Senior Magnificence & Way of life Director
Senior Magnificence & Way of life Director
Alexandra Engler is the senior magnificence and way of life director at mindbodygreen and host of the wonder podcast Clear Magnificence College. Beforehand, she’s held magnificence roles at Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, SELF, and Cosmopolitan; her byline has appeared in Esquire, Sports activities Illustrated, and Attract.com.
Picture by mihailomilovanovic / iStock
June 24, 2025
As we kick off summer time, we’ll be sharing our greatest recommendation for attaining Wholesome Summer season Pores and skin—learn all June lengthy. Right here’s to a summer time of feeling good, residing nicely, and retaining your pores and skin protected beneath the solar.
Skincare is private. The merchandise that make their method into your routine are possible influenced by many alternative elements which are distinctive to you: What your skincare targets are, what considerations you’re coping with, pores and skin sort and tone, funds constraints, how a lot time and vitality you’re prepared to decide to a routine, and naturally, your private preferences. Contemplating all these variables, it’s no marvel there are such a lot of differing opinions on magnificence merchandise. As I all the time caveat: What works for me, might not give you the results you want.
That is no extra true than with sunscreen! Discovering a sunscreen that works for it’s possible you’ll rely in your pores and skin tone, how reactive your pores and skin is, if you’re sporting make-up, the place on the physique it’s going, what your deliberate actions are, and a lot extra.
Happily, there are so many extra choices in the marketplace than there have been just some years in the past. So there’s a bounty of high-quality, sensorially interesting sunscreens to choose from. Right here, a number of of our favorites—all tried and examined from mbg staffers.
Mineral vs chemical: What must you select?
The perfect sunscreen is the one that you simply’ll put on. We regularly suggest sporting non-nano zinc oxide-based mineral formulation as they’re full-spectrum and are typically higher for pores and skin well being and the atmosphere. Nevertheless, you’ll see chemical-based sunscreens on this record, as everybody’s wants and preferences are completely different. The underside line is that for those who discover one you want, keep it up.
Paula’s Alternative Calm Barrier Defend Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
“I’ve delicate pores and skin that reacts to fairly a bit, together with generally sunscreen. Fortunately, there are such a lot of nice sensitive-skin SPFs formulation in the marketplace, so I am not missing in choices.
“I’ve tried numerous, and that is the present star in my lineup. The mineral components makes use of each zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad spectrum safety—after which consists of allantoin and Centella asiatica as celebrity soothers. Most “delicate pores and skin” sunscreens simply do their greatest to not irritate the pores and skin. However this goes above and past by infusing it with substances that help the pores and skin barrier, calm irritation, and proactively soothe reactive pores and skin.
“The feel is mild, hydrating, and sits nicely beneath make-up, so I’ve no drawback sporting it each day. At this level, it is not simply a part of my “solar care” routine—it is a very important a part of my skincare lineup.” — magnificence director Alexandra Engler
Paula’s Alternative Calm Barrier Defend Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
$ 39
Coola Mineral Physique Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 & Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
“Coola’s total portfolio is exceptionally nicely achieved. First up, I merely should spotlight their non-aerosol physique sprays. Arms down, the very best within the biz. I personally use the zinc oxide spray. I discover it really easy to use, quick absorbing, and has a tender, silky end. It’s additional supported with a plant extract mix for antioxidant safety in opposition to free radicals, which I really like. Whereas I desire the mineral possibility, they’ve a number of chemical physique sprays if that is what you favor to your personal pores and skin. For when a lotion is extra handy, I seize their Mineral Physique Sunscreen Lotion in SPF 50. It’s light-weight but hydrating.
“Another causes to like Coola: It abides by the California Natural Merchandise Act (COPA) requirements, which requires that at least 70% of each components is natural substances. It additionally donates to melanoma analysis. And it prioritizes sunscreen schooling, so folks might be extra knowledgeable about their purchases.” — Engler
Coola Mineral Physique Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
$ 32
Coola Mineral Physique Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
$ 36
Thrive Day by day Sunscreen For Delicate Pores and skin & BodyShield 50
“Hear: I do know most individuals don’t purchase skincare merchandise due to environmental or moral causes. They purchase skincare merchandise as a result of they work. The excellent news is that Thrive sunscreens do each!
“Thrive is without doubt one of the most considerate skincare manufacturers I’ve ever come throughout. The crew behind the model practices regenerative farming strategies, offers again to the communities they work with, companions with quite a lot of environmental teams, and makes use of sustainable packaging. No stone is left unturned.
The merchandise are additionally nice. The Delicate Pores and skin sunscreen is full of super-plants to appease pores and skin and provide antioxidant safety. The BodyShield 50 is ideal for energetic days open air.” — Engler
Editor’s tip: Construct a “sunscreen wardrobe”
The sunscreen you employ on seaside days might not be the identical one you need to use day-to-day. Get just a few completely different choices to check out, and pick-and-choose based mostly in your wants!
Thrive Day by day Sunscreen For Delicate Pores and skin
$ 31
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen
“I really like that this sunscreen is true to the title and goes on sheer, with none greasiness or heavy scent. It performs nicely with different skincare merchandise and is a straightforward technique to shield my face with SPF each day. It feels considerably moisturizing, most likely due to the squalene, and I like realizing it’s made with zinc versus a chemical sunscreen. Reapplication goes on simply in addition to the primary coat, even on a sweaty summer time day.” — well being editor Ailsa Cowell
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen
$ 32
Native Unscented Mineral Physique Sunscreen
“Lastly, an all-over mineral sunscreen that’s unscented, sheer, and really reasonably priced so I’m not afraid to drench my total physique. This feels extra like a physique lotion than a sunscreen—it’s straightforward to rub in and doesn’t go away a solid or have a stickiness to it. I maintain this round for each time I’m about to get exterior; it’s nice simply to have in my purse.” — Cowell
Native Unscented Mineral Physique Sunscreen
$ 16
Babo Botanicals Delicate Child Sunscreen
“I am a label-reading mother, and I’m not sorry. I don’t need pointless substances in my youngsters’ merchandise, so I used to be inclined to discover a sunscreen for her that’s EWG licensed. Babo Botanicals makes a number of nice choices which are zinc-based, fragrance-free, and waterproof. The stick and spray are particularly useful for wiggly toddlers, and my daughter’s delicate pores and skin has achieved simply fantastic with every model of this sunscreen. We apply each morning earlier than college and several other occasions a day when enjoying exterior.” — Cowell
Babo Botanicals Delicate Child Sunscreen
$ 19
It Cosmetics CC+ With Nude Glow
“I really like this light-weight make-up. It supplies sufficient protection to hide any redness I’ve, but it seems like I’ve no make-up on. I really feel good sporting it throughout the day as a result of I do know it helps shield my pores and skin, and even choose to put on it within the night. The components feels hydrating and by no means muffins even hours later.” — dietary supplements editor Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN
Editor’s tip: Tinted sunscreens provide extra safety
Sunscreens provide safety from UVA and UVB lights, however not seen mild (reminiscent of synthetic mild coming from screens). Seen mild may cause pigmentation and different indicators of harm. For defense in opposition to this type of environmental stressor, go for tinted sunscreens.
It Cosmetics CC+ with Nude Glow
$ 47
Trip Tremendous Spritz
“I by no means go wherever in the summertime with out throwing a sunscreen spray in my bag, and this has lately been my go-to. It’s compact, supplies SPF 50 safety, and is allowed in a carry-on suitcase. It’s by no means the primary layer I apply, however is nice for mid-day touchups because it goes on seamlessly over make-up and doesn’t go away a filmy residue.” — Knudsen
Trip Tremendous Spritz
$ 22
Elta MD UV Clear
“A dermatologist advisable this sunscreen to me as a young person (I’ve very zits inclined pores and skin), and it’s been the cream I’ve reached for since. It goes on easily, feels light-weight, and leaves no white solid—in contrast to many different mineral sunscreens I’ve tried. It’s the bottom layer I exploit on a regular basis, together with beneath make-up. Plus, I can belief that it received’t trigger me to interrupt out!” — Knudsen
Sky & Sol Face and Physique Sunscreen SPF 50
“This has shortly develop into my go-to mineral sunscreen for each face and physique. It’s made with simply 10 nourishing substances—like grass-fed tallow, jojoba oil, and zinc oxide—so it feels extra like skincare than sunscreen. Plus, it someway manages to really feel ultra-moisturizing with out being greasy.
“It by no means breaks me out, which actually seems like a small miracle given what number of SPF merchandise have prior to now. It does take a minute to rub in totally, and there’s a slight white solid at first, however I normally combine it with a tinted moisturizer or bronzing drops and it blends proper in. As soon as it’s on, it simply seems like a part of my skincare routine—no stickiness, no residue. I really feel good utilizing it each day realizing it is reef-safe, fragrance-free, and made with out questionable substances.
“Additionally, I’ve to say their sunscreen chapstick. It’s significantly the very best one I’ve ever used. Tremendous thick and hydrating, with zero bizarre style (if you already know what I imply). I maintain one in each bag.” — assistant well being editor Ava Durgin
Sky & Sol Face and Physique Sunscreen SPF 50
$ 40
Nicely Individuals Daygleamer Mineral Sunscreen Serum SPF 34
“Nicely Individuals’s EWG verified sunscreen has the right blendable consistency. The mineral sunscreen opts for non-nano zinc—too massive to be absorbed by pores and skin—but doesn’t go away behind a noticeable white solid (on me, anyway). As a substitute the sheer components seamlessly absorbs into pores and skin, delivering brightening vitamin C and an antioxidant-rich oil for added safety. Plus, highly effective niacinamide makes a terrific addition for greasy complexions. I by no means have to fret about breakouts!” — Deputy commerce editor Braelyn Wooden
Editor’s tip: Search for antioxidants
Nicely Individuals Daygleamer Mineral Sunscreen Serum SPF 34
$ 36
Plumscreen® $78 Broad Spectrum SPF 31 PA+++
“In order for you a light-weight, creamy components, then you may’t go mistaken with Plumscreen. The consistency feels nearer to an on a regular basis moisturizer than your typical sticky sunscreen, which suggests it layers nicely beneath make-up. I personally like this components for on a regular basis put on; the non-nano zinc doesn’t go away a white solid, the Antioxidant-Wealthy Plum Superfruit Advanced® protects in opposition to metropolis air pollution, and the addition of zonaria tournefortii extract promotes pores and skin longevity. It’s the final word 3-in-1 safety.” — Wooden
Plumscreen® $78 Broad Spectrum SPF 31 PA+++
$ 78
Colorescience Sunforgettable® Whole Safety® Face Defend Flex SPF 50
“When summer time rolls round, this tinted sunscreen shortly replaces my basis. The mineral components is water- and sweat-resistant (a should by August!) with sufficient protection to blur out pimples and redness. Should you don’t need added pigmentation, the unique sunscreen delivers the identical light-weight consistency, making it a terrific possibility for seaside days.” — Wooden
Colorescience Sunforgettable® Whole Safety® Face Defend Flex SPF 50
$ 58
Bare Sundays SPF50 GlowBalm Mineral Peptide Stick
“Nowadays nearly each make-up product can include SPF—and your bronzer and blush are not any exception. I really like utilizing Bare Sunday’s glow balms so as to add heat and blush on busy summer time days. The proper addition to your pool bag, they provide broad-spectrum SPF50 from a 100% non-nano mineral components. Want another excuse to make the swap? They’re full of skin-loving additions like avocado seed oil, vitamin E, and peptides.” — Wooden
Bare Sundays SPF50 GlowBalm Mineral Peptide Stick
$ 28
The takeaway
Within the ever-expanding world of skincare, sunscreen stays one of the vital important (and most private) steps. As our lengthy record of faves may recommend, the “greatest” sunscreen really is determined by your distinctive wants: your pores and skin sort, way of life, preferences, and values. So discover what works for you—perhaps one from this record—and put on it each day.