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.
Are you familiar with KOKUA sunscreen?
But which one doesn’t leave a white cast on BLACK skin? You don’t mention white cast in the article and that’s the biggest concern outside of the ingredients
I would love to know if there is a safe spf 15, ( preferably a spray oil) out there? I like to let a bit of sun through and I like an oil. Also, which brand is best, of all the brands you see in the stores?
yeah, but which of these goes on smooth without the white sticky residue, the problem I’ve encountered with most of these is they are so goofy they’re not functional, staining your clothes, your leather seats, and everything you touch
I use Trader Joe’s mineral sunscreen. I’m surprised it’s not on the list. I don’t go out the door without it.
Thank you for this info and the links! Looked up each one. Helps with decisions. Much appreciated. ☺
Thank you. This is great information. Do you know if any of these are REEF SAFE too?
‘Freaks of Nature’ I found at R.E.I claims to be reef safe and rates an 86 on Yuka!
REI doesn’t treat their workers well.
Blue Lizard is an Australian brand I’ve used for years bc living at the beach it’s important to be sure to protect yourselves AND the environment.
Badger and Blue Lizard are.
Love Yuka!
Thanks for the confirmation. Blue lizard is the only sunscreen we use. It was also recommended by our dermatologist as we are at high risk for melanoma. It was nice to read about alternatives. Again thanks for the confirmation.
Thank you needed these!!!!!
I am extremely grateful to you and your team members for helping us buy good products in this country. I have thrown out so much junk and now don’t buy anything without consulting Yuka first!!!
Thank you for your timely email! Orders are placed and I am all stocked up for the summer now!
Excellent information since I live in Florida. Thanks
I notice they are all mineral….do they leave a white glow when applied? I usually give up on mineral sunscreens because they look so glowy white on my skin, but I would also like to use good sunscreen
SVR Sunscreen from France got a 100/100 from Yuka and is NOT mineral! You do have to pay some taxes and shipping but it’s worth it! They have a whole line of products and they are great! I get them through a site called Caretobeauty.com
What is the best daily sunscreen for the face (not for swimming) that is mineral based, lightweight, doesn’t leave a white residue, and makeup can easily be applied over it?
Badger checks the marks for me
Thank you Julie but you left out a good one! Caudaile Huile Solare Sublimatrice Haute Spray- 100/100. All the best!
I have the Badger one and love it!
Does it leave a white cast ?
No!
The think sport is awful. It leaves a white cast that is even hard to get off in the shower.
Beekman 1802 sunscreens made with goat milk are excellent and moisturizing.
What about BASK sunscreen? I’ve been using it for a while.
So VERY helpful! Thank you!
I like the new DIOR face one you rated at GOOD but need these you recommend for body!
Thank you for these recommendations but I am in Canada , plus many more because I shared the crap out of this app , do it would be helpful to see clean products that can be purchased in Canada
What about sky and sol?
I appreciate all the work that you and your team do. Perfect timing on the sunscreen information. I love using the Yuka app whenever I’m shopping. Thanks again.
I’ll pass this information to my family.
Thank you again❤️
I appreciate this information but these brands are impossible to find. Also, I did find Avene and it was way too expensive. I have shared this app with lots of people and I do love it. Keep up the good work and thank you.
Can find them on Amazon.
I recently started using Tallow Mineral Sunscreen. It doesn’t leave a white residue and keeps your skin soft – I really like this sun screen! It’s available on Amazon. If you are vegetarian or vegan, this product isn’t for you.
Don’t sleep on Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40! The price is unbeatable and I find it doesn’t leave a white cast if it work it between my hands first before applying to my face.
Agreed! It’s also 79/100 so not sure why it didn’t make the list when Avene is lower!
TJ’s is one of my favorites. Unlike some of the sunscreens listed, it’s reasonably priced. Good advice about working it between your hands first. Also shake the tube vigorously. It works beautifully.
Can you look into Roche Posay as they are in the top three by Consumer Reports for its effectiveness for UVA and UVB protection? EWG rates it at 4 which isn’t horrible, but interested in what Yuka thinks.
Thank you for the list. Living in Florida sunscreen is vital. It’s already feeling like peak summer here.
Thank you for caring for others. It’s a blessing to have people like you in our world.
Love this! Thank you for the list and the links to buy them. I was just thinking it would be great to have links included in the app so I can buy the products easier.
I use Avasol—zinc and titanium dioxide and clean ingredients. Packaged in paper. Reef friendly.
Has Yuka tested LaRoche Posay’s UVMUNE which claims to block higher frequency UVA rays?
Thank you 🙏
Are there any good rated spray sunscreens?
7:05
< History
79
CAUDALÍE
/inosun Protect
age. Lèvres et Zones sensible:
Vinosun Protect stick invisible SPF 50
Caudalie
100/100
Excellent
Ingredients
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Dicaprylyl carbonate
• Risk-free
Coco-caprylate/caprate
• Risk-free
Candelilla cera
• Risk-free
Oryza sativa cera
• Risk-free
Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl tr…
• Risk-free
Ethylhexyl triazone
• Risk-free
Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzo…
• Risk-free
Copernicia cerifera cera
• Risk-free
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Check these out!
For those that are ocean bound, which of these sunscreens are “Reef Safe”?
‘Freaks of Nature’ I found at R.E.I claims to be reef safe and rates an 86 on Yuka!
Thank you so much for this.
Cetaphil tinted sunscreen spf40?
These are all spf50
…..
Have you all considered Sky & Sol? My wife and I love it, and it is chemical free. They have awesome products!
Earlier this year I checked every one at Walmart and NOT ONE rated well. Don’t think they carried any off brands but will check again, especially the baby one and Badger (I like that it’s also moisturizer).
Thanks, Julie
Check out Vanicream Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum scores 65/100 with Yuka! The zinc in it looks only slightly white when applying but quickly fades & it’s wonderful! Found at Walmart in the “higher end” section. Think it was around $13.00 maybe?
Would love to know which waterproof ones are also Reef-Safe as that is one of the key determining factor for me these days. Clean, reef safe, effective.
‘Freaks of Nature’ I found at R.E.I claims to be reef safe and rates an 86 on Yuka!
Which ones are ocean approved for Hawaii as they don’t want screens used the will damage the reefs. Also interested in top sprays to use in addition to sticks
‘Freaks of Nature’ I found at R.E.I claims to be reef safe and rates an 86 on Yuka. They also have a spray as well!
Cocokind scans 100/100
Loved this information !! 💓
Thank you. I definitely need a good sun acrdddd
I’m surprised to see Coppertone on this list as they are NOT cruelty free. I wrongly assumed that your company only recommends cruelty free products. I care about the ingredients but I also want to make sure I’m not harming any animals with my purchases. I will be further investigating anything that Yuka gives a high rating to as cruelty free is just as important to me as the ingredients.
Oh Brother
Good point. Thanks for raising this issue.
Sky and Sol works great for me!
Thank you so much. Always trying to find the best sunscreen for my grandchildren , children and myself. I’ve used The Blue Lizard, the copper tone and the Avene, and they are all great. Some are hard to find at the drugstore or grocery store.
I been using Blue L izard for years. It works wonderful for my sensitive skin and age.
What about Ilia
Any of your recommendations on sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast on face?
Thank you. We are spending 2 weeks in Florida and will be at the beach everyday. I was going to check what is the best sunscreen.
You forgot Native for sensitive skin
Thank you. I think my Walgreens carries Native.
I’m surprised that Neutrogena didn’t make the list?
Also, are there any insect repellents that aren’t harmful to us or the environment that actually work?
Good info!! Native is a good spray as well.
Thank you for this information and the research on it, it was very helpful.
Thank you. I don’t know these brands but will look for them
Are the aerosols in these prints any good thank you so much for all the information you give us
Do these sunscreens make your skin feel like you are wearing a mask (i.e
Hard to breathe)?
I am having difficulty when I use the “good for you” sunscreens that leave you feeling like you have plaster on your face and I get so overheated from how thick they are.
Any suggestions from the Top 10 sunscreens that will not leave me feeling like I have a mask on?
Any suggestions for tinted mineral sunscreens?
Thank you for the information! I love using the app but really appreciate the research on targeted products! I have totally switched how I buy my facial and body products since Yuka! I am an esthetician and want clean products! . One of my favorite brands is Acure!
Have a great day!!
Thankyou Julie and Yuka team! You help me stay healthier! I appreciate the sunscreen tips🥰
I’m looking for the best sunscreens for people of color
Thankyou for helping us make better choices!
Just bought #3 Badger thanks to your app which I use daily
Where did you get the Badger?
Why do you think the big brands in sunscreens don’t manufacture “healthier,” versions?
Thank you for providing me with such useful information. I use the Yuka app very frequently. It genuinely helps me in choosing all my foods, snacks and ice cream. I love it!! I use Alastan sun screen with a tint for my face. I’ll definitely be buying some of your suggestions for my body. It’s such a wonderful app!!
Tinted not mentioned as most of these make face white
I’ve been using thinksport for the last 3 yrs. It’s good!!! Found it thru Yuka! Thanks Julie!!
products with which ingredients were excluded?
Where did Van Man sunscreen get rated?
Did you evaluate any of the brands and compare them. Other certain brands that you did not consider
It would be very helpful to include a sunscreen that isn’t zinc. There are those of us who have a severe sensitivity to zinc of all types and there is never an option listed for us.
I am curious whether you have ever rated Melaleuca’s sunscreen? It’s called SUNSHADES Mineral Sunscreen. I love all
Your reviews and healthy resources YUKA provides! Thank you!
Thank you so much for this info since before becoming a mom I would use yuka. Now being a mom i implement yuka in our daily life’s