Written by Well+Good Editors
Back in the day, applying full-body sunscreen was the worst part about beach days. There weren’t many options beyond the goopy, greasy, plaster-like formulas you were forced to apply (and re-apply) every two hours, regardless of your skin type or skin tone. Thankfully, those days are over, and the body sunscreen category is honestly better than ever.
Throughout our awards-testing process, the Well+Good team has slathered on sunscreen lotions that’ll moisturize just as well as your favorite body cream, along with glow-enhancing SPF serums that’ll make you shine and shimmer. Basically, if your body is going to be exposed to the sun, there’s no excuse for not using sunscreen this summer.
Our team tested the most popular body sunscreens on the market to crown seven winners, perfect for everyday use and sun-filled special occasions. From oils that’ll make you feel airbrushed to mists that smell like fancy perfume, protecting your skin has never felt this good.
Meet the 2024 winners for best body sunscreens
Banana Boat Sport Ultra Lotion SPF 65—$13
Best water-resistant body sunscreen
“I’ll be honest: I legitimately hate water-resistant sunscreen. Most formulas are thick, tacky, and leave behind a residue that you can just feel on your skin all day. So I was genuinely surprised when this formula from Banana Boat felt like…lotion? Lightweight, not-too-shiny lotion. It’s a bit sticky when you first massage it on, but by the time you finish rubbing it in, it dries down to a moisturized sheen that sticks around until you reapply it—which, by the way, should be every two hours at least. Really.” — Chloe Metzger, deputy editor
Chemical or mineral:
Chemical
Sunscreen filters:
Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
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Oars & Alps Face + Scalp Mist with SPF 35—$16
Best scalp sunscreen
“I once made the mistake of not applying sun protection to my scalp while wearing box braids. Spoiler: My poor scalp paid a red, achy price that ended in flakes in my braids for weeks. That day, I learned the hard way that you can’t skimp on sun protection for your scalp. Now when my scalp is exposed, you will not catch me without this SPF mist. It’s formulated with aloe and cucumber to soothe your scalp while protecting it, along with a light coconut scent that I like to use as a stand-in for hair perfume on vacation. My bald fiancé and I will be hitting the beach this summer, and it’ll be the first thing I pull out of my bag to help him avoid a sunburn.” — Aimee Simeon, senior beauty editor
Chemical or mineral:
Chemical
Sunscreen filters:
Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 for Body—$18
Best mineral body sunscreen
“I only wear mineral sunscreens, and this is one of the best I’ve tried for long days in the sun. I have fair skin and burn easily, so I appreciate that it has an SPF 50 rating. The formula does go on a bit thick at first, so you do have to rub it in well, but it really stays on, even after a dip in the ocean or pool. And unlike some mineral sunscreens that either dry out my sensitive skin or leave it irritated after a day of re-applying, this one is fragrance free and formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid and moisturizing ceramides, so my skin still feels happy at the end of the day.” — Kaitlin Ahern, editorial director of health
Chemical or mineral:
Mineral
Sunscreen filters:
Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
Vacation Classic Spray SPF 30—$19
Best sunscreen spray
“This spray sunscreen is one of the only SPF products I actually enjoy applying. The formula mists on evenly and melts into my skin like butter—no white cast or weird sunscreen blobs to redistribute—and despite its SPF 30 rating, it managed to keep my pale, sensitive skin from burning for the entire week I spent in Greece last summer. But my favorite is the fragrance: a magical mix of coconut, banana, and pool water that never fails to transport me back to paradise.” — Betty Gold, former senior food editor
Chemical or mineral:
Chemical
Sunscreen filters:
Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene
Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Hybrid SPF 50 Sunscreen—$17
Best totally transparent
“Black Girl Sunscreen is my go-to SPF, thanks to its effective protection and lightweight feel. It’s not too thick or too runny, it dries quickly, and it makes my skin feel moisturized but not greasy. And because it’s formulated with darker skin tones like mine in mind, I never have to worry about looking like Casper. I recommend this one to all of my friends, and I find myself reaching for it more than any other formula I’ve tried.” — Alexis Reliford, social media director
Chemical or mineral:
Hybrid
Sunscreen filters:
Homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, zinc oxide
Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow Sunscreen SPF 45—$42
Best chemical body sunscreen
“I fell in love with this sunscreen during my babymoon, and there aren’t enough good things I could say about it. Its iridescent formula illuminated my bump and made me feel like the sexiest disco ball, without being too glittery or shimmery. The gel-serum formula also has a slight tint that comes in three shades (gold, rose gold, or amber) to help subtly enhance your skin tone. I especially love that it’s not greasy and doesn’t transfer, so it won’t ruin your clothes or sheets. It’s definitely a must-have if you’re going on vacation.” —AS
Chemical or mineral:
Chemical
Sunscreen filters:
Homosalate, octocrylene, octisalate, avobenzone
Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50—$10
Best drugstore body sunscreen
“Listen, if I’m going to be applying sunscreen all over my body every single time I step outside—which I always do, because I am a Rule Follower—then I want a sunscreen that does more than just ‘protects.’ Give me a lil somethin’ extra, you know? Enter: This cult-favorite sunscreen from Hawaiian Tropic that leaves your skin looking healthier the more you use it, thanks to its stacked ingredients list. The formula is filled with vitamin C to brighten, vitamin E to soothe, shea butter to moisturize, and a teeny-tiny bit of shimmer to even out your skin tone like an IRL photo filter. The finish is so nice, it almost makes applying full-body sunscreen less of a chore.” — CM
Chemical or mineral:
Chemical
Sunscreen filters:
Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
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Source: Well and Good
