ATTN: These are the Best Sunscreens of 2024

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My job as a beauty editor isn't just glitz and glamour. Last week, I jetted off to Tulum for a few days to learn all about a new product launch, and while I was basking in paradise, sippin' spicy mezcal margs on the beach, I was working. And by "working," I mean I was testing all the best sunscreens of 2024 on my face. I slathered by face in dozens of formulas—from clear sunscreens to spray sunscreens to stick sunscreens—for the sake of breaking down which are actually worth your time and $$$. It's hard work, but somebody's gotta do it!

But let's be real: The best sunscreen is the sunscreen you're inspired and excited to use every single day, not just when you're sitting poolside. So I took my ~insights~ from a beach vacay, plus other Cosmo editors' favorites, and consulted with dermatologists for their go-to sunscreen formulas. But first, my absolute top picks:

Ready to dive in? Behold the best sunscreens for your face in 2024, according to some picky AF beauty editors and dermatologists. Keep reading:

Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

Of every sunscreen in my arsenal, I keep coming back to Supergoop's Unseen, because it's truly the best. Sorry! I know I shouldn't play favorites, but I have to. This SPF 40 is completely clear, so it'll blend in with every single skin tone. And it basically disappears into a smoothing, blurring makeup primer on my skin, so it's great under foundation every day or when I'm sitting by the pool sweatin' away. It took me a while to get on the "sunscreen every single day" bandwagon (just being real!), but this was the formula that did it.

✨ Try it if: You want an invisible, oil-free formula that smoothes your skin and doubles as a makeup primer

• SPF: 40

• Type: Chemical

• Key ingredients: Dimethicone, meadowfoam seed oil, shea butter

Glowing customer review: "It takes very little product to cover my face and neck so the small tube lasts a while. It absorbs into my skin immediately with no greasy or sticky residue… and I can apply my makeup immediately. Best of all, it has no odor—I can’t stand the 'sunscreen smell'—and it has not caused a single breakout. The small tube is perfect for travel and is easy to toss in a purse or bag for an active day out. I can’t recommend this product enough… it’s a game-changer."

Clear As Day SPF 46

Unfortunately, my acne-prone skin has made me a very discerning person when it comes to sunscreens, as a lot of formulas are loaded with oils and butters that break me out. Not this bb from Starface, tho. This blurring, invisible gel sunscreen is non-comedogenic, oil-free, and completely free of any of the pore-clogging ingredients that usually cause me issues. It smooths onto skin easily, absorbing quickly to make blending foundation and under-eye concealer on top easy-peazy.

✨ Try it if: You've got acne-prone or reactive skin and look for non-comedogenic, oil-free sunscreens

• SPF: 46

• Type: Chemical

• Key ingredients: Dimethicone

Glowing customer review: "I absolutely love this stuff. It’s legitimately THE ONLY facial sunscreen I’ve ever used that didn’t cause me to break out. And I’ve tried a lot of them. If you’re sensitive or acne-prone, try it!!! My husband doesn’t get breakouts but he loves it because it’s so lightweight. Win-win."

UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46

Have you actually seen a dermatologist if they haven't waxed poetic about this sunscreen, effectively forcing you to order it from Amazon on the spot? I don't think so! But *why" do derms ride so hard for EltaMD UV Clear? Welp, because it's great for legit every single skin type, has zero white cast, and generally doesn't break out or irritate sensitive or acne-prone skin types. You'd be hard-pressed to not find it in the arsenal of every beauty editor.

✨ Try it if: You take everything your dermatologist says as bible (or just want a trusted, well-loved sunscreen)

• SPF: 46

• Type: Chemical

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E

Glowing customer review: "My sensitive skin hates 99% of the sunscreens I have tried, but I've had no issues with this one. It layers nicely on top of my usual moisturizer, and isn't a total nightmare with makeup as long as you allow it to fully absorb and you didn't go too hard on the initial application."

Brush-On Sunscreen Mineral Powder

Powder sunscreens are the GOAT for re-upping your sun protection throughout the day without adding a creamy, liquidy sunscreen on top. “If you’re out and about in the city, a powder sunscreen is a great way to reapply SPF without displacing your makeup," dermatologist Shereene Idriss, MD, previously told Cosmo. Dermatologists Mona Gohara, MD, and Hadley King, MD, also both raved about this formula for its pregnancy-safe profile. Dr. King loves it because it's filled with antioxidant-rich zinc, particularly using a non-nano zinc formula (meaning it doesn't penetrate your skin at all).

✨ Try it if: You want an easy way to reapply your sunscreen and love a matte finish

• SPF: 50

• Type: Mineral

• Key ingredients: Zinc, hyaluronic acid

Glowing customer review: "Good sunscreen that works. I like the powder form. Easy to apply and won’t feel greasy. Easy to dust on ears, scalp part lines, etc. it’s not waterproof, but for everything else it’s great."

Ultra transparent Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 55

Old faithful, as I call it, is this transparent chemical sunscreen from Neutrogena. This was the first facial sunscreen I ever purchased for myself, and it still holds up a decade later. It has a soft, matte finish that sinks right into my skin with nearly no massaging required. Honestly, the affordable price tag is simply a bonus.

✨ Try it if: You don't wanna spend a lot on your sunscreen but want a lightweight, clear formula

• SPF: 55

• Type: Chemical

• Key ingredients: Dimethicone, jojoba esters

Glowing customer review: "I have used this sunscreen brand for years! It’s great and you can’t go wrong with it. It’s not too greasy, and it works!"

Super Spritz SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Mist

As much as I love an aerosol sunscreen for broad coverage on my body, I like something with a finer mist on my face, like this spray from Vacation. It soothes skin with bisabolol, aloe vera, and green tea, plus gives me a dewy glow with maracuja oil. I also love the scent—it's so refreshing and summery. I chuck this in my bag every time I go on vacation.

✨ Try it if: You like a light mist to give you some sun protection, especially for reapplication

• SPF: 50

• Type: Chemical

• Key ingredients: Bisabolol, green tea, aloe, maracuja oil

Glowing customer review: "The Super Spritz is my go-to for sun protection for my face. This is my second bottle. I have really sensitive skin and very prone to breakouts, especially from sunscreen. The Super Spritz has not even caused a single blemish. I just close my eyes Spritz it on and go. You can even put it on top of makeup and you can't even tell."

The Shimmer One SPF 45 Face and Body Mineral Glow Stick

On my Tulum trip, I was layering sunscreen every hour like clockwork to avoid getting a sunburn (I am my palest, most winterized self rn, after all). And this was my pick for most reapplications, because it glides on well over existing sunscreen and makeup.

The mineral formula has no white cast (shocking!), but it does have a slight golden-toned shimmer that gives me a lil highlight when I swipe it on my cheekbones. Tbh, I ran the stick all over my chest and shoulders even for nighttime because it added the perfect shine to my vacay skin.

✨ Try it if: You need an easy product to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day over makeup or bare skin and don't mind a slight glow

• SPF: 45

• Type: Mineral

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid

Glowing customer review: "This is the first time I've seen an SPF stick with SHIMMER in it, and I'm loving it! Feeling it for festivals, beach parties... anywhere I want a little more glow. It's not sticky and gives the perfect golden glow."

Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion

Need a big bottle of sunscreen you can massage onto your face and body? Sun Bum's O.G. lotion is truly the GOAT for doing double duty. Once I rub it in, there's no white cast, and the cream sinks into my skin without a tacky residue. It's a staple in my beach bag every summer (and it smells divine—like bananas and coconuts).

✨ Try it if: You just wanna toss one big sunscreen bottle in your bag for face and body

• SPF: 30

• Type: Mineral

• Key ingredients: Vitamin E, dimethicone

Glowing customer review: "I love this sunscreen. I’ve been using it on my Cancun vacation. It is smooth and non greasy and smells good, not overwhelming. Also safe to use in reefs."

transparent Mineral Sunscreen Stick for Face & Body

I live and breathe by a "swipe and go" kinda product that lets me live my life without fuss, which is why I'm a firm believer in this sunscreen stick from Cetaphil. It glides on so easily straight from the tube, but still feels really gentle and lightweight on my skin. I even find it to be moisturizing, thanks to vitamin E and beeswax. Pls note, though: Because it's a mineral formula with zinc oxide, it can leave a bit of a white cast unless I vigorously blend it in.

✨ Try it if: You wanna just roll on your sunscreen and go

• SPF: 50

• Type: Mineral

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, vitamin E

Glowing customer review: "I've been using this product for almost a year, it's amazing stuff. It goes on with a white cast but blends in clear. I have very pale skin and rosacea on my cheek and this is the only face sunscreen that doesn't irritate me or cause a breakout. The coverage is amazing."

Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50

If you're used to mineral sunscreens that feel thick and goopy, leaving behind a chalky white cast on your skin, try this tinted version from La Roche-Posay. The tint doesn't add any coverage, per se, but instead helps mask the white cast, making the formula blend into my skin better. The consistency is also really thin and liquid-y, making it feel super lightweight once I massage it in.

✨ Try it if: You prefer mineral formulas but dislike a rich cream or white cast

• SPF: 50

• Type: Mineral

• Key ingredients: Dimethicone, vitamin E

Glowing customer review: "This is the tried and true sunscreen for my face! I use this every day. I've ordered this on repeat for a couple of years now, and won't use any other sunscreen on my face. This doesn't clog my pores, can go flawlessly over my moisturizer, blends right in, and the color is perfect."

Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50 PA++++

Deputy beauty director Lauren Balsamo is constantly raving about Naturium, especially this moisturizing SPF. The chemical formula has moisturizing hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide, plus argan oil to lock it all in and give your skin a dewy finish. In fact, you could totally skip moisturizer and rely on this for some hydration and SPF protection in one. Best of both worlds, bb.

✨ Try it if: You like a lightweight, clear serum formula that'll leave your skin dewy and hydrated

• SPF: 30

• Type: Chemical

• Key ingredients: Niacinamide, squalane, hyaluronic acid, argan oil

Glowing customer review: "One of my faves! If you’re looking for an SPF to wear under your make up that blends with your skin care and doesn’t feel cakey, this is it!!"

Refreshing Water Plumping Gel with SPF 30

Want bouncy, juicy skin? Slather this sunscreen on and be amazed. This lightweight serum with SPF majorly hydrates my skin—courtesy of hyaluronic acid, aloe, and coconut water—leaving it with a dewy finish that doesn't feel heavy or get too shiny throughout the day. But best of all, it gives my skin an undeniable plumpness. I smooth this on, and suddenly, I'm like a perfectly ripe grape. (Weird, ik, but accurate!)

✨ Try it if: You like a lightweight, clear serum formula that'll leave your skin dewy and hydrated

• SPF: 30

• Type: Chemical

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, coconut water

Glowing customer review: "Feels great on the skin, absorbs quickly, and doesn't leave me with a sticky feeling on my face. It is a good moisturizer, and I trust the SPF rating, which is high enough for my personal needs."

Hueguard Skin Tint SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen

I'll give it to ya straight: The SPF in your tinted sunscreen or foundation usually isn't enough for an entire day's worth of protection, unless you're using gobs of foundation, which prob wouldn't look all that good. But it is a great secondary way to get some more protection by layering, which is why I love this skin tint from Live Tinted. It's very lightweight, leaving behind a super glossy glow on my skin once I blend in with a sponge or my fingers. Best of all, it actually comes in a good range of shades (10, to be exact) for all skin tones from light to medium to tan to deep.

✨ Try it if: You

• SPF: 50

• Type: Mineral

• Key ingredients: Allantoin, bisabolol, seabuckthorn seed oil

Glowing customer review: "I love that this tint is lightweight, actually provides coverage and is buildable. I don't wear makeup so just one pump added a nice coverage to my face and evened out the color."

Relief Sun SPF 50

TikTok completely blew this sunscreen up, as reviewers consistently called it one of the best sunscreens ever for how lightweight, moisturizing, and gentle it is. And as an editor with access to a bajillion products, I completely understand the hype now that I've tried it.

Here's the tea: Sunscreen outside of the U.S. uses filters that haven't been approved by the FDA yet (America is a little behind on the most up-to-date sunscreen science globally), which generally blend into skin more easily without a white cast without relying on the chemicals we often use for a more elegant application. Hence why this formula feels so good on my skin. Reviewers even swear it's great for deep skin tones because it rubs in quickly without causing a white cast.

✨ Try it if: You're down to try a K-beauty sunscreen that's got hella love on social media

• SPF: 50

• Type: Mineral

• Key ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, vitamin E

Glowing customer review: "This sunscreen has a silky, moisturizing finish without being shiny or greasy. It feels very comfortable on the skin and is free of alcohol and fragrance. It doesn't sting the eyes and works well beneath makeup."

What type of sunscreen is best for face?

The best type of sunscreen for your face is one that you will use every single day—no ifs, ands, or buts. The most important thing to remember is that you should always choose an SPF of 30 or higher (anything below that won't protect much) and make sure the formula protects against UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are the ones that are responsible for a sunburn, as well as causing skin cancer. UVA, on the other hand, penetrates deeper into your skin, which can cause photo-aging (aka fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging skin—no, thank you). FYI: There are way more UVA rays in sunlight than UVB, so it's important to protect yourself against both.

Do you put sunscreen on before or after moisturizer?

Usually, you should apply sunscreen after your moisturizer as the final step of your skincare routine in the morning. But it depends on the formula and type. If you're using a physical or mineral sunscreen, it's important to apply that last so it creates a barrier on your skin. But sunscreen serums that are really lightweight and use chemical filters can be applied before moisturizer. Powders, sunscreen sticks, and sunscreen sprays should all be applied after moisturizer as well.

How to choose the best sunscreen for you:

Assess your goals.

Do you want a sunscreen you can apply every single day without fail, or already have a favorite and just want a stick or powder to touch up? The best sunscreen for you rn will be totally based on your needs and goals. But as a rule, always opt for an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every single day as the last step of your skincare routine, and reapply throughout the day (whether that's with a stick, powder, or your usual go-to morning SPF).

Decide on mineral versus chemical.

Ah, the age-old question: Chemical versus mineral sunscreens. Really, there's no correct answer on which is better; it comes down to personal preference. Lemme explain the difference: Chemical sunscreens feature active chemical filters (like homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene) that actually absorb the sun’s rays, convert them into heat, and then release them from your skin.

Mineral sunscreens, however, use mineral filters (like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) that create a physical barrier between your sun and the skin. For this reason, these formulas tend to be richer in consistency, taking longer to rub in and leaving a white residue on your skin behind.

FWIW, dermatologists tend to prioritize mineral sunscreen for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin types, as they tend to be gentler (dermatologists Ava Shamban, MD, and Jeannette Graf, MD, previously recommended these because zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can be a lil oil absorbing; however, they're also a bit heavier on your skin too, of course). But if you have a deep skin tone, it can be pretty difficult to make mineral sunscreens blend into your skin without looking ashy.

If you like a super lightweight formula that blends easily and has no white cast, you should probably go for a chemical sunscreen. But if you're into clean beauty or have ultra-sensitive skin, try a mineral formula. I included a mix of options above for every type and need.

Consider your skin type.

As with the rest of your skincare routine, the best sunscreen for you is totally dependent on your skin type. There are so many potential finishes and ingredients that could help moisturize and plump your skin, or potentially make you a greasy mess. As a guideline, opt for hydrating formulas if you have dry skin with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and glycerin, plus sealing oils that lock it all in and give your skin a glow. But if your skin leans oily, choose mattifying sunscreens—like invisible gels or powders—that feature smoothing and blurring dimethicone to help curb shine throughout the day.

Meet the experts:

• Shereene Idriss, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY, and founder of Dr. Idriss Skincare. She was initially interviewed about powder sunscreens.

• Mona Gohara, MD, is a dermatologist and associate clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine practicing in Hamden, CT, and Branford, CT. She's consulted on many Cosmo stories before, including pregnancy-safe sunscreen.

• Hadley King, MD, is a dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology in New York, NY. Her expertise has appeared in many Cosmopolitan stories, such as pregnancy-safe sunscreen.

• Ava Shamban, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, CA. She’s the founder of Ava MD where she treats acne, skin cancer, fine lines and wrinkles, and more. Cosmo has interviewed her about sunscreen for oily skin before.

• .Jeannette Graf, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. She was previously interviewed about sunscreen for oily skin.

Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with five years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from sunburned lips to the best face oils. She’s an authority in all skincare categories, but is an expert when it comes to the best sunscreens because she's constantly testing new formulas in effort to find one that'll make her look forward to the boring yet necessary step that is sun protection. She's also interviewed countless dermatologists and estheticians about sunscreen over the years.

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