What to Buy Skincare Products The 10 Best Sunscreens for Your Body Go ahead and have some fun in the sun without worrying about the sunburn. By Daley Quinn Daley Quinn Daley Quinn is a freelance beauty and health journalist who has covered the lifestyle space for over ten years. health's editorial guidelines Updated on April 15, 2024 Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD Leah Ansell, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University. learn more Fact checked by Richard Scherr Fact checked by Richard Scherr Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post. health's fact checking process In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews What to Know Before You Shop What to Know Our Experts Your Questions, Answered Who We Are We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Health / Kristin Kempa Dermatologists agree the most important thing you can do for your skin health is to protect it from harmful UV rays. For this reason, applying sunscreen every day is non-negotiable, especially during the hot summertime months. There are so many body sunscreens on the market in a wide range of SPF coverages. They come in multiple forms (think sticks, lotions, and sprays), and also have different consistencies and textures. When shopping for a body sunscreen, you want to make sure that the SPF level is at least 30 and is a consistency that you'll happily apply every day. We used our own experience and interviewed multiple dermatologists to create a thorough and detailed list of the best body sunscreens on the market. Likewise, a dermatologist on our Medical Expert Board reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy. Some will be found in your local drugstore, others at your nearest Sephora, and the rest can be purchased with an easy click online. What to Know Before You Shop We go in-depth on ingredients, what to expect, and more in the What to Know section below, but here are the key points. Opt for an SPF level of 30 or above—but anything above 75 provides basically the same amount of coverage.As long as you apply them adequately (meaning you reapply every two hours at least, and make sure your skin is evenly covered), a sunscreen lotion, stick, or spray are all good options.Mineral sunscreen (which works by blocking UV rays) and chemical sunscreen (which absorbs and neutralizes the rays) are both effective, but mineral sunscreen can leave a whitish cast, particularly if you have darker skin. Try both and see which you like more. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion at Amazon ($13) Jump to Review Best Mineral: COOLA Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 at Amazon ($32) Jump to Review Best Drugstore: Neutrogena SPF 70 Sunscreen at Amazon ($10) Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: CETAPHIL Sunscreen Lotion at Amazon ($12) Jump to Review Best Moisturizing: Dune Suncare The Bod Guard Clear Sunscreen SPF 30 at Amazon ($25) Jump to Review Best for Neck and Chest: Cay Skin Isle Glow Body Lotion SPF 45 at Sephora ($38) Jump to Review Best for Darker Skin: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 at Sephora ($22) Jump to Review Best for Active Days: EltaMD SPF 50 Sunscreen at Amazon ($31) Jump to Review Best for Everyday Wear: Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 at Amazon ($24) Jump to Review Best for Kids: Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 at Amazon ($16) Jump to Review Best Overall Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion Amazon View On Amazon $13 View On Target $17 View On Ulta $13 Why We Like It The sunscreen is recommended by dermatologists and comes in a container that’s big enough for the whole family. It’s Worth Noting It might be irritating if it gets in your eyes. This bestseller for Sun Bum is our overall favorite for multiple reasons. It’s recommended by dermatologists, is moisturizing, and comes in a bottle big enough for the whole family. Plus, it smells good and soaks into skin easily. Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology, recommends this pick to her patients. “This product is such a winner—it's affordable, easy to find, has a high level of SPF, and feels great on the skin with a creamy, moisturizing texture that doesn't leave a greasy or sticky finish,” she says. Some folks have complained that this formula irritates their eyes, so be sure to avoid getting it in your eyes, and apply it to just your body instead. Additionally, it seems to pill a bit after application. Product Details: SPF: 50Broad-Spectrum: YesWater-Resistant: Yes, 80 minutesType: Chemical Best Mineral COOLA Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 Amazon View On Amazon $32 View On Dermstore $32 View On Walmart $53 Why We Like It It’s a mineral sunscreen spray that’s easy to apply. It’s Worth Noting It might leave a white cast on people with darker skin. Unlike chemical sunscreen, which uses skin-safe chemicals to reflect UV rays off your skin, mineral sunscreen uses ingredients that sit on top of your skin and reflect harmful rays. The Coola Mineral Organic Body Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 uses non-nano mineral protection to help prevent burns and skin cancer. “The Coola Mineral Organic Body Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 is a great spray sunscreen option because it’s an organic, zinc oxide physical sunscreen that is 80-minute water resistant and reef-friendly,” explains Jaimie DeRosa, MD, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder and lead facial plastic surgeon of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Boston and Palm Beach. “It also contains antioxidants to help fight free-radical formation that can occur from sun exposure.” Because this is a mineral sunscreen, it does leave a bit of a white cast on the skin. Some folks with darker skin tones probably won’t want to opt for this pick. Product Details: SPF: 30Broad-Spectrum: YesWater-Resistant: Yes, 80 minutesType: Mineral Best Drugstore Neutrogena SPF 70 Sunscreen Amazon. View On Amazon $10 View On Target $10 View On Walmart Why We Like It It has a high SPF and smells amazing. It’s Worth Noting The bottle is pretty small and might not be enough for the whole family. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen is a drugstore classic. We love its affordability, lightweight texture, and the fact that it’s oxybenzone-free. It smells nice and clean and is small enough to throw right into your beach bag. We appreciate that it absorbs into skin quickly and has 80 minutes of water resistance. You can find this sunscreen at most drugstores nationwide. While we love the formula, it can leave a bit of a white cast on folks with darker skin. Additionally, it’s a relatively small bottle at three fluid ounces, and might not be enough sunscreen for the whole family. Product Details: SPF: 70Broad-Spectrum: YesWater-Resistant: Yes, 80 minutesType: Chemical Best for Sensitive Skin CETAPHIL Sunscreen Lotion Amazon View On Amazon $12 View On Target $13 View On Walmart $10 Why We Like It It’s gentle on sensitive skin. It’s Worth Noting It could leave a white cast on those with darker skin tones. The Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is a mineral-based sunscreen that’s ideal for people with sensitive skin. It features a super gentle formula that works with your skin’s microbiome to protect from irritation. It also contains vitamin E to hydrate and protect against environmental aggressors. We love that this sunscreen is free from a lot of things including parabens, fragrance, avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, and PABA. “Cetaphil’s Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is a great body sunscreen,” explains Dr. DeRosa. “It provides 80 minutes of water resistance and is gentle for those with sensitive skin.” Unfortunately, this formula leaves a pretty hefty white cast, which can sometimes happen with mineral-based sunscreens. We wouldn’t recommend this pick for those with darker skin tones. Product Details: SPF: 50Broad-Spectrum: YesWater-Resistant: Yes, 80 minutesType: Mineral Best Moisturizing Dune Suncare The Bod Guard Clear Sunscreen SPF 30 Amazon View On Amazon $25 View On Ulta $18 View On Smallflower.com Why We Like It It’s very moisturizing and goes on clear. It’s Worth Noting It’s not easy to find in stores. This pick from Dune Suncare promises a whopping 72 hours of intense hydration and will thoroughly protect your skin from harmful UV rays, too. It’s reef-friendly, non-toxic, and paraben- and cruelty-free. “The Dune The Bod Guard is a clear gel SPF that features fun, retro packaging and a saltwater-like smell that even SPF haters will enjoy,” explains Dr. Yadav. “The SPF 30 absorbs quickly and leaves skin moisturized for up to 72 hours after application thanks to hibiscus fruit extract.” There are two things we don’t love about this sunscreen. First, it’s a bit pricey at $25 per bottle (but not excessively expensive), and second, it’s not the easiest product to find (you won’t find it at your local drugstore). Product Details: SPF: 30Broad-Spectrum: YesWater-Resistant: Yes, 40 minutesType: Chemical Best for Neck and Chest Cay Skin Isle Glow Body Lotion SPF 45 Sephora View On Sephora $38 Why We Like It It looks beautiful on the skin. It’s Worth Noting It’s often sold out. Why not let your skin glow while protecting it from the sun, too? The Cay Skin Isle Glow Body Lotion SPF 45 is our favorite body sunscreen for the neck and chest because it looks gorgeous when applied to the skin, providing a luminous glow you won’t find with standard body sunscreens. “Until trying this sunscreen, I'd never called SPF sexy before,” says Dr. Yadav. “It has a beautiful luminous finish that makes the skin look seriously radiant and ready for a photo shoot at the beach, but also features SPF 45 and nourishing cocoa seed butter.” It’s one of the pricier sunscreens on this list and is sometimes sold out because it’s so in demand. Another thing to consider is that it’s not the most moisturizing sunscreen out there—you might want to apply a body moisturizer first, then layer this one on top. Product Details: SPF: 45Broad-Spectrum: YesWater-Resistant: NoType: Chemical Best for Darker Skin Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 Amazon View On Sephora $22 View On Nordstrom $18 View On Dermstore Why We Like It It goes on clear and absorbs quickly. It’s Worth Noting It’s pricey and hard to tell where you’ve applied it. There’s no need to worry about a white cast with the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen Body SPF 40. This clear gel sunscreen feels lightweight and is invisible when applied to the skin. Dr. DeRosa loves this pick for multiple reasons. “The Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen Body SPF 40 is another great body sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection,” she explains. “It comes as a gel formulation that goes on smooth and absorbs quickly, so it does not leave a white residue.” We love this formula because it blends into skin beautifully and is ideal for people with darker skin tones who are challenged by mineral sunscreens that leave an unattractive white cast. Unfortunately, this product costs $42 per bottle, but we think it’s worth it for the elevated formulation. Another drawback is that since the sunscreen is clear, it’s hard to see where you’ve applied it. Just make sure that you're really paying attention when applying this to your body. Product Details: SPF: 40Broad-Spectrum: YesWater-Resistant: Yes, 40 minutesType: Chemical Best for Active Days EltaMD SPF 50 Sunscreen Amazon View On Amazon $31 View On Dermstore $31 View On Walmart $26 Why We Like It It’s great for people who are active and spend a lot of time in the sun. It’s Worth Noting Packaging is on the smaller side. If you spend a lot of time outside, consider reaching for this pick from EltaMD. “My fellow derms and I love this formula. It uses a blend of mineral and chemical sunscreens to deliver SPF 50 protection, isn't greasy, and stays put on super hot days, making it great for really active individuals,” explains Dr. Yadav. We love that this pick is water-resistant up to 80 minutes and won’t drip into your eyes if you sweat too much. We just wish it came in larger packaging for a lower price. Product Details: SPF: 50Broad-Spectrum: YesWater-Resistant: Yes, 80 minutesType: Chemical and mineral Best for Everyday Wear Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 Amazon View On Amazon $24 View On Sephora $24 View On Ulta $68 Why We Like It The sunscreen comes in a large bottle for everyday use. It’s Worth Noting It might feel sticky to some. Ask any dermatologist and they will tell you that you should be wearing sunscreen every day if you spend a lot of time outdoors. This pick from Supergoop! is a great option for people who are outside often and need to slather up daily. “I love that this product comes in a jumbo size with a pump top, which helps people apply the amount of sunscreen needed to fully protect the body (a shot glass),” explains Dr. Yadav. “Most people don't apply enough, and a smaller bottle only makes that worse as it feels wasteful to finish a bottle of sunscreen so quickly! This product is also water and sweat resistant, which is a nice feature to have in a body sunscreen, especially in warm weather.” Keep in mind the sunscreen is a bit sticky on application. Additionally, it is more on the expensive side at $34 per bottle. Product Details: SPF: 50Broad-Spectrum: YesWater-Resistant: Yes, 80 minutesType: Chemical Best for Kids Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 Walmart View On Amazon $16 View On Target $15 View On Walmart $7 Why We Like It It’s fun (and easy) for kids to spray on themselves. It’s Worth Noting It might run out faster than lotion sunscreens. Unfortunately, you won’t find too many kids out there who actually enjoy putting on sunscreen. Opting for a spray sunscreen over a run-on lotion pick might encourage them to slather up on their SPF—because sprays are always more fun! This pick from Coppertone is free of oxybenzone, PABA octinoxate, and dyes, and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. We love that it’s a trusted drugstore brand that can be easily found everywhere. Spray sunscreens tend to run out faster than sunscreen lotions, so that’s something to consider when purchasing this pick for your kids. The good news is this option comes in a pack of three, making it a budget-friendly pick. Product Details: SPF: 50Broad-Spectrum: YesWater-Resistant: Yes, 80 minutesType: Chemical What to Know About Body Sunscreens Ingredients Beyond the active sunscreen ingredients, Dr. Yadav recommends looking for ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, plant extracts, and butters like aloe and shea. These ingredients hydrate and condition your skin. Peptides also help firm the skin over time. SPF and Broad-Spectrum The bare minimum amount of SPF you should look for is SPF 30, which will block around 97% of the sun's rays as long as you're wearing enough and applying it every two hours to ensure adequate and consistent coverage. “Many people opt for SPF 50, which blocks about 98% of the sun's rays,” explains Dr. Yadav. “Anything beyond that, like SPF 75 or 100, doesn't offer much of a difference—there is no sunscreen that blocks 100% of the sun's rays.” Mineral vs. Chemical Mineral sunscreen is sometimes referred to as a physical sunscreen because it protects the skin by blocking UVA and UVB rays with mineral ingredients. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, create a chemical reaction within the skin that absorbs and neutralizes UV rays. Form (lotion, stick, spray) All delivery types of sunscreens are equally effective, as long as they are applied correctly. Spray sunscreens are easy to apply unevenly, says Dr. DeRosa, resulting in missed areas of the skin. Whether you prefer a lotion, stick, or spray sunscreen, the most important thing is to find a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or above sunscreen that you like and will use correctly. Our Experts To find the best body sunscreens, we interviewed two board-certified dermatologists for their recommendations and advice. The experts we spoke to included: Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology Jaimie DeRosa, MD, double-board certified facial plastic surgeon and founder and lead facial plastic surgeon of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Boston and Palm Beach. Your Questions, Answered Do you need to wear sunscreen every day? Yes, you need to wear sunscreen every day. “One reason is that the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using broad spectrum (UVA and UVB coverage) sunscreens with a SPF 30 or higher on a daily basis—regardless of the season or weather,” explains Dr. DeRosa. “If you don’t wear sunscreen, you are exposing your skin to potentially damaging sun rays.” Specifically, your skin can sustain damage from both UVA and UVB rays from the sun. Dr. DeRosa explains that UVA damage is seen as aging changes, like wrinkles, thickened skin, and changes in pigmentation. UVB damage, on the other hand, can cause cellular damage and result in pre-cancerous lesions and skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. An easy way to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB sun rays is to look for sunscreens that are “broad spectrum.” This means that the sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Can you use body sunscreen on your face? Or a face sunscreen on your body? In general, it is okay to put a face sunscreen on your body, but Dr. DeRosa recommends keeping a body sunscreen off the face whenever possible. “One of the reasons for this is that facial skin products, including sunscreens, tend to be more gentle and less likely to cause irritation to the thinner skin of the face and neck,” she says. How often should you apply sunscreen? How often you need to apply sunscreen depends on the specific product. For example, you should apply spray sunscreen 15 minutes before heading outdoors, and then reapply every 2 hours when outdoors, every 80 minutes when sweating/swimming, and immediately after drying off when swimming and/or sweating. “The recommendation for reapplying every 80 minutes when sweating or swimming is assuming that you are using a sunscreen that specifies '80-minute water-resistance,'” says Dr. DeRosa. “Others will be 40-minute water-resistant, so then you need to reapply every 40 minutes.” Who We Are Daley Quinn is a freelance journalist, specializing in beauty and health, who has contributed to numerous publications, such as Elle, Real Simple, Allure, The Cut, WWD, and more. She used her personal experience with body sunscreens and interviewed multiple dermatologists for their recommendations for the best body sunscreens on the market. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit