The 9 Best Sunscreens of 2026, Tested by Dermatologists and Editors

Dr. Campbell is a fan of EltaMD's sunscreen, as are Lindsay Geller, Women's Health's lifestyle director, and Amanda Lucci, our special projects director. It contains hyaluronic acid, so Dr. Campbell often recommends it to patients with drier skin. EltaMD boasts a fragrance-free, paraben-free, and non-comedogenic formulation, making it ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

The lotion has a creamy, slightly whipped texture that requires a little extra effort to blend into the skin, but it’s worth it, says Geller. However, our editors with medium to dark skin tones say this leaves a white cast on their skin, but using the Tinted version can help.

The world of sunscreen can sometimes feel like a catch-22: Either you're stuck using SPF that imparts a gnarly white cast, or you're using one that leaves your skin irritated and sensitive. The Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion with SPF 50 sidesteps both of those issues, according to editorial assistant Katie Mogg. “The lightweight formula melts into my skin seamlessly, all while making it feel hydrated and nourished,” she says. Plus, it offers 80 minutes of water resistance, making it her go-to SPF for my sweaty outdoor running sessions.

Although I prefer a tinted face sunscreen, when I know I’ll be near the water or exercising outdoors I opt for this SPF. Play Everyday is my beach bag essential and for any trips to the park. It absorbs quickly without leaving behind a sticky residue on my body. Supergoop! doesn’t leave behind an ashy finish either. Instead, it blends flawlessly into my complexion.

The only thing I’d change about this sunscreen is the sizing options. There are four sizes, the most of any recommendations this list. However, only the extra large 18 fl. oz bottle comes a pump. It would be nice to have the flexability of a pump with the other sizes, or at least the standard. But it’s not a true deal breaker, and I still like how slim the original squeeze bottle of sunscreen is and how it doesn’t take up too much space in my checked suitcase and beach bag.

Tower 28 is one of the best sunscreens that I’ve ever used. It combines all of the benefits of a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen with foundation-like coverage in 17 shades.

It offers light-to-medium coverage that evens out my complexion without looking cakey or feeling goopy on my face. Problem spots like hyperpigmentation could use some extra love with concealer—Tower 28 makes a sweet one—but I don’t feel insecure if those spots show through with this sunscreen. It took me some trial and error to discover my exact shade, but I landed on the color 40 Silver Lake on my face and use 55 Temescal as a bronzer for a deep golden warmth.

Application is also a breeze—it applies nicely with the warmth of my fingers, but I get the most coverage when using a densely-packed brush like my BK Beauty 101 Foundation Brush. I just apply the SPF to my face, buff the fluffy bristles in small, circular motions across my face, and I experience zero streaks.

Knowing that richer sunscreen shades can be a real let-down, I hit up digital designer Taryn Colbert to give this one a whirl. She uses the color 55 and puts its color payoff and longevity to the test. Tower 28 applies evenly to her bare skin and feels like nothing is on her face. Since she doesn’t have any texture or acne issues, she didn’t notice any splotches or separation with extra oil. I also have oily skin and noticed some pore emphasis on my cheeks after a few hours of wear, but honestly, touching up with oil-blotting sheets and a thin, fresh layer of SPF helps.

While Colbert and I agree with Tower 28’s sentiment that the colors are flexible, it would still be nice to have a wider range of undertones in the tan and deep shades. Still, it’s the SPF that replaces my foundation each summer and one I recommend to anyone who doesn’t want to compromise on sun protection or cosmetic coverage.

Powder sunscreen is the most underrated formulation—and Brush on Block is my favorite. It comes in a tube that features soft bristles that I dust over my face like a setting powder. It’s mess-free, making it ideal for touch-ups on the go. The broad-spectrum sunscreen is also water-resistant, so I can dust it on while poolside without worry.

But above all, it earned major snaps from Dr. King, who uses it on her face andscalp as a dry shampoo hack. Beyond perking up your hair by absorbing oil, it can add volume and texture by coating your strands with fine powders, making your hair appear fuller without sticky residue, says Dr. Goldenberg. So how should you apply it? Dr. King likes to gently rub or massage the powder into the scalp with her fingertips so that it’s not visible, she says.

The only downside? There is only one shade available: Translucent. It hasn’t left my caramel complexion looking ghostly. However, the brand makes other tinted powder sunscreens. I’d appreciate it if this SPF 50 became available in richer shades to accommodate more melanin-rich complexions and anyone with dark hair like mine.

La Roche-Posay is one of the most reliable skincare brands in the game. The line is a favorite of many dermatologists I consulted, and Dr. Ranella Hirsch, MD, highlights this particular sunscreen as her top pick. She highlights the creamy formulation, which hydrates her skin and leaves it feeling velvety soft.

This is also Ritchey's new go-to. “As long as you don't smother yourself in it, I feel like it's pretty light for a sunscreen,” she says. “It's a little tacky after going on, but honestly, it was kind of nice—it definitely helped my makeup stick!” It also has a faint sunscreen smell, which she doesn't mind, since it reminds her that Anthelios Melt-In is working. She’s a self-described heavy sweater, and didn’t experience any streaking with this sunscreen.

Just keep in mind that a little goes a long way—a lesson Ritchey learned the hard way. “The first time I put too much in my hand, I looked like Larry the Lifeguard from SpongeBob SquarePants.”

Dermatologists advise applying two finger-lengths of sunscreen—about a quarter-sized amount—to your face and neck.

Read more: How Much Sunscreen You Should Use On Your Face?

Although it’s expensive, associate style and reviews editor Shannen Zitz has repurchased this sunscreen for over three years. Colorscience is the only tinted sunscreen Zitz found that matches her cool-toned fair complexion without leaning too warm or too dark. “Tinted or non-tinted, it’s one of the only sunscreens that doesn’t cause acne—and I’m on Accutane—and it feels really nice on my skin,” she says.

Men’s Health associate health and fitness editor Jocelyn Solis-Moreira found success with the shade Medium. She admits being picky about sunscreens and often stocks up on European and Asian brands when traveling because those typically don’t leave behind a dreaded whitecast. However, ColoreScience impressed her after one try.

“With only a pea-sized amount, I saw an immediate difference in my face,” she says. It helped brighten her complexion, masked redness on her nose, and even had friends complimenting her glow. “It honestly felt like a layer of foundation that blended perfectly into my tan skin,” she says. She was so delighted with the results that she didn’t even apply concealer or setting powder. “I had to honestly do a double-take the first time that I was applying sunscreen and not makeup,” she says. “I would 100% recommend this product and will be a regular customer after this experience.”

Colbert was impressed by the lightweight texture but noted it required more effort to use. Notably, she had to wait for it to transform from white to her rich complexion before blending it onto her face. Colbert admits she had to work the sunscreen into her skin to ensure it didn’t look streaky, and that she didn’t miss any spots while waiting for the color to change. Still, she appreciates the overall appearance it left on her complexion. While not her perfect shade match, rich does resemble how her skin looks after a beach vacation.

Although each shade adapts to your complexion, I passed on this one because the limited color range wasn't a good fit for my olive undertones. Still, given the multiple rave reviews from our staff, it’s worth trying if you have the extra funds.

Supergoop! is a favorite among dermatologists and our editors for its super-clear formulas—and rightfully so! This all-over version of the brand's star product—the Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40—does the same thing its predecessor does: it goes on invisible, feels velvety and weightless, and offers out-of-this-world sun protection.

"So many sunscreens have given my skin this heavy, greasy feeling right after I apply them, and on a really hot day in the sun, sometimes that can make you feel even hotter," says beauty contributor Danielle Jackson. "This formula is so light that I almost forgot I even had it on. It really makes you feel like you're not wearing anything."

Aloian has oily skin and easily breaks out, but she didn’t experience any body acne with this SPF. She didn't layer it with other body products, but she was impressed by how easily it spread, thanks to its more liquid texture, which blends into her sensitive areas like the neck. “I love this sunscreen—it doesn't leave any white streaks or irritate my skin. It'll definitely stay in my skincare routine for the long haul,” she says.

Honestly, the only con with this sunscreen is that it’s slightly pricey. However, we’ve been testing this SPF for over a month, and our editors predict each container will last them between two and three months before a restock.

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