How to choose a daily sunscreen

The best sunscreen isn't the one with the highest SPF — it's the one you'll actually put on every day. An SPF 70 that sits in a drawer because it's heavy and greasy protects exactly nothing. Here are the criteria that actually matter.

1. SPF: the difference between 30, 50, and 60 is smaller than it looks

SPF 30 filters around 97% of UVB rays. SPF 50 filters around 98%. SPF 60 doesn't get much further. The real difference in protection between those numbers is marginal — what matters far more is reapplying every 2 hours of direct exposure, something almost nobody does.

2. Broad spectrum isn't optional

"Broad spectrum" means the sunscreen filters both UVB (the rays that burn) and UVA (the ones that age skin silently, with no visible burn). A sunscreen without that label may only be covering half the problem — check that it's explicitly stated on the bottle.

3. Mineral vs. chemical: there's no "better" one, just the one that's right for you

• Mineral (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide): reflects light instead of absorbing it. Tends to be better tolerated on sensitive or reactive skin, sometimes at the cost of a slight white cast.
• Chemical: absorbs into skin and filters there. Usually has a lighter texture with no cast, but can irritate very sensitive skin.

The ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless in this ranking is 100% mineral with a tint to hide the cast — made specifically for sensitive skin that also wants a foundation-like effect. The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk is a chemical filter with a liquid texture, made for quick application on face and body. If you want mineral but untinted (pure protection) and have dry skin, the EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40 in this ranking is the untinted option with added hyaluronic acid.

4. Texture: the factor that best predicts whether you'll actually use it

A sunscreen that feels heavy, leaves skin shiny, or interferes with makeup ends up abandoned in a drawer after the first week. Before buying a full-size bottle, try a small sample if you can — texture preference is personal, and what works for someone else won't necessarily work for you.

5. Facial vs. body: not always the same thing

A sunscreen made for the body tends to be heavier and less careful about facial skin (more prone to clogged pores). If you're going to use the same product on face and body, look for one explicitly formulated for both — like the Anthelios in this ranking — instead of assuming any body sunscreen also works on your face.

Our pick this month

Check out the Sun Protection ranking — we compare mineral vs. chemical and facial vs. body in each product's technical note, so you don't have to guess by reading the label at the drugstore. If your nighttime routine includes exfoliating acids or retinol (see the viral TikTok skincare guide and the Facial Care ranking), the next day's sunscreen stops being optional.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need sunscreen if I'm indoors all day? Yes, if there are windows nearby — UVA rays pass through glass. You don't need to reapply every 2 hours if you're not going outside, but the morning step still matters.

Does makeup with SPF replace sunscreen? No, unless you apply a much larger amount than you'd normally use as foundation — most SPF makeup doesn't reach the amount of product needed to achieve the SPF stated on the label.

Do I need a different sunscreen if I use retinol? You don't need a different one, but it becomes more important not to skip it. Retinol (like the one in the RoC Retinol Correxion Value Set from the Facial Care ranking) increases sun sensitivity — any sunscreen in this ranking works, what you can't do is skip it the morning after using retinol.