PHOTO COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK

One of the most important things you can put on your skin — and I mean every single day — is sunscreen. Not only does applying sunscreen prevent you from getting a painful sunburn, it can help avert skin cancer, premature aging (stay away, wrinkles!) and discoloration.   

But first, a word about sunscreen; there actually are two different types — physical and chemical. Chemical sunscreens use ingredients such as avobenzone and octisalate as filters to absorb UV light. Physical sunscreens block UV light with minerals that include zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. 

So which type of sunscreen is best for you? Although mineral sunscreen generally protects your skin from a broader spectrum of UV light (and works better for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin), the best answer is the one you’ll reach for daily; both types will help protect your skin from harmful UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. 

Dermatologists also recommend picking a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you’re out in the sun for a long time, like when you’re hitting the beach this summer, don’t forget to reapply it every two hours. 

Based on personal experience and consumer reviews, these are some of our favorite sunscreens, broken down by category to help find the right application for you. 

(We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.)

Best Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen: The Australian-developed, physical sunscreen with a 50+ SPF uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect your skin; it also is sweat and water resistant for up to 80 minutes. For those with sensitive skin, the brand is paraben and fragrance free. Another plus, the formula spreads relatively quickly and absorbs easily. I also love that Blue Lizard uses “smart” bottle technology; the bottle turns blue when it’s in harmful UV light, letting you know it’s time to put on some more sunscreen.
Price: $14.98. Buy Here 

Best Facial Sunscreen
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen with Sheer Tint: With a universal tint that flatters all skin tones, CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen has a lightweight, non-greasy feel without the white-cast typically associated with mineral sunscreens. Suitable for those with dry, sensitive, oily and acne-prone skin, the dermatologist-beloved brand contains moisturizing ingredients such as ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to help protect your skin barrier. With an SPF of 30, the mineral sunscreen is allergy tested, as well as fragrance and paraben free; it also wears well under makeup.
Price: $11.95. Buy Here 

Best Sunscreen for Babies
Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Mineral Sunscreen: One of Environmental Working Group’s top-rated sunscreens, Thinkbaby is pediatric dermatologist approved and hypoallergenic. The mineral-based formula, which has an SPF of 50, is also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Clean-ingredient loving parents applying the product to their little ones can also feel good about the fact that the easily-spreadable product has passed Whole Foods Premium Care requirements and is Leaping Bunny certified. The brand is also fragrance and paraben free.
Price: $17.37. Buy Here  

Best Sunscreen for Everyone
Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion: Is Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Also yes. The lightweight and hydrating broad spectrum sunscreen is easily spreadable, non-greasy and disappears instantly into the skin, a real bonus when you’re slathering product on squirming kids eager to get into the pool. The vegan, cruelty-free formula, which has an SPF of 50, is also sweat and water resistant for up to 80 minutes. It also includes antioxidant-rich ingredients such as sunflower as rosemary leaf extracts that help nourish and protect skin. Because Supergoop! isn’t cheap, I find it better to bulk up with the family-friendly, 18-oz jug, giving you more bang for your buck.
Price: starting at $24 for a 2.4 fl. Oz package. Buy Here 

Best Sunscreen Stick
Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Stick: This no-mess, no-fuss sunscreen stick is the one I pack for my kids to roll over their skin while they’re outside having fun at summer camp. The lightweight sunscreen stick easily glides over the body and face, so I don’t have to worry about them inhaling fumes from spray sunscreen, which they tend to spray directly into their nostrils. The hard-working sunscreen stick, which has an SPF of 50+, also is water resistant for 80 minutes and made from Helioplex, a technology specifically engineered to protect wearers from UVA/UVB damage.
Price: $9.88. Buy Here    

Best Sunscreen Spray
Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spray: While I generally prefer a lotion, there’s no denying that sunscreen sprays are fast and easy to use. One of my go-tos is the Sun Bum original spray, which is oil-free, water-resistant (for up to 80 minutes) and packed with Vitamin E. The vegan, cruelty-free product also comes with a pleasant, light scent that some reviewers claim “smells like summer.”
Price: $17.49. Buy Here