I Tested 54 Sunscreens Over 2 Months in Hawai’i — and These 12 Best Protect my Fair Skin

If you were on a deserted island and could only bring one thing with you, what would it be? If your answer isn’t “sunscreen,” try again. 

I moved to Hawai’i this year, and while it’s certainly not a deserted island, it’s forced me to reconsider the sunscreen I throw in my beach bag, especially since I have fair, sensitive skin. After testing 54 sunscreens from 18 brands, I’ve learned there are so many things that differentiate a great body sunscreen from a “fine” one, like wide spray coverage, a non-greasy finish, actual sun protection, and longevity, because I’m not trying to buy a new sunscreen bottle every other day.

Keep reading for the body and face sunscreens I trust whether I’m surfing, running errands around town, or just hanging in the backyard with friends.

Best Overall

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Spray Sunscreen

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Spray Sunscreen is the best of the best for everyday outdoor use. It provides excellent coverage via a wide, consistent mist, offering effective sun protection. It feels super light and breathable on my skin, and the bottle itself is also lighter than any other on this list (so it doesn’t weigh down my Jennifer Garner-inspired tote bag).

Neutrogena makes many quality sunscreen products, like Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray and Invisible Daily Defense Lotion, but this sheer mist continues to be my favorite because it’s so easy to use, and I never burn with this sunscreen applied properly.

This bottle lasts me at least two weeks with everyday application and reapplication, which is a long time compared to other sunscreen sprays. Plus, the brand confirmed that it’s Hawaii Act 104 Compliant (more on that later).

Type: Chemical Spray | Coverage Options: Spray, Mist, and Lotion | Protection: SPF 30, 45, and 70

Best Overall (Almost)

Banana Boat 360 Sunscreen Mist

This 360 Sport Spray is new from Banana Boat this year, and it gave my trusted Neutrogena sunscreen a run for its money. Here’s what I love about this one: It has different modes, so it can offer a continuous mist or just spray small squirts depending on where you’re applying. 

I could see this coming in handy with a squirmy kid, but for me, I love this non-aerosol spray bottle because I can actually cover my entire back without help. Thanks to the continuous mist, I can press the lever and then just kind of wave it around for full coverage. None of the other sunscreens on this list can do that.

The low price makes this a great value, and after you’ve bought the original mister, you can purchase refill bottles for even less. However, It’s not reef-safe, which I don’t love as an island resident. We’ll report back on the longevity of the mister head after a few weeks of consistent use.

Type: Chemical Mist | Coverage Options: Spray or Mist | Protection: SPF 50

Best Lotion

Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50

I tend to favor sunscreen sprays, but I like to put lotion on my chest and arms to ensure complete coverage. I love this Supergoop Play lotion because it’s not sticky or thick: It’s easy to spread, and it’s effective. Supergoop offers many other great products in its Play sunscreen line, too, like Play Antioxident Sunscreen Spray and Play Mineral Sunscreen Stick.

I also love this particular product because it comes in multiple sizes, so I can throw the mini version in my clutch while the standard version stays in my beach bag.

Type: Chemical Lotion | Coverage Options: Lotion or Spray | Protection: SPF 30 and 50

Best Lotion (Cheaper)

Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Sunscreen Lotion

I grew up using Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen, and it hasn’t let me down yet. If you prefer a lotion but don’t want to spend on super trendy brands, Hawaiian Tropic is a tried-and-true pick. While this lotion doesn’t have a melt-in-your-hand milky texture like Supergoop Play or La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen, its medium thickness ensures that it’s easy to apply but not runny, and it doesn’t leave any kind of residue behind.

Type: Chemical Lotion |  Coverage Options: Lotion and Serum | Protection: SPF 15, 30, 50, and 70

Add to Cart

If you’re shopping for sunscreen, chances are you’re also in the market for other summer essentials. We test thousands of products to bring you the best of the best, so we recommend the below summer must-haves.

Andie The Amalfi One-Piece Swimsuit

Over the past two years, we’ve tested 40 swimsuits for women to find the best ones for lounging, swimming, and posting on your social pages. The Amalfi One-Piece Swimsuit from Andie was — and still is — the clear winner. 

Sanuk Cosmic Shores Flip Flops

We tested 20 pairs of women’s flip-flops to find the best ones, and I’ve tried nine pairs this year alone. My favorite is the Sanuk Cosmic Shores Flip Flop because it’s lightweight, supportive, and cute.

Best for the Beach

Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spray

If you’re at the beach, your sunscreen needs to be reef-safe, and that’s why Sun Bum is everywhere in Hawai’i. If I’m surfing or diving, I usually use mineral sunscreen just to be super safe, but if I’m in and out of the water or just enjoying a day on the sand, Sun Bum is my go-to. It’s easy to spray, and one bottle lasts me for weeks, making the higher price easier to justify.

Type: Reef-safe Chemical Spray |  Coverage Options: Lotion and Spray | Protection: SPF 30 and 50

Easiest to Apply

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen

I first picked up a bottle of La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen at a pharmacy in France before hitting the beach, and it’s still one of my favorite sunscreen lotions. It’s so easy to apply — it basically just melts onto my skin. This is a great everyday sunscreen no matter where you’re going. It’s expensive, but you can use it as both your face and body sunscreen.

Type: Chemical and Mineral Blend Lotion |  Coverage Options: Lotion | Protection: SPF 60 and 100

Best Over Makeup

Vacation Super Spritz SPF 50 Face Mist

I wrote about my love for this Vacation sunscreen mist last summer, when I was still living in New York City. I kept it in my purse and was constantly spritzing myself for a dose of hydration mixed with SPF.

Take note that this is meant to be an SPF refresher, meaning that it shouldn’t be your only sunscreen application for the day. Start with a trusted SPF lotion or serum and use this in between regular applications. (Don’t worry, your makeup will stay in tact!)

Type: Chemical Mist |  Coverage Options: Mist | Protection: SPF 50

Best for Tanning

Australian Gold Spray Gel Sunscreen with Instant Bronzer

This may be controversial, but I still enjoy tanning. I don’t need a bronzer in Hawai’i, but when I’m laying by the pool back home in Tennessee with my mom, we always make sure we have some Australian Gold on us. It always gets me bronzed quickly and safely (a.k.a. without burning underneath).

Type: Chemical Spray with Bronzer | Coverage Options: Gel Spray | Protection: SPF 4, 8, 15, 30

Best Face Sunscreen for Everyday Use

Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum

Whether I’m running down the sidewalk in New York City (in my former life) or meeting friends for a backyard hang, this Neutrogena serum is my favorite everyday face sunscreen. No matter where the day takes me, I’m protected by this moisturizing option. 

There aren’t any red flags to speak of, but since some people prefer tinted face sunscreen, take note that this is not tinted. (However, it layers well with other makeup products.) It’s a tad bit expensive, but I’ve been using the same bottle for months, so it’s still a good value.

Type: Chemical Serum |  Coverage Options: Serum, Lotion, and Spray | Protection: SPF 60

Best Face Sunscreen for the Beach

Coola Organic Face Sunscreen

This Coola sunscreen has a light consistency, but I’ve never experienced sunburn after application (I can’t say the same for Supergoop Glowscreen), so I reach for this sunscreen when I know I’m going to be at the beach all day. 

When we tested face sunscreen last year in our lab, we awarded our top pick to Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. While I agree this is a great pick, I personally like to see my sunscreen as I apply it, so I like this Coola pick better.

Type: Organic Chemical Lotion | Coverage Options: Lotion | Protection: SPF 50

Best Mineral Face Sunscreen

Naked Sundays Mineral Perfecting Priming Lotion

Before I moved to Hawai’i, I steered clear of mineral sunscreen because I found it hard to spread, and it left a white cast. Then I tried this tinted mineral face sunscreen from Naked Sundays, and now I’m a fan. Of all the face sunscreens I’ve tried, this one offers the most protection, and it definitely keeps the dark spots at bay on extremely sunny days or long surfing afternoons.

Type: Mineral Lotion |  Coverage Options: Lotion | Protection: SPF 50

Best Sunscreen for Dogs

Emmy’s Best Pets Dog Sun Skin Protector

Did you know that you’re not supposed to put human sunscreen on your dog? My chihuahua loves accompanying me to the beach, so after reading several rave reviews, I purchased this dog sunscreen for her, and it’s really been a lifesaver. (No one wants a burnt Pup!)

Type: Pet-Safe Spray |  Coverage Options: Spray | Protection: SPF not listed

What to Know About Sunscreen

SPF Strength

SPF stands for sun protection factor, and, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, you should apply a product with SPF 30 or higher if you plan to spend the day outdoors. Reapply at least every two hours and after any water activity. 

UVB rays cause sunburn, but UVA rays are to blame for wrinkles and skin damage, so in addition to looking for SPF 30 or higher, the Skin Cancer Foundation says to opt for broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both types of damaging rays.

Mineral Sunscreen vs. Traditional (Chemical) Sunscreen

“Most drugstore sunscreens contain a combination of chemicals that provide reasonable UVA and UVB protection. While using these products is definitely better than not using anything, here’s the rub: these are chemicals our body absorbs,” says Dr. Heather D. Rogers, a double-board certified dermatologic surgeon based in Seattle. Though the FDA has deemed them non-toxic, chemical-based sunscreens can cause skin and eye irritation, and some ingredients may be damaging to the environment.

While mineral sunscreens used to have a bad reputation for leaving a white cast, many formulas today blend in easily, and some are even tinted, like Naked Sundays Mineral Lotion.

Yes, Sunscreen Expires.

“Typically, sunscreens are good for about two years, but we know they degrade faster if they are left in sunlight or in a hot environment,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Hale. “It’s important to keep them in a cool area or medicine cabinet, but if they are left in a hot place, I’d toss them sooner.” 

The downside of expired sunscreen? Less protection. (Which defeats the point, right?) If your sunscreen is watery, has a chunky consistency, or smells strange, it’s time to purchase a new bottle.

Dermatologist-Recommended Sunscreen

The dermatologists we spoke with stressed the importance of finding a sunscreen you love so that you’re motivated to apply it every day. 

“The best sunscreen is the one you will actually use,” says Dr. Hale. “I’m thrilled that there are so many types of sunscreens and formulations available, but you have to choose one you’ll apply regularly.” 

My go-to daily face sunscreen is Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum because it’s hydrating and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin.

Price Range

The sunscreen on this list ranges from under $11 for 8 ounces (Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Sunscreen) to $38 for a similar size (La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen). It’s worth it to spend a little extra on a sunscreen you’re excited about — as long as you actually apply it.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Erin Johnson is the associate editorial director of shopping at PEOPLE. She has tested numerous skincare, home, and travel must-haves and written product guides for digital outlets such as Real Simple, Better Homes and Gardens, and Travel and Leisure. For this story, Erin tested 54 sunscreens by wearing a different one each day at the beach, in the water, and around Oahu. After giving all of them a try, the ones that she kept reaching for on a daily basis made this list.

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We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

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