19 Best Sunscreens for Every Skin Type in 2024, According to Dermatologists
Protect your skin with these top-rated, expert-approved sunscreens for your face and body.
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If there’s one thing you should never skip before heading out for the day, it’s sunscreen—no matter what the forecast is outside. Year-round, the best sunscreens will help protect your skin from the sun’s powerful UV rays—minimizing your risk of painful sunburns, skin cancer, and even premature signs of aging, such as dark spots and wrinkles.
The two main types of sunscreen are physical (mineral) and chemical. “A physical sunscreen typically acts like a shield, deflecting and/or scattering ultraviolet (UV) rays and once applied, sit on the surface of the skin,” explains Janiene Luke, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Loma Linda, CA. “Chemical sunscreens act like a sponge, absorbing UV rays and converting them to heat which is then released from the skin.”
Meet the Experts: Janiene Luke, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Loma Linda, CA; Lauren Ploch, M.D., fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD); Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City; Mona Gohara, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine; and more.
Aside from choosing between physical vs. chemical sunscreen, sunscreens also come in various forms, like sunscreen sticks, lotions, sprays, and gels—not to mention the best sunscreen for your skin type, tinted sunscreens, scalp sunscreens, and beyond.
Plus, when you consider that the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends reapplying sunscreen every two hours (or immediately after you go for a swim, sweat heavily, or dry yourself off with a towel) it’s even more crucial to pick a formula that you enjoy wearing. To help you choose the perfect one for your needs, we’ve rounded up the best ones, recommended by board-certified dermatologists or reviewed by testers to protect your skin.
Our top picks
Ready to find your perfect sunscreen? Check out these top-rated options to keep skin protected wherever you go.
Alisa Hrustic is the deputy editor at Prevention, where she leads the brand’s digital editorial strategy. She’s spent the last five years interviewing top medical experts, interpreting peer-reviewed studies, and reporting on health, nutrition, weight loss, and fitness trends for national brands like Women’s Health and Men’s Health. She spends most of her days diving into the latest wellness trends, writing and editing stories about health conditions, testing skincare products, and trying to understand the next greatest internet obsession.
Shannen Zitz is an Assistant Editor at Prevention, where she covers all things lifestyle, wellness, beauty, and relationships. Previously the Editorial Assistant at Prevention, she graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor's degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.
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