The best sunscreens,according to dermatologists and skincare experts
The 25 sunscreens that dermatologists and skincare experts rate highest, ranked by genuine consensus.
What changed, 4 November: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua Fresh Rice + B5 SPF 50+ PA++++ moved up to number 2.
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.
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
92%Guru ScorePurescreen+ Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid SPF 30
“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.
91%Guru ScoreRelief Sun Aqua Fresh Rice + B5 SPF 50+ PA++++
“When I did, I thought, wow, this feels so fresh and so lightweight. It definitely is. Yeah, it's definitely matte. I thought, this feels great, I love this.”Kelly Driscoll
What the gurus liked: Clear formula with no white cast; Minimal glow finish
The catch: Pilling reported by some users
88%Guru ScoreNo.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++
“The ingredient list is incredible for soothing sensitivity and redness and calming irritated skin from sun exposure. It really is like the best of the best, with no white cast and no gray cast.”Hyram
What the gurus liked: No white cast, blends seamlessly; Mattifying finish suits oily skin
The catch: High niacinamide may clash with other skincare
The rest of the list
- 4
Beauty of JoseonRelief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++ (Korean formula)Guru CertifiedDry skinNormal skinMid-range87%32 gurus“Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun which I love, it's beautiful, I love it so much.”Alexandra Anele
What the gurus liked: Lightweight finish; Hydrating, dewy finish
Contains: Chemical filters, Niacinamide. Fragrance-free.
- 5
Skin1004Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF 50+ PA++++Guru CertifiedOily skinDry skinMid-range87%22 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.
- 6
TOCOBOBio Watery Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++Guru CertifiedOily skinCombination skinBudget buy86%9 gurus“I've been raving about this for a couple of years now. Still obsessed with it, still love it, still recommend it.”Abbey Yung
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.
- 7
Round LabBirch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ (Korean formula)Guru CertifiedOily skinDry skinBudget buy85%20 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.
- 8
La Roche-PosayToleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30Guru CertifiedDry skinSensitive skinMid-range85%16 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.
- 9
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.
- 10
CeraVeInvisible Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50Dry skinSensitive skinBudget buy84%8 gurus“It's just a great product, I'm so impressed, and I love seeing affordable skin care come through and be lightweight and elegant.”Dr. Daniel Sugai
What the gurus liked: Minimal white cast for a mineral sunscreen; Works well as a makeup base
The catch: May show some cast on darker skin tones
Contains: Mineral filters, Niacinamide, Ceramides. Fragrance-free.
- 11
Haruharu WonderBlack Rice Moisture Airy Fit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50Oily skinDry skinBudget buy83%21 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.
- 12
BioreUV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++Oily skinCombination skinBudget buy83%12 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
DRMTLGYUniversal Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46Mid-range82%11 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.
- 15
La Roche-PosayAnthelios UVMune 400 SPF 50+Oily skinDry skinMid-range81%14 gurus“The La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune, this one's a great high strength one. So if it's very sunny out or if I'm going to be out a long time, this is a great one. Also reapply it. But it's great.”No BS Beauty
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.
- 16
IsntreeHyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++Oily skinDry skinBudget buy80%20 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.
- 17
Trader Joe'sDaily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40Budget buy80%10 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.
- 18
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.
- 19
ColorescienceSunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50Mid-range79%13 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.
- 20
COSRXAloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA+++Budget buy79%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.
- 21
Dr. Jart+Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30Sensitive 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.
- 22
CeraVeTinted Mineral SunscreenBudget buy78%8 gurus“CeraVe makes a Tinted Mineral Sunscreen that I really like, and that's just a great option.”Dr Dray
What the gurus liked: Mineral formula with tint
- 23
La Roche-PosayAnthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 60Oily skinDry skinMid-range77%20 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.
- 24
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.
- 25
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.
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 77%. Here is what holds each one back.
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
A Guru Score of 75% from 21 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 ▸
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
A Guru Score of 74% from 20 experts.
The catch: Pricey compared to K-beauty alternatives
Supergoop Glow Screen Sunscreen SPF 40
A Guru Score of 65% from 15 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 ▸
Who's doing the judging
Ranked from the public takes of 44 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+30These 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 Purescreen+ Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid SPF 30, with a Guru Score of 92% from 11 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) and La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30, 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 8 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 22 we hold a full ingredient list for, 15 are fragrance-free, 15 skip drying alcohol, 11 contain niacinamide and 7 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.