\n\tIf you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission.<\/p>\n
\n\tNot all sunscreens are created equal. Once upon a time, consumers were limited to suncare products that left a white residue, failed to protect against sun exposure and were packed with harsh chemicals<\/a> that destroy coral reefs. Luckily, companies have since gotten smart about our (and the environment\u2019s) needs, but experts say that U.S. sunscreens have room for improvement.<\/p>\n \n\tThere are two types of sunscreens available in the U.S.: chemical and mineral sunscreens. New York-based dermatologist and author<\/a> Dr. Amy Wechsler tells The Hollywood Reporter<\/em> that although she recommends using mineral sunscreens, she prefers to use European chemical sunscreens because they have more effective ingredients. And while U.S. sunscreen regulations have undergone significant changes since speaking with Dr. Wechsler in May 2024 (when this story was first published), there are still a number of ingredients available outside of the U.S. that are currently pending FDA approval in the States. <\/p>\n \n\tWechsler also notes that \u201csome chemical sunscreen ingredients are toxic for coral reefs. You shouldn\u2019t wear them if you\u2019re swimming in the ocean. Obviously, it\u2019s fine to swim with them in a pool or just wear them, but we\u2019re destroying coral reefs so quickly that some states like Hawaii have banned certain sunscreen chemical [ingredients].\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tSo what are the best face sunscreens? \u201cI often do a combination of\u00a0sunscreens\u00a0when I\u2019m applying them to myself. I like to layer different ones and a lot of dermatologists do also. One does not have to do that,\u201d Wechsler says. In addition to effective sunscreen, she recommends wearing UV-shielding clothing, sunglasses and hats for extra protection. Whether you\u2019re looking for reef-safe products, the best clean sunscreens, moisturizers that double as sun protectants or safe options for your kiddos, we\u2019ve rounded up some of the best face sunscreens recommended by skin care experts.<\/p>\n \n\tSee the pros\u2019 top picks below, and keep scrolling to find out the main differences between mineral and chemical sunscreens, what to know about broad spectrum vs. SPF protection and more.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div> \t\t\t\t\t\tEXPERTS\u2019 PICK<\/span>\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\u201cMy favorite sunscreen for day-to-day\/my walk to work is the Chanel UV Essential 50<\/a> because it has 17.1 percent zinc oxide, but it\u2019s changing,\u201d says Wechsler. \u201cI stocked up on it. I work with them on their skincare line. For an American sunscreen, it\u2019s great. The Chanel\u00a0sunscreen is so cosmetically elegant. It has to be. If the sunscreen is gross and goopy and oily, even if it\u2019s a good one in the lab, practically speaking, who is going to use it?\u201d<\/p>\n Chanel\u2019s sunscreen also doubles as a skin moisturizer. Made of polyfractioned blue ginger and Tahitian gardenia extract formula, the product helps reduce the appearance wrinkles while offering sun protection. Its gel-cream texture is delightfully lightweight. (Celebrity makeup artist Beau Nelson<\/a> is also a fan.)\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div> \t\t\t\t\t\tBest dermatologist-recommended<\/span>\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\tWechsler, Beverly Hills-based board-certified nurse practitioner Jennifer Hollander and even Andy Cohen<\/a> all recommend EltaMD sunscreen. The brand\u2019s\u00a0UV Daily broad-spectrum SPF 40<\/a> is one of the best sunscreens fo your face and is \u201ceffective, [glides] on beautifully and [contains] skin-soothing antioxidants,\u201d Hollander says.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tbest for acne-prone skin<\/span>\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\tKeeping on the EltaMD<\/a> train, the the No. 1 dermatologist-recommended professional sunscreen brand released its most cutting-edge product to date April 2026, a first-of-its-kind formulation for acne-prone skin. The UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50<\/a> is EltaMD\u2019s breakthrough, treatment-focused SPF made for acne that goes beyond just protecting the skin \u2014 it corrects it. The brand worked alongside dermatologists, cosmetic chemists and other skin experts to reframe what sunscreen is actually capable of, creating a sun-care product that doubles as an active treatment step for oily, blemish-prone skin.<\/p>\n With a lightweight, breathable and non-greasy texture that wears well under makeup (or on its own), the product was formulated to \u201cfeel like nothing,\u201d quickly absorbing into the skin with a transparent, natural finish.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div> \t\t\t\t\t\tbest for eczema<\/span>\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\tApproved by the National Exczema Assocation, CeraVe\u2019s Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen <\/a>contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and protects against UVA and UVB rays. The sunscreen is formulated with hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides that are naturally found in the skin, helping to maintain and replenish the skin barrier.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div> \t\tFrench skin care brand La Roche-Posay\u2019s Anthelios SPF 60 broad spectrum sunscreen<\/a> is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation and is great as a primer for makeup. It contains the brand\u2019s Cell-Ox Shield technology that protects against UVA\/UVB, and features an oil-free, lightweight texture that won\u2019t clog your pores. The brand is also a favorite<\/a> of celebrity facialist Adeena Crown, who works with Cate Blanchett, Demi Moore and Keira Knightley.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div> \t\t\t\t\t\tBest for sensitive skin<\/span>\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\tWechsler says Clinique offers great sunscreens for \u201ca lower price point.\u201d Clinique\u2019s broad spectrum SPF 50 face cream<\/a> offers UVA and UVB protection and has an oil-free, creamy formula that\u2019s designed for sensitive skin.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div> \t\t\t\t\t\tBest tinted sunscreen <\/span>\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\tSupergoop may be best known for their Unseen Sunscreen, but we\u2019re also a fan of their Glowscreen<\/a> with 40 SPF. It adds a slight shimmer to your skin while combating the sun.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div> \t\t\t\t\t\tBest SUnscreen Serum<\/span>\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\tSofia Vergara\u2019s company Toty<\/a> is part skin care, part sun care. All of their products include an SPF of 50 \u2014 including Solaria Mineral<\/a>, a face sunscreen that feels like a serum while offering protection from harsh rays.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div> \t\t\t\t\t\tbest primer sunscreen<\/span>\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\tSaint Jane\u2019s Luxury Sun Ritual broad spectrum SPF 30 <\/a>acts as a moisturizer, mineral sunscreen and a primer in one clean formula. Suitable for all skin types and those prone to oiliness and redness, this sunscreen is beloved by buyers for its ability to minimize the appearance of pores and leave a smooth finish.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div> \t\t\t\t\t\tBest foundation-like sunscreen<\/span>\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\tCelebrity makeup artist Katie Mellinger told THR<\/em> that Iris & Romeo\u2019s Weekend Skin SPF 50 + Vitamin C + Glow<\/a> is \u201cthe best [for] super light second skin foundation. It\u2019s mostly like skin care, and I always recommend it to those who want something like makeup but aren\u2019t used to wearing makeup. It evens out your complexion just enough and is super easy to apply, and it has SPF!\u201d <\/p>\n What we also like? It protects you from the sun while also providing your skin the nutrients it needs to combat wrinkles and sun damage.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div> \t\t\t\t\t\tBest for Kids<\/span>\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\tMD Solar Sciences\u2019 Mineral KidCr\u00e8me SPF 50<\/a> is one of the best water-resistant sunscreens for children six months and older. The unscented product\u2019s texture is as smooth as your kids\u2019 skin is soft. While it\u2019s formulated for a child\u2019s sensitive epidermis, it can absolutely be used by adults for full broad-spectrum protection.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n\t\u201cMineral\u00a0sunscreens\u00a0have a bunch of bonuses to them \u2014 at least the ones that are approved in the U.S.,\u201d says Dr. Amy Wechsler. Overall, she recommends mineral sunscreens, especially ones that contain at least 10 percent of zinc or titanium (or a combination of both). <\/p>\n \n\tHere, Wechsler explains the differences between mineral and chemical sunscreens.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cChemical\u00a0sunscreens\u00a0are molecules. Each molecule covers a narrow range of usually either UVA or UVB,\u201d Wechsler says. \u201cThey\u00a0need a half an hour to work and a lot of people don\u2019t wait that half an hour. And the problem with a lot of the chemical\u00a0sunscreens\u00a0is that they can be very greasy and [potentially] clog people\u2019s pores. They also absorb the sun\u2019s UV rays \u2026 [which are then] broken down into useless molecules. That\u2019s one of the reasons why chemical sunscreen doesn\u2019t last that long. That\u2019s why I think \u2014and I don\u2019t know if my dermatologist friends would agree with me \u2014 the [mineral] ones last longer.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tDr. Craig Downs, executive director of Haereticus Environmental Laboratory<\/a>, previously told THR<\/em><\/a> that \u201cchemical ingredients in sunscreens are taking an alarming toll on both the environment and our bodies \u2026 Thousands of tourists visit beach communities all over the world, all year long, and the chemicals in the sunscreen they\u2019re wearing are detrimental to the reefs and marine life.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cMineral\u00a0sunscreens\u00a0are two molecules: either zinc oxide and\/or titanium dioxide. Minerals are inert; they\u2019re not chemicals. They do not get absorbed even to the upper layer\u00a0of the epidermis. They just sit on the surface of the skin and what\u2019s great about them is that they block almost the entire range of UVA and UVB rays,\u201d explains Wechsler. \u201cMineral\u00a0sunscreens\u00a0work the instant you put them on. They\u2019re out in the sun and then they put them on. They\u2019re inert, so you can\u2019t be allergic to minerals. You can totally be allergic to things that the minerals are mixed with \u2014 a fragrance, a preservative, a chemical. But the actual molecules themselves can\u2019t induce an allergy and they also don\u2019t clog pores. They\u2019re inherently a little water-resistant and reef-safe.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tWechsler recommends always getting a broad spectrum sunscreen, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Sun protection factor (SPF) only refers to the strength of a sunscreen to protect against UVB. \u201cIf it doesn\u2019t say broad spectrum or UVA blocking, and just has an SPF number, then you can\u2019t assume it does anything to block UVA \u2014 and you\u2019re only blocking half the rays and you\u2019re only half protected.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cUVA and UVB rays damage our skin the most. UVB is the one we\u2019re all used to \u2014 it\u2019s the one that gives us an immediate tan and an immediate burn \u2014 and is blocked by glass. So if you\u2019re in a car, an airplane, or an office by a window, you\u2019re protected by UVB. You\u2019re not going to get a tan or a sunburn,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cHowever, I call UVA the \u2018silent wrinkle\u2019 because you don\u2019t know you got any of it. It doesn\u2019t give you a tan or a burn, and it penetrates deep. Just like UVB, it damages DNA and causes skin cancer and wrinkles and sun spots and all that bad spot, but you don\u2019t know you\u2019re getting it and it goes through glass. The good news is that there are windows now that can block the UVA rays. So anytime I get a new car, there are clear films that go on the side windows. People are like, \u2018Why are you putting sunscreen on before you\u2019re getting on an airplane? That\u2019s weird.\u2019 There are a lot of UVA rays up there.\u00a0The UVA-protected windows were created to protect art, but they protect our skin really well too.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tSunscreens that contain zinc and titanium protect against UVA and UVB, but Wechsler suggests getting a product with 10 percent of either one or a combination of both. She also recommends testing it on your skin for a white residue. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cSometimes they\u2019re super white and don\u2019t rub in, and other times they\u2019re more cosmetically elegant if they\u2019re micronized zinc. Sometimes I\u2019ll see one and it\u2019ll advertise as purely mineral or they call themselves mineral sunscreen or sheer zinc [\u2026] but then it\u2019s mostly chemicals, and it\u2019s like 2 percent zinc \u2014 that\u2019s not doing anything. I always look at the percentage in addition to the ingredients. But you only need the percentages for zinc and titanium.<\/p>\n \n\tThe chemical\u00a0sunscreens\u2019 percentages don\u2019t matter \u2014 that\u2019s more about the UVB and the broad spectrum. You might apply your zinc and titanium ones every four hours, but your chemical ones every two hours. But there are some chemical\u00a0sunscreens\u00a0that are literally gone in an hour and you don\u2019t know. You think you put on sunscreen and then an hour and a half later, you\u2019re getting sunburnt,\u201d adds Wechsler.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission. Not all sunscreens are created equal. Once upon a time, consumers were limited to suncare products that left a white residue, failed to protect against sun exposure and were packed with harsh […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4909,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[4397,4537,4535,819,4536,4534],"class_list":{"0":"post-4908","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fashion","8":"tag-chanel","9":"tag-clinique","10":"tag-eltamd","11":"tag-face","12":"tag-solarsciences","13":"tag-sunscreens"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4908"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4908\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4910,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4908\/revisions\/4910"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChanel UV Essential 50 Sunscreen\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
![\"EltaMD](\"https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-hollywoodreporter-2021\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEltaMD UV Daily SPF 40 Face Sunscreen Moisturizer with Zinc Oxide\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCeraVe Hydrating 100% Mineral Sunscreen for Face SPF 50\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLa Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid Face Sunscreen\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tClinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Cream\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSupergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tToty Solaria Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Serum\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSaint Jane Beauty Luxury Sun Ritual Pore Smoothing SPF 30 Sunscreen\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50 + Vitamin C + Glow\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMDSolarSciences Mineral KidCr\u00e8me SPF 50\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
\n\t\tMineral vs. Chemical Sunscreens: What\u2019s the Difference?\t<\/h2>\n
\n\t\tWhat Are Chemical Sunscreens?\t<\/h3>\n
\n\t\tWhat Are Mineral Sunscreens?\t<\/h3>\n
\n\t\tWhat to Consider When Shopping for Sunscreens\t<\/h2>\n
\n\t\tThe Difference Between Broad Spectrum vs. SPF\t<\/h3>\n
\n\t\tPercent of Zinc and Titanium\t<\/h3>\n