Defensive Armor: 5 Best Sunscreens for Protection Against UV

Sadia Tariq
5 min readSep 23, 2023

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Are you the one who inspires or idealizes the beauty of the sun? Yes, you should. It is the ray of sunshine in our shadowy existence. The aurora of the sun, in its complete authority, welcomes and brightens every little ounce of creature in the world. A great affection indeed! Despite its affection, it induces harmful effects.

The permanent exposure may have drastic impacts on your skin. Ultraviolet radiation induces tumor initiation, skin cancer, and other skin-related disorders.

How to protect ourselves from UV rays? The solution is in the form of sunscreen, which is formulated to reflect or prevent UV rays. However, choosing the best sunscreen for your skin complexion, tone, and sensitivity might be tricky. Here are the best sunscreens consulted through a proven dermatologist. Let’s take a look at it.

Our Top Recommendations

1- Best overall: Sun Bum SPF 50

2- Best sunscreen for Oily Skin: Eucerin Sun Oil Control SPF 50

3- Best sunscreen for Dry Skin: EltaMD-UV facial Sunscreen SPF 30+

4- Best sunscreen for Acne-prone Skin: Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 50

5- Best sunscreen for Sensitive Skin: Blue Lizard Sunscreen SPF 50+

1- Sun Bum SPF 50

Credit: Sun Bum

If you are searching for the best formula that is compatible with all skin types and infers positive results, then here comes SUN BUM sunscreen. Whether you are hanging out or having a lazy day at the beach, It blocks 98% of UVB rays because of its 50 SPF. You are never prone to any kind of sensitivity after applying it, as it is non-comedogenic.

Moreover, its active ingredients include Avobenzone, Behenyl Alcohol, and Disodium EDTA which prevent inflammation and redness. It is best for all skin tones because it is water-resistant, paraben-free, and oil-free.

Pros

  • Non-greasy texture
  • Paraben free
  • Spreads easily
  • Appealing coconut fragrance

Cons

  • Reapplying after 90 minutes.

2- Eucerin Sun Oil Control SPF 50

Credit: Eucerin

Eucerin sunscreen is an ideal sunscreen for oily skin because it is an oil-free facial sunscreen. It is SPF 50, which blocks UVA and UVB rays from reaching us. In addition, it is formulated with 5 anti-oxidants ( Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Licochalcone A, and Oxynex ST), which shield and neutralize the free radicals and prevent aging.

Moreover, it is non-comedogenic and does not form clog pores in your skin. It holds oil-absorbing minerals that infer a long-lasting matte finish. It is hypoallergenic because it is free of parabens, dyes, PABA, oxybenzone, and octinoxate.

Pros

  • Anti-oxidant properties
  • Reduces dark spots
  • Involved in skin DNA repair mechanism
  • No white cast

Cons

  • Denatured alcohol may cause skin dryness

3- EltaMD-UV Facial Sunscreen SPF 30+

Credit : Elta MD

EltaMD-UV is the ideal sunscreen for dry skin. If your skin tone is dry, then this formula works best for you. It is the moisturizing lotion with SPF 30+ that blocks 97% of UV rays. The key ingredient is Hyaluronic Acid, which provides instant hydration and moisturizing properties to your skin.

In addition, it is formulated with Zinc Oxide that offers reflection and scattering properties to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. It is skin-friendly because it is non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, paraben-free, and vegan sunscreen.

Pros

  • Nicotinamide to improve skin tone
  • Diminish fine lines
  • Absorbs quickly
  • Can be applied with makeup

Cons

  • Results in itching if used with retinol
  • Costly

4- Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 50

Credit: Neutrogena

If you are struggling with acne-prone skin, then Neutrogena is the best sunscreen for acne. It is formulated with Helioplex Technology, which in combination with SPF 50 offers broad-spectrum UV sun protection. The texture is weightless which allows a fine matte finish and prevents unwanted skin problems.

Why is it best for oily skin? It is oil-free and non-comedogenic, which prevents breakouts and clog formation. It is water-resistant for about 80 minutes, which helps you to do outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, and biking.

Pros

  • Broad spectrum
  • Eliminates tanning
  • PABA free
  • Offers 5x better protection than shade

Cons

  • Contains paraben
  • Little costly

5- Blue Lizard Sund Sunscreenscreen SPF 60

Credit: Blue Lizard

Blue Lizard sunscreen is the dermatologist-recommended sunscreen for sensitive skin. It is SPF 60+ along with the active ingredients of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide that offer broad spectrum protection against UV rays. Moreover, it is mineral sunscreen free from any chemical ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate.

Additionally, it is paraben-free and fragrance-free, ideal for persons with sensitive skin combinations. The most exciting fact is that blue lizard bottles, in exposure to UV rays, transform their colors, reminding you that you need a layer of sunscreen.

Pros

  • Water-resistant
  • Broad spectrum protection
  • Non-greasy texture

Cons

  • White cast formation
  • Less sustainable

Tips for Buying Sunscreen

Skin is an essential organ that requires prevention. Before choosing any product for your skin, you must filter out all the possible essentials for wise purchase; otherwise, it will infer severe side effects. Here is a comprehensive guide for you to buy the best sunscreen according to your skin type and sensitivity.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF)

The SPF of sunscreen determines how long it will protect the person from UV rays. Always choose sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. SPF 50 sunscreen offers higher protection than SPF 15. However, there is no scientific evidence that sunscreen with greater than SPF 50 provides any additional protection.

Broad Spectrum Protection

Always prefer broad-spectrum sunscreen which means it can protect you from both types of harmful rays i.e., UVA and UVB rays.

Focus on Key Ingredients

Take a quick overview of the active ingredients present in the sunscreen. Purchase the sunscreen if it contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Avoid sunscreen if it is formulated with oxybenzone and methylisothiazolinone since it results in skin allergic responses.

Skin Type

Buy the sunscreen according to your skin type. People with dry skin should look for ingredients like glycerin and oils. For oily skin, weightless lotions containing silica are best. For sensitive skin, hypoallergenic and fragrance-free ingredients are best.

Wrap Up

Protecting your skin against harmful UV radiation is mandatory on which no compromise can be made. Hence, proper application of the best sunscreen is a must whether you are working in the kitchen or doing some outdoor activities under the sun.

We hope that this guide proves valuable and informative for you. Follow and subscribe to us to get more useful insights about skin-care products.

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