We asked leading dermatologists and facial plastic surgeons about the best sunscreens — picks from Neutrogena, Coola and EltaMD topped their lists. (Amazon)
Summer 2025 is in full swing, which means it's time to start using the best sunscreen you can find now to avoid serious skin damage later. In these warmer months, dermatologists recommend applying a potent sunscreen several times a day (and reapplying every two hours) to protect your skin from potentially harmful rays and lower your skin cancer risk by as much as 50%, according to recent studies. Lucky for us, sunscreen isn't as one-size-fits-all as it used to be. With new developments in sun protection, there's now a sunscreen stick, spray or tinted sunscreen-skin-care hybrid suitable for every person, no matter what your skin type.
Read more: The best sunscreens for your face in 2025, recommended by dermatologists
Not only can using a powerful SPF cream decrease your chance of developing skin cancer, it can also help prevent unwanted sun damage and signs of premature aging. To find out more, we tapped dermatologists Dr. Joshua Zeichner, Dr. Cynthia Bailey, founder of Dr. Bailey Skin Care, board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kay Durairaj and Dr. Gary Goldenberg, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, to find out everything from how often you should use to how to shop for the best options.
Below, we've rounded up the six best sunscreens dermatologists not only recommend, but actually use themselves. We've got something in the mix for every skin type, whether you have acne-prone, oily skin; dry, sensitive skin or something in between.
Update, July 8, 2025: We’ve confirmed current pricing and availability for all products. Our top picks remain unchanged.
SPF: 50 | Broad spectrum: Yes | Water resistance: 80 minutes | Mineral or chemical: Chemical | Active ingredients: Avobenzone 1.75%, Homosalate 5%, Octisalate 2%, Octocrylene 5%
Dermatologist Dr. Cynthia Bailey calls Coola’s Organic Face Sunscreen “a nice zinc oxide product.” This fragrance-free option doubles as a lotion, so you can moisturize and protect in one go. It’s easy to wear under makeup and is water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes. A nice feature: Coola’s sunscreen is reef-friendly, so it helps minimize the harmful effects on ocean life when you go for a swim.
SPF: 70 | Broad spectrum: Yes | Water resistance: Up to 80 minutes | Mineral or chemical: Chemical | Active ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 15%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 4.5%
“This sunscreen has been clinically tested and shown to give better sunburn protection compared to sunscreens with lower SPFs,” Dr. Zeichner says. Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen has a lightweight formula, is fast-absorbing, has a non-greasy matte finish and can be found at the drugstore or on Amazon.
Dr. Zeichner particularly likes its high SPF. “In the real world, consumers do not apply as much sunscreen as they should, so the level of protection gets diluted,” he explains. “Starting with a higher SPF to begin with acts like an insurance policy to give you the best level of protection possible.”
SPF: 50 | Broad spectrum: Yes | Water resistance: Up to 80 minutes | Mineral or chemical: Mineral |Active ingredients: 9% Zinc Oxide, 7.5% Octinoxate, 5% Octisalate
Sunscreen is essential, but some formulas can feel heavy and greasy, especially for oily or acne-prone skin. That’s where noncomedogenic sunscreens come in. While the term isn’t strictly regulated, it generally means the product is lighter and less likely to clog pores — a smart starting point if you're prone to breakouts.
EltaMD is a go-to brand for quality sun protection, and Dr. Goldenberg is a fan. The brand’s UV Sport sunscreen is mineral-based, water-resistant and won’t drip into your eyes when you sweat. “This product is noncomedogenic, offers broad-spectrum UV protection and doesn’t leave your face feeling greasy,” he says.
The formula is feather-light, fast-absorbing and delivers just the right amount of hydration. Dermatologists often recommend it to patients with acne-prone skin who want strong SPF protection without the oily feel.
SPF: 30 | Broad spectrum: Yes | Water resistance: No | Mineral or chemical: Mineral | Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide 19.5%, Titanium Dioxide 2.64%
This unscented formula is safe for sensitive skin — it's made with fast-absorbing zinc oxide and is packed with bonus wellness ingredients like vitamin C and green tea to help quell irritation.
Derma-E’s Sun Defense facial sunscreen is 100% fragrance-free, a factor that Dr. Bailey likes. It’s also fortified with vitamin C and green tea to help skin recover after sun exposure and fight the signs of aging. The physical sunscreen’s zinc oxide and titanium dioxide formula provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection, and it’s oil-free so it won’t clog your pores.
SPF: 50 | Broad spectrum: Yes | Water resistance: Yes | Mineral or chemical: Mineral | Active ingredients: 100% Actinica Zinc Oxide
The name may be a mouthful, but Dr. Goldenberg swears by this one. He particularly recommends it for patients who have known sun damage. Isdin’s Eryfotona Actinica is one of the best mineral sunscreens, is lightweight, won’t leave your skin feeling greasy and has UVA/UVB protection. It also has DNA repairsomes and vitamin E to help fight UVA-induced skin damage.
SPF: 60 | Broad spectrum: Yes | Water resistance: Up to 80 minutes | Mineral or chemical: Chemical | Active ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 13.5%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 10%
Dr. Zeichner likes Aveeno’s Protect + Hydrate sunscreen for a few reasons. “Besides offering broad-spectrum sun protection, it delivers a little oatmeal to repair and hydrate the outer skin layer,” he says. “We know that UV light can disrupt the outer skin layer, leading to dryness and irritation.” The sunscreen is fast-absorbing, oil-free and noncomedogenic, so it won't clog your pores. It’s also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
In addition to our team's personal experiences with sunscreen, we reached out to some of the leading skin care experts in the country (who collectively see hundreds of patients a year) and asked them to tell us the sun protection they like best.
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) : "In general, it’s a good idea to look for a sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30 or higher and has the words 'broad spectrum' on the label," says Dr. Bailey.
Broad spectrum: The term indicates that it will protect you against both UVA rays, which cause premature aging and the development of skin cancers, and UVB rays, which cause sunburn.
Type (i.e. stick, spray, lotion): This is mainly about personal preference: “Whether it’s a lotion or gel, stick or spray, the best sunscreen is ultimately the one you are actually using on your skin,” Dr. Zeichner says.
According to Los Angeles facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kay Durairaj, the most effective sequence for working sunscreen into your morning skin care routine is as follows:
Cleansing: Begin with a gentle cleanser. [Durairaj recommends her own KD Skin Glycolic Cream Wash] to "help skin glow by removing overnight dull skin buildup and oils. For mature skin," she says, "a hydrating cleanser can help maintain the skin's natural moisture barrier."
Serums: "Apply any serums next," Durairaj explains. "Antioxidant-rich serums, such as those containing vitamin C, are particularly beneficial for mature skin, offering protection against free radicals and promoting collagen production."
Moisturizer: Follow with a face moisturizer suited to mature skin types. "Products that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides and ceramides can provide deep hydration, support skin structure, and improve texture," Durairaj says.
Sunscreen: "After allowing the moisturizer to absorb fully, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher," Durairaj advises. "For mature skin, a sunscreen that includes moisturizing ingredients and is formulated for sensitive skin may offer additional benefits without causing irritation."
Makeup: According to Durairaj, if makeup is part of your routine, it should be applied after the sunscreen has been fully absorbed. She also recommends using mineral-based products that can further protect the skin from the sun.
The lotion vs. spray sunscreen question largely comes down to your personal preference. Many prefer spray sunscreen because it’s easier and faster to apply without rubbing in, but some say it’s harder to achieve full coverage with a spray bottle if you’re applying it yourself. With lotion, it’s sometimes easier to both apply by hand and to see which spots you’ve missed.
Believe it or not, more is not always better when it comes to SPF in sunscreen. Some lotions with higher SPF ratings use chemicals that are harmful to reefs and ocean wildlife and can also trigger sensitive skin. Aside from that, a more likely concern is that those using higher SPF lotions often have a false sense of security. Just because your lotion is high in SPF doesn’t mean you don’t need to reapply or that you’re immune to damaging effects from the sun. Keep this in mind when opting for a higher SPF. Finally, you might find that lotions with higher SPF ratings are more expensive.
You’ve heard it before: You should wear sunscreen often, ideally every day, to protect against the sun’s rays. Dermatologists don’t just talk about the importance of wearing sunscreen — they practice what they preach. “I wear it every day, 365 days a year,” Dr. Goldenberg. (His top pick for daily wear is EltaMD's Sunscreen Sport Lotion.) "Even in winter, you still get some UV that can cause skin damage."
And they make it easy to remember: “I actually incorporate sunscreen into my daily grooming routine and apply it right after shaving,” Dr. Zeichner tells Yahoo. Even if you are diligent about applying sunblock every morning, don't forget to reapply throughout the day — especially if you are spending a lot of time in the sun.
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist based in New York City
Dr. Cynthia Bailey, dermatologist and founder of Dr. Bailey Skin Care
Dr. Gary Goldenberg, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York City
Dr. Kay Durairaj, facial plastic surgeon based in Los Angeles
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