The Best Drugstore Sunscreens to Stock Up on This Summer
July 15, 2022
Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day will not only help prevent skin cancer and painful burns, but it's also your best line of defense against premature aging — read:. fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. If you’re diligent with your SPF, you’ll be going through a lot of it, but the good news is that you don’t have to splurge to get a quality sunscreen that you actually want to apply. From multitasking formulas to tinted, complexion-perfecting options, we’re rounding up our editors’ favorite sunscreens at the drugstore, ahead.
Best Overall Drugstore Sunscreen
La Roche Posay Anthelios UV Correct SPF 70 Daily Face Sunscreen with Niacinamide
With a whopping SPF 70, this formula not only diligently protects the skin, it also contains niacinamide and antioxidants to help reduce visible signs of sun damage and aging.
Best Multitasking Sunscreen
Garnier Green Labs Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream
The ultimate multitasker, this formula is a serum, lightweight moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen in one. We love that it contains vitamin C and pineapple extract to help brighten and even out the complexion and leaves behind no white cast.
Best Anti-Aging Sunscreen
Vichy LiftActive Peptide-C Sunscreen SPF 30
If you like to keep your skincare routine short and efficient, this Vichy option is the perfect choice. It’s a facial sunscreen and anti-aging moisturizer in one bottle. Formulated with vitamin C and phyto peptides, it addresses the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, dullness and firmness — all while brightening and hydrating the skin.
Best Tinted Sunscreen
CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen SPF 30 Sheer Tint
This CeraVe tinted sunscreen with SPF 30 will give you a nice glowy base (great for summer!) that can be worn alone or under foundation. It has a sheer, universal tint that works on all skin tones, feels lightweight and is blendable. Plus, it’s oxybenzone-, paraben-, fragrance- and chemical filter-free.
Best Sunscreen for Under Makeup
L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Rosy Tone Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
For those with mature skin types, we love this option from the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect line. Infused with imperial peony, the moisturizer and sunscreen duo is designed to revive dull skin and give you a brighter, more youthful-looking complexion. The hydrating formula will not only make your face feel softer and smoother, but the SPF 30 will also help protect you from the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays.
Best Sunscreen For Your Hair and Scalp
Sunbum Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30
This formula makes it easy to remember to protect your hair and scalp, too! It’s fast-drying, non-greasy and works for all hair types.
Best Reef-Safe Sunscreen
COOLA Organic Face Unscented Sunscreen Lotion
For a reef-safe pick that’s lightweight and fragrance-free, opt for this SPF 50 formula. It’s perfect for any skin type and contains antioxidant protection via red raspberry seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and prickly pear extract.