About the formula: Because the United States has outdated sunscreen filters (TL;DR: the FDA regulates SPF actives and hasn’t yet approved the filters that are used in many other countries over yonder), the formula doesn’t mimic the Australian formula completely. In the U.S. rendition of the legendary Ultra Violette Supreme Screen, a cocktail of avobenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, and homosalate replaces bemotrizinol, bisoctrizole, and a few other actives, but you still get the other skin-soothing ingredients like squalane and pentavitin.
The Best Daily Face Sunscreen: Coola Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Our tester’s take: If you find a sunscreen to add to your skin care routine that is something you look forward to wearing, then you know it’s a good one. That means you’ll actually want to apply it alongside your daily moisturiser before going outside, which will help to prevent skin aging. Because of its elegant application and breathability—especially when I’m working up a sweat—grooming writer Adam Hurly wholeheartedly recommends it.
Who it’s best for: Coola’s SPF option works well for acne-prone skin, oily skin, and sensitive skin individuals, and it has 80 minutes of water and sweat resistance. I wear it comfortably before jogging under the sun, or whenever I think I’ll be sweating between errands or simply sprawling out in the park.
About the formula: The formula has a little bit of a melting texture that needs no encouragement to sink right into skin. Once applied, it wears slightly shiny for the first 30 minutes or so, but it settles down nicely after that. Coola’s SPFs are enhanced with plant actives and antioxidants—red raspberry seed oil, buriti oil, meadow foam seed oil, and prickly pear extract—that help to guard against free radical damage on skin, so if you’re looking for a single product in addition to a moisturiser or daily serum, this could be an easy win.
The Best Luxury Face Sunscreen: Augustinus Bader The Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
The Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 30ml
Our tester’s take: It’s hard to find an SPF that we’d recommend shelling out $140 for, but Augustinus Bader has us standing here preaching from the rooftops. The formula goes onto skin and, without too much manoeuvring, blends seamlessly. It has a bit of a velvety texture that doesn’t leave too much shine on skin once its in place. Thanks to a whole who’s who of skin care ingredients, it’s also easy to pare back the number of products I’m using when this SPF is on my countertop (including the brand’s proprietary TCF8—more on that in a sec).
Who it’s best for: People looking for a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t feel chalky on skin or leave behind too much streakiness. It helps if they have a little change rolling around in their pockets, because this stuff definitely doesn’t come cheap.
About the formula: Zinc oxide heavy formulas can leave a white cast on skin, but this formula does a solid job at blending down nicely. Beyond the active SPF filters, this formula contains an ingredient that Professor Bader originally created as part of a burn cream. When he saw how effective it was at repairing compromised skin, he brought it to a wider audience in his moisturisers, creating the brand we know and love today. In its use at the heart of this SPF, the formula helps to support skin evenness, hydration, and reduce fine lines.
The Best Face Sunscreen for Redness: EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46
UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46
Our tester’s take: EltaMD is a fave of dermatologists because of its robust protection. This option combines mineral and chemical filters, allowing it to blend imperceptibly on darker skin tones without leaving a white cast. NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Asmi Sanghvi, MD gives this SPF two thumbs up: “This is my favourite facial sunscreen,” she says.
Who it’s best for: According to Dr. Sanghvi? Everyone. But our rosacea-prone tester particularly liked it (as well as the brand’s new Green Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50) for redness. “It is lightweight, non-comedogenic, and is suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin, and provides excellent protection without leaving a white cast or greasy residue.”
The formula: We like this formula a lot because it gives you the best of both worlds around the clock. For starters, it comes in both tinted and non-tinted versions. The tinted version is a solid mineral option for darker skin tones to help prevent a white cast on skin. It also has multiple sun filters so that you can get the benefits of a mineral SPF in a more cosmetically elegant formula.
The Best Face and Body Sunscreen: Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50
Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50
Why it’s great: Hurly says he never travels without his giant refill of Supergoop’s Play sunscreen in tow because this SPF covers all his needs—whether hitting the beach or exploring a new city. Supergoop’s entire range of sunscreen products is one of the best options in the United States, and could compete with the many of the options overseas where there are more updated sun filters like Tinosorb and Uvinul. This product, in particular, is the brand’s most universal, given its full-body wear, lightweight application, and 80-minute water resistance.
Who it’s best for: Anyone looking for a head-to-toe SPF product that is easy to layer, easy to wear, and relatively inexpensive.
The formula: When you think: “classic sunscreen” this formula comes to mind. It goes onto skin, sinking in seamlessly and blending imperceptibly, thanks to its chemical formula. Because of a host of skin-supporting ingredients—sunflower, rosemary, and rice bran extracts—it fends off environmental aggressors and feels more like a moisturiser than most. Plus, its 80-minute water resistance makes it a great choice for folks who are active or hitting the beach.
The Best Chemical SPF Moisturiser: Cardon SPF 30 Moisturizer
SPF 30 Moisturizer
Our tester’s take: Cardon’s core products are the perfect baseline regimen for most men (see: Hurley’s praise for them in these posts about gel moisturiser and clay face wash). This SPF moisturiser combines two imperative morning skin care steps into one with a pocket-size product that travels easily and lasts much longer than you’d expect. Its anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and antioxidant ingredients make it a superb moisturizer, but the inclusion of chemical UV defenses rounds it out for minimalists who want to wear a product that does it all.
