Get Your Sunscreen Right This Summer
12 sunscreens for every skin type and preference, from budget-friendly to luxury!
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 12 of the best sunscreens that not only protect your skin but also feel great to wear.
Here’s a sneak peek at four great sunscreen options:
Best budget sunscreen: NATURIUM UV Reflect Antioxidant SPF 50
Best mineral sunscreen: HERO Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30
Best sunscreen stick: Vertra’s SPF 45 sunscreen face stick
Best foundation replacement: Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
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. 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 six flexible shades that work well for a wide range of skin tones and undertones.
Beyond sun protection, what sets this one apart is how it performs as a foundation replacement.
Colorscience Flex is the one I reach for when I want a tinted mineral sunscreen that replaces my foundation.
It's thicker with more buildable coverage, giving you that extra polish and finish you need.
That said, I always need a setting spray with this one.
Without it, the sunscreen tint can come off on my hands and transfer to my clothes, especially if I'm going to be outside for extended periods in the heat.
I only reach for it when I'm already doing a full makeup look, and in the summertime I'm using a setting spray over makeup anyway.
My go-to setting sprays are the NYX Face Glue or the L'Oreal Infallible 24-Hour.
3. Vertra Invisible Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 45
Key Ingredients: zinc oxide 22%
Best For: outdoor activities
Vertra’s SPF 45 invisible 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. Epionce Daily Shield Tinted SPF 50 Sunscreen
Key Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 4.8%, Zinc Oxide 9.3%
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.
7. 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.
8. Supergoop! Glowscreen
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, cocoa peptides
Best For: Normal, combination, or dry skin
The Glowscreen is a 10 out of 10!
This incredible product provides a beautiful glow and fantastic coverage with its light-reflecting pearls that give you that sunkissed look without actual sun damage.
It makes my skin look like I’ve been in the sun and have a really nice tan without actually needing to sunbathe right before.
The pearlescent sheen it gives is lovely and it blends in immediately as a primer for makeup, creating an even base.
It comes in 4 shades to match your skin tone.
The lightweight lotion is hydrating thanks to hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide helps provide that radiant, glowing skin.
9. TULA Protect + Glow SPF 30
Key Ingredients: Prebiotics, wild butterfly ginger root
Best For: All Skin Types
TULA Protect + Glow SPF 30 is a bestselling facial sunscreen formulated with wellness-first ingredients to protect your skin barrier from UV rays while delivering an instant glow.
If you’re looking for daily broad-spectrum protection from damaging sun rays, this sunscreen offers antioxidants that help fight pollution and blue light.
The formula is non-comedogenic and non-greasy with no white cast, making it suitable for all skin types.
It’s reef-safe and vegan, featuring prebiotics to maintain skin balance and wild butterfly ginger root to help protect skin against the damaging effects of blue light and pollution.
10. EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, lactic acid
Best For: Acne-prone and sensitive skin
If you’re looking for a lightweight, oil-free sunscreen that actually works for acne-prone and sensitive skin, EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 delivers protection while refining your complexion.
This fragrance-free formula shields your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays with sodium hyaluronate to moisturize and lactic acid to refine the skin, clear pores, and reduce shine.
I like this sunscreen, but the price point is on the higher side.
Still, if you want reliable protection that won’t irritate, it’s worth considering.
11. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum UV SPF 50
Key Ingredients: Centella asiatica extract, hyaluronic acid
Best For: All Skin Types
If you’re looking for a sunscreen that feels more like a lightweight hydrating serum, SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum UV SPF 50 provides broad-spectrum UV protection while delivering moisture and radiance.
This serum shields your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays with SPF 50 coverage, offering an airy, silky texture that absorbs well and leaves a luminous, no-white-cast finish perfect for daily summer use.
The unique hyaluronic acid system deeply hydrates, locking in moisture to help your skin look more supple and radiant, even on hot days.
Centella asiatica extract soothes sensitive-looking skin, reduces the appearance of redness, and supports your skin’s natural barrier.
12. Beauty of Joseon Day Dew Sunscreen Lightweight SPF 50
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, panthenol
Best For: Normal, dry, combination, and oily skin
Beauty of Joseon Day Dew Sunscreen Lightweight SPF 50 is a skincare-first sunscreen formula with a barely-there texture that melts in fast and leaves zero white cast for a fresh, dewy finish.
More than just protection, Day Dew feels like your favorite moisturizer packed with hydrating ingredients.
Hyaluronic acid hydrates without heaviness, niacinamide visibly brightens and calms skin, and panthenol gives an additional boost of moisture for that dewy finish.
This lightweight cream layers beautifully under makeup or can be worn alone, making it perfect for everyday use.
The Takeaway
Sunscreen is one of those products where the best choice really comes down to your skin and what you’ll use consistently.
A mineral sunscreen might be perfect for someone with sensitive skin, while someone else finds them too heavy and prefers a chemical formula instead.
And that’s the point.
There’s no one sunscreen that works for everybody.
What matters is finding something that feels good on your skin and fits into your routine.
Because the best sunscreen is always the one you’ll wear every single day, especially as summer rolls in.
Cheers,