Best Sunscreen Reviews 2023

Sunscreens come in different forms and sizes. You can find them as lotions, gels, solid sticks, powders and as aerosol spray. Gels tend to be more expensive than the other forms, but you can offset your cost by choosing a smaller container of stronger sunscreen OR buying a large container of regular sunscreen.

Other factors that determine price are the components of a particular product, the most important being SPF. The quality and level of SPF determines the difference in cost, so sunscreens with a higher level of SPF are a little bit more expensive. However, skin specialists note that 30+ SPF is plenty of protection for most skin types, just as long as it’s applied correctly and in the right proportions.

Sunscreens also either have chemicals in them or are chemical-free. Skin care experts rate those without chemicals higher than those with chemicals, so “natural” sunscreens tend to be higher in price. Other factors that can affect price are how water-resistant it is, its fragrance, absorbing ability and so on. All that being said, sunscreen is fairly inexpensive. You can get standard, lower SPF sunscreen for as low as $9, or higher-end ones for about $45. We do want to warn you though, stay away from super cheap sunscreens, especially if they are past their expiration date, because their effectiveness decreases. The last thing you want is to spend money on something that you think is going to provide you protection, and then end up turning as red as a Maine lobster!!

Let’s dig a little bit into the features of these types of products.

Whether you have a fair, tan or brown skin, there’s a sunscreen for you. We’ve made certain that you get the right product that’s within your budget and for your skin type. We don’t want your awesome vacation to be cut short by a bad sunburn, so if you have extra sensitive skin or children, we’ve got you covered!

Here are some of the features to consider as you shop around for your sunscreen:

• SPF- Dermatologists recommend sunscreen with SPF of at least 30. What matters more is the manner of application, the amount used and re-application later
• Chemical or Non-chemical- Common chemicals in these sunscreens include oxybenzone, retinyl palmitate and octinoxate. If you have very sensitive skin, children or you prefer “natural” alternatives, go with a non-chemical one
• Water Resistant- This refers to the sunscreen’s ability to remain on your screen for an extended period even after swimming or sweating. The more resistant it is, the less you have to re-apply it
• Fragrance- Most sunscreens lack fragrance, but they should have a mild and pleasant scent anyway. For perfumed ones, the scent should also be fairly mild.
• Ease of Application- Aerosol sunscreens are easiest to put on—simply spray and you’re done—but we strongly recommend rubbing the sunscreen onto your skin after you spray it (and avoid breathing it in)

Sunscreens come in a variety of forms, like powder, gel, aerosol spray, solid stick and lotion. The form will directly affect the manner in which you use them. While any kind of sunscreen is better than nothing, you can get optimal performance by choosing one that’s most applicable to your needs. Sprays and sticks are best used for normal, everyday outdoor activities. But at the beach or pool—places where you’ll get wet—gel or lotion is the best way to go because they’re typically easy to apply and stay on well.

The type of sunscreen you purchase will determine the container it’s packaged in. Gels and lotions usually come in squeeze-type bottles while sprays are always packaged in aerosol cans.

When you’re using sunscreen at the beach or swimming pool, you’ll want to reapply it every few hours if it’s the water-resistant (or “sport”) type. If it’s not the water-resistant type or if you frequently towel yourself dry, you may want to reapply it sooner to avoid accidental sunburn. If you’re a diehard fan of those aerosol sunscreens, you may want to reapply it every time you get out of the water to avoid a splotchy, uneven and patchy sunburn (these burns can be the most painful since the burned spots are spread out, making them difficult to avoid).

Your sunscreen should have properties that protect you from both UVA and UVB radiation, so always go with a higher SPF if your skin is very pale or you’re prone to burning. Even if you’re tan or your skin is very dark, you should apply sunscreen anyway because it’s still possible to get a sunburn. African-Americans and other people with dark skin should be extra cautious because, unlike fair skin that turns red when burned, dark skin doesn’t.