Best Sun cream for 2020

KIEHL'Snordstrom.com

$29.00

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Tied as the winner in our Lab test, Kiehl's lotion, designed for face and body, earned high scores all around. Consumers said that this water-light lotion was "moisturizing" and liked its "neutral smell." Its best-rated attribute: Not making skin feel greasy, oily, or slippery, even in the hot sun. However, a few testers did note that the sunscreen was runny when coming out of the tube.

Active Type: Chemical sunscreen
Packaging: Lotion/Tube
SPF Rating: 50 broad spectrum
Water Resistance: 80 minutes

BEST VALUE

X-treme Sport Spray Gel Sunscreen SPF 50

AUSTRALIAN GOLDamazon.com

$9.99

$8.34 (17% off)

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This formula is the best value in our test at $1 per ounce, but not every tester loved its spray nozzle: Some thought it was inconsistent in the amount it dispensed, yet others were impressed by the nozzle's locking feature.

Active Type: Chemical sunscreen
Packaging: Lotion
SPF Rating: 50 broad spectrum
Water Resistance: 80 minutes

NEUTROGENAamazon.com

$13.49

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Neutrogena's sunscreen was the best at protecting skin from sunburn in our test, but it lost points for its "glue-like" texture. In the Lab, we noticed that this initial tackiness disappeared as the product was absorbed, but still left skin feeling coated.

Active Type: Chemical sunscreen
Packaging: Lotion/Tube
SPF Rating: 50 broad spectrum
Water Resistance: 80 minutes

BEST NON-STICKY FORMULA

SunComfort Sunscreen SPF 50+

BANANA BOATamazon.com

$10.59

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Banana Boat's fragranced sunscreen trailed right behind the winners in its ratings. Our testers liked that it didn't make their skin feel dry or leave a sticky feeling behind. In fact, they say it "went on just like a moisturizer."

Active Type: Chemical sunscreen
Packaging: Lotion
SPF Rating: 50 broad spectrum
Water Resistance: 80 minutes

CROWDPLEASER

Everyday Sunscreen SPF 50

SUPERGOOP!nordstrom.com

$19.00

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Plant oils and flower extracts give this Supergoop! lotion a faint herbal scent, that most testers loved. Overall, it was voted a gentle and effective product. In fact, many testers had a hard time finding anything negative to say about it.

Active Type: Chemical sunscreen
Packaging: Lotion/Tube
SPF Rating: 50 broad spectrum
Water Resistance: 80 minutes

BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+

SUN BUMdermstore.com

$15.99

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Not only did this Sun Bum sunscreen get the only perfect score for not stinging or irritating skin, testers also gave it the highest mark for its beachy scent. This thick lotion lost some points when it came to ease of application and absorbency, thought, and testers noted it left a white residue behind.

Active Type: Chemical sunscreen
Packaging: Lotion
SPF Rating: 50 broad spectrum
Water Resistance: 80 minutes

MOST WATER-RESISTANT SUNSCREEN

Sunscreen Water Sport SPF 50

BULL FROGwalmart.com

$7.97

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Although this Bull Frog sunscreen applies easily like a lotion and absorbed well onto skin, it can feel somewhat tacky or greasy, especially in the heat. One tester noted this sunscreen "did its job and kept me protected even while in the water. I did not burn at all."

Active Type: Chemical sunscreen
Packaging: Lotion
SPF Rating: 50 broad spectrum
Water Resistance: 80 minutes

BEST MINERAL SUNSCREEN

Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50

MDSOLARSCIENCESamazon.com

$39.00

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This silicone based formula from MDSolarSciences goes on silky, but has a tendency to separate in the tube when it's hot. Overall, it provided ample protection for those who prefer a mineral/physical sunscreen and don't mind paying the extra price for it.

Active Type: Mineral sunscreen
Packaging: Lotion/Tube
SPF Rating: 50 broad spectrum
Water Resistance: 80 minutes

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BEST ZINC OXIDE FORMULA

Sunscreen Invisible Zinc SPF 50

CERAVEamazon.com

$15.67

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CeraVe's fragrance-free gentle lotion lost most points for leaving a white residue behind — a common complaint in mineral formulas. However, some testers saw the white cast as a sign of good sun protection. One even said: "It is one of the best sunscreens I've used in a long time."

Active Type: Mineral sunscreen
Packaging: Lotion/Tube
SPF Rating: 50 broad spectrum
Water Resistance: 80 minutes

BEST FOR ECZEMA

Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

NEUTROGENAamazon.com

$30.85

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While our Beauty Lab hasn't tested Neutrogena's new zinc oxide formula yet, Neutrogena's products consistently perform well in our Lab studies. Not to mention, all of the brand's products carry National Eczema Association’s emblem, which means they've been vetted to exclude a known list of irritants in the formulas.  

Active Type: Mineral sunscreen
Packaging: Lotion/Tube
SPF Rating: 50 broad spectrum
Water Resistance: 80 minutes