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If SPF hasn’t made its way into your daily routine yet, it’s possible you just haven’t found a product that you’re actually excited to use. Thanks to this year’s Healthy Beauty Awards, that’s about to change. We put all kinds of sunscreens to the test, including lightweight serums, travel-friendly sticks, and tinted mineral formulas, and found some truly exceptional winners—all of which are about as far from a pasty, greasy sunblock as you can get.
Below, find our full list of Healthy Beauty Award–winning SPF products for your face and body. Let 2024 be the year you find your holy grail sunscreen and leave the white cast in the past.
Be sure to check out the rest of SELF’s 2024 Healthy Beauty Award winners here.
Why we love it: Lightweight and sheer, Badger’s mineral sunscreen goes on evenly and protects your skin from the sun’s rays, even if you take a dip in the pool (it’s water-resistant for up to 40 minutes).
Bonus points, per the experts: Zinc oxide, the main sun-blocking ingredient, is a great nonirritating option for people with sensitive skin.
One tester said: “This product touts weightless moisture with a silky finish, and that’s exactly how it feels. It felt a bit oily when first applied, but covered beautifully with an effective SPF 30. As a balding older gentleman, I found it easy to smooth over my exposed head when working outdoors.”
Why we love it: The packaging makes this sunscreen a true standout: Not only can it spray in a long, continuous mist, it can also deliver quick bursts of product, for easy and targeted application.
Bonus points, per the experts: Aloe vera extract helps keep skin moisturized and calm.
One tester said: “This mist is very easy to spray and doesn’t feel oily on my skin. I also like that it doesn’t have a strong scent, and the fact that the bottle is travel-friendly.”
Just so you know: Some people with sensitive skin can find active chemical sunscreen ingredients irritating.
Why we love it: Thanks to its sheer, blendable tint, this Eucerin SPF is perfect for layering under makeup or simply wearing on its own.
Bonus points, per the experts: This sunscreen uses zinc oxide as its main active ingredient, and is formulated with sensitive skin in mind (it’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free).
One tester said: “I didn’t think I could find a sunscreen that actually blended in and didn’t leave my face a chalky mess, but, yep, this one is THAT product. I love that it comes in a pretty big container, so you feel like you are getting a lot for your money. The dispenser delivered just the right amount and my face felt smooth and dry after it soaked in—ready for whatever else I would throw at it.”
Why we love it: You can choose from 12 shades with this high-end tinted SPF, and the bottle’s dropper helps you apply your preferred amount of product without it getting goopy.
Bonus points, per the experts: If you’re looking for calmer skin (on top of reliable mineral sun blocking), you’ve come to the right place: This sunscreen contains a range of soothing ingredients, including allantoin, bisabolol, and niacinamide.
One tester said: “For a simple ‘no-makeup’ makeup look, this can replace your foundation, since it has a tint and completely covers and evens out your skin. It blended in with my skin quite easily and smoothed out blemishes and flaws without much effort. It’s light and doesn’t get cakey like a lot of foundations I use. It even left me with a dewy glow, which is extremely hard to achieve with dry skin and eczema! Oh, and it’s SPF 50?! The cherry on top!”
Why we love it: Now here’s an efficient product: Naked Sundays’s CabanaCrème is a sunscreen, moisturizer, and lightweight complexion corrector in one pretty purple tube. It leaves skin feeling hydrated and looking even, and serves as a good primer for makeup too.
Bonus points, per the experts: The CabanaCrème contains tried-and-true moisturizing ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
One tester said: “It’s creamy, light, moisturizing, and absorbent, and it doesn’t leave a cast like a lot of sunscreens do. It creates an even look and isn’t oily or greasy. Overall, this is a fantastic sunscreen that won’t make you break out. I’ve used it consistently and will buy more when it runs out.”
Why we love it: If you’re willing to get a little spendy, YSE Beauty’s Skin Glow primer with SPF 30 is an investment-worthy upgrade for your standard daily sunscreen. It offers solid sun protection, acts as a moisturizer, and, true to its name, imparts a radiant glow (which should come in handy on extra sleepy mornings).
Bonus points, per the experts: In addition to chemical sunscreen ingredients, this primer contains niacinamide, which helps hydrate your skin and boost its overall brightness.
One tester said: “You can use it alone or with makeup, it truly does make your skin glow, and the texture is really nice on your skin. It doesn’t feel overly cakey and even has a good smell. I was surprised how seamlessly it blended. The bottle is also super pretty and looks nice on my vanity!”
Why we love it: If pretty much every sunscreen feels too heavy for your liking, it’s time to try Biore’s Aqua Rich SPF. It absorbs quickly, leaves zero white cast, and feels light and refreshing on your skin (which should be especially nice in the peak days of summer).
Bonus points, per the experts: This chemical sunscreen is oil-free and formulated with hyaluronic acid, a lightweight moisturizing ingredient that is suitable for acne-prone skin.
One tester said: “The sunscreen goes on very smoothly and it quickly sinks into my skin, with a nice hydrating feel. It has a slightly cooling sensation, and doesn’t leave any residue or oiliness behind. I found myself consistently going back to this product.”
Why we love it: Equal parts serum and sunscreen, this lightweight serum is formulated to prevent sun damage and help improve the skin’s texture.
Bonus points, per the experts: Ultra-light SPF serums are a great choice for oily and acne-prone skin. This one also contains peptides, which can have a plumping and firming effect.
One tester said: “The texture is nice: not too thick, not too loose. It also has a pleasant—not heavy—scent. After application and absorption it left my skin dewy and well hydrated…no chalkiness, no cast.”
Why we love it: Avène’s mineral sunscreen is long-wearing and water-resistant, but gentle enough to use on your face. It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, absorbs quickly, and blends well (whether you’re applying it to your body or your face).
Bonus points, per the experts: Made with zinc oxide, a nonirritating mineral sunscreen, as well as nourishing and soothing ingredients like vitamin E, this fragrance-free sunscreen is a great pick for anyone with sensitive skin.
One tester said: “I was surprised (and impressed!) by how well this blended in for a mineral sunscreen. No white residue, not even any wait time for it to sink into my skin—such a smooth application! I wore it all day outside at the Queens Botanical Garden and walking around Flushing, and my skin felt great. Plus, I think it gave me a nice little glow!”
Just so you know: Vitamin E can clog some people’s pores, so people with oily or acne-prone skin may want to avoid it.
Why we love it: This 2022 Healthy Beauty Award–winner is back and it’s easy to see why: Just about everyone who tries it ends up loving it. It feels super silky upon application and it’s lightweight enough to wear under makeup if you want to.
Bonus points, per the experts: Formulated with both acne-prone and sensitive skin in mind, this fragrance- and oil-free sunscreen contains nonirritating zinc oxide plus reliable moisturizers glycerin and hyaluronic acid.
One tester said: “The texture is smooth, cool, and not super oily. It also felt moisturizing, so I didn't feel like I needed to put on another lotion or anything after. It had a subtle shine, which might be something to consider if you have oily skin, but I didn’t find that it was noticeable, even after putting my makeup on over it.”
Why we love it: Tatcha’s Silk formula strikes a fine balance that few sunscreens do: It’s moisturizing, but won’t turn your skin into an oil slick. It’s sheer, but won’t cake up or dry out your skin either. Ultimately it enhances your skin’s natural radiance and leaves it feeling soft and smooth—and that makes it worth the extra money.
Bonus points, per the experts: This mineral sunscreen contains a host of hydrating ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide (which also helps calm and firm skin).
One tester said: “The product totally lives up to its name; it’s silky-smooth and feels so soft and hydrating on my skin. I’ve tried plenty of ‘sheer’ mineral sunscreens that still leave a white cast, but this one actually goes on clear. It also delivers on its pore-perfecting promise. I’ve gotten several compliments on my skin while wearing nothing but this sunscreen.”
Why we love it: Our tester called this stick “the future of sunscreens” for its elegant formula and recyclable packaging. Its container is plastic-free and makes application easy (to access more of the product, you push from the bottom—not unlike a Push Pop, as one tester put it).
Bonus points, per the experts: This zinc oxide-based sunscreen is unscented and hydrating, so it’s suitable for all skin types (including sensitive).
One tester said: “The mineral formula goes on much more transparently than I expected, especially considering that it's not marketed as sheer (it looks truly transparent if you rub it in). And no surprise, because it’s zinc, but it did a great job protecting my skin from the SoCal sun. The formula feels hydrating and leaves my skin feeling super soft.”
Why we love it: This SPF is about as low-key as it gets—it’s basically invisible once you rub it in, with only a slight glow suggesting you’re wearing anything at all. And one tester was pleasantly surprised by just how lightweight it felt on her skin. In other words, it’s a lovely option for an everyday sunscreen.
Bonus points, per the experts: This sunscreen gets a calming boost from green tea extract, which can help address inflammation.
One tester said: “It didn’t leave any white film on my skin, or make my face feel or look extra greasy throughout the day. I definitely would add this as one of my SPFs on rotation.”
Why we love it: Another excellent SPF stick, this option is formulated specifically for your face, so it’s especially gentle and moisturizing, and glides onto your skin without feeling too heavy or sticky.
Bonus points, per the experts: This sunscreen contains hyaluronic acid for hydration and centella asiatica to help soothe your skin.
One tester said: “I was a little skeptical about the whole concept, but this went on fantastically smooth, with a silky finish that felt like I had nothing on at all. The packaging is small, easy to use, and a good replacement for bulky sprays or creams.”
Why we love it: Packaged in a non-aerosol spray bottle, Babo’s Swim & Sport sunscreen is easy to apply exactly where you want it. You’ll need to rub it in after spraying it on, but it soaks into the skin quickly. In a nice touch, the bottle has a subtly grippy texture, so it won’t slip out of your hands, even if they’re wet.
Bonus points, per the experts: Sensitive skin types will like the fragrance-free mineral formula of this sunscreen, while folks with dry skin will be well-served by its moisturizing ingredients (which include jojoba oil and shea butter).
One tester said: “The spray disperses the product evenly and not goopily, so you can easily (and quickly!) rub it in. There's no fragrance, which is nice. I used this on my legs while vacationing for four days in the DR and I can happily report zero sunburn.”
Why we love it: Think of this as the perfect sunscreen for the beach—or for making you feel like you’re at the beach, at the very least. From its tropical scent to nourishing formula, it leaves your skin feeling not just protected but a little pampered too.
Bonus points, per the experts: This body lotion contains rich moisturizers like vitamin E.
One tester said: “I’m obsessed with the smell of Sun Bum—like a piña colada and vacation. I wore this while on a beach vacation and my very pasty skin did not get burned once! Massive success! It also rinsed off well and didn't leave any residue.”
Why we love it: It’s one thing to find a facial sunscreen that feels light and sheer, but it can be trickier to find a body SPF with that consistency. Enter Shiseido’s luxe Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion, which rubs in effortlessly and doesn’t feel like glue. Word to the wise: Make sure to give the bottle a good shake before using it—our tester found it came out a little watery if they didn’t.
Bonus points, per the experts: The licorice root in this sunscreen is intended to help brighten and even out your skin’s tone.
One tester said: “This has ABSOLUTELY NO WHITE RESIDUE, and the lotion texture felt nice going on. The sun protection is for real too. I wore this during my trip to Palm Springs for outdoor runs, multi-hour hikes, strolling downtown, and reading by the pool. And the only place I burned was one tiny swatch of shoulder blade where I missed applying. My super fair-skinned husband used this too and didn’t burn, and he definitely would have fried without it.”
