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There’s one magnificence product that’s a non-negotiable for any skincare routine, regardless of the season or the forecast: sunscreen. Whereas luxurious manufacturers formulate wealthy lotions and sensorial sprays with splurge-worthy components, the pharmacy aisles are dwelling to equally wonderful SPFs for below $20 — that means you’ll be able to reapply face sunscreen liberally with out worrying about your pockets. Our editors take a look at sunscreens three hundred and sixty five days a yr, and this information to one of the best drugstore sunscreens spotlights our favourite formulation for each pores and skin kind below the solar.
Rewind a pair a long time in the past, and the pharmacy cabinets have been solely stuffed with tropical-scented lotions from Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat. Now a fast journey to CVS or Walgreens paints a special image: On high of common SPF manufacturers like Neutrogena and Cerave, drugstores are teeming with buzzy manufacturers like Black Lady Sunscreen and E.l.f. Cosmetics.
High Drugstore Sunscreens of 2025
Past a mixture of manufacturers that cater to completely different pores and skin tones and preferences for mineral versus chemical formulations, one of the best drugstore sunscreens additionally run the gamut from tinted SPFs to translucent gels that mimic a nice make-up primer. A part of that is due to a craving for nice reasonably priced SPFs (on TikTok, the time period has over 40 million views).
To create this checklist of high drugstore sunscreens, our editors swept native drugstores to see what’s new and what’s all the time promoting out, regarded into TikTok-famous formulation, and examined a complete of 37 sunscreens. We wore these sunscreens to the seashore, the workplace, on flights, and on informal days at dwelling to whittle down this checklist of the 9 greatest drugstore sunscreens that provide you with main bang on your buck.
Editor’s Selection: High 3 Drugstore Sunscreens of 2025
As a result of drugstore sunscreens could be mineral or bodily, tinted or clear, and are available textures that vary from superfine mists to thick lotions, we’re spotlighting the three greatest choices for various events versus one greatest total formulation. Our high three drugstore face sunscreens earned their spots primarily based on an intensive checklist of standards, together with worth, texture, components, and different suggestions from private testing like how they put on all through the day. Beneath, our winners circle.
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Restore SPF 30 Face Moisturizer Sunscreen: Our testers rated this La Roche-Posay formulation as one of the best low-maintenance drugstore face sunscreen for on a regular basis put on. It looks like a moisturizer — not sunblock — on the pores and skin, although it packs the dermatologist-recommended SPF 30. This light-weight lotion wears nicely on dry to oily pores and skin varieties, additionally faring nicely with our testers who want sunscreens for acne-prone pores and skin.
- Neutrogena Extremely Sheer Dry-Contact SPF 70 Sunscreen: Glorious for a seashore day or a day on the pool, Neutrogena’s Extremely Sheer Dry-Contact Sunscreen is our choose for one of the best mixture face and physique sunscreen that cash should buy on the drugstore. It feels weightless as soon as it’s rubbed in, and affords a excessive SPF worth for defense from intense rays.
- E.l.f. Pores and skin Suntouchable SPF 35 Invisible Sunscreen: These in search of a budget-friendly drugstore sunscreen that performs nicely with make-up ought to go together with E.l.f. Pores and skin’s Suntouchable Invisible Sunscreen. The formulation mimics a make-up primer with its velvety gel formulation that grips down basis and concealer you apply on high, extending the wear and tear time of your glam whereas shielding your pores and skin.
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Editor’s alternative
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Restore SPF 30 Face Moisturizer Sunscreen
An ideal face moisturizer with a wallop of SPF is likely one of the best methods to make sure you’re getting correct solar safety — reasonably than an additional step, this drugstore moisturizer with SPF delivers two-in-one advantages. La Roche-Posay’s SPF 30 Face Moisturizer goes on like your favourite daytime face lotion with a creamy texture that disappears on the pores and skin whilst you clean it on. This high drugstore sunscreen additionally accommodates components like pores and skin barrier-strengthening ceramides and niacinamide that hydrates and brightens pores and skin with continued use.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “It is a nice two-in-one product for many who don’t like the sensation of sunscreen on high of a face lotion. Oily pores and skin varieties might simply forgo face serums when utilizing this sunscreen, too, due to its brightening and soothing components. Simply wash your face, apply this moisturizer, and proceed together with your routine. It’s not scented or greasy, so it’s one of many drugstore sunscreens I’ll scoop up once I want SPF on a piping sizzling day.” — WWD Store Senior Magnificence & Way of life Commerce Editor Claire Sullivan
Value upon publication of this text: $24.99
editor’s alternative
Neutrogena Extremely Sheer Dry-Contact SPF 70 Sunscreen
A bestselling Amazon magnificence product with over 20,000 five-star evaluations, you’ll be able to’t go fallacious with Neutrogena Dry-Contact sunscreen. It’s appropriate to be used in your face and physique, the place it shields your pores and skin with broad-spectrum SPF 70 protection and a non-greasy end. It additionally has a non-comedogenic formulation with a demi-matte end that doesn’t exacerbate shine on oily pores and skin varieties.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “This face and physique sunscreen is a superb go-to for lively summer season days once I know I’ll be swimming or sweating. It doesn’t depart my pores and skin feeling slimy (like so many physique sunscreens can when it’s humid out) nor does it stain my garments. I’ve skilled some pilling once I layer it over different physique lotions, nevertheless it’s hydrating sufficient that moisturizer is non-obligatory.” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $8.88
editor’s alternative
E.l.f. Pores and skin Suntouchable SPF 35 Invisible Sunscreen
Depart it to E.l.f. — the model behind high drugstore mascaras and foundations — to make a superb on a regular basis sunscreen for below $20. The model’s Suntouchable Invisible Sunscreen has a velvety gel texture that disappears on the pores and skin when you apply it — no pores and skin varieties will expertise a white solid with this clear sunscreen. Not solely does it dry right down to a comfortable matte end, however it additionally grips any make-up you apply on high. It’s our alternative for one of the best drugstore sunscreen to put on below make-up.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “I’ve tried so many luxurious face sunscreens, from blurring formulation to ones made particularly for make-up software, and this SPF is simply pretty much as good — with a value level that doesn’t make me really feel stingy about utilizing on the every day. I’ve worn it below make-up and skilled zero pilling or extra grease, and it really works wonders as a dewy primer below each matte and glowy complexion merchandise.” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $14
Eucerin Age Protection SPF 50 Face Sunscreen
Drugstore sunscreens could also be reasonably priced, however they don’t quick you on skin-loving components. Simply take Eucerin’s Age Protection Face Sunscreen that has hydrating hyaluronic acid and a slew of free radical-foraging antioxidants. The broad-spectrum SPF 50 protects your pores and skin from solar’s damaging rays, whereas these antioxidants go above and past to defend your pores and skin from environmental pollution, additionally brightening your complexion with constant use. It’s the most effective drugstore sunscreens for mature pores and skin, based on our testers.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “This sunscreen felt extra like a cooling cream on my pores and skin than a real sunscreen. It has a wealthy texture that delivers main moisture and a dewy end — splendid for filling out tremendous traces and making my pores and skin look a bit extra plump after a nasty night time’s sleep. It stings my eyes a bit if I’m sweating quite a bit, however in any other case it’s a dream drugstore sunscreen for on a regular basis put on (notably for dry pores and skin varieties).” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $12.79
Innisfree Each day UV Protection SPF 36 Sunscreen
Sure, yow will discover an excellent Korean sunscreen on the drugstore: Simply scoop up the bestselling Innisfree Each day UV Protection SPF sunscreen, which has earned over 5,000 five-star evaluations on Amazon. On high of its SPF 36 safety, the formulation contains calming and moisturizing components, particularly cica to cut back redness, sunflower seed oil for lasting moisture, and inexperienced tea extracts that forage free radicals to cut back visible indicators of solar injury. For the value level, you’ll be able to’t beat it as a every day face moisturizer with SPF or as your go-to face sunscreen for a seashore day.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “The Innisfree sunscreen is ideal for many who are choosy about sunscreens. If you sweat, it doesn’t soften off pores and skin or make your eyes sting, and even after a full day’s put on, your pores and skin will really feel comfortable and clear with a fast rinse — it doesn’t create construct up or breakouts like different formulation we examined. I like that it delivers a bit glow to the pores and skin with out feeling greasy or shiny.” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text:
Cerave SPF 30 Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Cerave is understood for together with pores and skin barrier-supporting components in all of its face washes, face serums, and moisturizers, and this high drugstore sunscreen will get the identical remedy. Past its chemical and mineral blockers, the light-weight lotion contains skin-softening components resembling ceramides, plus hyaluronic acid and niacinamide that hold your complexion supple. Its hydration-focused formulation is greatest fitted to regular to dry pores and skin varieties, although it’s oil-free and non-comedogenic, giving it the inexperienced mild for these with zits.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “Few sunscreens really feel like nothing on my pores and skin — many err on the greasy facet, some are scented, and others impart a delicate white solid that makes me hesitate earlier than I reapply. Cerave’s face sunscreen, then again, goes on featherweight with out perfume. I like that it by no means breaks me out but in addition doesn’t depart my pores and skin feeling thirsty: It’s a real two-in-one moisturizer and sunscreen. As a result of it’s so light-weight and breathable, it’s simple for me to therapeutic massage on one other coat if I’m on the seashore; it doesn’t tablet, sting, or really feel slick.”
Value upon publication of this text: $14.97
Black Lady Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
Though darkish pores and skin varieties could burn much less steadily, every day sunscreen continues to be a necessity. However discovering a drugstore sunscreen for darkish pores and skin tones that doesn’t depart behind a white solid on darkish pores and skin is usually a tall order — that’s the place Black Lady Sunscreen’s Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion comes into play. This SPF model is a cult-favorite, specifically developed with melanated pores and skin in thoughts to make sure no residue or streaks after software.
What testers say: “It leaves my pores and skin with the correct amount of hydration and moisture and I like how my pores and skin seems once I put on it. At instances I don’t make-up due to the glow and applicable quantity of shine on my pores and skin. It doesn’t irritate my pores and skin which I like trigger my pores and skin is delicate. I simply love this. It’s nice on black pores and skin, I promise.”
Value upon publish date of this text: $15.99
Differin Oil-Absorbing SPF 30 Moisturizer
Differin is likely one of the most trusted skincare manufacturers for zits, primarily recognized for its breakout-busting retinol product. So suffice to say that they know a factor or two about creating nice merchandise for hormonal zits and on a regular basis pimples. This drugstore sunscreen ticks all of the packing containers for an excellent SPF for acne-prone pores and skin: It’s oil-free, unscented, non-comedogenic, and dries right down to a matte end. Higher but, it packs micropearl know-how to soak up extra oil on the floor of your pores and skin whilst you’re sporting it, so that you don’t must hold blotting papers round on sizzling, humid days.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “This drugstore sunscreen is proof that you just don’t have to decide on between breakouts and broad-spectrum SPF. I depend on it once I’m coping with lively pimples that may flare up from sunscreen (notably scented sunscreens). It has a gel-like consistency and a featherweight texture that’s breathable on probably the most humid, muggy days. As a result of it’s designed for shiny pores and skin varieties, these with dry pores and skin will wish to workforce it with a hydrating serum.”
Value upon publish date of this text: $13.95
Cerave Hydrating Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen for Face
This Cerave SPF is one of the best drugstore mineral sunscreen our editors evaluated, wowing us with its lack of flashback in images and its non-greasy end. Like all Cerave merchandise, it accommodates ceramides to assist strengthen the pores and skin barrier, plus hyaluronic acid to moisturize the pores and skin. Out there in three shades to swimsuit truthful to deep pores and skin tones, it eliminates the white solid our testers present in earlier iterations of the formulation.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “I used to be so excited to see Cerave introduce a tinted mineral sunscreen to its lineup. This one acts like a tinted moisturizer with SPF due to its buildable shade payoff, which evens out the pores and skin tone and smooths away imperfections. Its hydrating formulation creates a dewy impact that counteracts among the dullness you in any other case get with mineral SPFs.” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $11.99
Solar Bum Authentic Sunscreen SPF 50 Lotion
An ideal on a regular basis physique sunscreen for any event, Solar Bum’s Authentic Sunscreen Lotion goes on like a physique lotion that simply so occurs to have broad-spectrum SPF 50 safety. The vitamin E within the formulation works to appease pores and skin irritation from solar publicity. It’s additionally considered one of only a few sunscreens to be compliant with Hawaii’s strict protocols round reef-safe sunscreen.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “Solar Bum’s sunscreen has an expensive texture to it that you just’ll love to use — it rivals the texture of my favourite physique lotion. I like this SPF 50 possibility once I’m on trip or spending a day on the park; it has a heat, summery scent and doesn’t tablet with different merchandise or once I reapply.”
Value upon publish date of this text: $11.49
How We Examined the Greatest Drugstore Sunscreens
Since 1910, WWD — sometimes called “the style bible” — has been the main trade voice of authority for senior executives within the world ladies’s and males’s vogue, retail and wonder communities, whereas additionally informing the patron media that cowl the market. Immediately, WWD’s breaking information and pattern protection continues to be a reliable useful resource for each vogue insiders and shoppers alike. Our buying editors proceed to uphold WWD’s editorial requirements and values with high quality, expert-backed product choices.
To compile this checklist of high drugstore sunscreens, our editors performed two rounds of product testing over the course of 1 yr. We evaluated 37 whole SPFs which are accessible at retailers like CVS, Walgreens, and Amazon, focusing in on choices with a excessive variety of constructive buyer evaluations, modern formulations, and a value level below $20. Throughout testing, we evaluated every formulation primarily based on a set of standards that features worth, texture, put on time, shade payoff (if tinted), and different issues like packaging and scent. The ten sunscreens on our checklist outperformed others of their class primarily based on unbiased tester rankings. Be taught extra about us right here.
Meet the Writer
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Magnificence and Way of life Commerce Editor for Footwear Information and WWD, the place she writes and edits magnificence, vogue and life-style tales. She has over eight years of expertise as a author and editor for nationwide media retailers together with Martha Stewart Residing, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She retains her finger on the heartbeat of all issues associated to magnificence and wellness, in addition to the newest buying developments. Sullivan has reported on sunscreens for eight years and personally examined every SPF on this checklist.
