Believe it or not, summer is almost upon us, even if it may not feel like it just yet. Not only are the longer, brighter days packed with summer fun quickly approaching, so is Melanoma Awareness Month, aptly timed to coincide with the beginning of the sunny season.
While certain celebrities may tote some not-so-hot messages about sun protection, at the end of the day, practicing proper sunscreen use no matter where you are is imperative to preventing dangerous skin cancers and reducing signs of premature aging. But, like most things, not all sunscreens fit all of our needs. Ahead, NewBeauty‘s senior editor-at-large Sarah Eggenberger walks us through the best SPF products for every occasion.
The Best SPF Products for Every Occasion
Best SPF for Outdoor Sports: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Cream SPF 50+ ($40)
If you’re running or doing anything active outside, you want to be sure your SPF is super sweat-proof and will last as long as your activity does. Japanese brand Shiseido is known for its incredible sunscreen formulations, including this dreamy smooth mineral version that is ideal for the outdoorsy types.
This invisible, fluid sunscreen is great outdoor sports thanks to Shiseido’s signature WetForce and HeatForce technology which the brand says reacts to water, sweat and heat to form a stronger protective layer, almost like a veil that keeps UV rays out. Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, ocean friendly, and doesn’t leave skin feeling greasy, Shiseido’s Ultimate Sun Protector Cream is a must for the sporty ones in your life.
Best for the Beach: Vacation Classic Whip SPF 30 ($22)
“A ‘lighter-than-air’ sunscreen made with eco-friendly propellants and an authentic ’tilt valve’ actuator that produces a perfect mountain of foam, Vacation’s viral Classic Whip SF 30 comes in a whipped cream–like can, with a decorator’s tip and all, making SPF application fun and aesthetically pleasing. The mousse dispenses in a billow of swirling ribbons, its texture light and airy to the point of being indistinguishable from a dollop of edible cream, making it genuinely fun to use and a great encouragement to get kids to apply sunscreen.
Dermatologist-tested, SPF 30, water-resistant and reef friendly, the formula is a can’t miss. Plus, the scent combines notes of coconut, banana, pool water, pool toy and swimsuit lycra, aka all of your best sunscreen summer memories and unmatched sun protection in a can.
Best for Reapplying: Kopari Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen SPF 42 ($39)
Kopari Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen SPF 42 is housed in a non-aerosol spray bottle and not only envelops skin with the prettiest rose gold sheen, but also delivers a hydrating effect and antioxidants to treat skin. Broad spectrum SPF 42, sweat and water-resistant with a golden hour glow, Kopair’s Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist will have you glowing so much you’ll be dying to reapply.
To get the best efficacy out of a spray sunscreen, you want to spray until a sheen is visible on the skin, then rub it in and allow it to dry. With Kopari’s glow-enducing SPF, you’ll be sure that regular reapplication becomes a habit.
Best for Everyday Face Wear: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 ($43)
This line is an absolute favorite amongst dermatologists, approaching almost cult-favorite status amongst influencers and celebrities, too. You know someone is legit when this is their sunscreen of choice. Aside from the efficacy and research behind their products, EltaMD’s formulas are cosmetically elegant, as they layer well with other skin-care and under makeup, they’re easy to apply, and they feel great. This is important because if you don’t like the experience of applying something, you’re not going to use it regularly, and with SPF, everyday application and reapplication is key.
A sheer finish is unusual for a sunscreen that contains zinc, which is notoriously white and chalky, but EltaMD formulates zinc oxide into a micronized particle, resulting in application that is virtually transparent. No wonder it has a five-star rating and thousands of glowing reviews!
Best for Under Makeup: Naked Sundays SPF50 CabanaClear Water Gel Serum ($25)
Welcome to a new era of lightweight, clear and invisible SPF—Naked Sunday’s CabanaClear SPF50 is an innovative new SPF 50 with a hydrating, water-based gel serum that combines the lightness of a gel with the hydration of a cream, leaving a barely there feel. Lightweight, quick-drying, hydrating and antioxidant-filled, it’s a powerful SPF that’s suitable for all skin types and tones.
Best Portable SPF: Olay Glow & Perfect Face Sunscreen Stick ($24)
An efficient, compact and portable option that makes sun protection so easy, with Olay’s Glow & Perfect Face Sunscreen Stick, all you have to do is glide the stick across your face and you’re protected from harmful UV rays. Sunscreen sticks are less messy than using a typical lotion and since they’re small in size, they’re a lot easier to travel with and reapply throughout the day without the worry of it leaking in a purse or backpack. You can also touch up high-risk areas that need increased protection, like your nose and ears throughout the day.
Level up your skin-care routine with this fragrance-free, lightweight face sunscreen stick. Olay Glow & Protect SPF 50 Sunscreen protects your skin from sun damage while giving you an instant dewy glow, and its water- and sweat-resistant formula for 80 minutes is easy to reapply, even over makeup.