Best Sunscreen Reviews Consumer Ratings & Reports 2024
The first line of skin defense is played by the sunscreen, so if you want to protect your skin from harmful UV (Ultraviolet) rays of the sun, then you need to invest in a quality sunscreen product. I will help you in determining the best sunscreen for you, but ultimately, the decision is going to be yours because nobody else knows your skin better than you do.
If you are ignorant about the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays, then let me tell you what it could do to your skin. UV rays can result in all sorts of skin problems such as freckles, tanning, pigmentation and early aging of your skin and in severe cases, skin cancer. Sunscreen incorporates an element named SPF, which means ‘Sun Protection Factor’. This is the most important element in a sunscreen that prevents your skin from the unknown peril.
Now, if you have scoured the web for sunscreens, then you may have come across hundreds of them. To single out the best sunscreen from the overwhelming amount of options is not easy. To make your task easier, you just have to choose a sunscreen from the list of five best sunscreen consumer reports.
Reviews Of 5 Best Sunscreens Consumer Ratings & Reports
1. Sun Bum Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion
This sunscreen lotion is easy to carry in a bag, so whenever you feel like applying the sunscreen on your skin, you can do that in a matter of seconds. This is an SPF50 sunscreen, which is going to give your skin comprehensive protection against the harmful sunrays. If you intend to stay under the sun for long hours, then having this sunscreen will be a good option. With this sunscreen lotion applied to your skin, you will be able to protect your skin from UVB rays, which are responsible for sunburn. Moreover, the lotion also protects you against UVA rays, which are responsible for early aging of the skin.
This sunscreen has many highlighting features, but the one I like the most is its water resistant nature, so it doesn’t matter if you had jumped into a pool after applying this sunscreen, it will not dissipate from your skin. The sunscreen is completely safe to use and people who are hyper-allergic can also use this sunscreen to protect their skin. The absence of PABA, which is a norm in many sunscreens also assures that there is no ingredient present in Sun Bum sunscreen lotion that could trigger allergies in people.
There are plenty of natural elements used in this sunscreen along with a hint of alcohol that may cause allergic dermatitis, but chances are pretty low. Overall, it is a reliable sunscreen, which will definitely protect you against harmful UV rays emitting from the sun.
2. Revision Skincare Intellishade SPF 45
If you think you already have wrinkles and fine lines on your skin and then, the sun is emitting UV rays, which acts as salt on your wounds, then you can have this incredible skincare cream by Revision. It has got SPF 45, which will protect your skin from UVA, the main cause of wrinkles and fine lines. This is also a tinted moisturizer, which means, it has got less color and more water-binding ingredients. This formula used in this particular sunscreen contains a high concentration of glycerine, triglycerides, and silicones, which as a whole give a lightweight feel to the users, plus they also act as hydrators, which are useful for filling in wrinkles and fine lines.
The skincare lotion comprises several beneficial ingredients such as green tea, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate that acts as vitamin C and Ubiquinone, which is a popular antioxidant. All four ingredients work together to improve the quality of skin so that it could look brighter, shinier and younger. Not to forget, the lotion is protecting against harmful sunrays as well. This sunscreen has got a number of features that you will find in a PMD machine, which shows how effective it is for protecting your skin. A properly balanced sunscreen formula, I believe this product has definitely got what it takes to be in your makeup kit.
3. EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 For Sensitive Skin
When it comes to providing complete protection to the skin against UVA and UVB, this sunscreen is highly apt. The lotion doesn’t leave behind much white cast, plus it has got a PA++++ rating, which is the maximum rating on the PPD scale that can be given to a sunscreen. Along with that, the sunscreen is totally capable of protecting your skin against harmful sunrays as it incorporates SPF 46. Moreover, this sunscreen doesn’t feel sticky on the skin.
Incorporating plenty of beneficial ingredients like Zinc Oxide, Niacinamide, Octinoxate, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Tocopheryl Acetate. The combined effect of these ingredients is complete protection of your skin against UVA and UVB rays. Some ingredients are rich in vitamins like Vitamin B3 and Vitamin E, which are considered extremely beneficial for the skin. The sunscreen suits people with normal or oily skin better than those who have dry skin, so if you have normal skin or oily skin, then you can take benefits of this incredible sun protection formula.
4. Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen
An Australian sunscreen is what you need to protect your skin from harmful UV rays coming from the sun. In Australia, more people suffer from skin related problems, which has a lot to do with the depleting ozone layer. Therefore, the UV rays find a clear path, thus becoming more dangerous for mankind. Therefore, people are forced to apply sunscreen with a higher amount of SPF.
This sunscreen has SPF30+, which will protect the skin against UVA and UVB, plus this particular model is for sensitive skin. Arguably, the safest sunscreen available on the market, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, two ingredients that are known for blocking harmful UV rays coming from the sun. I really like the BPA-free plastic cap of the tube, which turns blue when exposed to the UV rays. It acts as a reminder to the users that they need to apply the sunscreen. The only drawback of this sunscreen is that it is not water resistant, so after coming out of the swimming pool, you will have to apply the sunscreen on all body parts that will remain exposed to the sun.
5. MDSolar Sciences Mineral Moisture Defence SPF 50 Sunscreen
This sunscreen has a long-lasting effect unlike many other sunscreens, which you will have to apply after every few hours. Moreover, this sunscreen by MDSolar Sciences has SPF 50 along with 17% zinc oxide and 2% titanium dioxide, which blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Accompanying them are a bunch of antioxidants such as green tea, pomegranate extracts, cranberry fruit and Vitamin C that will ward off free radical damage and repair your skin. Ceramides and Glycerine work as hydrating agents. Applying this sunscreen will not just create a protective layer on your skin against UV rays, but it will also keep your skin soft and shiny. A very good option when you are looking for an incredible sunscreen and an equally effective moisturizer.
How To Choose The Best Sunscreen
It is needless to say that choosing the best sunscreen is not easy. Therefore, if you could keep below-mentioned points in mind, then you will be in a better position to select an appropriate sunscreen.
Date Of Manufacture: You must check the date on which the sunscreen was manufactured because the fresher the stock is, the better the efficacy of it.
Brand: While choosing a sunscreen, pay attention to the brand because only branded products go through tough government tests and comply with the guidelines of suitable government authorities.
SPF Number: It is always better to buy a sunscreen that contains SPF30 or more because only that sunscreen can provide comprehensive protection to the skin.
Sunscreen Cream, Spray Or Powder: Sunscreen is available in three forms, but you should always opt for creamy sunscreen because it doesn’t have nanoparticles, which often enter the bloodstream and result in multiple health issues.
Ingredients Used: A sunscreen must not contain any ingredient that could trigger allergies in users. One of the most common ingredients is oxybenzone, which is a hormone disruptor.
Water & Sweat Resistance: Many sunscreens are water resistant, so you don’t have to apply the cream after a swimming session, so opt for those sunscreens as they save time as well as money.
Zinc Oxide Or Titanium Dioxide: Both elements are widely used in sunscreens because these elements help ward off harmful UV rays, but zinc oxide can make your face pale and ghostly.
Kid-Friendly Sunscreen: It isn’t just us adults who need sunscreen, but kids too need to protect their skin from harmful UV rays.
So, while choosing a sunscreen, make sure that it is kid-friendly. This will allow you to apply the same sunscreen to your kids instead of buying a new one. Kid-friendly sunscreens will not contain benzophenones and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA).
No Stinging: Buy a sunscreen that is gentle on your body. If it bites you, then don’t use that sunscreen.
Acne-prone Skin: If you’re dealing with acne, then I’d suggest that you should use a water-based sunscreen because it won’t break your skin like oil-based sunscreens.
Expiration Date: While it is important to check the manufacturing date of the product, but it is equally important to check the expiration date because if you’re using a sunscreen that is way past its expiration date, then that will do more damage than protecting you against harmful UV rays.
Price: It shouldn’t be a yardstick whatsoever. Invest in a sunscreen that suits your skin and delivers to its promises in the most convincing way. Don’t settle for less because it is after all your skin, which is at stake.
Final Verdict
Going out without sun protection could be dangerous because your skin will be exposed to the UV rays that are emitted by the sun. It is extremely important for you to safeguard your skin by applying an effective and skin-friendly sunscreen. You can go through the best sunscreen consumer reports to identify the most suitable sunscreen for your skin instead of checking dozens of brands with their countless number of products online. Don’t let the sun harm your skin, get a sunscreen today!