Are you searching for the best sunscreen lotions?
In the US, the term “Sunscreen” refers to any product that absorbs or reflects UV radiation from the sun. “Sunscreen” versus “Sunblocking” is a common misnomer, but sunscreen usually refers to products that contain active ingredients that help protect you from sunburn.
Up until the middle of the 21st century, sunblocks acted to block UV radiation from the sun, but never really seemed to play a role in preventing skin damage from UV radiation.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Water Resistant and Non-Greasy Sunscreen Lotion | Best Overall |  |
| Alba Botanica Sensitive Fragrance Free Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 | Budget Pick |  |
| EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Water Resistant and Non-Greasy Sunscreen Lotion
Pros:
- Affordable
- Water Resistant/ Sweat Resistant
- Has an anti-oxidant rich formula
- Provides a greaseless feeling
- Can be applied under makeup
- Doesn’t clog pores
- Has a pleasant scent
- Non-greasy, light on the skin
- Can be worn on a daily basis
- Perfect for people with sensitive skin
Bottle
Overall we think Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen is a fantastic choice for those looking for affordable, non-greasy, water-resistant sunscreen.
It’s dermatologist tested, and doesn’t clog pores. It’s also been rated at the best sunscreen by Prevention magazine.
2. Neutrogena Beach Defense Water Resistant Sunscreen Body Lotion
Pros:
- Water Resistant
- Light-weight
- Doesn’t leave you feeling oily or greasy
- Lasts a long time despite sweating
Cons:
- Can’t be used on infants under 6 months of age
- Fragrance-free
Bottle
Neutrogena’s Beach Defense Sport Sunscreen Body Lotion is my top pick as it has a broad spectrum SPF of 70 that includes “blue” light protection.
This sunscreen lotion is ideal for someone that loves playing out in the sun. It provides excellent UVA and UVB protection, it rubs in fast, and it is water-resistant.
3. Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion
Sun Bum Original SPF30 Moisturizing Sunscreen : The best sunscreens for the face. This sunscreen doesn’t waterproof your face but it will hold off the oil long enough to get a great tan Use it for the face and body to the beach on the golf course. I love the smell of this sunscreen. The scent is natural almost pineapple-like, but not too sweet or fruity, so men love it. The SPF 30 is really high and is fairly water resistant and will not burn your face like a lot of other sunscreens
The above sunscreen is a chemical sunscreen. The below sunscreen is a physical sunscreen.
All Terrain Natural Sunscreen – SPF 30+ – Unscented – (9.5oz) Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen – With Parsol 1789
4. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Sunscreen Milk Body & Face Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 60
Pros:
- Large variety of SPF protection
- The SPF is also waterproof
- The SPF is also oil-free
- Perfect formulation that isn’t too greasy
Cons:
- Not safe to be used on children under 6 months of age
- The SPF might be too oily for some skin types
This is my most recommended sunscreen because of how it’s formulated; it’s not greasy and it’s oil-free. La Roche-Posay is my favorite brand to trust for sunscreen. The sunscreen doesn’t just protect you from the sun, but it also feels great on your skin. (I like to use often and I’m still not sick of the smell.)
What’s even better is that the La Roche-Posay Melt-In Sunscreen is even waterproof. Now, you can go out swimming without any fear of getting burned.
It’s also great for the whole family, even if your kids are under 6 months old, as long as they’re not allergic to it.
5. Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
Pros:
- Broad-spectrum protection
- Neutral Fragrance & Color
- Non-Greasy Formula
- Won't Burn Eyes
- Paraben Free
- Aloe Vera and Vitamin E
– Paraben Free and Gluten Free
Final Verdict:
This sunblock has been recommended by famous celebrities like Jake Paul and Sylvia Paige.
6. Banana Boat Ultra Sport Reef Friendly Sunscreen Lotion
Pros:
- Water resistant up to 80 minutes
- Broad Spectrum
- Reef friendly
- 12 oz
The Banana boat sunscreen lotion is one of the best sunscreens on the market today. It is a great option for people who travel or stay near water in the summer. This product will prevent you from being burnt when you are out in the sun.
There is a good amount of product for the price that you pay. The product has a pleasant smell and doesn’t have a chemical smell. It is sweat resistant up to 80 minutes and is water resistant up to 80 minutes. It also is reef friendly.
The packaging has a pump on it so it is very easy to get out and use. The lotion is white in color and is a little oily but absorbs into the skin well. Overall, this is a great product and the price is fair.
7. EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
This high SPF sunscreen is a great everyday go-to product for those who want to protect their face from the sun’s rays. It uses zinc oxide, which offers longer-lasting protection and is less irritating than other ingredients.
It’s formulated for sensitive skin, but customers who tend to break out might need to look elsewhere, as it’s been known to cause some skin problems for some.
8. Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion Sunscreen
Pros:
- Can be applied even over makeup easily
- Avoids unnecessary mess by dripping too much water
- Doesn’t feel sticky
- Doesn’t leave white streaks
- Sturdy squeeze tube
Highly pigmented for superior broad spectrum protection, this is a sunscreen product that actually delivers. The gentle formula is non-greasy and absorbs into skin quickly with no residue. It’s also nongreasy as it goes onto the skin smoothly.
This SPF 30 sunscreen is perfect for those who are conscious about ingredients, as it’s completely chemical free. The lotion is particularly good for those who have oily, acne-prone skin that’s also sensitive to sunscreens.
9. Coppertone Limited Edition ULTRA GUARD SPF 70 Sunscreen Lotion
Pros:
- Greaseless/Odorless
- Effectively protects skin from the sun
Cons:
- Expensive
- Contains parabens
10. Coppertone SPORT Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Multipack
Pros:
- SPF 50
- Rapid Absorbing
- Comfortable
- Easy to apply
- Affordable
- Goes on smoothly
- No greasy texture
- Clear formula
- Water resistant
- Fragrance free
Cons:
- Thin
- Leaves no white residue
- Slightly sticky
- May cause irritation
- Has a slight smell
Coppertone’s SPORT Sunscreen Lotion is the best suncreen lotion in terms of Price, Not only do you get a high SPF, but it has moisturizing and skin conditioning benefits as well. This sunscreen lotion is also clear and won’t leave a white residue on your skin, perfect for men and women who want a practical sunscreen that won’t ruin their makeup.
I found the Coppertone SPORT Sunscreen lotion to be thin and runny but it is comfortable to wear. It absorbs quickly and isn’t greasy or sticky on the skin. However, some users like to keep using even after they’ve gotten out of the sun. I personally think that if you are going to be in the sun for more than 90 minutes, then you might want to use more than just sunscreen.
11. Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion
Pros:
- Spreads easily
- Light and non-greasy
- Moisturizing
- Nice slip in the hands
- One of the only sunscreens that doesn’t make you look like a snowman or oil slick
- Non-greasy formula
- Won’t leave you looking oily and gross
- Travel-size allows discreet application
Cons:
- It may have a little more white tint than other sunscreens
- Skin may be a little darker than normal after application
- May run if you get too hot
(85 g)
Aveeno Protect + Hydrate moisturizing SPF 70 sunscreen lotion is easily applied to skin no matter how hot or sweaty you get. It absorbs into skin at an impressive speed and leaves behind no greasy residue behind.
The effectiveness is in the unique blend of naturally derived zinc oxide combined with nourishing vitamins, antioxidants, and skin conditioning emollients.
12. Alba Botanica Sensitive Fragrance Free Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Pros:
- Environmentally-friendly
- Hypoallergenic
- Not greasy
- Protects from both UVB and UVA damage
Cons:
- Doesn’t dry quickly
- Can be hard to rub in
- Can be difficult to source
- Can cause breakouts for some
Alba Botanica is made without any chemical sunscreens and is not likely to cause a contact burn. It’s gluten-free, vegan and full of skin-loving ingredients like aloe, jojoba oil, coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter and avocado oil.
If you’re concerned about putting chemicals on your body, this product is a great option for you. It doesn’t leave behind a residue, wash off in the water or require a lot of rubbing to be effective.
Alba Botanica is a little expensive, but the product is high quality and works for sensitive and acne-prone skin. If you have a hard time finding it in stores, you can always buy it online. Because it’s so pricey, you may want to start with the SPF 30 so that you don’t end up spending a fortune on more sunscreen than you end up using.
13. Australian Gold Sunscreen Lotion
Pros:
- It is very affordable
- The absence of parabens is a huge plus
- Its texture is thicker than most products out there
- It provides ample coverage
- You can apply it over your makeup
Cons:
- Its fragrance is overpowering
- Not a product that can be applied on sensitive skin
- It can feel sticky and uncomfortable
(80 Minutes)
Before we get into the details, let us introduce you to the most natural and amazing sunscreen that is formulated with 70% certified organic ingredients. The Australian Gold Sunscreen Lotion is made from gentle, all-natural ingredients that do not contain parabens.
This sunscreen lotion is particularly lightweight, is packed with natural ingredients and is super comfortable to use. It does not leave greasy residue on your skin and can be easily wiped off with a cotton pad. You can even apply it over makeup.
Conclusion
If you are a beach goer, or love being in the sun, this guide will help you understand what to look for in a sunscreen lotion. After you go though this guide, you will understand what ingredients help protect your skin from harmful UV rays. We also have comparison rankings from previous years to give you an idea of how different products have done in lab tests.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Water Resistant and Non-Greasy Sunscreen Lotion | Best Overall | |
| Alba Botanica Sensitive Fragrance Free Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 | Budget Pick | |
| EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 | Upgrade Pick | |