehandedly saved my burning eyeballs when I was having terrible spring allergies this year.
7. Epionce Daily Shield Tinted SPF 50 Sunscreen
Key Ingredients: Sunflower argan oil, rosemary extract, apple fruit extract
Best For: All Skin Types, replacing your foundation
Epionce Daily Shield Tinted SPF 50 Sunscreen is great for anyone looking for strong sun protection with a hint of color.
It offers SPF 50 and is gentle enough for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
The formula is water-resistant and lasts for 80 minutes in water.
This sunscreen protects your skin from UV rays and also nourishes it with natural antioxidants like sunflower argan oil, rosemary extract, and apple fruit extract, giving your skin a healthy glow.
The tint on the Epionce is darker and may be more suitable than other mineral sunscreens for those with darker skin tones, but it can leave a cast.
That said, I should note that nearly all sunscreens with zinc oxide leave a white cast, and you kind of have to pick your poison.
This one blends well with most skin tones, making it perfect for everyday use on its own or under makeup.
8. True Botanicals Skin Barrier Sun Shield SPF 30
Key Ingredients: non-nano zinc, chebula, astaxanthin
Best For: All Skin Types, especially oily, sensitive, and breakout-prone skin
True Botanicals Skin Barrier Sun Shield SPF 30 offers effective sun protection combined with significant skincare benefits.
This hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic formula avoids common sunscreen toxins and waxes, making it suitable for even sensitive skin.
It uses non-nano zinc for broad-spectrum UV protection and maintains a light, natural finish, avoiding the typical dullness of zinc sunscreens.
The product includes chebula, an antioxidant that combats aging signs and supports hydration, along with astaxanthin, which improves skin texture and reduces the appearance of fine lines.
Its warm tint helps neutralize redness and enhances your skin's natural glow, making it perfect for daily use.
It’s especially beneficial for those with oily or sensitive skin and is reef-safe, meeting environmental safety standards.
9. Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
Key Ingredients: Iron oxide pigments, EnviroScreen® Technology, antioxidants
Best For: All Skin Types
Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 is a lightweight mineral sunscreen with tinted color coverage that instantly evens out your skin tone for a flawless look.
This sunscreen not only hydrates but also protects your skin from UVA/UVB, blue light, pollution, and infrared radiation thanks to its patented EnviroScreen Technology.
It includes antioxidants and nourishing ingredients that help keep your skin healthy over time.
The FLEX formula has special iron oxide pigments that adapt to your skin tone as you apply it, offering buildable color coverage with a demi-matte finish.
It comes in four flexible shades that work well for a wide range of skin tones and undertones.
If you're unsure about which shade to choose, I suggest trying the lighter one for your skin tone, but understand that it’s not an exact science here.
And that wraps up another dive into the world of sunscreens!
There's always more to explore, but for now, let's keep shining bright and staying protected.
Until next time, take care and soak up the sun responsibly!
Cheers,