Sunscreen should be used year-round, but many people only think about buying it when the weather starts to warm up and supermarkets and pharmacies start conspicuously displaying dozens of lotions and sprays. With so many options, how do we choose?
Dermatologists always say that the best sunscreen is the one you actually use. Sunscreen ratings created by Consumer Reports will help you find a lotion or spray that protects your skin and also has the right texture and scent for you.
We’ve added several sprays and creams/ new lotions in qualifications. Other sunscreens mentioned include La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Melt-In Milk Lotion Sunscreen and Equate (Walmart) Sport SPF Sunscreen 50 in cream, are reformulations of products already evaluated.
CR recommends 4 products. In the group of new products, we discovered some that, although they are not in the first row of the classification, they certainly offer adequate protection. Keep in mind that when you spend time outdoors, using any sunscreen on exposed skin is better than none at all. Even the best sunscreen won’t serve its purpose if you don’t use enough or don’t reapply every 2 hours.
How We Test Sunscreens
CR employs a testing protocol that is based on the protocol that the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) requires sunscreen manufacturers to use. However, as with other products we test that are governed by government or industry standards, we use those standards as benchmarks and have developed our own methodology to identify differences in performance and provide consumers with a benchmark.
“We buy sunscreens to test in stores, just like consumers would,” says Susan Booth, sunscreen testing project leader. “We use 3 samples of each product, preferably with different lot numbers.” All products are tested for SPF and ultraviolet A (UVA) protection.
SPF stands for “sun protection factor” and measures how well a sunscreen protects against sunburn, which is primarily the result of exposure to the sun’s UVB rays.
To check the SPF, a standard amount of each sunscreen is applied to a 2 x 3-inch rectangle on the panelists’ backs. They are then immersed in a tub of water. Later, smaller sections of that area are exposed to 5 or 6 intensities of ultraviolet light generated by a sun simulator, for a set amount of time. A day or so later, a trained technician examines the areas for redness. The resulting SPF ratings, from “Excellent” to “Poor”, reflect the effectiveness of each product after immersion in water, and are based on an average of our results for each sunscreen. We also calculate a score for SPF variation. It is a measure to determine the degree of agreement between the SPF of the sunscreen tested with the SPF indicated on the label.
To assign the “broad spectrum” label, the FDA requires that the sunscreen Provide protection against UVB and UVA rays. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and cause damage that can cause skin cancer and skin aging.
To test UVA protection, we put sunscreen on plastic plates, pass the light ultraviolet and we measure the amount of UVA and UVB rays that are absorbed. That information is used to calculate the UVA score.
This test is similar to the critical wavelength test that the FDA requires sunscreen manufacturers to label their products as UVA. “spread spectrum”. This is a pass or fail test, and just like you, you can pass with an A or D. Some sunscreens achieve UVA performance that is much better than the performance of other sunscreens. That’s why we also use a test for ratings that allows us to measure the degree of UVA protection a sunscreen provides.
How to find a sunscreen you’ll want to use
For many people, the scent and feel of a sunscreen on the skin is just as important as the UV protection it provides. So, in addition to our performance tests, our trained sensory panelists also evaluate sunscreens for odor and skin feel. The sensory test is not taken into account in the overall score. People’s preferences are subjective, so we can’t say, for example, whether a tropical-scented sunscreen is better than one with a classic beachy scent. Still, panelists objectively describe the scent and feel of each sunscreen we tested so you can choose the product that’s right for you.
Environmental concerns also influence sunscreen choices. Most of the sunscreens in our ratings do not contain oxybenzone or octinoxate. These 2 active chemical ingredients are highly effective UV filters, but are the ones most often flagged as potentially harmful to coral reefs.
All sunscreens with top CR ratings contain active chemical ingredients, such as avobenzone. Some people may prefer to use a mineral or natural sunscreen: those with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both. See Best Mineral Sunscreens from 2022 for CR’s picks.
We also include price per bottle and price per ounce so you can weigh all the factors when choosing a sunscreen.
Below are some of the best performing sunscreens in our tests, listed in alphabetical order within their category. CR members have access to full ratings.
The Best Cream Sunscreens
It’s easier to make sure you’re applying adequate coverage with a cream than with a spray because you can see how much you’re applying. Use approximately one teaspoon for each body part or area not covered by clothing: 1 teaspoon for face, head, and neck; 1 for each arm; 1 for each leg; 1 for chest and abdomen; and 1 for the back and neck. If you’re in a bathing suit, you’ll need about an ounce of lotion to cover your body. Approximately, it is the amount needed to fill a tequila glass. (Note: The Kiehl’s product below contains oxybenzone).
Best Spray Sunscreens
In our tests , it was found that if you apply the spray correctly, you can cover the skin adequately in a single pass, although it is not always easy to apply it correctly, especially when it is windy. Many times you end up protecting the air more than your skin. The proper way to use a spray is to hold the nozzle close to the skin and spray until the skin shines, then rub it in. Do this even if the spray is labeled “do not rub”; spreading it on the skin increases protection. Then repeat the procedure, just to be sure. Never spray your face because the product could get into your eyes or you could inhale it. Instead, spray sunscreen on your hands and rub it on your face.
Consumer Reports recommends using a cream for children, rather than a spray; if you choose to use spray, be very careful when applying it. Children are more likely to inhale the mist, which could cause lung irritation. It is best to spray it on your hands and rub it on your children’s skin. Or at least ask the child to close their eyes and mouth and turn their head while you apply the spray. Aerosols can be flammable when wet, so be sure to keep yourself and children away from any heat source, such as a grill, until the product is completely dry on the skin.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with the advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works with consumers to create a fair, safe, and healthy world. CR does not endorse products or services and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.