You can see as you scroll through the entries below that we take our sunscreen very seriously around here at The Mom Edit. There are so so many sunscreens out there that I’ll be the first to admit I get overwhelmed and want real feedback outside of retailer descriptions.
It’s super helpful to have reviews on what works for different skin types and different lifestyles and have personally loved reading through each of our editor’s favs. We have lots of entries for and opinions on facial sunscreens for makeup wearers or non-makeup wearers…on body sunscreen in all formats: sprays, mists, oils and lotions…and on sunscreen for your lips (often forgotten!) It’s clear many of us are long time Supergoop fans (is there a format they don’t make?) but we included an array of other favorite brands below, too.
The Sunscreens Our Editors Swear By
What sun protection are we packing in our bags for the shore, pool, coast, beach, hike, lake day, river trip? We get into all of our favorite sunscreens below. But, honestly, we’re packing these tried and true picks for every trip and slathering them on every morning regardless because…important. Sunscreens have come a long way and it’s so convenient now that many of them are actual skincare, too. If you ever wondered what we’re all wearing and loving, we’ve got 8 different opinions and reviews here for ya today!
Shana’s Picks: Best Mineral Sunscreen For Working Out (Plus The Top Pick To Wear Instead of Foundation)
Supergoop Glowscreen | Dune Mineral Melt
If I’m doing my makeup, I’m still wearing Supergoop’s Glowscreen instead of foundation (I honestly get so many compliments on my skin when I wear it). I’ve been messing around with colors (they keep releasing new ones), but the original (called “sunrise”) is still my best bet for year-round use.
When I’m about to workout, I prefer something more nourishing and mineral. Dune’s Mineral Melt is easily the sheerest, most invisible, easiest-to-use mineral sunscreen I’ve ever tried (it goes on “soft”, too, if that makes sense – it’s not shiny). Even my boys are willing to use this one – it’s shockingly good.
Laura’s Pick: Best Sunscreen For Dry Skin
Where To Buy: Nordstrom | Supergoop | Quince
I love this Supergoop Superscreen Hydrating Daily Cream so much for my (newly) dry skin on my face. It’s so moisturizing and a little goes a long way. It doesn’t leave a white cast either after it soaks in. I went on the hunt this year for one that performed well and this hasn’t let me down!
Scotti’s Picks: Best Glow-Boosting Sunscreens & Powder
Kopari Sun Veil Illuminating Sunscreen Powder | Golden Sunglaze Body Mist
I’ve become a little obsessive about sun protection. My moisturizer has SPF, my primer has SPF, my foundation has SPF, even my concealer has SPF. 😂But this SPF 30 powder is my favorite finishing touch. It gives my face and neck the prettiest soft golden glow, and it’s perfect for reapplying throughout the day without having to use a spray over my makeup. For my body, this is the one I reach for. It leaves the prettiest glow, has SPF 50 broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, and doesn’t leave my skin feeling like a typical sunscreen thanks to the added hyaluronic acid.
Julieta’s Pick: Best Lightweight Daily Sunscreen
Haru Haru Black Rice Airyfit (Chemical) l Haru Haru Black rice Pure Mineral
I have sensitive skin and rosacea so a sunscreen that’s light, nourishing and skin barrier strengthening is a must. I first started with the Haru Haru Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen last year and fell in love with it. Incredibly lightweight, and didn’t experience breakouts or white cast. I love that it enhances your skin barrier, hydrates it and soothes it while giving you SPF.
This year I saw the mineral version Haru Haru Black Rice Pure Mineral Relief Daily Sunscreen and decided to try it. The same good stuff as the first one but mineral. Because of the zinc there’s a very minimal white cast but it blends in easily. This is more suited if you want a mineral sunscreen or are experiencing high sensitivity skin days. Now I alternate between the two.
Not pictured but part of my skincare routine for over 5 years, is the Erborian CC cream SPF 25 in the Medium shade. It evens out my skin and gives me the golden glow I love so much for my complexion.
Aliya’s Picks: Best Sunscreen Lineup for Every Activity
Mist | Lotion | Stick | Face | Glow Stick
Sunscreen is an absolute non-negotiable for me – every day, all year long, even in the winter. Just pale girl things. While this Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen from Colorescience is my everyday go-to and a staple in my skincare routine, summer is when my sunscreen lineup goes crazy. Likeee… a sunscreen for everything: the Play lotion from Supergoop for that first full-body layer before a beach day, the Play mist for easy reapplication, and always a stick for swiping onto my boyfriend’s face when he’s not paying attention. And don’t forget SPF lip balm (truly more important than you think). For those no-makeup, sunny days when you still want a little something, I’d also suggest a glow stick sunscreen. Sometimes it’s all you need. Because I’m always product testing sunscreen, adding a bunch of other faves below:
Kat’s Picks: Best Sunscreen Deeper Skin Tones
I wear sunscreen every. single. day. and truly believe it is the most important step in my skincare routine. It’s so important to me to protect my skin, especially on my face. So I’m sure it’s no surprise that I have a lot of opinions on sunscreens. I have tested out many different formulas over the years, and have finally found what works best for my sensitive skin. I personally prefer a sunscreen that has a zinc formula, a minimum of spf 40 (though I prefer spf 50), and of course doesn’t leave a white cast on my darker skin complexion. So rather than just give you my absolute favorite, because unfortunately the exact formulation is only available for purchase in South Korea, here are my top three based on what my needs are for the day. The best full body sunscreen for daily use: COOLA SPF 50 My favorite sunscreen that doubles as foundation: ILIA sun serum mineral sunscreen Lip care (because yes, your lips need sun protection too): OneSkin Lip SPF
Linzi’s Picks: Best Sunscreen For Minimal Makeup Days
Unseen Sunscreen | Unseen NSale Deal | Mineral MatteScreen
I’ve been wearing Supergoop for years and it’s one of those product lines that I’ve been so happy with that I’ve stopped trying any other sunscreens. I don’t wear “makeup-makeup” on the daily, so I love sunscreen that I can apply, add a swipe of a blush-stick, and then walk out the door. I wear Unseen Sunscreen when I want my natural-skin look (but a tiny bit better… it blurs pores a bit). If I want a bit more smoothing, I’ll go for the Matte version (in tinted sunrise). And occasionally I’ll add a drop of their GlowScreen when I want a touch of glow. If you’re shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, the Unseen is included. Woohoo!
Ang’s Favorite Sunscreens: Best For Everyday Skincare + Travel
Elta MD UV Clear | Play Everyday Stick
While I’ll always swear by Elta MD sunscreen for my face (it has zinc oxide and hyaluronic acid so… skincare) I have found that the entire Supergoop Play Everyday line of products are the ones that really work for the body. And I can’t begin to tell you just how much I love Play Everday sunscreen stick. It goes on so smoothly and evenly, it fits easily and won’t explode in any of my bags (as a solid I can even carry it on a plane!) The best part is that you don’t get anything all over your hands, which really helps for easy re-applying on the go…or getting the family to put any sunscreen on to begin with.
Sunscreen FAQs (For 2026!)
I think many of us have learned sunscreen basics over the years, but it’s good to revisit important info like this. As someone who likes to keep my beauty routine simple and often doesn’t deep dive into beauty products, I could use some reminders. I wanted to see what other questions I should be asking these days about sunscreen, too, with new products like powders, facial mists, etc. on the market.
Honestly, no, as it turns out. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, and it barely goes up from there no matter how high the number climbs. So if you’re paying extra for SPF 70 or 100 thinking you’re getting way more coverage, you’re mostly paying for a bigger number on the bottle. SPF 30-50, applied properly (and reapplied), is doing the real work.
Yes! I used to think a high SPF meant I had some kind of all-day force field, but SPF only tells you how well it protects when you first put it on, not how long it lasts. Sweat, water, and just time passing all wear it down, 50 or not. Two hours outside is still the rule, regardless of the number.
This is the one I have been wondering about, too. Powder sunscreens are honestly the least messy option if you don’t want to disturb your makeup. Mists can work too, just apparently don’t be shy with them (a light spritz isn’t doing much). Worst case, a hat is doing more for you than a half-hearted reapplication.
It comes down to preference honestly. Lotion makes it easier to see where you’ve applied (and where you missed), while sprays are just faster and easier, especially on squirmy kids. If you’re into spray sunscreens like me, just make sure you’re actually using enough. It’s easy to under-apply when you can’t see it going on.
Yes. More melanin does give some natural protection, but it’s nowhere near enough on its own. Darker skin tones can still burn, develop hyperpigmentation, and are absolutely still at risk for skin cancer. SPF isn’t just a fair-skin thing.
This one’s a little unsettling…brands are required to test SPF before a product hits shelves, but not every batch gets checked after that. So there’s more variation out there than we’d probably all like to admit, which is honestly just another reason to reapply generously and not rely on the number alone to do all the work.
As always, I hope our personal picks and information we’ve shared is helpful…for all-year-round, not just summer here in the Northern Hemisphere. If you have some go-to sunscreens we haven’t touched on here (I’m sure there are many!) please do share in the comments. Thanks for being here, friends.
xo,
Laura + Team TME
