Summer is just around the corner, so now is the time to invest in a new SPF. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, more than 1 million people are living with melanoma and an estimated 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.
It’s the most common type of cancer in our country and although there are many conditions that lead to a diagnosis, you can prevent potential damage by protecting your skin.
To help you choose the best sunscreen protection for you and your family, Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, stopped by Jenna & Sheinelle to share her own SPF tips and product recommendations.
From a hair mist for UV protection to a K-beauty find, keep reading to discover dermatologist-recommended sunscreens you should stock up on for the season — and be sure to check out our Shop TODAY Sunscreen Awards for more winning picks.
Dermatologist-approved sunscreens seen on Jenna & Sheinelle
Infused with strong antioxidants and hydrating ingredients, this powder sunscreen can be applied in place of or on top of your foundation. According to the brand, it’s water- and sweat-resistant, making it perfect for everyday wear and reapplying on the go. Colorescience also offers a liquid, tinted sunscreen that’s a Shop TODAY Sunscreen Awards-winner for “best high-performance tinted SPF.”
Nussbaum notes that your hair is also prone to UV damage, this styling spray is formulated with vitamin C to shield hair against pollution and free radicals that are caused by UV radiation. And that’s not all, this styling mist also provides protection against heat damage and tames frizz for softer feeling hair.
This Korean beauty sunscreen is formulated with beet root extract, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E that works to simultaneously support the skin barrier and protect the skin from harmful sun rays. Nussbaum reminds us to prioritize sunscreen as a last step in your skin care routine and always rely on the two finger rule for application (two strips of sunscreen applied to the index and middle finger!).
Getting a child to wear sunscreen can feel like a sport on its own, but Nussbaum says this find from Sqween makes it “less dreadful for kids.” The SPF 30 comes in fun colors that kids can “paint” on themselves with the attached brush. Plus, it’s less messy and doesn’t have a strong smell.
Nussbaum recommends this sunscreen for those with dry and sensitive skin. It’s formulated with shea butter, glycerin and cucumber extract to help hydrate, calm inflamed skin and help reduce redness, notes the dermatologist.
Protect your lips with this SPF 40 lip balm that offers hydration, sun protection and a pop of color. Plus, the brand says it contains a peptide complex that leaves the lips feeling fuller and plumper.
Oars + Alps Face & Scalp Sunscreen Spray Mist
Winner: Best SPF for scalp
$15.99
Amazon
$16.00
Ulta
$16.00
Oars + Alps
Blue Lizard After Sun Soothing Lotion
Winner: Best post-sun care
$12.94
Amazon
$12.94
Walmart
$12.99
Target
Banana Boat Sheer Sensitive Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
Winner: Best body sunscreen
$9.99
Target
$11.99
Walgreens
$12.49
CVS Photo
Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm SPF 45 Clear
Winner: Best SPF lip product
$9.99
$12.50
Amazon
$12.50
Naturium
Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50
Winner: Best lightweight sunscreen
$50.00
Amazon
$50.00
Tatcha
$50.00
Sephora
SkinCeuticals Future Mineral UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50
Winner: Best mineral sunscreen
$60.00
Dermstore
$60.00
Skinceuticals
bareMinerals Original Talc-Free Pressed Powder Foundation Mineral SPF 15
Winner: Best SPF powder foundation
$39.50
Amazon
$39.50
Ulta
$39.50
bareMinerals
More dermatologist-approved sunscreens
Spray sunscreens might be a little easier for you to apply since it has a continuous, wide range of mist. And the brand says this SPF 50 option is water-resistant, however, Dr. Angela Lamb notes that still means you need to reapply every 40 to 80 minutes. Containing calming, skin-loving ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile, Lamb also likes this option because it’s a broad spectrum, which she says will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Also, the brand offers this in SPF 33.
The brand also offers the sunscreen in a light coconut scent, but you can still expect the same SPF 50 broad spectrum coverage and quick-drying formula, says the brand. This sunscreen is also available in SPF 30.
Dermatologist Dr. Robert Anolik once told Shop TODAY that he recommends CeraVe’s SPF 50 mineral sunscreen “for those with dry skin who need sunscreen with greater hydrating properties.” Thanks to various added ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, this lotion is just as much nourishing for the skin as much as it is protective.
Lamb likes this mineral sunscreen, which is infused with vitamin E, because she says mineral sits on top of the skin and will prevent the penetration of most rays. This will help prevent sun-induced wrinkles and fine lines, dark spots and discoloration, she says. This formula is also tinted to complement most skin tones, says the brand, and Lamb notes that you can easily incorporate it into your daily routine since it’s lightweight enough to layer under makeup.
At this point, you know very well to pay special attention to areas like your chest, nose and shoulders when applying sunscreen. But what about your scalp? Lamb says it’s an often overlooked area and is, unfortunately, a common location for skin cancer. Protect the often-neglected area without ruining your hair with this lightweight mist from Sun Bum about 15 minutes before you head outside.
If you’re looking for something more eco-conscious, Lamb suggests this mineral SPF 40 option from MadHippie. According to the brand, it’s formulated with nano-free zinc oxide instead of chemicals, making it eco-friendly for lakes and oceans. Plus, the brand says it contains popular skin care ingredients, such as squalene and coconut oil.
Mineral sunscreens are a physical sunscreen that contain zinc oxide or titanium oxide and has shield-like protection by sitting on the skin’s surface and blocking the sun’s rays. This type is great for sensitive and acne prone skin, according to Nussbaum.
She says hypoallergenic mineral sunscreens are best for babies. This Neutrogena pick is SPF 50 and made with 100% zinc, making it the best protection for the most delicate skin.
Nussbaum says SPF is a measure of how much UV radiation is required to produce a sunburn on protected skin, as opposed to the amount on unprotected skin. For instance, a SPF 30 would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you weren’t wearing any sunscreen at all.
This organic mineral sunscreen lotion by Coola is lightweight, water-resistant and contains SPF 50. Nussbaum says the higher the SPF, the lower chance you have of getting burnt.
For men, Lamb suggests this option from the men’s skin care line Jaxon Lane. According to the brand, it’s formulated to be used as a two-in-one moisturizer and SPF sunscreen, and it won’t leave a white cast. Plus, it contains popular skin care ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.
Did you know manufacturers are banned from using misleading terms like “waterproof” and “sweat-proof?” Nussbaum says you want to look out for “water-resistant” sunscreens and to constantly reapply because it only has up to 80 minutes of sun protection.
Featuring a mist application for easy coverage, this lightweight formula is water-resistant and contains zinc and other rich antioxidants. The sunscreen sprays on white but blends in for a sheer and non-oily finish.
Dr. Karan Lal, a double board-certified dermatologist, once told Shop TODAY that this sunscreen stick “is a chemical sunscreen stick that will leave your skin with a glowing finish.” It has a transparent formula that glides easily while leaving a fresh glow behind.
Lamb recommends SPF 30 for daily wear or SPF 50 for when you’re on vacation or spending long amounts of time outside.
This super-sheer formula is Supergoop’s bestseller. It’s weightless and unscented and creates a perfect base for your daily makeup routine. Or you can just wear it on its own for a completely natural look that leaves your skin fully protected.
More editor-approved sunscreens
While this sunscreen from Bioré wasn’t directly recommended by a dermatologist to Shop TODAY, it has still been tested by dermatologists, according to the brand. Former Shop TODAY commerce editor, Amanda Fama, has been using this sunscreen daily and highly recommends it. “This has become part of my daily skin care routine, whether I’m inside in front of my computer all day or going for a run in the park.”
Equipped with an easy roll-on applicator, this sunscreen is both mess-free and easy to apply. On-air fashion expert and stylist Jasmine Snow calls Sun Bum’s signature scent “vacation in a bottle,” noting that it’s “coconutty, warm and nostalgic.”
Sierra Hoeger, a former associate editor at Shop TODAY, recommends this dermatologist-tested sunscreen from Sun Bum. She tells us, “I’ve been using Sun Bum for as long as I can remember. Whether it be their hair lightening spray, purple shampoos, face or body sunscreens, with a scent that screams summer, it’s hard to go wrong with their products that work in tandem with each other.”
According to the brand, this stick sunscreen will glide on clear, which means it won't leave a white cast or colored residue. Since it comes in a stick form, you also don't have to worry about it leaking in your beach bag or carry-on. And that's not all, the brand says its infused with hydrating ingredients like jojoba, sunflower oil and vitamin E to keep your skin feeling moisturized and protected while you're in the sun.
This playfully retro sunscreen turns sun protection into a treat with its whipped-cream-inspired texture that’s as effective as it is fun. With a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, the SPF 30 cream is super easy to apply, lightweight and blends in easily. It keeps skin hydrated and leaves a noticeable healthy glow and shimmer, and the nostalgic scent of summer has to be smelt to be believed.
If you avoid facial sunscreen because it’s sticky or heavy on your skin, try out this formula from EltaMD. It’s designed to go on silky smooth and absorb quickly into skin, so you won’t even feel it. Because it’s water- and sweat-proof for up to 80 minutes, it’s perfect for anyone who plans to live life on the go this summer.
How we chose
While choosing sunscreens, we choose products directly recommended by two board-certified dermatologists who visited TODAY (Dr. Angela Lamb and Dr. Marnie Nussbaum). We also included other effective, dermatologist-recommended sunscreens as well as sunscreens tried by editors on the Shop TODAY team.
Meet the experts
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team along with, Dr. Nussbaum.
- Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified aesthetics dermatologist based in New York City, and serves as a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College.
- Dr. Angela Lamb, MD is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York, New York with The Mount Sinai Hospital.
- Dr. Robert Anolik is a board-certified dermatologist located in New York, New York. He's also an New York University professor of dermatology.
- Dr. Karan Lal, DO, MS is a double board-certified dermatologist based in New York, New York.
- Jasmine Snow is a stylist, on-air fashion expert and editor.
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Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil
Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil