11 Aesthetician-Approved Sunscreens With Skin-Care Benefits

Ourself Intelligent Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($55)

Susca says this mineral-based broad-spectrum sunscreen functions as a peptide treatment and skin protectant. “The peptide delivery complex allows the minerals to disappear flawlessly into the skin while providing substantial anti-aging benefits to the skin,” she explains.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir SPF 50 Serum ($40)

Celebrity aesthetician and founder of Boys in Beauty Collective, Ian Michael Crumm says this is a staple in his kit because it feels more like skin care than sunscreen. “It’s weightless, invisible on all skin tones and the kind of formula clients actually stay consistent with,” he adds.

SunsolveMD ZnO+ Mineral Care Detox + Shield SPF 50 ($88)

“There are really two roles sunscreen needs to play in your life. The first is your daily sunscreen, the one you wear every morning to the office, layered seamlessly into your routine. It has to feel good, sit well under makeup or skin care, and be something you’ll use consistently,” says aesthetician and founder and CEO of Lenox & Sixteenth Amy Peterson.

“For daily use, I’ve been reaching for SunsolveMD Treatment Sunscreen because it represents where I believe sunscreen is going. It’s not just protection, it’s treatment,” says Peterson. “Formulas like Sunsolve MD Detox + Shield SPF 50, Sunsolve MD Calm + Revitalize SPF 50 ($88) and Sunsolve MD Volumize + Restore SPF 40 ($77) are all built around zinc oxide for full-spectrum protection, but each one targets a specific concern, whether that’s barrier repair, sensitivity, hydration or environmental damage. It allows me to personalize sunscreen the same way I would any other part of a regimen.”

EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting SPF 50 ($52)

“I love this for redness-prone or post-treatment skin, it instantly neutralizes flushing while actively supporting barrier repair,” says Crumm. “It’s calming and ideal when skin is in a more sensitized state.”

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Tone SPF 50 ($40)

For patients with deeper skin tones, or anyone who struggles with a white cast, Peterson recommends a chemical sunscreen like this one from La Roche-Posay. The formula blends “more seamlessly into the skin, which makes reapplication more realistic and consistent.”

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica SPF 50+ ($46)

“This is my go-to for high UV days or extended sun exposure,” says Crumm. “It’s a lightweight mineral formula with DNA-repair enzymes, so you’re not just protecting against future damage, you’re helping address past damage as well.”

NUDA SolarGlow Mineral Serum SPF 30 ($39)

Peterson loves this serum SPF as a daily option. “It gives the skin a healthy, luminous finish while still delivering protection, which makes it ideal for patients who want their sunscreen to double as their final step,” she says.

EltaMD UV Sport SPF 50 ($32)

“Body sunscreen is often forgotten, and it’s just as important. This is where I love EltaMD UV Sport SPF 50 and EltaMD UV Pure SPF 47 ($43),” says Peterson. “They’re easy, effective, and designed for real-life use, which makes it much more likely that patients will apply enough and reapply consistently.”

DermaQuest Sheerzinc SPF ($74)

Celebrity facialist Vee Mistry recommends DermaQuest Sheerzinc SPF. “This micronized zinc SPF melts into the skin and provides non-inflammatory coverage for all clients.” Plus, it comes in three tinted shades.

Auteur Definitive Sun Drops SPF 50 ($148)

“The Auteur Sun Drops function like an antioxidant face oil while providing chemical-based SPF 50 protection that shields the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. The active ingredients within the formula treat existing pigmentation while also preventing new pigmentation,” says Susca. “The product is also very unique in the sense that it is a one-step product for a summer daytime routine. After cleansing and applying a hydrating toner, the Sun Drops can be applied to the skin to function as an antioxidant serum, a moisturizer and sun protection all in one product. This makes it great for traveling and ease of reapplication while outside.”

ISDIN Fusion Water Magic SPF 50 ($38)

“For sun-seeking activities, I still want high-level protection, but the priority shifts to what patients will actually reapply throughout the day,” says Peterson. “This is where I love options like ISDIN Fusion Water Magic SPF 50 and ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Tinted SPF 50 ($50). They’re incredibly lightweight, come in both tinted and non-tinted options, and are easy to layer and reapply without feeling heavy.”