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Beauty & Personal Care Sun & Tanning

Best UV Sun Protectors

Updated July 2021
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector
Shiseido
Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector
UV Protective Sunscreen

This ultra-light sunscreen is packed with a broad spectrum SPF 42 that protects your skin during workouts, outings, and anything outdoors.

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Check Price at Sephora
UV Protective Sunscreen
Bottom Line

This ultra-light sunscreen is packed with a broad spectrum SPF 42 that protects your skin during workouts, outings, and anything outdoors.

Pros

SPF 42 protects skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. The cream is water-resistant and provides sweat resistance for up to 40 minutes. Eliminates pores, oiliness and reduces skin damage. The featherlight formula works as a primer when worn under makeup. Ideal for normal and oily skin.

Cons

Leaves a chalky layer on the skin, which is a disadvantage.

Best Bang for the Buck
Clinique Pep-Start Daily UV Protector
Clinique
Pep-Start Daily UV Protector
Skin Protectant Cream

An ultra-light mineral-based formula that protects the skin naturally without any dryness.

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Check Price at Sephora
Skin Protectant Cream
Bottom Line

An ultra-light mineral-based formula that protects the skin naturally without any dryness.

Pros

Suitable for normal, oily, dry, sensitive, and combination skin types. SPF 50 shields skin from UVA/UVB rays. Weightless hydration ideal for everyday usage. Free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. Allergy tested. Fragrance- and oil-free formula. Fit for tropical regions.

Cons

Some claim the product makes skin dry.

Lancôme UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer and Moisturizer
Lancôme
UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer and Moisturizer
Primer and Moisturizer

Formulated to keep all basic skin types in mind, the gel-based primer and moisturizer reduces dryness, paving way for smooth skin.

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Check Price at Sephora
Primer and Moisturizer
Bottom Line

Formulated to keep all basic skin types in mind, the gel-based primer and moisturizer reduces dryness, paving way for smooth skin.

Pros

Targets skin concerns such as dryness and improves skin appearance. Contains SPF 50, made of potent antioxidants like vitamin E, moringa, and edelweiss extract. Free of sulfates, phthalates, other chemicals, and synthetic fragrances. Ideal for all skin types and can be used under the harsh sun.

Cons

The sunscreen doesn’t work well as a moisturizer.

Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen
Innisfree
Daily UV Defense Sunscreen
Sunscreen for Daily Use

Innisfree water-based SPF 36 sun protection formula is lightweight, perfect for light coverage.

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Sunscreen for Daily Use
Bottom Line

Innisfree water-based SPF 36 sun protection formula is lightweight, perfect for light coverage.

Pros

Works on skin concerns such as dryness. Enhances skin. Crafted from green tea, cica, sunflower seed oil, and SPF 36 to protect from harm. Chemical-free, fragrance-free, and lightweight, thus best for daily use. Ideal for all skin types. Reef- and environment-safe.

Cons

Can cause skin irritation as claimed by some users.

Peter Thomas Roth Max Mineral Naked Broad Spectrum SPF
Peter Thomas Roth
Max Mineral Naked Broad Spectrum SPF
Mineral-Based Sunscreen

This product by Peter Thomas Roth comes with the SPF 45 formula apt for normal to dry skin, not the oily ones.

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Check Price at Sephora
Mineral-Based Sunscreen
Bottom Line

This product by Peter Thomas Roth comes with the SPF 45 formula apt for normal to dry skin, not the oily ones.

Pros

Addresses and mitigates skin concerns such as pores, dryness, and uneven skin tone. The mineral-based formula has titanium dioxide, vitamins A, C, and E, and diamond powder for even-looking skin. The product is free of chemicals and is also reef-safe.

Cons

The product is too oily and can leave a shiny look on the face.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

Click here for testing insights
First Reviewed
July 03, 2021
40
Models
considered
26
Hours
researched
Category cover
Our Top Picks
Shiseido
Best of the Best
Shiseido
Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector
Bottom Line
This ultra-light sunscreen is packed with a broad spectrum SPF 42 that protects your skin during workouts, outings, and anything outdoors.
Shop Now
Clinique
Best Bang for the Buck
Clinique
Pep-Start Daily UV Protector
Bottom Line
An ultra-light mineral-based formula that protects the skin naturally without any dryness.
Shop Now
Lancôme
Top Pick
Lancôme
UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer and Moisturizer
Bottom Line
Formulated to keep all basic skin types in mind, the gel-based primer and moisturizer reduces dryness, paving way for smooth skin.
Shop Now
Innisfree
Top Pick
Innisfree
Daily UV Defense Sunscreen
Bottom Line
Innisfree water-based SPF 36 sun protection formula is lightweight, perfect for light coverage.
Shop Now
Peter Thomas Roth
Top Pick
Peter Thomas Roth
Max Mineral Naked Broad Spectrum SPF
Bottom Line
This product by Peter Thomas Roth comes with the SPF 45 formula apt for normal to dry skin, not the oily ones.
Shop Now
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