
As the days get longer, it’s time to think sunscreen ☀️
But with endless options on the shelves, how do you know which ones are actually safe — for your kids and for you?
Many sunscreens contain ingredients linked to health concerns and environmental harm, particularly for aquatic life. That’s why taking a closer look at what’s inside matters.
To make things easier, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best-rated SPF 50 sunscreens on Yuka.
Protect your skin, without compromising your health or the ocean 🌊
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Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 - Blue Lizard
Excellent - 93/100
This SPF 50 stick uses 100% mineral active ingredients, and formulated for sensitive skin, offering portable, broad-spectrum protection without parabens or fragrance. |
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Water Resistant Sunscreen SPF 50 - Pipette
Excellent - 93/100
This formula uses zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection and sugarcane-derived squalane to help support the skin’s barrier. Water-resistant for 80 minutes. |
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Adventure Mineral Sunscreen Cream SPF 50 - Badger
Excellent - 93/100
This sunscreen offers 100% zinc oxide protection with 80 minutes of water resistance. Made with just 4 ingredients. |
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Pure & Simple Baby Sunscreen SPF 50 - Coppertone
Excellent - 93/100
This baby sunscreen stick contains 100% naturally sourced zinc oxide and is water-resistant for 80 minutes. Free from harsh chemicals and dyes, it is formulated to be tear-free and gentle on sensitive skin. |
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Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50 - Thinkkids
Excellent - 93/100
This mineral formula offers 80 minutes of water resistance and broad-spectrum protection. Kid-friendly, and free from harmful chemicals. |
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Face & Body Sunscreen SPF 50 - Sky & Sol
Excellent - 93/100
This sunscreen uses tallow and nutrient-rich ingredients for skin compatibility. It’s tear-free, and free from oxybenzone, fragrance, and parabens. |
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Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+ - Kopari
Excellent - 86/100
This 100% mineral SPF 50+ stick provides broad-spectrum protection for face and body. Formulated with antioxidants, it applies sheer and is easy to reapply on the go. |
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Face & Body Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 - Avène
Excellent - 86/100
This lightweight sunscreen lotion offers 100% mineral broad-spectrum protection with 80 minutes of water resistance. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. |
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Collagen Glow Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ - Naked Sundays
Excellent - 79/100
This formula uses mineral protection and vegan collagen for added hydration. It’s water-resistant for 80 minutes, and free from fragrance, oxybenzone, and mineral oil. |
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Calming Days Vegan Sunscreen SPF 50+ - Herbloom
Good - 72/100
This vegan SPF is lightweight, reef-safe, and free from parabens, sulfates, and dyes. Packaged in paper for a lower environmental impact. |
Like all our rankings, this one was conducted completely independently, and no brand has paid to be included.
How about Lubiderm UV. SPF 50, non greasy lotion. Widespread availability.
I so appreciate this app! I use it faithfully.
I really appreciate sharing these products. I wear a sunscreen everyday of my life. Now I can obtain the best. Thank you so much
Thank you so much! Your app is excellent, I live on a small SSI check only 🥲 but that’s the way it is. I will join paid ASAP good job🙏❤️
ThankYou Julie for the list of Sunscreens that r safe for us and our oceans. I Love Yuka. I have turned so many people on to Yuka app when they see me Scanning as I am shopping for vegan foods, skin care make up etc. If it is bad I don’t buy it. It Amazes me that the foods back when I was young in the 70s were advertising on TV the box cereals and Campbell Soup soup were supposed to be good for us. Even r School lunches were bad. Thanks for saving peoples lives by using this app when shopping for groceries, skincare , shampoo conditioner and cosmetics. No wonder so many people r dying from Cancer. God Bless u 😇
Is Coppertone Pure&Simple the only one we can buy in a store?
Freaks of Nature?
Thanks to Yuka I found a sunscreen that gets 100/100!! It’s called Eau Solaire Sun Secure by SVR Laboratoire Dermatologique. Shipping was a tiny bit more (about $9) but for a 100/100 rating, I think it is totally worth it. And it’s not greasy at all!
Thank you!!
What about Shiaeido? They are partnered with the World Surf League due to the fact that it is a clean product.
t!hank you
All creams? No sprays ?
Great information !! 🌞
Thank you for these recommend brands. Do you have a recommend tinted sun scream.
Thank you for all the effort you put in the information that you share
Thank you for this information. I appreciate it very much !!
What about great sunscreens that do not leave a white, chalky residue?
The Avene does not leave a chalky look but it’s a wierd texture. So far I like it!
Epicuren has a great zinc sunscreen
Would LOVE to find a sunscreen that you can actually spray and not poison yourself! The best I can find is ‘Hello Baby’ Mineral Spray for kids. Any suggestions around this topic are most welcome.
Why is the Kopari stick ok but not the spray
Thank you for this email.
I would like a spray sunscreen to use while golfing – I use a Yuka approved lotion before golfing but a spray would be easier to use after a couple hours on the course..
Thank you for your great service !!
Thanks for share its so important to me thanks again.
Is thinkbaby…a good sunscreen??
Are there any sunscreen sprays you can recommend?
Thank you with the list. Really appreciated it. Will purchase one of them.
Thanks for all your info. I live using your app when shopping and it saves me money
Great list. I have been using Avène, based on YUKA, for the past two months. Must search for the other top items on your list.
Thank you! I shared this information on Facebook. I also ordered one of them.
Listen to this honest review on Sky & Sol. You may think twice about buying this. This is also an admonishment to YUKA to know more thoroughly about products you are promoting.
https://www.tiktok.com/@ava.perki/video/7398674637460229406
Thank you for pointing this out! Saved me from trusting a source from an app and reminding me to listen to my dermatologist!
Great thanks you 👍
I appreciate the quality and simplicity of Yuka’s information. The sunscreen list is timely-thanks!
Thanks thats great to know ! I will pick one of those 👌
Thank you for sending, my only concern is with a spf factor of 50, are we blocking out much needed vitamin D, especially in states that are more inclement.
Any SPF15 recommendations?
Thank you for this helpful information ,
Great help
Thank you so much for all this sun protection items is all I need to know, now I have to pick one or two🤣. thank you much…GOD BLESS!!
Thank you this will be so helpful with summer coming up. Appreciate all of your research for our benefit. I have been sharing Yuka with everyone I meet that is conscientious of their health.
Never heard of any of these Brands where do you even buy them.
I use neutragena for face #70. Use when I know I will be in the sun. Protects wonderful. Sorry it is not on your list
Thank you!
Thank you
What about Eau Solaire Sun Screen Hydratante SPF50 from SVR Laboratories? I put it into Yuka and it got 100/100. You didn’t even mention it.
Thank you for the information, very helpful.
Great information thank you. Are there tinted face moisturizers with spf
I noticed there are no sprays. Perhaps you could do a segment on sprays.
As an avid scuba diver reef protection is of great interest to me. I do not think you should recommend any sunscreens that endanger our so fragile corals. At the very lest you should indicate which sunscreen product are not reef-safe.
I use Sun Bum – it’s reef safe
Thanks so much for the product we leave tropical island
Thank you, this is useful and just as we are going into a heatwave.
I have used blue Lizard for years. 100 % recommend
Do you used the one on this list? Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 – Blue Lizard. If yes, does it leave a filmy residue on your skin? I’m looking for one that does not leave a film on your clothes or skin.
Great choices, wish there were sprays as well
Thank you so much for this!
Very helpful, thanks 🌞
Where does SPF 50 Neutragena rank?
Not good I scanned it at the store. 🙁
Your information is awesome
Thank you for being so helpful
Love hearing what the best products are but I have never heard of any of them. Where are they sold. I live in Mi.
It looks like most of them are available online. The article links where you can purchase and it’s not sponsored..
Some of these are sold at Target (Blue Lizard, Coppertone, Badger, etc)
I bought Avéne at Ulta
you guys are awesome for compiling this list!! thanks for always looking out for everyone and showcasing clean sunscreens that are friendly for the enviornment 🙂 keep it up yuka!! you guys are real winners 🙂
I don’t see EltaMD listed. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this once as it’s recommended by many dermatologists. Thanks! Love your work!
Would love a list made of a) clean spray sunscreens and b) any clear sunscreens (including clear sprays!). The supergoop clear sunscreens are incredible but not rated very well, in spite of the company boasting to have all clean ingredients. Can anyone share if they have found clear sunscreens and especially clear spray ones?
Native was rated excellent an 86 on your app when I scanned it.
What about NATIVE ?
Good to know! Thank you for this info!
Any reef safe sunscreen to recommend? Thanks!
Badger is reef safe. Check the ingredients on the others.
Who created this list? Why is Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPA++ not at the top of this list/ I recently bought it and it was scored 100/100 Excellent. Why is a Good/72 on the list when there are MANY other sun screens much higher rated? This list also is heavy on mineral sunscreen which is not as good for screening UVA rays. It seems there must be something other than rating being used to create list — since they are not transparent, it feels like sponsorship or prejudice.
Thank you so much for this information. Very helpful.
Thank you so much, is very helpful information always looking for the most safest products for me and my family. I’m so grateful for the app🫶🏽
I use Blue Lizard SPF 50 for sensitive skin and it got a rating of Poor 34/100. Yet the Blue Lizard SPF 50 stick is your #1 pick. I don’t find a stick as convenient as lotion so less likely to use. What gives?
What does Yuka think about Goop sunscreen?
Thank you so much ! A friend insisted I get your app 🥰 He has a strong personality 😁 I’m grateful! I use it everyday! At 69 and still going strong I want to be informed about every product possible ! Even as a cosmetologist most professional products don’t rate good ! Many blessings to you !
I’m curious who your sponsors are.
Looking for Face only Sunscreen. Any recommendations.
Babo Botanicals has an excellent face sunscreen that’s clean and rated highly on EWG website and I use it as well as the spray sunscreen
Are there any sprays that are good? Or even acceptable?
I’ will pick a few to see which one is good for me , my skin is very dry; because of my health conditions. Thanks ☺️.
Did you check any of the ones that are available at CVS or the supermarket? the ones listed are all on amazon which is not for everyone. Thanks for testing
Can you make a list of Toothpaste without fluoride, I just but on target, HELLO toothpaste the only they have without fluoride.. 😊 thanks
I use Wellnesse but you have to buy it online
I just bought Burt’s Bees w/o fluoride at Walgreens or CVS.
I spent over a half an hour at target scanning all the sunscreens. None of them ranked good I left with no sunscreen. 🙁 I did the same at my local grocery store. Meijer here in Indiana. I left with no sunscreen once again. 🙁 none of the sprays ranked well at all no matter what brand I chose. :(…..
THANK YOU MERCI
Thanks for this terrific article on these best SUNCREENS!
Thanks for sharing l love Yuca
Thanks for sharing
Love Blue Lizard! The Yuka app is amazing, thank you!
Do you use the Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 – Blue Lizard one that is on this list? If so, does it leave filmy residue on your skin and clothes? I’m looking for one that does not.
I love that you give recommendations now! Thank you!
We need a sunscreen for our dogs! They love swimming, the beach, and have no protection. Zinc oxide is toxic to them so they can not use anything with it.
Love love love Yuka suggestions. I really love Yuka helping me choose healthier food choices. I have lower my blood pressure, loss a few pounds, and learning about hidden sidium and bad additives
Keep it coming good people at Yuka. Keep making America healthy again. Thanks.
Beverly, Florida 😎🌴🏖
PS
Oops, auto correct spelling on sodium.
LoL
Love the Yuka app!
Use it many times when I go shopping to help make smarter choices
Thank you looking out for us and ocean life!
Thank you. Do you have any recommendations for best in class that are the spray on type?
I absolutely love the Yuka app. I use it every time I go to the store. And I love getting emails like this.
Thank you!!! I always look forward to your articles and of course use of yuka app.
Thanks for sharing, I use the Yuka app all the time. Gives good info
Thank you so much for ranking these sunscreens! I was just getting ready to search the best ones out! You guys do a great job!
Are any of these suitable to use under makeup? It’s nice to find products like that and won’t cause makeup to pill.
Thank you for this! My lips reacted to lip balm with sunscreen in it while in Florida for the winter. Almost 3 months later I am still dealing with it. Thankfully I see my dermotologist next week.
Thanks so much Yuka!* 💛🧡 🌞
Thank you☺️
Thank you 😊
Thank you for sharing this information.
Thank you. Love the app & thank you for the emails.
How do you rate the sunscreens? Do they have the ingredients that can potentially be dangerous for your health
Thank you for this! I have thrown out my other brands such as Banana Boat and have started replacing sunscreen products that you recommend!
Are any of these sunscreens non white casting? Sheer? Those are details that people need to know before choosing one.
Babo Botanicals – Clear Zinc Sunscreen SPF 30.
You’re missing the distinction between nano- and non-nano minerals, which is very important for suntan lotion safety. When Yuka tackles new product categories, you should do a quick survey of the landscape and what the health bloggers are saying. An absence of chemicals on Yuka’s naughty list does not make a product safe.
Can you give examples? What minerals or bloggers?
Where can you find them
Thank you. All of the sunscreen that I have scanned are 0/100 or 2/100.
First love Yuka!!
Do you have a list of sunscreens less than 50?
I use Native fragrance free spf30
Are they any that you can spray on?
What about a top tinted sunscreen list for people of color who don’t like the white cast of regular sunscreen?
Try Coola sunscreen, 70% organic. I think you will like it. I always use the spray except on my face. They have lower SPF’s if you don’t want 50. I only use 30.
Thank you for sharing this important information!
Looking forward to a barcode scanner of most store brands.
I purchased Think Sport Face and Think Sport Clear Zinc based on scanning the product and it showed 93/100 for each but I don’t see either listed on your top 10. Are they both still considered 93/100.
Love Yuka! Use it all the time. It’s so helpful with being so health conscious
Perfect timing . We are with you .
Andy DiSabatino
Thanks
Thank u for sharing.
Could you recommend sunscreens with an SPF lower than 50? Ie. SPF of 30 or 15 that are acceptable.
Babo Botanicals – Clear Zinc Sunscreen SPF 30. Babobotanicals.com
Thank you!!!
Thank you! I am sharing with my family! We have a strong family history of skin cancer and I have had malignant melanoma 2 times!
This is great! Are there any safe spray sunscreens you can recommend?
Yes, I can’t find a spray sunscreen that’s available in the US that rates even good. 🙁
any tinted face sunscreens on your radar that’s acceptable?
Thank you for this list! I am going out to buy one first thing tomorrow. Living in Naples, Florida and just being diagnosed with my first squeamish cell carcinoma, it’s time to take sunscreen seriously!
Is the Coppertone only for babies ? Is there a excellent Coppertone for adults?
Because of Yuka I changed my sunscreen to Think. But it’s not even in your list now. Should o change again?
Has YUKA ever looked into rating the sunscreen ELTA? It’s sold at my dermatologist and there’s no bar code to scan to see the rating. Would love to know. Thanks
I have the search function in my app (if you pay for it you can search for anything without having to scan a code) and sadly all Elta MD is either “bad” or “poor” in rating 🙁 I also started using it after my dermatologists recommended it years ago and its one of the few that doesn’t break me out so I’m really struggling to find something new that i love after seeing Yuka’s ratings. If yours has octinoxate in it, they rate it as bad, as that’s a high risk ingredient. Otherwise all the other Elta ones have butyloctyl salicylate & phenoxyethanol, which they consider moderate risk ingredients. Hopefully this helps!
Do you have SPF 30 you can tell me that’s environmental user-friendly
Please rate sunscreens that don’t leave a white cast or film!!!
Thinksport 50 spf is REEF FRIENDLY
Yuka rated: Excellent 93/100
It is clear zinc, non greasy, and didn’t notice any fragrance. It is also ✔️vegan.
Julie, thank you for sending me this email regarding sunscreen. I appreciate it.
I suffer exquisitely from cyclical vomiting syndrome. You saved my life! The
Sorry I don’t know about some of those sunscreens, but Neutrogena Face Shield is the best, nothing is getting through, and I have Melasma
Thank you for this list! It’s discouraging to check all the products at CVS and find none that pass the Yuka test!