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Lathering on sunscreen isn’t just an outdoor festivals and tours activity, it’s a year-round essential. Soaking up that vitamin D may feel good, but too much exposure can leave you with a red-hot sunburn — and that includes when you’re at a music festival listening to your favorite artist.
Whether you’re planning on spending extended periods outdoors at concerts or have beach days already lined up, you want to make sure you have proper sun protection.
No matter if it’s rain, shine, overcast or even partly cloudy, wearing a solid sunscreen will help keep your skin looking smooth and healthy. The last thing you want to deal with is sped-up signs of aging or, in worst cases, skin cancer. That’s why we spoke with with Dr. Angela J. Lamb, a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of Dermatology and Dr. Bobby Buka, MD, JD to discover the best sunscreens.
Before you go and stock your cart, Lamb and Buka shared some tips to keep in mind, including how to know if the one you’re using is truly “the best.”
What Is the Most Effective Sunscreen?
Not all sunscreen formulas are made equally, which makes the ingredients and application especially important when looking for the right one.
“I recommend something that will go on easily, feel good on people’s skin and permit them to wear makeup on top if desired,” she said. Lamb added that you should also look for ingredients such as oxide and titanium dioxide, as “those ingredients are going to help the sunscreen work immediately when applied to your skin.”
If you have oily skin, you’ll want to consider a gel or spray sunscreen as Buka says it “will have a blotting effect on sheen.” Whereas for dry and sensitive skin he would lean towards cream and lotions formulas “for their emollient, moisturizing effect.”
How Often Should You Reapply Sunscreen?
Reapplication will depend on what you’re doing, according to Lamb.
“If you are outside sweating or doing any sports, your sunscreen really needs to be reapplied approximately every 80 to 90 minutes,” she said. “If you really only spend a little bit of time outside — maybe to or from work during your commute — you can put on sunscreen in the morning, and maybe, if the sun is still out when you leave to go home, reapply or use [a] powder [sunscreen] to touch it up.”
What Are the Best Sunscreens, According to Dermatologists?
To help upgrade your beauty routine and pack essential commuting gear during the summer season and beyond, check below to shop the best sunscreens, according to dermatologists, as well as some top-rated picks and celebrity favorites.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen – SPF 40
Lamb likes this Unseen Sunscreen from Supergoop for its lightweight formula that’s both water- and sweat-resistant for up to 40 minutes once applied. The texture is also clear, allowing you to put it on without worry of leaving behind white streaks.
Dune Bod Guard
Need a solid body sunscreen? Buka considers the Dune Bod Guard to be a solid choice for its non-sticky and cooling formula. It’s also water-resistant, comes with SPF 30 and is hypoallergenic for those who have more sensitive skin.
“Patients really gravitate to DUNE’s Bod Guard,” he says. “[It’s] Quick to apply, set it, forget it and rock a day in the sun.”
Neutrogena Purescreen+ Tinted Sunscreen for Face – SPF 30
Lamb loves this Neutrogena’s Mineral UV Tint formula so much she uses it daily. It comes in four shades and adds a hint of tint to your skin once it’s applied.
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion -SPF 30
Billboard Shopping has tested this sunscreen out, and I can say CeraVe’s Facial Moisturizer is my go-to. As someone with sensitive skin, finding a formula that doesn’t leave my skin with a burning sensation can be difficult. I’ve used CeraVe before and know that the ingredients are sensitive-skin friendly, which made it almost a no-brainer when determining what sunscreen brand to use. It’s not only lightweight, but doesn’t leave behind a chemical scent and, as an added bonus, it’s the No. 1 bestseller on Amazon for facial sunscreens.
What Are the Best Reviewer & Celeb-Loved Sunscreens?
Even Hollywood has their favorite sun-protecting formulas they stock up on, which you can shop below.
Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum – SPF 30
Black Girl Sunscreen has garnered much earned attention for creating a quality SPF that’s fragrance free and long-lasting (like, up to 80 minutes!). It’s even water resistant, allowing you to take a dip or sweat without needing to constantly reapply.
Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense Face Sunscreen – SPF 30
The previous Billboard Hot 100 Chart topper Selena Gomez has been known to love Drunk Elephant’s Umbra Sheer Physical Defense SPF, and we totally get why. Not only does it come with the dermatologist-approved ingredient oxide, but it features a fragrance- and essential-oil-free formula that’s gentle on skin without leaving it feeling oily.
Lancôme UV Expert Primer & Face Moisturizer – SPF 50
Euphoria‘s Zendaya has previously stated her love of Lancôme’s UV Expert Primer & Moisturizer SPF, which not only provides protection against damaging UV rays, but smooths and hydrates skin. And did we mention it’s made with nourishing vitamin E?
And for more product recommendations, check out our roundups of AAPI beauty and skincare brands, refillable lipsticks and the best TikTok beauty alternatives.
