Burn Notice: The Best Sunscreens of 2021

Why Trust Us

If I am not behind a computer writing, I'm spending time outside, running, rock climbing, skiing, and hiking. I have guided on a glacier in Alaska and worked for ski resorts, two places you never want to venture without sunscreen. These jobs provided an excellent opportunity to explore the best sunscreens since snow reflects the sun up at you. Despite my best efforts, I came away from every workday with a slight sunburn.

I have tested out most sunscreens on this list, researched all of them, and have a good understanding of what makes sunscreens protective, good for your skin, and safe for the environment.

Who Is This For

This guide to the best sunscreens is for anyone who has skin. Everyone should wear sunscreen, no matter their location, skin tone, or activity level. Even if you spend most of your time indoors, sunscreen is still essential. Window glass filters out UVB rays, but not UVA rays.

The majority of skin damage happens while driving, oddly enough. Think about how often you are in the car with the sun coming through the windows. I bet you didn't think driving to work could damage your skin.

How We Picked

We chose the sunscreens to include in this guide by how protective and safe they are for your skin and the environment. We incorporated some of the best sunscreens for adults of all skin tones, genders, and ages.

Some people argue that it is safer not to wear sunscreen than to put so many chemicals on your skin. Dermatologists and skin experts advocate for always wearing sunscreen, as it is the #1 protection against skin cancer and aging skin.

To keep both sides as happy as possible, we found sunscreens with more natural ingredients, providing better protection for your skin and the natural world.

How We Tested

We tested out these sunscreens while outside, both working and adventuring. We skied, hiked, climbed, gardened, and read in the sun. We sweated and swam and even got sunburned, all so you can find the best sunscreen for you. The options on this list that we did not test personally were recommended by friends and researched deeply.

Features To Look For In Sunscreens

SPF — Sunscreens come in SPF options from 10-100, gaining strength the higher it gets. Dermatologists recommend sunscreen between 30-50 SPF. Lower SPFs often advertise themselves as "tanning sunscreens," as they provide some sun protection but not much. Higher SPF sunscreens offer more protection for water, snow, and sand activities where reflection causes more sun exposure. But check out our FAQs for why higher SPF does not always equal better.

Ingredients — What active and inactive ingredients does the sunscreen contain? Sunscreens are either made with chemicals or minerals. Mineral sunscreens provide safer, more natural protection, but chemical sunscreens often cost less and apply more easily. See the FAQs for some specific ingredients to watch out for

Ease of Application — How easily does this sunscreen apply? Do you need a lot of it to cover a small amount of skin? Does it leave a white cast? Many mineral-based sunscreens tend to be more challenging to apply but offer a more natural, safer option compared to chemical sunscreens.

Durability — How long will the sunscreen last? Is it sweat and water-resistant? All sunscreen needs reapplication, but some are more resistant to activity than others.

Reef-friendly — Reef-friendly and Reef safe are not regulated labels, so it's more important to look at the ingredients to know whether you are getting an environmentally friendly sunscreen. But it does feel good to make purchases that help the planet, so looking out for these labels can be a good starting point.

Size — Make sure you know how much sunscreen you are getting! Buying in bulk can save money, but having a smaller container travels better, making it more likely you will apply it regularly.

Q: Should you wear sunscreen every day?

A: Yes. If you are human, have skin, and spend time outside or near windows, you should wear sunscreen every day. Apply it in the morning and reapply throughout the day to stay protected from sun damage.

Now, I can't lie and say I am perfect at this 100% of the time. While I always wear sunscreen while spending extended time in the sun, I do not always put it on every day. However, while researching this article, I became convinced that I should be wearing more sunscreen every day. Don't be like old me, be like new me. Wear sunscreen every day.

Also, make sure to use more sunscreen and reapply more frequently when around sand, snow, and water as they amplify the effect of the sun.

Q: How long does sunscreen last?

A: Sunscreen lasts for about 2 hours or, if you have waterproof sunscreen, about 90 minutes after swimming or sweating. Applying sunscreen often enough makes the difference between getting burned vs. staying protected! Don't assume that if you utilize sunscreen once, you are protected all day.

Make sure to double-check with your sunscreen bottle to see if your specific product includes any other information about how often to apply sunscreen.

Q: What's the difference between chemical and physical sunscreen?

A: Two common types of sunscreen include chemical and physical sunscreen. The difference is in how the two protect your skin from the sun.

Chemical sunscreen uses chemicals such as oxybenzone and avobenzone to create a chemical reaction. Upon exposure to the sun, these chemicals absorb the harmful UV rays, turn the rays into heat, and release them from your skin.

Physical sunscreens, often known as mineral sunscreens, protect your skin like a shield rather than a chemical reaction. Using ingredients such as Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, physical sunscreens reflect and scatter the suns rays before they have the chance to soak in.

Physical sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB rays, while many chemical sunscreens only protect against one or the other. Chemical sunscreens often absorb better than physical sunscreens, while physical sunscreens can leave a white coating on your skin. However, physical sunscreens are often better for sensitive skin.

Q: What negative side effects can sunscreen have?

A: Sunscreen is vital to protect your skin from the sun, but it can also cause adverse effects. If you have sensitive skin, finding a sunscreen that doesn't irritate your skin can be challenging. Sunscreen can cause acne, redness, burning or itchy skin, or dry skin.

Also, note that physical sunscreens using Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide are the only ingredients recognized as generally safe by the FDA. That does not mean that chemical sunscreens are inherently dangerous, but if you are worried about the negative side effects of sunscreen, it is safer to use mineral sunscreens.

Q: Is 20 SPF enough for face sunscreen?

A: 20 SPF is not enough for face sunscreen. Dermatologists say that the absolute minimum SPF you should be using, whether on your face or body, is SPF 30.

Using SPF products such as foundation or moisturizer that includes SPF is enough, but make sure that these products are SPF 30 or higher. Layering a foundation that is SPF 15 and a moisturizer that is SPF 15 does not equal SPF 30!

Q: Is SPF 50 harmful?

A: SPF 50 is not necessarily harmful, but going much higher could be. Some studies show that higher SPFs from 50-100 can cause health issues because they contain more sun-blocking chemicals. Some of these chemicals can cause tissue damage or potential hormone disruption.

Also, using a higher SPF often leads to improper use of the sunscreen, simply because the user experiences a heightened sense of security due to the higher SPF. The high SPF causes users to apply less often or spend more time in the sun than they would while using a lower SPF sunscreen.

Q: Do you tan better with sunscreen?

A: Sunscreen does not necessarily help you tan faster, but it can help prevent sunburns, which could help with the tanning process. Wearing sunscreen is essential, even when tanning, as it helps protect your skin from damage.

Using a sunscreen with SPF 30 and reapplying as necessary is the best way to get tan. SPF 30 offers enough protection while still allowing enough sun to get through to help your skin tan. Taking breaks and not staying out for too long can also help you tan safely. Your skin can only produce melanin for a certain amount of time each day. By only tanning for a small amount of time each day, you can get darker while helping protect your skin.

Remember that all tanning can potentially cause your skin to age faster and can cause skin damage! UV rays cause skin cancers and melanomas. If you really want to tan, wearing sunscreen is the best way to get sun safely.

Q: Does SPF 50 stop you from tanning?

A: Even SPF 50 does not block ALL of the sun's rays, so you can still get tan while wearing SPF 50. It will just be a slower process than if you use a lower SPF sunscreen.

Whether you will get tan also depends on your skin type. Some skin types are more prone to burning or staying the same, while others are more likely to tan easily, even with sunscreen. Whatever your skin type, wearing sunscreen is still vital.

Q: Is higher SPF better?

A: To some degree, having a higher SPF is better for protection. However, after a certain point, it may not matter. Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen between 30-50 SPF for everyday use.

Some argue that any sunscreen over SPF 50 is not worth it as it only provides marginally better sun protection and can cause other health risks such as hormone disruption and tissue damage. SPF 50 protects against 98% of UVA rays, while SPF 100 protects against 99% of UVA rays.

Q: What ingredients should you avoid in sunscreen?

A: Two ingredients to avoid in sunscreens are oxybenzone and octinoxate. These ingredients recently were banned from Hawaii and Key West because they cause coral bleaching and are not great for your skin. Other sunscreen chemicals that may or may not be bad for your skin and the environment include avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, and homosalate. Research is not currently conclusive about these chemicals, but many environmental groups advocate not using them in the oceans to risk coral bleaching. Some of these chemicals also have been known to cause hormone disruption through skin absorption.

The most natural sunscreens use minerals instead of chemicals to provide sun protection. The most popular mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide, which many people recognize from the white residue often left after applying. However, many brands have found ways to reduce the ghost-like pallor of zinc, making zinc sunscreens more attractive to many customers.

Q: How long does sunscreen take to work?

A: Ever notice that sunscreen bottles always say to apply 15 minutes before sun exposure? I wrote that off until recently, and I wouldn't be surprised if you have too. But there's a good reason for this, as sunscreens need to dry and bind to your skin before they are effective against harmful rays. Putting on clothes, getting wet, or moving too much while sunscreen dries can cause uneven coverage and inadequate protection.

Q: How much sunscreen do I need?

A: Most adults need about one ounce (the size of a shot glass) of sunscreen to cover their face and body where clothes do not cover.

Also, be aware that sunscreen has its limits. Make sure to wear sun-protective clothing also to help prevent sunburn and skin damage.

Sources:

1. Serious Question—Do I Need To Wear Sunscreen Indoors? – Byrdie
2. The Trouble With Spf – Ewg
3. Sunscreen Faqs – Aad
4. Why Do I Need To Apply Sunscreen Before Sun Exposure? – Lab Muffin
5. Hawaii Reef-Safe Sunscreens (2021): How To Uv-Protect Yourself – The Hawaii Vacation Guide
6. The Trouble With Ingredients In Sunscreens -Ewg
7. The Difference Between Physical And Chemical Sunscreen – Piedmont
8. 14 Best Sunscreens For Every Skin Type In 2021, According To Dermatologists - Prevention