Best Sunscreens for 2023

One myth is that Black people don't need sunscreen, which couldn't be further from the truth. While melanin does protect Black skin, it doesn't mean immunity from harmful rays. Black Girl Sunscreen is specially formulated to protect darker skin tones. Many sunscreens leave a sheer white cast on dark skin tones, but Black Girl Sunscreen blends seamlessly onto the skin. If you're worried about oxybenzone and octinoxate, neither are in this sunscreen; all you'll find are natural ingredients like avocado and jojoba oil, which also hydrate the skin.

Doctors recommend limiting your baby's sun exposure by having them wear a wide-brimmed hat and sun-protective clothing and keeping them in the shade. Even with those precautions, sunscreen is still recommended, generally when they are six months and older. Once they reach the six-month milestone, you can use sunscreen to protect them from the sun's rays, but stick to formulas free of dyes and scents and use minerals (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) for sun protection.

This sunscreen for babies was tested on my 7-month-old nephew. His mom was pleased that it had no strong scent and also didn't cause any reaction on his sensitive skin.

Badger Baby Mineral Sunscreen Cream is an excellent choice for parents looking to protect their babies from the sun's rays. This sunscreen is made with natural and organic ingredients and is free from harsh chemicals like oxybenzone. It's also water resistant (up to 40 minutes) and has a soft scent (from the chamomile).

Despite its name, this sunscreen isn't clear out of the pump. This mineral sunscreen rubs in without any white cast. It's designed for those with acne, rosacea and hyperpigmentation and includes niacinamide (vitamin B3), an ingredient that can soothe inflammation and reduce redness.

This formula is neither thick nor thin, and there's no smell. It takes a bit of rubbing to get the formula to sink in, but once rubbed in, it feels lightweight and moisturizing on the skin. If you're opposed to the white hue, EltaMD also makes tinted sunscreen.

EltaMD products are great if you have various skin concerns such as rosacea or sensitivity.

If you're looking for a sunscreen that doubles as a skincare duo, you'll love the Everyday Human's Resting Beach Face formula. It's infused with natural ingredients like green tea extract and spinach, which help strengthen your skin's natural defense systems. It also contains hyaluronic acid and Pentavitin®, a moisturizing complex that helps restore your skin's suppleness and volume. This sunscreen is lightweight and non-greasy, so it's a great option to use under your makeup. It also provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, which is essential for maintaining healthy, youthful-looking skin. All of Everyday Human's products are cruelty-free, vegan, oxybenzone and PABA-free, fragrance-free and Climate Neutral Certified. The packaging is also recyclable. All you have to do is unscrew the cap, cut the tube to remove any product and rinse.

If you're anything like me, you enjoy good branding. Everyday Humans' packaging is so aesthetic you'll want to snap a few pics next to the pool with it. Good ingredients and nice packaging? You got it with Everyday Humans.

This sunscreen lotion is a great choice for parents who want a safe but effective sunscreen for their little ones. I tested this sunscreen on myself as I don't have any kids in my family, but what's important here are the product's ingredients. Earth Mama Uber Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Lotion is made with organic shea butter and organic colloidal oatmeal, making it soothing and gentle for sensitive skin. This sunscreen is reef-friendly, cruelty-free and contains non-nano zinc  -- sun protection that sits on top of the skin that scatters sun rays instead of being absorbed by the skin.

Earth Mama's Mineral Sunscreen for Kids is water resistant (up to 40 minutes) and free from parabens and artificial fragrances.

If you're looking for a great cruelty-free sunscreen, look no further. Pacifica Sheer Sunscreen is your best bet fit you're looking for quality sunscreen without compromising your ethical beliefs. As someone who is vegan, I really like that this sunscreen is completely free of animal-derived ingredients, and Pacifica also does not test on animals, making it 100% cruelty-free. Pacifica's Sea & C heer Sunscreen contains vitamin C and marine extracts which decrease photodamage (skin damage from the sun) and help repair your skin. It's also water resistant (up to 80 minutes), free of octinoxate, oxybenzone and nanoparticles (small particles that may be absorbed by the skin and have been associated with adverse effects).

I don't love sunscreens that come in a spray bottle since it's hard to apply evenly. Instead of a spray, it's more like a light mist -- it does a better job of providing coverage. I recommend not relying only on the mist, but also rubbing it onto your skin with your hands after spraying.