No matter the season or setting, protecting your skin from UV exposure is essential.
But with so many options on the shelves, how can you tell which ones are truly safe for you and your kids?
The truth is, many sunscreens contain ingredients linked to health concerns and environmental damage, especially for marine life. That’s why it’s worth taking a closer look at what’s inside.
To help you choose with confidence, we’ve rounded up 10 of the top-rated SPF 50 sunscreens on Yuka.
Protect your skin without compromising your health or the ocean.
| 1 |
 |
Sensitive 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. |
| 2 |
 |
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. |
| 3 |
 |
Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 - Badger
Excellent - 93/100
This sunscreen offers 100% zinc oxide protection with 40 minutes of water resistance. Made with just 6 ingredients, it is also formulated to double as a moisturizer. |
| 4 |
 |
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. |
| 5 |
 |
Baby Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 - Coppertone
Excellent - 93/100
This baby sun stick contains 100% naturally sourced zinc oxide and is free from harsh chemicals and dyes. It is formulated to be tear-free and gentle on sensitive skin. |
| 6 |
 |
Super Shield Sensitive Sun Stick SPF 50 - Babo Botanicals
Excellent - 93/100
Formulated for sensitive skin with no fragrance, this pocket-sized sun stick is water-resistant for 80 minutes, and designed for application on the face and body. |
| 7 |
 |
Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 - Kopari
Excellent - 91/100
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. |
| 8 |
 |
Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50 - Thinksport
Excellent - 86/100
This mineral formula offers 80 minutes of water resistance and is made in the USA. This sunscreen also absorbs quickly into the skin and has a non-oily texture. |
| 9 |
 |
Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 - Mustela
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. |
| 10 |
 |
Mineral Multi Defense Sunscreen SPF 50 - Avène
Excellent - 76/100
With 40-minute water resistance, this lightweight sunscreen is formulated with bisabolol and allantoin, which are hydrating ingredients suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. |
Like all our rankings, this one was conducted completely independently, and no brand has paid to be included.
If this is possible, would you please rate the 2 face sunscreens from their Line? !! 😎
Thank you Way to go Yuka❣️
How does Nutrigena 50 or 55 rate
I have stage 4 Melenoma
Thanks !!
Which stores have these products available for purchase in the Denver metro area? We desperately need them here at 5000 ft elevation. Thanks, Jerome
Very helpful, thank you!
Thank you!! 🥰🕊️🙏
It’s time to buy sunscreen. Thanks for the information.
Super helpful
I like Yuka! Why is the USA so behind on healthy, clean, safe food and products we put in and on our bodies! $$$$$$$ manufacturers? So unnecessary to human life. People must read labels and research for themselves before buying. But they assume things are safe…..
Because they’re all on the take! Our health system get kick backs for selling and testing unnecessarily. Our cosmetics are filled with poison but sell as “clean beauty” QVC
Thank you so much for that information. Very helpful 👏👏👏
Which spf lip balms are rated high?
Will use the baby stick by Coppertone. Great find. Thank you 😊
Thank you So Much!
Zinc oxide? So you look like a ghost? Mineral facial preparations always dry out my skin and accentuate wrinkles. I’ll stick to my L’Oreal and similar high-end, prestige-brand cosmetic 50+ SPF screens.
Very helpful. Thank you.
Thak you so much
I was surprised you didn’t have Native listed.when scanned you give it a 91 rating. That is what I have been using because you gave ot the best rating of those I found at the drugstore. You give Blue Lizard a 93. Difference between that and Native with only a difference of 2 in your rating. Is Blue Lizard still a better choice than Native?
I agree 100%. I’ve been using the Native because it’s the highest one I could find in the store, yet it’s not on this list and has a higher score than several listed. Makes no sense.
Thank you for this much needed information
Appreciate YUKA more and more
Thank you for this very useful information. You guys are great!
Why is Stream to Sea not on the list? It’s the only one that is safe for the environment! Some scientists say sunscreen contributes to the demise of coral reefs. Many fisherman will not use sunscreen bc of its on their hands, it kills small fish in their bait buckets! This is so important for our rivers and oceans.
Thank you so much for the helpful information
From Harvard University medical school. Research and study from year 2000 to 2005 and another from 2005 to 2010 a 100% rise in liver disease resulting in death, in women from applying women’s products on their skin. Ends up in the liver. Including cheap jewelry where the warmth of the body releases the chemicals from the jewelry then absorbed into the skin, then chemicals enters the bloodstream through capillaries, then veins, then arteries. Flows through the liver. Bottom line is, what chemicals are in the suntan lotions? Are those ingredients safe to allow them entering the bloodstream and liver?
Sun screen, not tan. Protection from sun damage, and they say “There’s no such thing as a healthy tan.”
Would love to know best “tinted” sunscreen, like a foundation for face??
Thank you for this information, I live in Florida, and this is very helpful.m
Thanks for the information. I wish there were quality body sunscreens in larger sizes. These small sizes would last about 3 trips to the beach. Quite pricey for the amount IMO
What about Cerave?
Thank you. This was helpful.
Are there any sunscreens you recommend that can be purchased at drugstores or Walmart, Target?
Thank you so much! I will start looking these up! Great information!!! Thanks again!
Thank you so much! Your information is invaluable when I go grocery shopping and then this is the cherry on top!
Thank you for this information. It’s so important and I appreciate you doing the research as summer is earlier each year.
Best sunscreen Yonka !!!
Thank you for sharing!! You never what is good anymore
Through personal experience and reading many skin related articles, I can say that tinted sunblock has proved better than the untinted.
Do you have a top list of the tinted?
I would appreciate it! Thanks for all you do!
My dermatologist recommends Solbar Zinc SPF 40, with 80 minute water resistance, as the best cancer protection sunscreen.
Do you have a spray?
I’d like to know too
I’m saving this one!!!
It would be helpful to know if there are some that are less greasy, or less whitish, or less heavy.
This ia great! Thank you!
Thank you for the work you do. I use this app ALL the time and tell random strangers about it. My grandchildren are driving their parents crazy, refusing to eat BAD things in the cupboard. All three families are changing their eating habits because of you. Priceless!
I had Melanoma skin cancer on my face, and rt lower arm in my lifetime . On my chest several squirm cell ,skin cancers. Three years ago Lung Cancer stage one, had lung surgery. I am grateful to be in good health and CA, condition stable. I appreciate the suncreen tips and suggestions with rating so much , especially face. I have a long scar on right cheek of my face but it has faded in time. I appreciate your APP. so much and say thank you to all of you at Yuka. Well done!
Are there any sunscreens that are safe that do not leave a white film on your skin?
Thanks for the timely reminder regarding this issue and your top 10 choices. I have been able to find a few of these and love them!
Wonderful app! Just wondering if any of the spray on sunscreens would qualify?
Thanks so much for the info.
Thank you for the information and for doing the research. I am sometimes shocked about the products that will come across as safe and healthy only to find out that they recieve a low score once they are scanned and the chemicals are revealed. Thank you for the app. It has definitely helped me make better choices while shopping.
Thank you. I’m a cyclist out for hours in the sun. This info is very appreciated.
Thank you so much! We need all the help we can get these days!
Thank you for the research! Perfect timing☀️☀️☀️☀️
All are quite expensive
Great help. I have extremely sensitive skin and a personal dislike of scents. No desire to smell like a coconut. Found exactly what I hope is the solution. Thank you again for excellent choices.
1/ How do you rate products
2/ other food items you rated excellent of containing a lot of sugar which is not advised to use on the other hand plant based mayonnaise rated bad or poor let me know this other than this I really admire Yuka’s idea of healthy food screening
Thanks for the info. Hopefully one of them i should be able to use under makeup which doesn’t have any sunscreen protection.
Thank you
Raw elements gets a 98 rating and comes in a tin instead of plastic.
Thank you!
The world 🌎 needs Yuka! Great find
Thanks i have a toddler and it is very important
Thank you!! I’m always scanning to see which ones are safe and good for you! I appreciate you doing the leg work to find good ones
Outstanding. Always a question when Summer arrives
Thank you for this info! I just added the Badger to my Amazon cart. I am addicted to your app. How shocking it is to scan products such as Neutrogena with massive marketing budgets only to learn how unclean their products are! So deceiving!
What about Absolutely Natural? Used your scan last year and it has a great score.
How are they when it comes to not leaving white cast on olive tone skin or deep color skin.
BTW, thx for creating this app. Extremely easy to use and convenient.👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
What about Blue Lizard. My Dermatologist recommends it and sells it at his cost.
Blue Lizard was the first one listed.
What would you recommend for daily use, under a foundation?
have never heard of any of them. What about Neutrogena?
How about offering suggestions for SPF-30 sunscreens? I sure would appreciate it. Thank you!
What about La Roache Posay
ANTHELIOS
You should take a look at EltaMD I have worked in dermatology for 13 years and this brand is the BEST OF THE BEST Hands down! Nothing compares!
Couldn’t agree more! EltaMD products are the best!
The only problem with Blue Lizard is your skin becomes bright white instead of looking like you got a tan.
What about Blue Lizard. My Dermatologist recommends it and sells it at his cost. You use a very tiny bit. IT goes a long way.
What about Trader Joe’s sunscreen?
I wonder, you say for example Thinksport absorbs into the skin, etc. etc. I thought mineral sunscreens stay on the skin and block the rays whereas chemical sunscreens get absorbed into the skin, and …. into our bodies?
This is great! Thank you.
What about Native sunscreen?
This is an awesome article! Thank you so much! Yuka rocks!
Do any of them contain beeswax? Especially the stick ones…. I’m looking for sunblock with no bad chemicals and no beeswax. Allergic to it
Thank you so much for this information! I really appreciate that you did all the research. I struggle to find quality sunscreen. Now you’ve done the work for me! I love yuka!
Thank you for this very valuable information
All of these are so expensive for such small amounts. Do any of Walmart or Walgreens store brands safe to use? Limited budget
How much is your skin worth?
Karen try out Banana Boat Mineral spray for kids. It’s a poor rating but it’s not too bad. It’s at Walmart for less than $10
Look Lynda, she asked for suggestions not a smart mouth. Some of us go through a can of sunscreen every few days in the south or those of us with pools. Kindness is free.
I tried the Think brand. It was thick and did not disappear into the skin no matter how I rubbed it in.
I looked chalky.
Are any of these good to use under moisturizer and face makeup?
Thank you so much. I was trying to see what the best sunscreen
Thank you very much. You are appreciated.
Thank you. It is that season. I enjoy your ratings system
This stuff is way too expensive. It would be better if you listed the cheapest options that met your standards.
I use Trader Joe’s sunscreens (buy the largest size), Supergloop, and Vacation brands. That lasts me from May to October too.
Too many stick versions, which are difficult to apply. But I agree with Lizard – my go to. For my face, I use MD Elta green mineral sunscreen. Fabulous, but expensive.
Very helpful, thanks!
I use native sunscreen and it’s rated excellent on your app and I love your app thank you so much
Thank you! So helpful!
I found this one on Yuka last year.
Herbloom spf 50 is it still recommended?
I think it is a Korean product.
I love ThinkSport! I am able to use it under makeup as it disappears quickly and isn’t greasy.
You and your excellent services the very best, Julie & Co.! I have “turned on” many fellow shoppers whilst I’m scanning away. I am a walking, talking testimonial! Thank you for all you do!! XO, Susan
Thank you for this information and keeping us informed. I love the Yuka App. It also helps to keep us safe and aware of what we are putting on our skin and what we are consuming. Thank you for making this app available 💕
What about Derma/Doc
Do any of these mineral based have a sheer invisible look on the skin like SuperGoop and Trader Joe’s mineral sunscreens do?
Love your app!!
What about Sun Bum? what is the score on that brand?
The face SPF 50 Sun Bum is rated 0/100 (bad). I don’t have any he wants bro on the body kind.
No info on the body kind.
I sincerely appreciate your thorough research and recommendation of these ten top-rated SPF 50 sunscreens, for both adults and children. Very considerate of YUKA for providing this very useful information. (I’m a senior citizen man who rarely remains exposed to the sun rays for extended periods of time but I very much appreciate YUKA for sharing your helpful sunscreen information.) I still work full-time on Graveyard shift after retiring from proudly serving and protecting the public for 32 years. I still get sun exposure for health benefits after I get off my job in the mornings. I wholeheartedly trust and believe in YUKA for your research and recommendations, which I faithfully adhere to while always using your helpful app for my health when shopping at different stores. Thank you for your help, Ronnie, Beautiful Sunny Southern California 🙂
Thanks for the info
I only buy “Reef Safe” sunscreen. This test mentions some ingredients that are reef safe but often they contain other ingredients that are not. For example Oxybenzone is only one of several ingredients that are not allowed. A “Reef Safe” designation would be very useful.
Badger Sport is high
Badger sport is highly rated on another sight and it is.reef friendly.
I just took the Badger on my vacation and it was the most disgusting sunscreen I’ve ever used. It smelled like cooking grease and it was so greasy!!?? I also took Babo and it was good but still smelled a little weird.
Are either if these better for people of color?
I do not know where to find these products.
Every product has a link below it.
I am in Canada so will look for a safe Canadian sunscreen
Did you consider whether these sunscreens are safe to use in lakes and the ocean??
Thanks
Question, are all these reef safe?. I am heading to Hawaii and need one safe for sea life and coral.
Thanks. We’re always updating me on the best products. Whether it’s food or inside our body or outside. Thanks again for all your help. Keep up the good work.And thanks to all the people that help you also love you much, your friends in Nevada.
I love that you put this up here. I am very fair and have to wear sunscreen everywhere I go. I have your first pick (Blue Lizard) but I am looking for one that won’t transfer to my new car’s interior. It ruined the interior of my last car.
How about ISDIN brands – I love them! Not sure of the global reach on this rating as this is a Spanish brand.
Thanks for this important information
What about Trader Joes own brand?
How about tinted sunscreens
Why aren’t higher levels of SPF included?
Don’t understand how products ranging from 93/100 down to 76/100 can all be rated as excellent? Seems odd. Appreciate the effort, it is helpful.
Thank you for this. I have been using Sky & Sol for a few years now and it’s a great product.
I would love to find something that’s less than 50. Any suggestions?
Sky & Sol comes in 30 SPF too.
Out of these 10, would be helpful to quickly select one, as Best Value for Money. As we are all on a budget.
I’m just curious….Can you please share your reason for lower SPF ?
What about Spray-On options?
Does any of these products come in a spray?
Thank you. This is helpful!
Did u test any without zinc and under spf30?
Thank you. This is very helpful for my 60 year old skin to my 1 year old granddaughter’s skin. Love your studies.
Is it possible to list sunscreens good for melanated skin?
Thank you!
What of Badger? & Elta md?
Badger is good but less safe brands blend into skin better.
All of these are too thick and leave a white paste in my skin. Check out Badger spf 30. No white mess and almost as good sun protection.
Any best self tanners?
Absolutely Natural has wonderful products w good and safe ingredients
Thank you! I just moved to Henderson Nevada and was hoping you would provide the best products for sunscreen and you have!! You are a blessing 💖
Thank you
What about Trader Joe’s mineral face cream SPF 40?
plus their Zinc Oxide sinscreen?
Thank you Julie, I usually stay out of the sun if I can help it. However it’s good to know what I can use if I don’t, because I burn and peel.