13 Best Body Sunscreens That Literally Have You Covered Against UV Rays

Editor Tip: Unlike other sunscreen sprays that easily clog, this mineral body sunscreen features a nozzle that can continuously spritz at any angle (even upside down!) for easy, all-over application.

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, vitamin C, vitamin E, aloe vera, glycerin, coconut extract | Who It's For: All skin types

Best for Face and Body: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen

Why It's Worth It: Shiseido's WetForce technology belongs in the pantheon of great sunscreens. The brand's Best of Beauty-winning Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50+, which is a body and face sunscreen, is an updated iteration of the beloved formula that goes on clear, ensuring that there's no annoying white cast left behind when you rub it in. The most innovative feature, however, has to be the fact that this formula is strengthened whenever it senses water, sweat, or heat.

Editor Tip: If you want 100 percent mineral sunscreen, we suggest Shiseido's Urban Environment Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 42, a chemical-free formulation that contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. As an added bonus, it's also spiked with hydrating hyaluronic acid.

Key Ingredients: Chemical sunscreen filters (2.3% avobenzone, 10% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 5% octocrylene) | Who It's For: normal-to-oily skin types, all skin tones

Best for Oily Skin: Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow Gel SPF 50

Why It's Worth It: Sunscreen lotions are swell and all, but oily skin types may find them a tad greasy. If that's the case, try out Kopari's Sun Shield Body Glow Gel, which is a weightless game-changer for oilier complexions. This fast-absorbing gel provides broad-spectrum SPF 50 sun protection via chemical filters (minus oxybenzone and octinoxate) without the issues that other formulas may have, including tackiness and residual buildup. On top of its grease-free texture, you can expect this quick-drying sunscreen to soften your skin with moisturizing avocado, macadamia, hibiscus, and coconut oils.

Editor Tip: This ultra-light sunscreen also features a subtly sweet coconut milk scent.

Key Ingredients: Chemical sunscreen filters (10% homosalate, 10% octocrylene, 5% octisalate, 3% avobenzone), avocado oil, coconut oil, macadamia nut oil, hibiscus oil, vitamin E | Who It's For: Normal-to-oily skin types

Best Sunscreen Mist: Soleil Toujours Clean Conscious Antioxidant Sunscreen Mist SPF 50

Why It's Worth It: Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein loves the lightweight, fast-absorbing feel of Soleil Toujours' Clean Conscious Antioxidant Sunscreen Mist SPF 50. "On top of the elevated, luxe vibe of its spray can, I love this formula's barely-there feel," she says. "It also gets bonus points for being gentle on my sensitive, body acne-prone skin." To amp up its ability to protect your skin against the elements, this sunscreen spritzer contains an antioxidant blend of vitamins C and E, which guard your skin against environmental aggressors to prevent damage.

Editor Tip: This sunscreen is available in two broad-spectrum SPF rating options (30 and 50).

Key Ingredients: Chemical sunscreen filters (3% avobenzone, 10% homosalate, 5% octisalate), aloe leaf juice, vitamin C, vitamin E | Who It's For: All skin types

Best Scented Sunscreen: Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance Body Lotion 100% Mineral SPF 50

Why It's Worth It: Sol de Janeiro's warm-floral Cheirosa 87 scent has a chokehold on TikTok beauty enthusiasts and Allure editors alike, and now you can douse yourself in it all day long with the Rio Radiance Body Lotion 100% Mineral SPF 50. As its name suggests, this sunscreen lotion has a mineral-based formulation, but it has the added benefits of niacinamide, a complexion-evening antioxidant.

Editor Tip: This formula has a radiant finish, but if you want your glow to hit maximum overdrive, we suggest Sol de Janeiro's Rio Radiance SPF 50 Body Oil.

Key Ingredients: 20% zinc oxide, niacinamide, cupuaçu butter, pongamia seed extract | Who It's For: Dry-to-normal skin types

Best Sunscreen Oil: Vacation Baby Oil SPF 30

Why It's Worth It: Not a fan of body lotions? We recommend the Vacation Baby Oil SPF 30, a sheen-inducing formula that'll provide conditioning benefits just like your favorite body oils. As a blend of jojoba oil, vitamin E, and calendula extract soothes and moisturizes, chemical-based filters protect your skin against harmful UVA and sunburn-inducing UVB rays.

Editor Tip: This delightful suncare oil is spiked with an elevated blend of orange blossom, musk, cinnamon, and florals to create an aromatic ode to classic baby oil scents.

Key Ingredients: Chemical filters (3% avobenzone, 10% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 10% octocrylene), jojoba oil, calendula oil, chamomile oil, bisabolol, vitamin E, rose extract, jasmine extract, vitamin E | Who It's For: Dry-to-normal skin types

Best Water-Resistant Sunscreen: Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50

Why It's Worth It: Supergoop's Play Everyday Lotion has been a fan-favorite face and body sunscreen for quite some time — it won an Allure Readers' Choice Award in 2015 and is one of Dr. Green's favorite sunscreens. This broad-spectrum SPF 50 lotion has a lightweight, non-greasy feel that quickly dries into a sheer, sweat- and water-resistant veil. The gentle formula also contains moisturizing sunflower extract to soften skin for a smoother, suppler feel.

Editor Tip: If you're on the hunt for a tried-and-true physical formula, the mineral sunscreen formulation of Supergoop's Play Everyday Lotion won an Allure Readers' Choice Award in 2023.

Key Ingredients: Chemical sunscreen filters (3% avobenzone, 10% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 8% octocrylene), rice bran extract, rosemary extract, sunflower extract, tocopherol (vitamin E derivative) | Who It's For: All skin types

Best With No White Cast: Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 for Face & Body

Why It's Worth It: Black Girl Sunscreen was made to address the white cast and ashy finish sunscreens can leave on deeper skin tones, but all skin tones can enjoy its transparent formula. On top of providing broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection against potentially damaging UV rays, this sunscreen also acts as your moisturizer. It contains a blend of moisture-retaining oils derived from avocados, jojoba, and cacao, making skin look and feel healthier after you massage it in.

Editor Tip: Those with oily skin will particularly love Black Girl Sunscreen's Make It Matte SPF 45.

Key Ingredients: Chemical sunscreen filters (3% avobenzone, 10% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 3% octocrylene), avocado oil, jojoba oil, cacao oil | Who It's For: All skin types

Best for Sensitive Skin: Aveeno Protect + Hydrate SPF 60

Why It's Worth It: Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, says that Aveeno's Protect + Hydrate SPF 60 is great for all skin types (including sensitive skin) because it contains four sun filters: avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene. These are all chemical sunscreen filters, but, contrary to their reputation for irritating skin, Dr. Green notes that this particular formulation contains colloidal oatmeal, an ingredient known for soothing skin. "Oats have been known to reduce inflammation and stimulate collagen," says Dr. Green.

Editor Tip: This sunscreen has a sweet, creamy oat scent that won't overwhelm your olfactory senses throughout the day.

Key Ingredients: Chemical sunscreen filters (3% avobenzone, 13.5% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 10% octocrylene), colloidal oatmeal | Who It's For: All skin types

Best for Families: Sun Bum Baby Bum SPF 50

Why It's Worth It: If Sun Bum's Baby Bum SPF 50 is gentle enough for Allure commerce director Shanna Shipin's sensitive skin (and her tiny tot's eczema-prone skin), it's gentle enough for most sensitive skin types. Formulated specially for babies, this ultra-gentle sunscreen has a 100% mineral-based formula that's kind to delicate, easily irritated skin. For added nourishment, this formula is infused with coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter to soothe, soften, and moisturize.

Editor Tip: “If you have a family with dry skin or even eczema, just save yourself time and buy this," says Shipin. She notes that she didn't initially buy Baby Bum to use on herself, “then I saw just how elegant the formula actually was; it's not goopy, not greasy, and melts into the skin almost like a lotion, without any irritation” says Shipin. There is a slight white cast on her medium-tan skin tone, but crucially, Baby Bum doesn't cause any sensitive skin flare-ups for her or her family.

Key Ingredients: 20% zinc oxide, coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter | Who It's For: All skin types, including sensitive

Best Matte Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine SPF 60+ Dry Touch Gel-Cream

Why It's Worth It: Formulated with acne-prone skin in mind, La Roche-Posay's Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen imparts a matte, shine-free, and oil-free finish that doesn't clog pores or turn into a breeding ground for breakouts. Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD loves this formula because blends in with all skin tones and absorbs instantly. This 2020 Allure Best of Beauty winner contains silica and perlite (which is also found in many foundations) to absorb excess oil and reduce the appearance of shine.

Editor Tip: This sunscreen stays water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it a great option for active people who love spending time outdoors. With that being said, always remember to reapply after drying off with a towel.

Key Ingredients: Chemical sunscreen filters (3% avobenzone, 15% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 7% octocrylene), senna alata extract, silica, perlite, thermal spring water | Who It's For: Acne-prone skin, oily skin

Best Sunscreen Gel: Sonrei Sea Clearly Gel Sunscreen SPF 50

Why It's Worth It: The beauty of Sonrei's Sea Clearly Gel Sunscreen SPF 50 is its gel texture, which provides a cooling feel upon application and totally transparent finish. This broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen is also spiked with a skin-brightening trifecta of ferulic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E, and provides up to 80 minutes of water resistance.

Editor Tip: This sunscreen has a matte, grease-free finish that leaves skin feeling velvety-smooth.

Key Ingredients: Chemical sunscreen filters (3% avobenzone, 10% homosalate, 10% octocrylene, 5% octisalate), ferulic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E | Who It's For: All skin types

Allure Readers' Choice Award Winner: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 55

Why It's Worth It: It doesn't matter if most of your time is spent indoors or outdoors, the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen is one to add to your daily skin-care routine year-round. The chemical formula rubs in clear on all skin tones and doesn't leave behind any sticky or greasy feeling. All the more reason why it won a Readers' Choice Award several times over — most recently in 2022.

Editor Tip: For an added touch of wrinkle-reducing and tone-evening antioxidants, try Neutrogena's Invisible Daily Defense Lotion SPF 60+.

Key Ingredients: Chemical sunscreen filters (3% avobenzone, 10% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 10% octocrylene) | Who It's For: All skin types

Frequently Asked Questions

Skin-care trends come and go, but sunscreen is forever. Just about everyone is guilty of skipping a day (or more), but making a habit of ditching sun protection can lead to a large list of skin-care concerns in the long (and short) run. In terms of sun-related skin damage, issues like sunburns, dark spots, and photoaging are just the tip of the iceberg. "Taking precautions now will prevent premature aging, skin cancer, and painful peeling of unsightly skin," Beverly Hills-based board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD, previously told Allure.

Yes, we're aware of the issues some sunscreens come cause, like leaving behind a white cast, greasy feel, or clogged pores, but the days of subpar sun protection products are mostly behind us. The current generation of sunscreens is filled with amazing formulas that not only mitigate these common annoyances, but even impart additional benefits like luminosity, moisture, and a faux glow, to name a few. So, whether you choose a formula with bells and whistles or stick to a straightforward option, one thing is for certain: There's no excuse not to give your skin the protection it needs.

Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care in Chevy Chase, Maryland, has previously told Allure that physical sunscreens, also known as mineral sunscreens or sunblock, sit on the surface of the skin and deflect the sun's harmful rays. Chemical formulas, on the other hand, penetrate the surface of the skin to prevent damage from the sun. If you're stuck between the two, or considering a hybrid SPF formula, the "best" sunscreen is simply the one you'll use consistently—but there are caveats.

Though chemical formulas tend to have a more transparent finish than mineral SPFs, they can irritate the skin. So, if you have sensitive skin, you'll want to consider a physical formulation. If you're currently pregnant, Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously told Allure that physical sunscreens are your best option. "I usually recommend physical blockers during pregnancy that are not chemical-based," she said. "That's basically your zinc [oxide] and your titanium [dioxide]."

No matter what type of sunscreen you slather on, it should have a broad-spectrum SPF rating of at least 30. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist David Colbert, MD, previously told Allure that this is what the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends because it is clinically proven to be a sufficient amount of protection to reduce the adverse effects of sunlight.

Sunscreen is not a one-and-done product. If there's one thing every dermatologist can agree on, it's that reapplication every two hours is just as necessary as applying sunscreen in the first place. "Ideally, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours or more frequently if you are swimming or sweating heavily," Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, previously told Allure. The AAD suggests applying about a shot glass's worth of sunscreen for the entire body and a dime-size dollop for the face at least every two hours when you're outside to ensure your skin is protected from harsh UV rays throughout the day.

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best body sunscreens, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Find more Allure editor-approved skin-care products:

• 15 Best Tinted Sunscreens for Skin That’s as Clear as Day
• The Best Tranexamic Acid Products to Fade Dark Spots
• The 10 Best Baby Sunscreens for Newborns to Toddlers
• 17 Best Face Moisturizers Allure Editors Have Ever Tested

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