Best Sunscreen

Broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen offers the best protection

Finding an effective broad-spectrum (as in protecting against UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen is easy. However, relying on SPF to make your decision about your protection needs isn't a good idea because the SPF sunblock rating doesn't indicate UVA protection. Rather it indicates the amount of protection from sunburn-inducing UVB rays. Although sky-high protection ratings, sometimes as high as 100, are becoming more commonplace, most experts say there is little need for an SPF that high. That's because a higher number does not necessarily equal a higher level of protection. For example, SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of rays, while SPF 30 blocks 97 percent. Higher SPF ratings still allow the same 3 percent of UV rays through to the skin. The only benefit of having higher SPF protection is that most people don't apply enough sunscreen to gain the full SPF benefit. Experts say that adults should apply 1 ounce of sunscreen (the equivalent of a palm-full or 2 tablespoons), for full-body coverage every two hours. Higher SPF ratings usually translate into thicker creams, but SPF sunscreens, for the most part, are becoming more lightweight and less goopy.

Until the UVA protection rating system goes into effect, experts suggest checking product labels for adequate UVA-screening ingredients -- titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone and Mexoryl SX. According to experts, these are the only ingredients capable of screening long-wave UVA rays. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are more natural mineral sunscreens that sit on top of the skin and form an effective barrier against UV rays. Avobenzone and Mexoryl SX are chemical sunscreens that absorb UV rays.

It's important to note that issues like the texture or smell of a sunblock can be extremely subjective: What might feel nice to one person could potentially not feel very good at all to another person. That means you might have to try a few sunscreens before you find one that's both effective and feels good to you.

Overall, most experts and consumers say the lightweight Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch line of sunscreens is the best overall. These formulas provide broad-spectrum protection and are available in SPF 30, 45, 55, 70, 85 and 100 formulations. The SPF 30 formula (*Est. $10 for 3 oz.) is reviewed most often, but the SPF 55 also receives some positive ratings in reviews. Users at MakeupAlley.com and Drugstore.com praise the lightweight feel of the SPF 30, 45 and 55 sunscreens and say the formula dries to a nice, matte finish. Editors at InStyle magazine agree, recommending the Neutrogena sunscreen for those who don't like to feel like they are wearing a thick lotion. Testers say Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch absorbs so quickly that "you can't tell it's on." Many users say, however, that the SPF 70 and higher formulations are too thick and heavy. Paula Begoun, beauty expert and author of "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me," says SPFs of 70, 85 and especially 100 are a lot for the skin to handle and provide about 24 hours of protection, which is not necessary. Furthermore, she warns that each of these formulas contains methylisothiazolinone, a preservative that is known to cause irritation, even in small amounts. For that reason, we chose the SPF 30 version for our Best Reviewed section.

The SPF 55 and higher formulas do, however, include Helioplex -- an additive that may give greater peace of mind because it stabilizes UVA-screening avobenzone, allowing this product to protect the skin for longer periods. (Some experts say avobenzone, without stabilizing ingredients, degrades in sunlight, but we didn't find much solid research to back up this claim.) The SPF 30 and 45 formulas don't contain Helioplex, but experts say the UVA protection is still adequate. User reviews at MakeupAlley.com show a slight preference for these formulas because they are lightweight and don't leave any residue.

It should be noted that both Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 30 and SPF 45 sunscreens contain antioxidants (vitamins A,C and E), and the higher SPF formulations do not. Studies show that antioxidants are especially effective at protecting against sun damage when combined with sunscreen.

The drawback to the highly rated Neutrogena sunscreen is its cost of more than $3 per ounce, making it an expensive choice for families who go through gallons of the stuff each summer. One highly rated alternative is No-Ad Sunblock Lotion SPF 45 (*Est. $8 for 16 oz.), which costs approximately 50 cents per ounce. The company has been around since 1960, with a mission to provide high-quality sunscreen at affordable prices. To do this, No-Ad doesn't advertise their products.

We found a couple of reviewers at Drugstore.com who say they have been using No-Ad sunscreen for several years, including a farmer who spends many hours in the sun each day. In one professional test, No-Ad scores as well as other top-rated, higher-priced sunscreens for UVA and UVB protection, as well as water resistance. As with any new skin-care product, it's a good idea to test it on a small patch of skin before using. That's because No-Ad uses chemical sunscreens, as opposed to gentler more natural-sunblock ingredients. It also contains fragrance. Editors at GardenSnob.com, a gardening website, say they have been using the sunscreen for years and praise it for its reasonable price, strong protection and non-greasy feel. Users agree that No-Ad sunscreen is lightweight and absorbs easily. One reviewer at Amazon.com says it "does not feel like you have lotion on you (it feels dry)."

Although it isn't reviewed as often as other sunscreens, No-Ad is an excellent, water-resistant sunscreen that contains avobenzone and oxybenzone for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB coverage. It also contains antioxidants (vitamins A and E) and aloe. Aloe is known to be a soothing water-binding agent that draws water to the skin. It also has antioxidant properties.

On the other end of the price spectrum, we found good reviews for La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 (*Est. $35 for 1.7 oz.). The big attraction for La Roche-Posay is Mexoryl SX, a UVA protector previously available only in Europe. The patented formula is supposed to be more stable than avobenzone and to last for hours without losing its efficacy. Several professional reviewers recommend the sunscreen simply because it contains Mexoryl SX. However, Begoun says that, for the price, this sunscreen is actually "incredibly mundane." That's because, aside from the Mexoryl SX, it doesn't contain any notable ingredients like antioxidants or good moisturizers. Begoun says there are plenty of other options that provide equally good protection for a fraction of the price. Users at MakeupAlley.com give the sunscreen a mediocre rating because it is thick, hard to rub in and leaves a noticeable white residue on the skin.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 60 PA+++ for Face/Body (*Est. $40 for 3.3 oz.) also gets good reviews from experts and users alike. It relies on zinc oxide for broad spectrum protection but has a silky texture compared to most natural sunscreens. Begoun gives the formula a good rating for providing adequate coverage without feeling overly heavy and thick, but she says that, for the price, the sunscreen is rather bland – it contains few antioxidants, unlike other formulas that cost much less. Editors at Shape and Self magazines say they are impressed with the nongreasy texture, but some users at MakeupAlley.com disagree, saying that the Shiseido sunscreen is a bit uncomfortable, especially on the face because it feels heavy and has a strong scent. 

Sport sunscreens and spray sunblock formulas

Sport-formula sunscreens are more water-repellent to resist sweat during activity. Banana Boat Sport Performance Broad Spectrum SPF 100 (*Est. $12 for 4 oz.) contains avobenzone, octocrylene and oxybenzone for complete UVA and UVB protection. Beauty expert Paula Begoun praises this sunscreen, even though it has a very high SPF rating – something she typically says is unnecessary. This formula is different, according to Begoun, because it contains butyloctyl salicylate, which stabilizes and boosts the active ingredients so that a small percentage provides a high level of protection. The formula is also fragrance-free and contains some antioxidants (vitamins A, C and E), which further help to prevent skin damage. Editors at Shape magazine say that Banana Boat sport sunscreen doesn't drip into the eyes either, even with excessive sweating. The product is too new to have any user reviews as of this report. Still, we chose to include this sport sunblock in our Best Reviewed section because it gets good professional reviews and has high quality ingredients with a proven track record. It's important to note that Banana Boat has a few other Sport Performance sunscreens (SPF 15, 30 and 50) with similar names, but they have a different formula and rely on slightly different ingredients.

Spray-on sunscreens can also be a convenient choice because users don't have to rub them in. However, a fair amount of product is lost into the air during application (which can lead to less coverage), and users can't spray these sunscreens on their faces. Still, Coppertone Sport Continuous Spray (*Est. $10 for 6 oz.) does well in professional reviews, where it gets high marks for being water- and sweat-resistant. Editors at InStyle and Real Simple magazines also praise it for being able to spray at any angle, making it easy to protect hard to reach areas. Users say this spray is easy to use and dries quickly. A few, however, say that the Coppertone spray sunscreen feels a bit sticky, "like hairspray" and that it's hard to tell where it has and hasn't been applied. Some mention getting burned in missed spots, which, it should be noted, can happen with any sunscreen.

Begoun, on the other hand, gives this sunscreen a poor rating because it contains high levels of denatured alcohol (common in spray-on formulas) that can irritate the skin. We didn't, however, find any user complaints about irritation. Begoun also points to a bigger concern in its lack of any ingredients to protect against long-range UVA rays. The SPF 15 and 30 formulas rely on homosalate, octisalate, octinoxate and oxybenzone for sun protection but don't include any essential UVA protectors (avobenzone, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or Mexoryl SX). If you like the convenience that Coppertone Sport provides, experts suggest using one of the SPF 50, 70 or 100 formulas, all of which contain avobenzone.

Many spray-on sunscreens contain potentially irritating alcohol. One exception is Kinesys Performance Sunscreen Spray Fragrance Free SPF 30 (*Est. $19 for 4 oz.). Begoun says that it has a silky texture and provides reliable protection. The formula is very water- and sweat-resistant, making it a great option for outdoor athletes. Although manufacturers say this is a good option for those with sensitive skin, experts say that mineral-based more natural-sunscreen ingredients (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) are better suited to sensitive skin than the chemical actives contained in Kinesys. It relies on avobenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene and octisalate for broad spectrum protection. The formula also contains the antioxidant vitamin E.