I'm not always Devote to sunscreen. I thought my tan looked better and even the best sunscreen felt rough and made me burst. Like many millennials, I don’t understand the risks of turning into a lobster on the beach in high school or spending hours on a tanned bed before a dance. I know better now, thankfully, sunscreen has come a long way when it comes to formula and feeling. I now put it on it every day, hoping to eliminate my sin of tilting the sun, or at least prevent more harm.
“Wearing sunscreen is so important because it protects us from harmful UV rays, which can lead to sunburn, premature aging and even skin cancer,” said Ellen Marmur, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSKINCARE. “Because of these risks, I recommend wearing sunscreen every day. Whether you’re driving, going to the beach or even just taking a plane, sunscreen plays a key role in protecting your skin.”
OK, we've determined that sunscreen is important. But once you promise to wear it every day, choosing sunscreen can be a daunting task. There are a lot of options out there, and they are really very different. If you want to explore options that are further away than our preferred ones, Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen ($22)We talked to skin care experts and conducted road tests on them throughout the year. Here’s what you need to know to help you choose the right sunscreen for you, and we’re the best sunscreen right now.
For more skin care, check out our guide to make red light treatment masks and the best shower head water filter.
Updated May 2025: We added Nature Daily’s freak, OGEE skin-protecting primer, mid-source stick sunscreen and a thriving Bodyshield. We also updated the link and price.
Mineral and chemical sunscreen
Sunscreen can provide two main methods: physically or chemically. Mineral sunscreen creates a physical barrier that is located on top of the skin and reflects UV light away from you. Chemical sunscreen contains ingredients that sink into the skin and absorb UV rays, converting them into heat to be released by your body. Some sunscreen formulas use hybrids of minerals and chemicals.
Every sunscreen has its pros and cons. Mineral formulas leave white castings (unless they are colored) and are thicker and heavier than chemical sunscreens. Marmur says they are usually milder and less likely to cause irritation, making them a good choice for people with sensitive skin. They are also safer to the environment and do not cause too much damage to coral reefs.
On the other hand, chemical sunscreens don’t leave castings and feel lighter on the skin. Because they are deeper, you may find that they perform better in sweating activities, Marmur said. shortcoming? Certain ingredients in chemical sunscreens may cause certain ingredients.
"Avobenzone destroys its stability when exposed to light, which is a possible cause of dermatitis," said Marmur. Some products include stabilizers to help prevent this. In Key West and Hawaii, two other chemical sunscreens (benzoate oxide and octaoxide) are banned for their harmful effects on marine organisms, and although there is not enough evidence to support this, these ingredients raise concerns among them.
SPF represents sun protection factor, and the rating specifically refers to the product's impact on UVB rays. "The protection percentage difference between the SPF 30 and SPF 100 is small, and it may be much smaller than you expected," Marmur said. For example, the SPF 30 ensures 97% of UVB radiation is blocked, while the SPF 50 raises the percentage to 98, and the SPF 100 raises it to 99%. So, technically higher, but there is no huge difference in the protection you get.
“That being said, I suggest to At least SPF 30, because SPF 30 generally has a similar percentage of protection compared to SPF.
Given our knowledge of sunscreen and the safety of common ingredients, “the benefits of wearing outweigh the risks,” Marmur said. Not only do you wear sunscreen regularly, but you can also do one of the best things to prevent premature aging. "Now, good SPF habits are like money in the bank that prevent expensive lasers from removing sun damage or worse, scars to surgery and skin cancer," Marmur said.
Many concerns about oxybenzophenone are related to studies conducted in rats where animals are fed oxybenzophenone. According to an analysis from the Dermatology Research Archive, 277-year-old benzoic acid oxide sunscreen will be required to achieve the same dose of chemical dose, causing adverse reactions in rats. Many products use products such as nail polish, hair spray and plastic. “There are reported cases of adverse systemic reactions to sunscreens at zero,” Malmo said. “But millions of skin cancers are directly associated with UV radiation, which destroys the skin’s DNA.”
That being said, you should avoid certain ingredients.
Marmur recommends avoiding the addition of perfume to sunscreen products, especially for people with sensitive skin. Avobenzone is a common chemical sunscreen ingredient that can cause skin irritation in some people. Retinal palmitate, a form of vitamin A used in certain sunscreens, has been assumed to increase the risk of skin cancer when exposed to sunlight. Oxybenzophenone and octaoxide are particularly unfavorable for coral reefs. No sunscreens on this list contain oxybenzophenone, octoxide or retinal palmitate.
What is Reef Safe Sunscreen?
Reef safety and reef-friendly regulations are not regulated names, so brands can use terms as marketing tools without obtaining any certification, which does not mean that the product will not lead to the product. any Damage to the environment. However, some sunscreens have less impact on marine ecosystems than others. Generally, mineral sunscreen damages less corals.