I Tested a Bunch of Sunscreens, And These Are My 6 Favorite

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I think the biggest glowup of the century didn’t happen to a celebrity, an old high school mate, or someone going through a breakup. It happened to *drum roll please*… sunscreen. Seriously, how did we turn an unsexy, tedious task to an exciting, beloved skincare step? This movement into the funification of sunscreen can largely be credited to Supergoop, a brand that intentionally set out to make sunscreen an everyday necessity, rather than a quick slab at the beach. Since then, we’ve seen hundreds of brands come out with their own unique formulas, each with brand new packaging that’s pretty enough to proudly display on your vanity. And instead of the same old goopy thick formula of traditional sunscreens, they’ve found ways to create unique textures that suit different occasions and body parts.

As a beauty writer at InStyle I get a lot of free products to test out. That means at any given moment I have about seven to ten different sunscreens chillin in my bathroom and I get to use each at different occasions. I’ve been consciously rotating through them all and taking notes on how seamlessly they fit into my lifestyle, whether I’m at the beach in Hawaii, running errands in the city, or simply in need of an everyday facial sunscreen. Below is my verdict of the best sunscreens for each occasion.

Best for Everyday Face: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen

Pros: This sunscreen is unlike any other sunscreen I’ve ever tried. It practically disappears into the skin and leaves a matte finish, doubling as a primer underneath foundation.

Cons: This isn’t really a con, but it’s scentless, which some may like or dislike.

Best for Vacation Face: Rose Inc Solar Power Luminous SPF 30

Pros: The bottle is just beautiful, for one, and because it has slightly more of that traditional sunscreen scent (that I love), it’s perfect for a vacation face.

Cons: The applicator is a bit tricky to use and doesn’t dispense product easily. It’s also not big enough for the full body.

Best for Tanning: Supergoop Glowscreen Body

Pros: It shines, making you look like a glittering goddess when you’re trying to get a tan. I found the sunscreen to be very strong and effective, however, so you don’t have to reapply a million times (otherwise you don’t get a tan at all, which was a first for me).

Cons: It leaves some markings on your bikini that can be tricky to wash out. Try to avoid having it touch the fabric.

Best for On The Go: Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen

Pros: This sunscreen is perfect for everyday and while on the go. It’s small enough to fit in any bag and the SPF36 is just the right amount of protection for a casual day out, instead of the beach.

Cons: It’s not strong enough for lying out in the sun all day.

Best With Moisturizer: Clinique Smart Clinical Repair SPF 30

Pros: I’m currently using this as my daily moisturizer. Not only does it give me the right amount of protection (SPF30) for daily errands, but the wrinkle-correcting formula visibly smoothed out my skin (!!).

Cons: It’s just meant for your face.

Best on Vacation: Vacation Classic Lotion SPF 50

Pros: The is the sunscreen to use on the beach while on vacation. It’s got that nostalgic beach vacation smell to it, has maximum amount of protection, and doesn’t melt off the skin even if you’re playing volleyball in the sun all day.

Cons: It feels a little out of place for everyday use, especially if you live in a city.