May 31, 2023
The Best Body Sunscreens, According to Dermatologists
Christopher Ehlers READ TIME: 16 MIN.
If sunscreen makes you think of chalky, chemical-scented sunscreens that leave behind a greasy whitecast and get all over your clothes, chances are you're using the wrong sunscreen. These days, sunscreens are more cosmetically elegant than ever, which means that there's no reason you shouldn't be protecting yourself on a daily basis. Sure, sunscreen isn't often thought of as sexy, and it can be a hassle to apply, but in addition to preventing skin cancer, it will help keep your skin as healthy as possible for as long as possible. What's not to love?
Like everything else, not all sunscreens are created equal. Fortunately, Glamour has enlisted the help of multiple dermatologists to find the best body sunscreens on the market.
The experts they consulted with include Nava Greenfield, MD, Hadley King, MD-FAAD, and Carmen Castilla, MD, all based in New York City. Here are their top choices:
Supergoop! Play 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 50 with Green Algae
"For outdoor activities or to have on hand while you're traveling, Supergoop Play is a great option. 'It's lightweight and fast-absorbing, but also contains humectants like glycerin to hydrate the skin, and emollients like jojoba esters and triglycerides to support the skin barrier,' says Dr. King. Plus it includes one especially unique ingredient: green algae, which, she explains, 'helps to protect from infrared.' Glamour editors also love that it goes on clear and doesn't have a potent smell." $36, Sephora.
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen
"This sunscreen comes highly recommended by all our derms. Dr. King likes that it 'rubs in clear and contains aloe vera, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E to nourish the skin.' She also notes that 'it's noncomedogenic and does not contain parabens or fragrances–making it a good fit for sensitive skin.' " $17.69, Target.
Avène Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+
" 'Holy moly, this sunscreen is everything,' says Jessica Radloff, Glamour's senior West Coast editor, of Avènes best-selling facial sunscreen. In fact, she enjoys layering on this SPF because it feels so silky and comfortable on her skin: 'It's super hydrating and blends right in, giving me a healthy glow and never feeling drying or heavy.' Also noteworthy: This sunscreen contains bisabolol, allantoin, and niacinamide, which all have skin-calming properties." $34, Avène.
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen Body
"As a longtime wellness editor, I've tested countless sunscreens, and this is one of my personal favorites. It rubs on smooth without a greasy look or feel, which makes it the perfect sunscreen for everyday use. It's also bursting with hydrating ingredients, such as olive leaf and fruit extracts, which Dr. Greenfield calls important, since sun exposure can cause the skin to dry out." $42, Sephora.
EltaMD UV Sport SPF 50
"It's hard to find a sunscreen that doesn't leave your body a greasy mess, but EltaMd's UV Sport has proved time and time again to be the perfect companion for all kinds of summer activities," says senior commerce editor Talia Abbas about this reliable fragrance-free SPF. "It's lightweight, dries within minutes, and doesn't clog your pores, which I'm always worried will inflame my keratosis pilaris and the little breakouts that come with it." $30, Dermstore.
Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
"This sunscreen honestly feels like summertime in a bottle. Another one of my personal favorites, this SPF checks a lot of derm-advised boxes: It's water-resistant, noncomedogenic (which means it won't clog your pores), and contains moisturizing ingredients to keep dry skin hydrated throughout. It also contains vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals. What's more, the brand says the formula is Hawaii Act 104 Reef Compliant, meaning it doesn't contain the chemicals oxybenzone or octinoxate. In all, it's a fabulous sunscreen to lather on before a day at the beach or during summertime travels." $18.49, Amazon.
Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 for Face & Body
"For darker skin types, it can be difficult to find mineral sunscreens that don't leave a white cast," says Dr. King. Fortunately, this lightweight face and body sunscreen is specifically formulated for medium to dark skin tones. It includes an array of naturally soothing and hydrating ingredients, including avocado, jojoba, cacao, carrot juice, and sunflower oil. The strategically selected components of this sunscreen not only moisturize and protect the skin but also minimize white residue. Not to mention it has thousands of five-star reviews across multiple retail sites!" $15.99, Target.
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Body Lotion
"Another one of the best mineral sunscreens is this CeraVe lotion. In addition to sun-protecting minerals, the formula also contains hyaluronic acid and three different ceramides, which help moisturize and support the skin's natural barrier. A couple more wins: It's gentle on sensitive skin and contains reef-safe ingredients." $13, Amazon.
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+
This reformulation of the classic Shiseido sunscreen is now made without coral-reef-damaging oxybenzone and octinoxate. "It's completely invisible and feels like nothing on your skin," says contributor Bella Cacciatore, who's always on the lookout for great skin care products for acne-prone skin. "I had sunscreens that leave me feeling sticky, but this one is so comfortable I forget I'm wearing it, even when I slather up my whole body." Another magical feature? Thanks to its WetForce technology, the more you sweat, the more effective it becomes, without any white cast or residue." $25-$50, Nordstrom.
SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen
"This broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen spreads evenly over your skin and is well-suited for all different skin types.'The formula offers SPF 50 sun protection, which is just the amount of protection I want when I'm going to the beach,' says Abbas. While the price tag is a bit on the higher side, she says the bottle 'lasts way longer than just one summer.' " $42, Dermstore.
Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen
"This sport-ready sunscreen 'works well and doesn't leave a sticky residue,' says Dr. Castilla. She also loves that it has a solid 80 minutes water resistance, so the protection is sufficient for swimming or other outdoor activities." $22, Amazon.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen
"For the perfect beach sunscreen, Glamour's deputy editor Anna Moeslein recommends Alba Botanica. 'All the pros you look for in a sunscreen are here,' she says. 'It's waterproof, goes on clear, has a reef-safe formula, and even has a subtle coconut smell that's pleasant but not overpowering. I recently spent a weekend lounging by the pool in Austin and came away without any hyperpigmentation thanks to this sunscreen.' " $25.99, Amazon.
Alba Botanica Hawaiian Coconut Sunscreen Spray
"For the perfect beach sunscreen, Glamour's deputy editor Anna Moeslein recommends Alba Botanica. 'All the pros you look for in a sunscreen are here,' she says. 'It's waterproof, goes on clear, has a reef-safe formula, and even has a subtle coconut smell that's pleasant but not overpowering. I recently spent a weekend lounging by the pool in Austin and came away without any hyperpigmentation thanks to this sunscreen.' " $12.39, Target.
Vacation Classic Sunscreen Lotion
"This has been dubbed the 'world's best-smelling sunscreen.' The brand worked with a perfumer to create a lotion with nostalgic notes of coconut, banana, pool water, pool toys, and swimsuit Lycra (yes, you read that right). Beyond its iconic scent, Vacation sunscreen is filled with ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, niacinamide, and vitamin E to nourish the skin. Abbas says it's a beach-bag essential: 'The bottle is sizable enough not to finish after a single day of multiple reapplications but can still go in a carry-on for plane travel. The scent really does capture that salty-skin-and-pool-cocktails vibe, and the formula absorbs quickly without staining my favorite Hunza G bikinis. Keep in mind that it's only SPF 30, so remember to reapply diligently to avoid getting a sunburn.' " $18, Nordstrom.
Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow SPF 50
"This unique gel sunscreen is designed to give your skin a glowy look, while also protecting it from UVA and UVB rays. It contains a range of nourishing ingredients to keep your skin feeling hydrated, like macadamia oil, vitamin E, avocado oil, and coconut oil. Take it from this happy customer review: 'It smells amazing and feels great, not greasy at all! I'm taking it to all my vacay spots this summer.' " $39, Target.