I test sunscreen for a living and these are the SPF products I actually swear by
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Summer us fast approaching and the truth is even on the least sunny days of the year SPF is still the one beauty step you should never skip out on.
Whether you are heading on vacation, sweating through a city commute, sitting by the pool, or simply trying to avoid looking like a leather handbag by 40, finding the right SPF matters. So we did you the biggest favor and broke down our Holy Grail picks across every sunscreen category.
Straight from our faces to yours, these are the best SPFs worth adding to your daily routine this summer and beyond.
BEST OVERALL
As someone who has extremely fair skin I struggle with redness and nearly nothing works to stop it.
It also means my skin needs added SPF year-round! This incredible EltaMD SPF seriously does the trick by adding sun protection and helping to neutralize my pigment.
Julia Remillard, US Commerce Writer
I have been a huge fan of Naked Sundays for years now and swear by several of their products but especially the CabanaClear face sunscreen.
I just switched to this new illuminating version and I wear it every single day after I wash my face in the morning. It adds just the right amount of glow.
Julia Remillard, US Commerce Writer
There are few products I swear by more than this primer. It is absolutely worth every penny, packing SPF 50 with hyaluronic acid to both protect and soften my skin all day long.
There's no unsightly cast left behind, and it instantly leaves my complexion smooth and glowing, but wears equally well beneath makeup.
Tanya Sharma, US Commerce Writer
BEST FACE SPF
My go-to for many years without a doubt was Supergoop! Glowscreen.
I still think it is easily one of the best out there, especially if you are wanting a snatched complexion. It comes in a few shades and I LOVE this pocket sized version for on-the-go.
Julia Remillard, US Commerce Writer
With my super sensitive skin, I can only tolerate super gentle formulas. I've used LRP for years and it has never once failed me.
This SPF 30 formula is great for days when I just want to smooth on some moisturizer before I head out the door. It's light and gentle, with a creamy feel and ceramides to lock in moisture for hours.
Tanya Sharma, US Commerce Writer
This lightweight SPF milk from First Aid Beauty delivers broad-spectrum sun protection while feeling more like a hydrating serum than a traditional sunscreen.
Packed with soothing colloidal oatmeal and skin-quenching ingredients, the formula melts seamlessly into skin with a breathable, non-greasy finish that works beautifully under makeup.
Julia Remillard, US Commerce Writer
This is really the crème de la crème if you're looking for something light, silky feeling, SPF-packed, and suitable to wear both solo and beneath makeup.
Kiehl's is a skincare force so it's also no surprise that they included collagen peptides in this powerhouse product. It's never too early to protect your skin and this does an amazing job of covering all of the bases.
Tanya Sharma, US Commerce Writer
I don't know about you but I love a little refresh and reset on long hot summer days!
This COOLA mist is my favorite because you just spray it on and its small enough to go in my purse. I often use it to set my makeup.
Quick Flick is a fun Aussie brand with the cutest range, and I have been obsessed with their multitasking sun spray since I first tried it. It's everything all in one, providing broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection while working overtime as a makeup primer and guard against blue light damage.
It's also super hydrating, with vegan squalene and hyaluronic acid leaving my skin super glowy and soft!
Tanya Sharma, US Commerce Writer
BEST BODY SPF
I have to say that I am a sucker for this viral TikTok famous sunscreen that goes on like whipped cream.
Vacation SPF products truly do pass my test with protection, scent, and texture too. If you haven't tried this funky pick yet definitely add it to the summer packing list.
Julia Remillard, US Commerce Writer
You can't beat a good budget sunscreen like this one from Aveeno.
The brand's products have always been a dream for my skin, and this SPF is just right for summer, packing in SPF 60 coupled with light hydration that lasts the day. It also contains Aveeno's hero prebiotic oats, which adds a little extra TLC for sensitive skin.
Tanya Sharma, US Commerce Writer
I was hooked on Kopari's luxe body mist sunscreen from the first spritz.
It has a delicious guava scent and is packed with super nourishing ingredients like moisturizing hyaluronic acid and antioxidants vitamins C and E. On top of being the perfect beach companion, it leaves skin with a sexy and natural looking glow.
Tanya Sharma, US Commerce Writer
This SPF scalp spray from Sun Bum is basically the beach-day essential people forget they need until their scalp is burnt like a rotisserie chicken part line.
The lightweight mist delivers SPF 30 protection without making hair greasy or crunchy, while the fast-drying formula keeps strands feeling soft, protected, and summer-ready.
Julia Remillard, US Commerce Writer
This beauty brand tends to be known for its Gen Alpha marketing but as a 26-year-old woman I can't get enough.
I ama huge fan of their moisturizer and now this full body SPF that goes on silky and leaves no residue.
Julia Remillard, US Commerce Writer
I've always loved Native from its body soap to its deodorant and this sunblock is so good too.
It has a classic rub in white to clear style, is lightweight, and unscented for maximum versatility. Honestly, this is my go-to for serious sun exposure.
Julia Remillard, US Commerce Writer
BEST SPF INFUSED MAKEUP
As a sensitive skin girly I tend to not wear tons of makeup and when I do it NEEDS to have added SPF because I am also fair skinned.
This new brush on powder from Tarte that has 30 SPF has been a recent favorite of mine. It locks in my makeup without adding any heaviness!
Julia Remillard, US Commerce Writer
I will forever recommend this smoothing balm to anyone who asks.
Lips are often overlooked, but protecting your pout is just as important as guarding your skin from those harsh ultraviolet rays. With SPF 40, this formula is available in four sheer shades and mouth-watering flavors like vanilla and strawberry.
Tanya Sharma, US Commerce Writer
This viral SPF color balm from
Colorescience
delivers the perfect mix of makeup and sun protection with a creamy, blendable formula designed for cheeks, lips, and even eyelids. The mineral SPF 50 balm adds a gorgeous flush of color while helping protect skin from UV rays, pollution, and blue light, making it the ultimate “your skin but glowy and expensive-looking” multitasker.
I've used this tint for a couple of years and still can't get over how creamy and buildable it is.
A little bit is all it takes to add a flush to my face, and it also works overtime as a tint for the eyelids and lips. It's one of the best additions I've made to my summer beauty routine and comes in so many pretty colors, including my favorite Pink Sunrise!
Tanya Sharma, US Commerce Writer
Tinted moisturizer is my go-to year-round, but I'm especially in love with Saie's because it handles heat and humidity so beautifully.
It's available in 14 shades and provides the prettiest wash of sheer color for a really polished look no matter how hot it gets. The finish is dewy and radiant, and I love the mineral-based formula and the addition of hyaluronic acid for moisture.
Tanya Sharma, US Commerce Writer
Contrary to belief you seriously do need SPF for your lips ladies!
This one from Lanolips comes in clutch for me during every beach day and tropical vacation. It has a faint pineapple scent that you'll fall in love with.
Julia Remillard, US Commerce Writer