UrbanUpdate

Sun protection is imperative, no matter which name you give it: Sunscreen, sunblock, suntan lotion… these are all the same, really. The best suntan lotion is one that blocks the sun’s harmful UV rays—same as sunscreen and sunblock.

In your quest for the best suntan lotion, you need to consider your specific needs. That’s because what’s best for you may not be the best for your partner, friends, kid, etc, or even for different scenarios that you face in a given week. Here are the best suntan, in our humble but well-researched opinion, covering a variety of use cases, and covering you as thoroughly as possible. 

The Best Mineral Suntan Lotion

Bare Republic SPF 30 mineral body sunscreen$15

Amazon

The zinc oxide defense in this mineral SPF 30 suntan lotion wears light enough for athletes and won't leave a chalky cast. Most importantly, it is water- and sweat-resistant up to 80 minutes. It carries a naturally derived vanilla coco scent, sans any artificial fragrance. Note that it is also a body lotion, so you should still apply a dedicated face sunscreen or SPF-packed moisturizer—oh, and a cap and shades never hurt, either.

The Best Face Sunscreen

Dr. Dennis Gross SPF 30 mineral face sunscreen$42

Sephora

This new mineral (zinc oxide) face sunscreen landed just in time for summer. It's rich in antioxidants, as well as vitamins C & E, to keep complexion bright, supple, and firm as you arm yourself against unseen foes—that is, UV rays, blue light (from your computer, phone, tablet, and more), toxins/pollution, and the likes. Best of all, like any top-tier face sunscreen, it's an oil-free formula that wears light (and agreeably) on all skin types.

The Best Spray-On Suntan Lotion

Coola SPF 30 fragrance-free mineral sunscreen spray$28

Ulta

If you prefer a dusting-over versus a gloopy slathering on, then you might opt for a sunscreen spray—just note that you should apply it liberally. COOLA's mineral, fragrance-free option is a universal favorite, since it's terrific on sensitive skin, and is water resistant up to 80 minutes. It includes a plant-based antioxidant complex that nourishes skin simultaneously. We'd suggest relegating any sprays to the body and using a standalone face sunscreen for your mug.

The Best Suntan Lotion for Athletes

EltaMD SPF 50 water-resistant (80 minutes) full-body sunscreen$26

Amazon

A lightweight but thorough zinc oxide base pairs with two safe-for-you chemical sunscreen ingredients in Elta MD's water-resistant formula. It withstands sweat or water for 80 minutes, and doesn't leave a chalky cast like many other mineral-based sunscreens. Since we tend to separate face and body sunscreens from one another, it's great to find a sport-specific option that covers the full body, and EltaMD rises to the occasion with this oil-free product.

The Best Suntan Lotion for Fair Skin

Shiseido SPF 50+ sunscreen for face and body$49

Sephora

SPF 50 needs to be the minimum coverage for anyone who burns easily. It blocks 98% of sun-burning rays (UVB), while an upgrade to SPF 100 shields an additional 1% (99%)—it's up to you if you want to err on that uber-dense formula for the additional coverage. In our opinion, Shiseido's face+body SPF 50 sunscreen is a beach essential for our fair-skinned brethren, especially because it's water resistant up to 80 minutes. While drier skin types won't mind it on their face, we still recommend dedicating this for the body and sticking with an oil-free dedicated face sunscreen above the shoulders.

The Best Smelling Suntan Lotion

Vacation SPF 30 sunscreen lotion$20

Vacation

There is much-deserved buzz behind this year's big sunscreen drop: Vacation is nostalgic for summer, even between June and September, and it touts a roster of fragrant notes that epitomize lazy pool days: coconut, banana, pool water, pool toys, and swimsuit lycra... Seriously, that's the list, and it's formulated by the noses behind Arquiste Parfums, so you know it makes a splash.

The Best Lightweight Sunscreen Serum

ZitSticka SPF 50 sunscreen serum$40

ULTA

Technically, sunscreen serum was devised to be worn under makeup, as it absorbs cleanly into the skin (oil-free and all). But that also makes for a very good face sunscreen, given the baseline for such is an oil-free recipe. And oil-free is the key in this one, which is targeted at acne-prone skin. Think of it like a serum, with all sorts of benefits, like hyaluronic acid, smoothing niacinamide, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory tea tree oil, soothing aloe vera, and of course, SPF 50. You could pair this one under your everyday SPF-less moisturizer, kind of the reverse of applying a face sunscreen over top the same moisturizer. It's a lighter approach, and one we'd also recommend at the height of winter: SPF serum, underneath a nice winter balm, and now you're sun-safe on the slopes.

The Best Drugstore Suntan Lotion

Neutrogena SPF 30 water-resistant sunscreen$9

Amazon

If you're going to go through a bottle of sunscreen in a day at the park or beach, it's no surprise that you'd rather not drop a bunch of coin on it. Neutrogena's SPF 30 sunscreen can cover you from the neck down, with water resistance up to 80 minutes. Again, keep a dedicated face sunscreen for your precious head, and apply this stuff as liberally as necessary to the rest of you. At $8 a bottle, you can easily meet the ADA's standard of 1-oz. application to the full body, every 2 hours (or after each dip in the water).

The Best Tinted Sunscreen

Koa SPF 45 universal tint sunscreen$27

Urban Outfitters

Some people swear by tinted moisturizers in order to bring blotchy, dull complexion to a more even tone. You can also do that with a "universal tint" face sunscreen, like Koa's mineral-powered pick. It uses bisabolol to calm and soothe skin, as well as niacinamide to assist with the complexion toning beneath the surface (it's always nice when a face sunscreen packs on some nourishing benefits besides just UV blocking). It's best for situations where you won't be sweating profusely, but still want the toning and sun-shielding—like a sunny walk to work, an afternoon lunch outdoors, or even a weekend in the park with friends.

The Best Sunscreen Stick

Oars + Alps SPF 35 sunscreen stick$22

Oars and Alp

Oars + Alps is now a big contender across the entire SPF category, having launched a range of SPF-packed products (both mineral and chemical options available for face, body, sport, and the likes; all water- and sweat-resistant up to 80 minutes). That makes this travel-friendly, spill-proof solid stick a terrific addition to your arsenal. It glides on clear and has a non-comedogenic formula so that it cooperates with the most sensitive or oily skin types. It also has nourishing oils of jojoba and sunflower, as well as Vitamin E, so that it hydrates and soothes skin in addition to shielding the sun.

The Best Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin (and Kids/Babies)

Sun Bum Baby Bum SPF 50 fragrance-free face and body sunscreen$28

Amazon

Sensitive skin—on adults, kids, and babies alike—requires a mineral-based, fragrance-free formula, to nix as many chemicals and irritants as possible. Sun Bum's "Baby Bum" line is one to shop for any sensitivities. Essentially, if it's good for babies, it's good for adults, too. (The reverse is not always true.) It's the same thought process as applying face sunscreens to the body, but not the opposite: The more sensitive formula an always go on less sensitive parts, but never the opposite. This one is water resistant up to 80 minutes (most kids' sunscreens are), and it's got a thorough SPF 50 mineral shield.

Read MoreHow Much SPF Do You Need? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Sunscreen, According to Dermatologists

For starters, SPF 60 is not twice as good as SPF 30.

By Emily Laurence



Adam Hurly has been covering men's grooming since 2013 (and for GQ since 2016). He is also a travel writer. In Fall 2024, Adam is launching Blue Print by Adam Hurly, a men's grooming platform. Adam resides in Lisbon (previously Berlin, NYC, and San Francisco). He is a Sioux Falls, SD, native... Read moreWriterInstagramRelated Stories for GQGQ RecommendsBathroom and ShowerSummer