20-05-2025
27 Top New SPFs Of 2025, Plus A Derm's Best Sunscreen Advice
A model applying Vacation Crystal SPF Invisible Face Gel
It simply can't be stated enough: You need to wear sunscreen every single day, rain or shine. 'If you can see where you are going, then you need to protect yourself from harmful UV exposure,' says Antonio P. Cruz, MD, FAAD, FACMS, FASLMS, Founder & Medical Director, SkinPros, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University. 'It may not feel like you are getting exposure when it's cloudy outside, but you are still getting enough UV exposure to cause DNA damage. Eighty percent of UV light can still pass through clouds, so be aware!'
Even when you don't visibly burn, harmful rays could still be damaging your skin. That's where wearing a quality sunscreen comes in. 'There are several key features to consider when selecting a sunscreen,' Dr. Cruz says. 'First and foremost, it should be broad-spectrum and protect you from UVA and UVB rays. Look for an SPF of 30 or higher that is water-resistant. I encourage my patients to seek mineral-based sunscreens that contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or ideally both. Lastly, the best sunscreen is the one you are most likely to use. Fortunately, we now have excellent sunscreens with tints that can match various skin types, enhancing compliance in their use.'
To ensure you're getting the protection you need from your sunscreen, proper application is key. Dr. Cruz recommends starting the application process about 15 minutes before your anticipated exposure and apply about a shot glass amount. 'Make sure you get full coverage of exposed skin, including the tops of your neck, ears and feet—we often forget these parts of the body,' he says. 'There are also many SPF options for lip products; take advantage of those and protect those kissers. Sunscreen doesn't last forever, so we recommend reapplying after two hours or after swimming or sweating to be safe. When in doubt, reapply.'
Sticky, greasy lotions are a thing of the past. Now there are so many formats, including sprays, sticks, mousses and powders. 'The goal is to achieve adequate coverage of sun-exposed skin—use the format that you believe works best for your skin type and body location,' Dr. Cruz says. 'Some individuals who are boaters or sailors prefer using thick SPF sticks to apply product to the tops of their ears, which may be greatly exposed. Some lotions can help moisturize your dry skin, so take advantage of those features. Powders may be great for those seeking a more matte appearance during an outdoor event. There are many formulations available to suit your needs today.'
Always remember that the only safe tan is one that comes from a bottle. 'If you are getting a tan, you aren't using enough sunscreen or the correct type,' Dr. Cruz says. 'The only healthy tan is the one you are born with. If you have questions, reach out to your dermatologist. Schedule your skin check.'
Excuses are over with the best new sunscreens of 2025 in a range of formats and types:
BeautyStat C Lip Serum SPF 30
It's easy to skip a spot when applying sunscreen and that often includes the lips. Protect your pucker while pampering it with this vitamin C mineral lip serum that comes in two shades that flatter everyone: Baby Pink and Neutral Peach. In addition to plumping lips, it has L'Ascorbic acid and peptides for hydration and brightening. Bonus: It has a yummy orange vanilla dreamsicle flavor. $15,
e.l.f. Suntouchable Invisi-Stick SPF 50
Clear and smooth, this stick glides right onto skin for touchless application anywhere. It can be used as a primer for makeup or applied over it, and never feels sticky or greasy. Infused with bisabol to soothe and sunflower seed oil to moisturize, it can also be used around the eyes. $14,
Vacation Classic Whip Glow SPF 30
When you want to look extra glimmery by the beach or pool, dole out some of this whipped mousse that's also super fun to apply. It's the same beloved Classic Whip formula, now with gold shimmer. $23,
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Liquid SPF 70
You know a sunscreen is truly invisible when John Cena has a whole campaign around his signature 'you can't see me' move around it. The actor and WWE superstar is a skin cancer survivor who relies on this silky hydrating formula that's safe for sensitive skin and contains vitamin E for antioxidants. $20,
Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Face Lotion SPF 50
Made with sensitive skin in mind, this lightweight lotion is free of fragrance to avoid irritation. Glycerin, rosemary, rice bran and sunflower extracts deliver 24 hours of hydration, soften skin and strengthen the moisture barrier, plus it's water- and sweat-resistant and wears well under makeup. $22,
Augustinus Bader The Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Augustinus Bader's first sunscreen is here and like all of the brand's products, the broad-spectrum, non-nano mineral sunscreen contains the brand's proprietary TFC8 technology to fight signs of aging. It minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with microalgae extract, guards against sun damage and redness with cotton seed extract, evens tone and hydrates. $140,
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Dew Shield SPF 30
The subtle watermelon scent is perfect for summer, as is its weightlessness. After swiping it on, it won't be a surprise to learn that its muse is Korean suncare. It sinks right into skin sans stickiness or any sort of cast—only radiance. Clean chemical filters protect skin from the sun, niacinamide minimizes damage and hyperpigmentation, and vitamin E, watermelon seed oil extract and glycerin deeply hydrate, calm, soothe and reduce redness. $35,
Lancome UV Expert Supra Screen Invisible Sunscreen Serum SPF 50
Can't stand the feel of lotion? This ultra-lightweight SPF serum is for you. Chock full of skincare ingredients, it features patented UV protection technology that's an anti-photoaging complex. Invisible on all skin tones, it's formulated with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin C. $48,
Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen
Kbeauty brand Beauty of Joseon's first mineral tinted sunscreen is perfect for no makeup-makeup days. Available in 12 flexible shades, the lightweight formula keeps excess oil under control and smooths imperfections. $20,
Eminence Organics Sun Defense Minerals Broad Spectrum SPF 30 All Mineral Powder Sunscreen
When you're out in the sun, applying SPF every two hours is a must, but that can mess up your makeup. That's where powder formulas come in. You can dust this over makeup while preserving your look and protecting your skin. The antioxidant-rich formula is water-resistant and now available in six new shades, including a translucent option. $58,
Beekman 1802 Solar Milk Clear SPF 50 Clear Sunscreen Gel for Face
Accurately named, this Solar Milk has a Triple Milk Complex to nourish skin with goat milk, which is clinically proven to improve skin health, hydrate and strengthen it over time. The gel 3-in-1 formula serves as a SPF, primer and anti-ager, courtesy of its 31 nutrients, including essential minerals, omega fatty acids and vitamins A, B3, B12 and D to nourish and hydrate. $40,
The Best of Dermstore: Skin Cancer Foundation x Dermstore Sun Care Kit
Save your skin and some cash with this kit curated by Dermstore and The Skin Cancer Foundation. They teamed up for the sixth consecutive year to raise awareness about preventing skin cancer and early detection. More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined, making slathering on SPF essential to your health. All the products inside the official canvas tote have the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation. For less than half the retail value, it includes a full size of Vacation Classic Lotion SPF 30, EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, Jane Iredale LipDrink Lip Balm SPF 15 and NUDESTIX Nudescreen Blush Tint SPF 30, as well as two minis of La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60 and one mini of MDSolarciences Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF30. $75,
Sarah Creal Brilliant Repair Shield Illuminating Serum SPF 50
Get glowing with this hydrating mineral sunscreen now available in a new neutral shade, Staycation. It doubles as a primer and increases antioxidant activity by as much as 200%. Niacinamide tackles hyperpigmentation and bakuchiol strengthens skin. $64,
OLAY Super Cream SPF 30
Five is the magic number here. Quite the multitasker, this 5-in-1 works to hydrate, smooth, firm, brighten and protect skin. It achieves all that with five potent ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and collagen peptide. Over time, the sheer formula improves the appearance of skin texture. $35,
Byoma Ultralight Face Fluid SPF 50
All about boosting the skin's natural barrier, the formula's hero is the brand's exclusive Cera-Sun Technology. It's spiked with hyaluronic acid for hydration, astaxanthin for antioxidant protection and ceramides for skin health. It also brightens, decreases sun sensitivity and reduces pigmentation. $20,
Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Ultra-Sheer Priming Sunscreen Stick SPF 40
Bring this pocket-sized SPF stick everywhere so you're always ready for a touch-up. The Korean sunscreen also primes, shrinks the appearance of pores, smooths texture and fights shine. $30,
Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
Great for travel and on-the-go, the clever stick format means no excuses. It even has a teardrop shape for targeted application in tough-to-reach spots. Water- and sweat-resistant, it doesn't clog pores or feel greasy and blends in clear. You can even apply it over makeup! It's loaded with skin-loving ingredients rich in antioxidants like sunflower oil and vitamin E. $32,
Vacation Crystal SPF Invisible Face Gel
When an SPF is crystal clear, there's no chance of it leaving a white cast. The weightless, scentless gel works as a primer and smooths skin, helping makeup last longer. Safe for all skin types, it nourishes and hydrates with hyaluronic acid, squalane, peptides, ceramides, cactus flower, bisabolol, aloe vera and cica. $26,
Dr. Althea Green Tea Fresh Sunscreen
Finding a sunscreen for acne-prone skin can be tough, but this gentle kbeauty option is up to the challenge. It has seven types of centella asiatica to calm irritation, making it ideal for red and sensitive skin. The watery formula also has green tea extract and camellia sinensis leaf water. $23,
U Beauty Multimodal Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 25
As U Beauty's first brand ambassador, Michelle Monaghan is the face of the Multimodal Sheer campaign. The lightweight SPF also serves as a blurring primer to tackle dullness and smooth skin. The formula features U Beauty's patent-pending Siren Capsule Technology to fight damage from free radicals, brighten and even skin with vitamin C, clary sage extract, pongamia pinnata seed extract and non-nano zinc oxide. $98,
TheSolveMD Zn0+ Mineral Care Firm + Replenish Eyes
TheSolveMD is a new line of targeted SPFs that each address a specific skin concern, such as hyperpigmentation, acne and sensitivity. Their eye cream is essential because the eye area is often overlooked when applying SPF yet is the thinnest skin on the body. The formula strengthens the skin barrier, firms and smooths, plumps and hydrates. It has a sheer tint to even out tone. $61,
Bliss Block Star Clarifying SPF 30
Bust breakouts while protecting skin with this 100% mineral SPF designed for acne-prone skin. The lightweight, non-comedogenic formula calms, clarifies, clears clogged pores and zaps excess oil with salicylic acid, cica and witch hazel. $25,
Ultra Violette SPF Vibrant Screen SPF 50
After becoming a smash success in 29 countries, Australian SPF brand Ultra Violette finally made its US debut, bringing a new product only available stateside for the occasion. Vibrant Screen SPF 50 is a water-resistant hydrating lotion SPF for the face and body that stands up to sweat while battling fine lines and wrinkles, dryness and dullness. Infused with aloe vera to nourish and soothe, there's also vitamin E to calm and hydrate. $30,
The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum
Born to be layered, this lightweight serum is compatible with other skincare products and can be worn under makeup. Non-comedogenic, it delivers lasting hydration and a radiant finish. $19,
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion Mineral SPF 60+
Made for the face and body, this sheer mineral-based lotion works for all skin types, even sensitive ones. Loaded with 85% skincare ingredients, it moisturizes skin for up to eight hours, minimizes the appearance of fine lines and evens tone with five types of algae, licorice root extract and botanicals rich in antioxidants. Shiseido's WetForce Technology help it last through sweating and swimming. $50,
Cancer Council Protect & Hydrate Radiance Body Sunscreen SPF50+
If anyone knows sunscreen it's Australians, and this brand comes from Down Under to keep skin safe. The clean formula contains a light shimmer to help skin look extra radiant in the sun. Doubling as a moisturizer, it's super hydrating and water-resistant. $22,
Shea Moisture Nourished & Radiant Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Lotion
When you're prone to hyperpigmentation wearing sunscreen can help, especially when it's a formula like this one that's designed to even and brighten skin. Pro-ceramides and an elderberry complex get the job done while leaving skin radiant and moisturized. $13,
