The best sunscreens,according to dermatologists and skincare experts
The 25 sunscreens that dermatologists and skincare experts rate highest, ranked by genuine consensus.
The best sunscreen is simply the one that goes on every morning and gets reapplied, which is the first thing the experts agree on, and nearly everything else in the ranking below follows from it.
Because the gurus treat daily SPF as the single highest-value step in a routine, they judge sunscreens less on the SPF number and more on whether the texture, finish and feel make people willing to use enough of it, every day. A pleasant, weightless formula with no heavy white cast is what separates a sunscreen the experts genuinely reach for from one that is merely fine on paper.
The honest splits are about format. Mineral versus chemical filters comes up constantly, as does the long-running point that many Korean and European sunscreens feel more elegant than what some markets offer, and white cast on deeper skin tones is a fair and recurring criticism. The ranking rewards the ones the gurus say they keep using.
The experts' top picks at a glance
- Best overall, best budget pick and best mineral sunscreenNeutrogena Pure Screen Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid88%
- Best for oily skin and best for sensitive skinNumbuzin No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++88%
- Best for dry skinBeauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++ (Korean formula)87%
What to look for in a sunscreen
- SPF 30 or moreThe American Academy of Dermatology and the NHS both set the bar at SPF 30. Much past 50 adds little.
- Real UVA protection"Broad spectrum" on a US label, 4 UVA stars or the UVA circle in the UK, or PA++++ on a Korean or Japanese bottle.
- A texture you will wear every dayThe experts agree the best sunscreen is the one you like enough to use daily, and you need about a quarter teaspoon for your face, or half a teaspoon with your neck (roughly two finger lengths).
- No white cast on your skinOn darker skin, a tinted or modern chemical formula avoids the cast, and a tint helps with melasma too.
The podium
88%Guru ScorePure Screen Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid
“My all-time favorite that's great but I love love love the tinted, the UV tint.”Dr Dray
What the gurus liked: Comes in four shades for broader skin tone match
The catch: Only SPF 30, lower than SPF 50 protection
Contains: Mineral filters. Fragrance-free.
88%Guru ScoreNo.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++
“My personal favorite is the Numbuzin Clear Filter SPF 50 sunscreen.”Hyram
What the gurus liked: No white cast, blends seamlessly; Mattifying finish suits oily skin
The catch: High niacinamide may clash with other skincare
87%Guru ScoreRelief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++ (Korean formula)
“I use the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun, it's the best one in my opinion it's fantastic. It's a chemical sunscreen but it doesn't sting my eyes. It's so great.”Alexandra Anele
What the gurus liked: Lightweight finish; Hydrating, dewy finish
Contains: Chemical filters, Niacinamide. Fragrance-free.
The rest of the list
- 4
Skin1004Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF 50+ PA++++Guru CertifiedMid-range87%21 gurus“To me, I like something a little bit more hydrating, but it's just such a beautiful perfect blend. The Niacinamide and Centella combination just blends so well into the skin.”Doctorly
What the gurus liked: Hydrating and soothing with centella and hyaluronic acid; No white cast on most skin tones
The catch: Chemical sunscreen may sting sensitive eyes
Contains: Chemical filters, Hyaluronic acid. Fragrance-free.
- 5
Round LabBirch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ (Korean formula)Guru CertifiedDry skinSensitive skinBudget buy87%19 gurus“I love the Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen. It is nice and hydrating, lightweight, beautiful packaging.”Dr Dray
What the gurus liked: Hydrating yet lightweight; No white cast
The catch: Birch allergen may trigger reactions
Contains: Chemical filters, Vitamin C, Niacinamide. Fragrance-free.
- 6
La Roche-PosayToleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30Guru CertifiedDry skinMid-range85%17 gurus“My all-time best of the best moisturizers to pair with the retinoid like adapalene is La Roche Posay Double Repair.”The Budget Dermatologist
What the gurus liked: Lightweight texture that absorbs quickly; Layers smoothly under makeup without pilling
Contains: Chemical filters, Niacinamide, Ceramides. Fragrance-free.
- 7
Trader Joe'sDaily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40Guru CertifiedBudget buy85%9 gurus“It spreads easily, doesn't feel greasy, works great as a makeup base, and it's a great option if you have facial hair since it doesn't cake or leave residue.”Dr Dray
What the gurus liked: Mattifying primer-like texture; Truly invisible on skin
The catch: May cause breakouts on acne-prone skin
Contains: Chemical filters. Fragrance-free.
- 8
Haruharu WonderBlack Rice Pure Mineral Relief Daily Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++Guru CertifiedDry skinSensitive skinBudget buy85%8 gurus“I love it, it just blends seamlessly with my skin. As someone who's not a fan of mineral sunscreens, this is probably the one that I genuinely reach for as part of my routine.”Mad About Skin
What the gurus liked: Blends seamlessly without white cast; Lightweight, truly invisible mineral formula
The catch: White cast more visible with darker skin tones
Contains: Mineral filters, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid. Fragrance-free.
- 9
Haruharu WonderBlack Rice Moisture Airy Fit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50Oily skinCombination skinBudget buy84%20 gurus“I really like the one from Haruharu Wonder. I think it's just a really nice lightweight sunscreen.”Doctorly
What the gurus liked: Sheer, hydrating texture that feels lightweight; Non-greasy velvet finish, no white cast
The catch: Can feel tacky over heavy moisturisers
Contains: Chemical filters, Niacinamide. Fragrance-free.
- 10
IsntreeHyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++Dry skinSensitive skinBudget buy84%19 gurus“Isntree had the Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel, which was one of my absolute favorite sunscreens, but it wasn't just perfect for my oily and acne-prone skin.”Cassandra Bankson
What the gurus liked: Absorbs quickly without stickiness; Hydrating under makeup
The catch: Very dewy, shiny finish not for everyone
Contains: Chemical filters, Vitamin C, Niacinamide. Fragrance-free.
- 11
ColorescienceSunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50Mid-range83%12 gurus“The Colorescience Sunforgettable Mineral Face Shield is another tinted sunscreen that I have always recommended and really love.”Dr Dray
What the gurus liked: Mineral formula with zinc oxide; Shades can be mixed for custom coverage
The catch: Expensive for a sunscreen
Contains: Mineral filters, Niacinamide. Fragrance-free.
- 12
BioreUV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++Oily skinCombination skinBudget buy83%11 gurus“The Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++. A cult J beauty favorite.”James Welsh
What the gurus liked: Disappears into skin, no white cast; Ideal for reapplication over makeup
The catch: Stings eyes, especially for sensitive ones
Contains: Chemical filters, Hyaluronic acid.
- 13
ISDINEryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50Mature skinMid-range83%9 gurus“The tinted version is great for those who are prone to melasma, hyperpigmentation.”Dr. Aleksandra Brown
What the gurus liked: Blends seamlessly with most skin tones; Lightweight, liquid texture with matte finish
The catch: Fragrance can be strong
Contains: Mineral filters, Vitamin C, Peptides.
- 14
COSRXAloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA+++Budget buy82%8 gurus“The COSRX aloe sunscreen is one of my favorites. So good, so gooder. It's not expensive at all, and that's another thing I love about it.”Caroline Hirons
What the gurus liked: Feels like a moisturiser; No white cast
The catch: Heavy on the skin
Contains: Mineral and chemical filters.
- 15
DRMTLGYUniversal Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46Mid-range81%9 gurus“Great if you have hyperpigmentation. So if you're somebody who's using remedy for dark spots, I highly recommend using a tinted sunscreen and I really think that you'll like this one.”Doctorly
What the gurus liked: Hybrid sunscreen that blends in well; Lightweight, doesn't feel heavy or greasy
The catch: Not water-resistant for outdoor activities
Contains: Mineral and chemical filters, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid. Fragrance-free.
- 16
La Roche-PosayAnthelios UVMune 400 SPF 50+Mid-range80%14 gurus“I have loved so much. It's my new favorite La Roche-Posay sunscreen for the face. I also love the UVMune Sunscreen Milk, but I like the aesthetics of this a touch better.”Dr Dray
What the gurus liked: Sweat resistant and comfortable for outdoor activities; Advanced UVA protection, especially long wavelengths
The catch: Stings and burns eyes for some people
Contains: Chemical filters.
- 17
ISDINEryfotona Actinica SPF 50Sensitive skinMid-range80%10 gurus“The ISDIN Eryfotona, beautiful sunscreen.”HotandFlashy
What the gurus liked: DNA repair enzymes reduce existing sun damage; Lightweight, fast-absorbing mineral formula
The catch: Not particularly moisturising for dry skin
Contains: Mineral filters, Vitamin C.
- 18
TOCOBOBio Watery Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++Oily skinCombination skinBudget buy80%8 gurus“This is the sunscreen I've been looking for, because I always wear makeup, so the makeup pairing has to be amazing, and even living somewhere tropical and humid, it's still not sticky.”CYoung
What the gurus liked: Fast to apply and blends quickly; Lightweight, non-sticky finish under makeup
The catch: Not mattifying, leaves a dewy finish
Contains: Chemical filters, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid. Fragrance-free.
- 19
CeraVeAM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30Budget buy79%8 gurus“My next SPF recommendation, and I recommend this one to I'd say 90% of my acne patients, is the CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30.”Dr. Aleksandra Brown
What the gurus liked: Lightweight enough for daily wear under makeup; Hydrating with ceramides and hyaluronic acid
The catch: Thick texture requires extra time to blend in
Contains: Mineral and chemical filters, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid. Fragrance-free.
- 20
Dr. Jart+Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30Sensitive skinAcne-prone skinMid-range78%15 gurus“If you need a moisturizer for the daytime, or a moisturizer and sunscreen, I strongly recommend Cicapair from Dr. Jart.”208SkinDoc
What the gurus liked: Extreme redness correction; Green pigment neutralizes red
The catch: Pricey for small size
Contains: Niacinamide.
- 21
EltaMDUV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46Sensitive skinAcne-prone skinMid-range77%19 gurus“I also highly recommend the EltaMD UV Clear. It has a great finish, it's very cosmetically elegant, it doesn't leave a white cast, and it works beautifully for most skin types.”208SkinDoc
What the gurus liked: Doesn't break out oily or acne-prone skin; Hydrating, feels like a moisturizer
The catch: Pricey compared to K-beauty alternatives
Contains: Mineral and chemical filters, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid. Fragrance-free.
- 22
La Roche-PosayAnthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 60Mid-range77%19 gurus“If you want to use chemical sunscreen but you want to completely avoid oxybenzone, I hands down love love love La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk SPF 60.”Dr. Aleksandra Brown
What the gurus liked: Fast-absorbing, lightweight texture; No white cast
The catch: High drying alcohol content
Contains: Chemical filters. Fragrance-free.
- 23
PuritoDaily Soft Touch Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++Budget buy77%13 gurus“If I am applying makeup on top, the Purito Daily Soft Touch is my favorite. It's my favorite priming sunscreen and my favorite sunscreen for anytime my skin is in need.”AliceintheRabbitHole
What the gurus liked: Doubles as a makeup primer; Balanced finish between matte and dewy
The catch: No water resistance disclosed
Contains: Chemical filters, Ceramides. Fragrance-free.
- 24
La Roche-PosayAnthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF 50+Sensitive skinMid-range77%13 gurus“This one is a European La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune. It's got great filters. I think it's got eight different chemical filters. It's amazing.”No BS Beauty
What the gurus liked: Light texture layers well throughout the day; Water resistant with strong UVA protection
The catch: Basic formula with nothing distinctive
Contains: Chemical filters.
- 25
CeraVeHydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30Dry skinBudget buy76%12 gurus“CeraVe Hydrating Mineral SPF is one of the SPFs I love the formulation of for dry skin.”April Basi
What the gurus liked: Dewy, moisturizing finish without the heaviness; Less white cast than other mineral sunscreens
The catch: White cast on deeper skin tones
Contains: Mineral filters, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid. Fragrance-free.
Wondering why your favourite isn't here?
Some of the most talked-about sunscreens don't make this ranking. That isn't because the experts dislike them: every one of these has fans. They just drew more reservations than the sunscreens that made the cut, where last place holds a Guru Score of 76%. Here is what holds each one back.
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
A Guru Score of 73% from 22 experts.
The reservation, in Hyram's words:
As far as the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen goes, I'm not a personal fan of it. I think a lot of the sunscreen filters used in it can be irritating to the skin and really sensitizing.Watch ▸
Supergoop Glow Screen Sunscreen SPF 40
A Guru Score of 66% from 14 experts.
The catch: Light for retinol users
Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick SPF 50
A Guru Score of 73% from 14 experts.
The reservation, in AliceintheRabbitHole's words:
I finished the Beauty of Joseon matte sunstick. It's not my favorite, but I keep it in my bag for evening reapplications, when there's not a lot of sun and I just want to be smart about it.Watch ▸
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF 50+
A Guru Score of 66% from 12 experts.
The catch: Shade match can be tricky
Who's doing the judging
Ranked from the public takes of 43 independent gurus, including 13 dermatologists, 5 makeup artists and 3 beauty journalists.
DoctorlyDermatologist
Dr. Shereene IdrissDermatologist
Dr DrayDermatologist
208SkinDocDermatologist
Dr. Sam EllisDermatologist
Dr. Daniel SugaiDermatologist
The Budget DermatologistDermatologist
Dr. Vanita RattanDoctor
Dr. Jenny LiuDermatologist
Lab Muffin Beauty ScienceCosmetic Chemist
Dr. MaminaDermatologist
Dr Alexis StephensDermatologist
Dr. Aleksandra BrownDermatologist
Tea with MDDermatologist+29These are independent experts we follow, not an in-house panel. We collect opinions they have already shared publicly on YouTube; they are not connected to The Guru Index and have not endorsed this ranking. "Guru" is our own editorial title for the voices we trust.
You asked
What is the best sunscreen?
On the latest data it is Neutrogena Pure Screen Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid, with a Guru Score of 88% from 10 gurus. The ranking above lists all 25 that clear our bar, in order.
What sunscreen do dermatologists recommend?
Of the 13 dermatologists whose reviews feed this ranking, 10 approve of each of Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++ (Korean formula), La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30 and EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, more than any other pick on the list.
Which brand makes the best sunscreen?
La Roche-Posay has the most picks on this list, 4 of the 25, led by La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30 at number 6 with a Guru Score of 85%. The list is ranked product by product, though, so the best pick for you may come from another brand.
What do the top sunscreens have in common?
Of the 24 we hold a full ingredient list for, 17 are fragrance-free, 17 skip drying alcohol, 13 contain niacinamide and 10 contain hyaluronic acid. That is a pattern in what the experts rate, not a rule: the ranking itself is by their verdicts.
Is mineral or chemical sunscreen better?
The experts do not crown one format. Mineral filters tend to suit reactive or sensitive skin but can leave a white cast, while modern chemical filters usually feel lighter and disappear more easily. The gurus' steer is to judge by whether it sits well under makeup and feels good enough to reapply, not by the filter type on the label.
How is this ranking decided?
We rank by the Guru Index consensus score: the warmth of every independent expert take we have logged for each product, with a minimum number of reviewers required so a single enthusiastic review can't top the list. Nothing here is paid placement.
How we make money. Some shopping links may earn The Guru Index a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which products rank or how they score.