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15 Top Dermatologists Name Their Favorite Face Sunscreens for Summer

15 Top Dermatologists Name Their Favorite Face Sunscreens for Summer featured image
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Good ol’ sunscreen: it’s the one product many Americans “forget” to apply, but it can help save lives. Not sure which one will work best for you without leaving that dreaded white cast and greasy feel? We turned to 15 top derms to find out what they choose to wear when they’ve tried absolutely everything, and these 12 sophisticated SPFs—there are different colors, formulations and levels of protection—got their precious stamp of approval (they also get ours!).

1 / 12

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ ($55)

“My favorite is this one from ISDIN. It’s an amazing multitasking mineral sunscreen that protects with an SPF 50, it has an elegant feel to it, it works well alone or under makeup, and it’s suitable for both women and men. Plus, there is a tinted version, too [included below], for versatility. I use it every day, and even under a mask all day, it doesn’t feel heavy and hasn’t broken me out at all.”
—Bloomfield Hills, MI dermatologist Linda C. Honet, MD

“It’s a mineral sunscreen, it’s SPF 50 and it has a DNA repair enzyme that is activated by UV light to repair damage from UV light.”
—New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD

“Eryfotona is the most elegant sunscreen I’ve personally ever used. It absorbs almost instantly and is essentially unseen on the skin. It really stands out with the addition of the DNA Repairsomes, which are naturally occurring enzymes that are proven to repair existing sun damage.”
—Fort Lauderdale, FL dermatologist Dr. Matthew J. Elias

2 / 12

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 ($36)

“This fragrance- and oil-free sunscreen provides protection for your complexion to shield it from harmful UVA and UVB rays. The formula goes on smooth and includes sodium hyaluronate to moisturize skin and lactic acid to refine skin, which clears pores and reduces shine.”
—Baton Rouge, LA dermatologist Ann C. Zedlitz, MD

“This is my personal favorite! It’s great for rosacea and acne-prone skin, too!”
—Rochester, NY dermatologist Lesley C. Loss, MD

“It’s lightweight and ideal for very sensitive skin types.”
—Saddle Brook, NJ dermatologist Dr. Fredric Haberman

3 / 12

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 ($12.50)

“I love the new Neutrogena Hydro Boost broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 50 with Helioplex. It goes on smoothly, smells great and gives great protection. I use it personally, and so does my family. My patients all love it too. I recommend putting it on before leaving the house and reapplying every two hours—reapply even more frequently if actively perspiring or swimming.”
—Eagan, MN dermatologist Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD

4 / 12

The A Method Protection Powder (Starting at $31)

“My favorites include The A Method’s line of 100-percent mineral-based SPF Protection Powders for convenient, brush-on application. They are available in seven shades with SPF 30 to 50, they are formulated with only four ingredients, and they provide a fuss-free, self-dispensing alternative suitable for all skin types.”
—Washington, D.C. dermatologist Tina Alster, MD

5 / 12

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra-Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50 ($37)

“I like this one because it’s noncomedogenic and helpful for those with sensitive skin. It also helps visibly reduce the appearance of sun damage and is formulated with Cell-Ox Shield technology, which is broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with antioxidants to defend skin cells against damaging free radicals caused by the sun that can accelerate skin aging.”
—Dr. Haberman

6 / 12

Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 ($55)

“This is one of my favorite tinted moisturizers with sunscreen. It’s light but mineral-based and gives my skin a youthful glow, which it desperately needs!”
—Louisville, KY dermatologist Tami Buss Cassis, MD

“It evens and brightens skin with a universal tint. It’s also lightweight, provides broad-spectrum protection, and is oil-free and fragrance-free.”
—New York dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD

7 / 12

Revision Skincare Intellishade TruPhysical ($75)

“This purely mineral-based sunscreen also contains ingredients that help block infrared rays, blue light and heat from damaging the skin. It also contains vitamin C and other similar ingredients that actively brighten your skin and deliver anti-aging properties throughout the day.”
—Chicago dermatologist Omer E. Ibrahim, MD

8 / 12

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50 ($39)

“Another favorite of mine is this one from Colorescience, which is also a mineral sunscreen with SPF 50. It’s tinted, so you can wear it alone, but it works well under makeup, too.” —Dr. Honet

9 / 12

TIZO2 Facial Primer Sunscreen SPF 40 ($42)

“This is one of my favorite sunscreens for sensitive skin because it’s made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are the best and least irritating sun-protection ingredients. I also like water-resistant products and those without fragrance—ingredients like propylene glycol, dmdm hydantoin and methylisothiazolinone—which can be irritating.”
—Franklin, TN dermatologist Jill C. Fichtel, MD

10 / 12

Hopkins Dermatology Rx: Protect Antioxidant Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ ($45)

“From my own skin-care collection, this is my favorite product that combines the protection of antioxidants to reduce free-radicals that age and damage our skin along with sunscreen for UVA/UVB protection. The product is available in a moisturizer for face and body, as well as a mineral powder for easy all day reapplication.”
—Southlake, TX dermatologist Janine Hopkins, MD

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ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Ultralight Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($66)

“ISDIN Ageless is probably my favorite summer face sunscreen right now. It’s a tinted, pure mineral block with DNA repair enzymes, peptides for anti-aging and an antioxidant for more comprehensive protection. I find it to be elegant and easy to use, not only for daily use, but also for reapplication.”
—New York dermatologist Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD

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Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Glow SPF 50 ($39)

“I like this sunscreen because it makes me gleam like a diamond as it settles—no need for makeup. And, it meets all my preferences for a broad-spectrum physical sunscreen with water resistance and a high SPF.” 
—Boston dermatologist Mitalee Christman, MD

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