The very best sunscreens for face and body

Stay safe in the sun with these top-rated sunscreens.

Let's cover the SPF basics. Wearing sunscreen every day is the best thing you can do for your skin. That's because the sun's harmful UV rays can damage our skin even on a cloudy day—not just when it's sunny. UV exposure increases the risk of skin cancer and causes visible signs of aging, sunburns, and sun spotting.

When choosing sunscreen, a few factors should top your list. For starters, you should look for a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 or higher, which blocks 97% of UVB rays. Since SPF only refers to UVB rays, search for broad-spectrum formulas—these protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Then, decide on mineral or chemical sunscreen. This is totally up to your preference. Mineral (physical) sunscreen reflects the sun's rays away from your skin. It tends to be thicker and often leaves a white residue on your skin. Chemical sunscreen soaks up rays so your skin doesn't. It's a bit greasier but goes on translucent.

As a nice bonus, we've done the research for you. Here are the best sunscreens for the face and body you can shop now.

La Roche-Posay

SPF 50+ | Broad spectrum | Hypoallergenic | Water-resistant

This fragrance-free sunscreen from La Roche-Posay loves all skin types. It gives very high protection, and it's ultra-resistant to water and sand. Packed with the brand's calming thermal spring water, its lightweight formula absorbs quickly, leaving your skin feeling good. No greasy mess, just a smooth, invisible finish that goes on nicely under your makeup too.

Banana Boat