GH Labs Tested Hundreds of Sunscreens: These Are the 14 Best

Here are key factors to consider when picking the right sunscreen for your skin type and needs:

✔️ Broad-spectrum protection “to protect against both harmful UVA/UVB rays,” says Lucy Chen, M.D, F.A.A.D., board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Florida. Exposure to these wavelengths can lead to dangerous sunburns (a.k.a. skin damage and potentially skin cancers), dark spots and disrupted collagen production, which can bring on wrinkling and sagging.

✔️ SPF 30 or higher: And SPF 30 or greater is best, says David Lortscher, M.D., board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, California and CEO of Curology. And you may want to go even higher: A GH Beauty Lab study found that women on average apply only about 1/3 of the amount of sunscreen needed to achieve the SPF level indicated on the product packaging. So for added insurance, the Lab recommends opting for an SPF 50 or higher.

✔️ Active ingredients: Most often, you’ll have to choose between chemical and mineral sunscreens (or a mix of both) as your main SPF agents:

• Chemical formulas absorb UV rays and converting them into heat, according to Michael Somenek, M.D., a plastic surgeon in Washington, D.C. “This process allows the body to release the UV rays, which ultimately prevents the skin from burning,” he says. Chemical sunscreens tend to be better for swimming due to their water-resistant nature but while these lotions and sprays are easier to apply with no white residue, you will need to reapply sunscreen more often than you would with a physical or mineral option.
• Mineral formulas (also called physical sunscreens) form a barrier on your skin that reflects or filters UVA and UVB rays. The dispersed zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide formulas can be more difficult to spread on your skin and leave behind white cast, but they usually last longer than chemical formulas.

✔️ Formula type: GH Beauty Lab scientists tend to prefer lotions and creams over sprays since “they last on skin longer and are more likely to form a uniform protective coating over skin than sprays,” Wizemann says. In addition, “If your skin is prone to dryness, a cream may be better for you,” Dr. Chen says. As for kids, “Sprays are easy to use, but they might require a second coating, so spray generously,” she notes.

✔️ Water-resistance to stand up against sweaty days or time spent swimming. Heads up: There’s no such thing as waterproof or sweatproof sunscreen. Under current FDA guidelines, there are only “water-resistant for 40 minutes” or “water-resistant for 80 minutes” options. “Sweat- and water-resistant” labeling means the formula maintained its SPF level on testers’ skin in a water bath for the indicated time, says Steven Q. Wang, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Beyond that timeframe, it should be reapplied.

✔️ Your skin type: If you have dry skin, “Look for ingredients like dimethicone, glycerin, aloe and oils and avoid spray or gel sunscreens with alcohol,” advises Dr. Chen. She adds that those with oily skin should opt for a lightweight sunscreen that contains ingredients like silica or isododecane.