Experts Reveal Best And Worst Sunscreen Brands
If you spend time outdoors, you're going to want to slather on the sunscreen. The choices for sunscreen run far deeper than looking at their SPF rating. From the ingredients used in each brand to its form factor, there's no shortage of factors to consider.
Whether you're looking for a lotion or a spray, a high SPF or a lower rating, we've got you covered. Make sure you make the right choice when it comes to your fun in the sun this summer.
Best: Sheer Perfection
Sheer Perfection's mineral body sunscreen scores a high rating from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an organization we'll rely on for its excellent sunscreen ratings. The ingredients on Sheer Perfection's label don't include any carcinogens or harmful chemicals.
Of all the ingredients in Sheer Perfection's offering, most are well-researched and understood to not cause potential harm to humans. This is a good choice for people who want something derived from more natural ingredients.
Worst: Banana Boat Sport Ultra
One of the more popular sunscreen brands out there is Banana Boat, and it comes in an increasingly popular form factor, available as a convenient aerosol spray. Unfortunately, this brand scores a low rating from the EWG.
The main issue here is the spray — which can pose an inhalation risk. There's also the possibility that the advertised SPF rating on this doesn't actually reflect UV protection. In reality, UV protection is likely significantly lower than it states on the label.
Best: Badger
Badger's range of products encompasses rub-on sticks and various lotions — formulated for kids and adults — all with relatively low SPF ratings. Nonetheless, every Badger product tested by the EWG was given a "low hazard" rating.
Whichever offering you go with from Badger, you're likely to be satisfied with what you get. The ingredients are generally based around uncoated zinc oxide, but also include stuff like beeswax and shea butter oil.
Worst: Coppertone Pure & Simple
Coppertone is one of the biggest sunscreen manufacturers out there, so it may or may not come as a surprise that most of its products are deemed to be at least a moderate hazard by the EWG.
This product is flagged because its SPF rating likely doesn't reflect reality, and its ingredients could be triggering for those with allergies or immunosensitivity. Coppertone also tests its products on animals, which could be a red flag for pet lovers.
Best: Babo Botanicals
Babo Botanicals meets the EWG's strict standards for health and safety, so you can rest assured that it's free from harmful ingredients. The ingredients list includes various natural extracts from plants like nasturtium, chamomile, and calendula.
This brand also makes products with fairly high SPF ratings — ratings which appear to be accurate. If the label says it's 50 SPF, it's 50 SPF. Babo is also highly regarded as a generally ethical company.
Worst: CVS Health Ultra
For unprepared beachgoers, store brands like CVS can come in handy when looking for some sunscreen — any sunscreen — on short notice. Perhaps this is what CVS is banking on because its line of sunscreen lotions receives poor marks across the board.
Chief among the issues with CVS is the fact that its sunscreen contains oxybenzone, a chemical which can disrupt hormones. Other chemicals present are not studied enough by the FDA to be classified as safe and effective.
Best: Think Sport Clear Zinc
Think Sport's Clear Zinc sunscreen lotion has a formulation of chemicals and ingredients that have been thoroughly studied and determined to be safe, so this is a great choice for families who want to stay away from harmful chemicals.
Amazon reviewers speak highly of this mineral sunscreen with its higher-end SPF rating. It spreads on easily (and it's clear, so no messy sunscreen streaks). Think Sport's ingredient list also confirms that it's vegan.
Worst: Equate Sport Spray
Unsurprisingly, another store brand — and another spray sunscreen — has popped up on this list. Equate's fragrance alone has the potential to cause issue for people with allergies.
The EWG rating for Equate says this offering contains a moderate risk of endocrine disruption and a moderate risk of irritation to the eyes, skin, or lungs. Equate's spray also contains oxybenzone, the hormone disrupting chemical that's best to be avoided.
Best: Solara Suncare Go! Mineral Defense
Solara advertises this product as a "mineral defense" sunscreen for the face. The EWG rates it highly, stating that it contains no problematic chemicals and is certified cruelty-free, meaning it isn't tested on animals.
The formulation contains relatively few ingredients (in terms of sunscreens), and there's excellent transparency. This means that every ingredient is listed, rather than grouping multiple unknowns into "fragrance" or "parfum." This product shouldn't be triggering to people with allergies.
Worst: Neutrogena Beach Defense
Neutrogena's broad lineup of skincare options is incredibly popular, and this brand awareness is likely to boost their sunscreen sales as well. Unfortunately, Neutrogena's products are all classified as moderate to high risk.
One of the higher-risk offerings is Neutrogena's Beach Defense spray. Of its active ingredients, four of them — avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene — have not been studied enough by the FDA to be deemed as conclusively safe.
Best: Well People Bio Tint Tinted Moisturizer
This daily use moisturizing sunscreen comes in minimalistic packaging that offers a hint at its naturally derived ingredients. The EWG lists no overall concerns with this product's formulation, with none of the ingredients being deemed problematic.
Reading the ingredient label, once you get past the zinc oxide and chemicals with long names, there's no shortage of natural oils and plant extracts present in Well People's sunscreen. These ingredients help give this brand a pleasing scent.
Worst: The Seaweed Bath Co. Sport+ Cooling Mist
Don't let the rustic-looking label fool you, this product from The Seaweed Bath Company contains homosalate and octisalate, two chemicals with not enough data to confirm whether they're safe and effective for humans.
Like other spray-on sunscreens in this list, this product could contain tiny particles that can damage the lungs if inhaled. It's also full of indeterminate fragrances, which will likely pose a problem for anyone who has an allergic sensitivity.
Best: Attitude Sunly Mineral
Attitude's Sunly lineup of sunscreens includes several products, one of which is their mineral sunscreen stick, which rolls on like a deodorant. This one is EWG-verified and comes with no fragrance—a relative rarity in the world of sunscreens.
Eco-conscious consumers will also be big fans of the fact that this is a vegan product and comes in packaging that's made of cardboard, not plastic.
Worst: Panama Jack
As one of the more mainstream sunscreen brands out there, Panama Jack earns consistently high reviews on Amazon. However, a look at its ingredients list should give you pause if you're concerned about what you're rubbing into your skin.
Panama Jack sunscreens tend to contain oxybenzone, which can disrupt hormones. It also has a multitude of chemicals that have not been fully evaluated by the FDA. The EWG also states that Panama Jack sunscreen overstates its SPF levels.
Best: Stream2Sea EcoStick Sport
Plenty of sunscreens with "sport" in their name are often spray-on in nature, with a list of chemicals a mile long. Stream2Sea is a refreshing outlier in this regard, offering one of the highest-rated "sport" sunscreens available on the market.
This is a relatively straightforward sunscreen and doesn't offer the plant extracts and ecological qualifications of more bougie brands. That said, its SPF rating is accurate, and its ingredients don't pose a cause for concern.
Worst: Hawaiian Tropic Weightless Hydration
Another popular mainstream brand of sunscreens, Hawaiian Tropic, runs afoul of a couple of EWG standards: Its SPF likely isn't as high as claimed, and it has a host of problematic ingredients that health-conscious consumers might want to stay away from.
This product also has that classic sunscreen scent, which is pleasing for many people — but problematic for others, particularly those with allergies. The formulation of the fragrance isn't clear, which makes it tough to assess whether it'll trigger specific allergies.
Best: Crunchi
Crunchi has two sunscreens that have been highly rated by the EWG: A daily facial sunscreen and a body lotion. Both products have similar ingredients, and both are certified cruelty-free, so they don't test on animals.
At 30 SPF, Crunchi's offerings might not be ideal for those with fairer skin, or anyone spending all day in the sun. That said, they're a product that's received high grades from consumers and regulators alike.
Worst: Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen
Alba Botanica's lineup of sunscreens receives poor ratings from the EWG for typical reasons: lower-than-advertised SPF ratings and potentially hazardous chemicals. Some Amazon reviewers slammed it for the same reasons, criticizing its inclusion of octocrylene on the ingredients list.
Another reviewer said that this contained the double whammy of feeling thick and heavy on the skin while not providing nearly enough protection from the sun. This seems like a good one to avoid.
Best: Beautycounter Countersun
Beautycounter is in the middle of revamping its company structure, so if you're a fan of its sunscreens, it might be a good idea to stock up — you never know if the new versions will keep the old formulation.
This mineral sunblock is full of good stuff like beeswax, aloe, orange and lemon peel oil, and various other fruit extracts. It's ranked highly by the EWG and smells great as well.
Worst: Best Choice Sport Broad Spectrum
Brands with names like 'Best Choice' are often one of the worst choices in terms of a specific product category, and Best Choice sunscreen is a fantastic example of this phenomenon.
The high SPF rating of this sunscreen, ranging as high as 70, could offer a false sense of security without being more effective than an SPF of 50 — but it likely isn't even that effective, based on EWG modeling that says it falls short of its advertised SPF.
Best: Attitude Oatmeal
Attitude promises oatmeal with this product, so you'd better believe that it contains oatmeal — specifically Avena sativa or oat kernel flour — in its ingredient list. It's EWG-verified and has a strong rating on Amazon.
Reviewers said that while it feels a tad oily, it doesn't leave too many white streaks. Mostly though, it was a hit with eco-conscious consumers who praised it for its low levels of additives and unnecessary chemicals.
Worst: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light
La Roche-Posay promises that its sunscreen spray is "ultra light," which should appeal to anyone who doesn't like slathering thick, greasy sunscreen into their skin. While it may apply easily, it doesn't offer as much sun protection as other products in this category.
Adding to the list of negatives, the EWG points out that it contains the hormone-disrupting chemical oxybenzone, along with four other ingredients that haven't been fully assessed by the FDA.
Best: Sonage Roux Tinted Day creme
Sonage's broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen comes in a small container and is designed to be worn under makeup. The EWG gives it top marks for being free of nasty, unnecessary chemicals, and reviewers loved it for its versatility.
"It is like makeup, skin care and sunscreen all in one," raved one Amazon reviewer, who noted that they're fair skinned and found that this Sonage product blended in well to their natural skin tone.
Worst: Bare Republic Clearscreen
Bare Republic offers another product that goes on clear, freeing beachgoers from the hassle of thick, streaky sunscreen. But one look at the list of ingredients might have you going back to the standard lotions.
Bare Republic's fragrance formulation will be trouble for anyone who's sensitive to fragrances, with the EWG giving it a high probability of messing with allergies, and a moderate chance of irritating the skin, eyes, or lungs.
Best: Ao Skincare 6000X Elemental Screen
This product from Distil Skincare promises to moisturize the skin while protecting it from the sun's rays. Its ingredients list includes things like green tea, coconut, and rice husks, and its packaging is sustainably made from plant fiber waste.
It's this commitment to healthy ingredients (and full transparency on what exactly is included in the ingredients listing) that earns Ao's product a high rating from the EWG, with no ingredients being a particular concern.
Worst: It Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow
Part sunscreen and part foundation, It Cosmetics created this product to serve as makeup while also providing protection from the sun. While it might work just fine as a foundation, it certainly falls short as a sunscreen.
The EWG says this brand falls significantly short of its modest SPF rating and also contains three chemicals — homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene — that the FDA does not have enough data on to classify as safe.
Best: 4ocean Reef Safe
This SPF 40 sunscreen comes in a convenient tin. A mineral-based product, this water-resistant product is a popular choice for beachgoers and others who plan on getting wet.
One of the main selling points of 4ocean's lineup — aside from sustainability — is what it markets as an "eco-safe" zinc formulation, which doesn't leave white streaks on the skin, is safe for the world's oceans, and holds up under adverse conditions.
Worst: Lancome Paris Octinoxate
Lancome's bougie lineup of skincare offerings also includes sunscreen, but don't let the high price fool you: This product is probably one that you'll want to skip.
While it only contains one potentially problematic chemical (others on our 'worst' list tend to contain far more), that ingredient is octinoxate. There are concerns surrounding octinoxate, mostly dealing with reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, and the potential of biochemical or cellular level changes.
Best: True Botanicals Skin Barrier
True Botanicals makes their Skin Barrier sunscreen in an SPF 30 form factor and it comes in a relatively small pump. While the quantity is low, the quality is high, with the EWG giving it top marks for its ingredients and its cruelty-free manufacturing process.
This is another sunscreen that has a pleasant scent derived from the extracts it contains, including jojoba seed oil, aloe, bitter orange flower, chebula fruit extract, and milk thistle. None of its ingredients represent a cause for concern.
Worst: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector
Is this SPF 50 truly the ultimate sun protector? In a word, no. Its real-world UV protection doesn't match what's on the label, and it's full of chemicals that are probably best to avoid.
Adding to this, its fragrance — though it's likely pleasing to plenty of people — could trigger allergies. The ingredients listing doesn't list what specifically goes into this fragrance, so it's impossible to determine whether it'll pose a problem for your sensitivities.
Best: Love Sun Body Glow Natural Daily Tinted
This offering from Love Sun Body is a great all-around sunscreen lotion, free of any ingredients on the EWG's "unacceptable list" and transparent about the ingredients it does contain.
Amazon reviewers praised this sunscreen for not only being safe and receiving high EWG ratings, but also for being easy to apply. Another reviewer said that even though the bottle may seem small, a little goes a long way — and the bottle will last longer than you might think.
Worst: Soleil Toujours Mineral Ally Daily Defense
This sunscreen from Soleil Toujours doesn't offer good bang for your buck: Not only is the cost high for how much you're getting, it also receives an extremely poor score from the EWG.
The SPF 50 rating here overstates the sunscreen's true efficacy, and the ingredients list is packed with stuff that carries a higher risk for allergies and immunotoxicity. This is due to the large number of additives and fragrances in its formulation.
Best: Biossance Squalane + Mineral
Biossance includes squalane in their formulation for this SPF 45 daily driver. Squalane is a saturated oil that helps moisturize the skin, and is also helpful for people with conditions like acne and eczema.
This higher-end sunscreen scores high marks from consumers and the EWG alike, with an ingredients list that's safe and transparent. Extracts like bitter orange and ginger help give this sunscreen a pleasing scent when it's rubbed into the skin.
Worst: Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer Sunscreen
Jergens is a generally trusted name in the world of lotions, so it isn't surprising that they make a moisturizing sunscreen as part of their product lineup. The EWG doesn't like this one for a number of reasons.
Like other low-rated sunscreens, this one overstates its SPF protection. It also contains avobenzone, octisalate, and octocrylene — three ingredients that haven't been studied enough by the FDA to be classified as safe and effective.
Best: Rejuva Minerals Sheer Daily Wear Face Protection
Those who are looking for an option specifically for their face might want to opt for Rejuva Minerals' Sheer Daily Wear sunscreen. While the small container means this won't go far when applied on the body, it's a great choice for face protection.
The EWG has certified this sunscreen as safe. At SPF 16, it might not seem particularly protective, but this rating is high enough to offer decent protection if you're diligent about re-applying.
Worst: Sun Bum Browning Sunscreen Lotion
Sun Bum's browning lotion promises something that's seemingly impossible: This SPF 15 option is designed to protect the skin from the sun while simultaneously allowing the skin to get a good tan from the sun.
The ingredients list here is about a mile long, and even its decidedly modest SPF 15 rating is likely overstated. This one is full of potentially hazardous chemicals and isn't likely to give the skin much protection.
Best: Thinkbaby Clear Zinc
This clear zinc sunscreen from Thinkbaby is not only safe from an ingredients standpoint, it's also a fantastic choice for people with scent-based sensitivities. It's one of relatively few scentless sunscreens on the market, and is hypoallergenic to boot.
The ingredients list includes all sorts of naturally moisturizing oils, from cranberry seed to sunflower seed to jojoba seed. These ingredients serve to moisturize, not add scent, so they shouldn't trigger any allergies.
Worst: Innisfree Daily UV Defense
This sunscreen from Innisfree contains an interesting blend of ingredients: A whole host of chemicals that may or may not be safe and effective, along with natural extracts and seed oils.
Consumers seem to like this one, but the EWG certainly doesn't. The group flags this one with a high probability of causing allergies, and a moderate possibility of including cancer-causing carcinogens. It seems like an option that's worth skipping.
Best: One Love Body Soul Natural Mineral Balm
This rich, luxurious balm receives high ratings from the EWG, and one look at the ingredients list shows why. It has quite possibly the most simplistic ingredients of any sunscreen on this list.
Aside from simple zinc oxide, the ingredients in this sunscreen from One Love Body Soul are simple oils and extracts. All of these ingredients are safe, and there are no additives with long chemical names. It's a great choice for those who want to keep things simple.
Worst: Belli Skincare Pure Radiance
Belli Skincare's Pure Radiance sunscreen is a bit of a mixed bag. While its scent is gentle and shouldn't trigger allergies or immunological reactions, and it doesn't include any particularly sketchy chemicals, it's also not as effective as it claims.
The EWG didn't have any problem with the ingredients list, but criticized it for claiming it could deliver more UV protection than it actually can. Considering it only claims an SPF of 30, that's really saying something.
