Recommended by Dr. Dray: Top 16 Sunscreens (The Ultimate Guide)

 

Our favorite dermatologist Dr. Dray has quite a few videos up on her YouTube channel about the importance of sunscreens. Sunscreens are the most important product that every single person needs to apply every day. Especially when stepping out into the sun. It protects the skin from ultraviolet rays from the sun, it prevents the skin from sun damage, it is the best anti-aging product out there. Did you know that rays from the sun are the no. 1 reason for skin aging and skin cancer? Do not forget to use sunscreen around the eyes, lips, and the ears as well.

Fun Fact: Sunscreens do not cause Vitamin D deficiency. It is just a myth that should not be believed. Some experts argue that wearing sunscreens helps the body make more Vitamin D.

Prevention is always better than cure. Instead of spending money, time, and money, (yes, I said money twice Intentionally), lets buy a sunscreen, and use it regularly. I did not start wearing sunscreen until last year, after watching Dr. Dray’s videos and it saved my skin.

Interested in some of the other products that are necessary for skin care? Here is a list of 5 holy grail products recommended by Dr. Dray. 

Note: The inserted images from amazon are for your benefit and mine. They give you a better idea of the products I talk about; and if you use my link to make any purchase, I make a small commission from Amazon as part of their Amazon Affiliates Program.

I know you are not here to watch me ramble on about the beauty of sunscreen, your being on this page means you already know; so lets just get into some of the best sunscreens, as recommended by dermatologist Dr. Dray.

1. CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30: $13.97

This is a mineral sunscreen that is the best tinted sunscreen from the drugstore, according to Dr. Dray. The tint works well for medium skin tones, even people with a deeper skin tone can try this out and this should work fine. This is not greasy, it adds a good amount of moisturizer, this has niacinamide that is also known to be helpful for fighting off hyperpigmentation, it helps calm down redness as well.

Tinted sunscreens add a little more layer of protection for the skin from visible light from the sun, particularly for people with deeper skin tones. The only ingredients that protect against that are Zinc Oxide and Iron Oxide. Iron Oxide is what creates the tint, which is why makeup also adds an extra layer of protection from the visible light from the sun as well.

 

2. CANMAKE Mermaid Skin Gel SPF 50: $11.99

This sunscreen contains Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. These two ingredients together provide a good coverage from the sun. This sunscreen gives a subtle shimmery shine to the skin when applied.

3. Differin Oil Control SPF 30: $8.23

This product is a lower SPF of 30, so it is good for days when you stay at home mostly. This is a great everyday sunscreen and moisturizer for oily skin. It does not leave a cast and is non greasy. Another sunscreen that is identical to this one is the Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with SPF 30. Both the Differin and the Cetaphil ones provide the same amount of coverage and are fantastic for those days when you are more likely to stay indoors.

4. Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40: $36.00

Looking for a matte sunscreen, this one is a good choice. This sunscreen is an excellent choice for people with oily skin. This sunscreen has a tint that adds a bronzy glow to the skin. It is very shimmery so make sure you are into that before buying this one. Side Note: It looks great on camera!

 

5. EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46: $36.00

This sunscreen is ideal for people with oily skin and acne prone skin. The ingredient list is short but sweet. This sunscreen leaves little to no cast on the skin. The niacinamide in it can help calm down redness, oiliness, hyperpigmentation. It is quite matte so quite nice for some of those humid summer days.

6. EltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50: $50.50

Another great sunscreen from this brand is this one. It is a water-resistant formula, it is a combination sunscreen, which means it has zinc which protects against UVA and UVB, along with chemical filters that protect against UVB. If you are sensitive to chemical sunscreens, try a combination sunscreen. It has little cast and will suit people with fair to medium skin tones. If you have deeper skin tone, the cast might be a bit much for you. Also remember that this sunscreen might make you look shiny. Count me in!

Looking for a little more advanced skin care routine, add a retinol. Don’t worry, I have a list for you. Well, Dr. Dray has a list for you. I am just a messenger, Click here for the post on the best Dermatologist suggested retinols. 

7. Nivea Sun UV Face Sensitive Soothing SPF 50: $13.98

This is a chemical sunscreen with wonderful filters for broad-spectrum protection. This sunscreen leaves no cast, it absorbs into the skin very quickly. It has SPF 50 and great for people with oily skin. The licorice root in it can help calm down redness as well. Safe to be used around the eyes.

8. NEOSTRATA DEFEND Sheer Physical Protection SPF 50: $29.70

This is a great tinted mineral sunscreen, the tint is very subtle, but if you have a deeper skin tone, this sunscreen is going to leave a white cast. This sunscreen also has green tea extract, which is an antioxidant that is helpful for reducing oiliness.

9. Summer Ready Innovative Sunscreen SPF 30: $24.99

Dr. Dray uses this sunscreen more as a body sunscreen than a face sunscreen. This is a chemical sunscreen; hence, it will not leave a cast. This is water resistant and does not burn.

10.  Vanicream Lip SPF 30: $5.20

It is important to protect your lips from the sun as well. You can use regular sunscreen on your lips as well, but that can be super drying, which is why Dr. Dray recommends this SPF lip balm. It is not irritating, it does leave a cast that can make your lips a shade lighter. You can just use a lipstick if the cast bothers you. A simple fix!

11. Cetaphil Sheer Mineral SPF 50

This Mineral sunscreen by Cetaphil is a great one. Mineral sunscreens are a great option for people with sensitive skin. It is also a good choice for people who complain about sunscreens burning their eyes. Mineral sunscreens are better tolerated around the eyes, including eyelids.

Yes! Eyelids need sun protection as well. The only problem with mineral sunscreens is that they do leave a white cast, which might be problematic for people with deeper skin tones. This sunscreen is super moisturizing and water resistant. The cast it leaves might be too much if you have a deeper skin tone. However, if you apply makeup, or a tinted sunscreen over it, the white cast can be easily camouflaged. A fantastic choice for people with rosacea.

12. Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Liquid Sunscreen SPF 50: $14.49

According to Dr. Dray, this one is as good as it is going to get with mineral sunscreens, and that is saying something! Same as the sheer mineral, this sunscreen is also a fantastic choice for SPF wearers. The cast this one leaves is not as obvious as the Sheer Mineral one. This is non greasy, water resistant and leaves a nice sparkle to the skin.

13. Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense SPF 60 Lotion

Neutrogena sunscreens might burn the skin sometimes, but this one is an exception. Neutrogena released two versions of this sunscreen, one SPF 60 and the other is SPF 30. The fragrance is a bit strong on these, which is why Dr. Dray prefers to use this as a body sunscreen. The higher the SPF, the better because people usually do not apply as much as they should be.

14. Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense SPF Face Spray SPF 50

If you use a spray, you still need to rub it into your skin. Remember that if you are looking to buy this spray by Neutrogena or any other SPF spray. This is a fast-absorbing sunscreen spray, which is beneficial if you are out on a hot and humid day. This one has fragrance in it as well, but this is good for those days spent outdoors. Dr. Dray suggests pumping the sprays into your hand and patting it into your skin.

15. Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum SPF 60

This one is a fragrance-free option with no white cast. The red dyes in this product might be problematic to people with very sensitive skin. Other than that, this is a nice option to try out.

16. Eucerin Daily Hydration SPF 30: $7.69

This is a great chemical sunscreen that can be used on your body, your face. It has no cast, no fragrance, very moisturizing and absorbs super-fast into your skin. It is good for people with sensitive skin.

 

Wrapping Up

Dermatologist Dr. Dray cannot stress the importance of wearing a sunscreen enough. However, she is not loyal to any one sunscreen. The list is not exhaustive and there are some others that she recommends. You can watch her videos to find out more if you are interested. The best sunscreen is the one that you use. The worst sunscreen is the one that sits in your shelf forever. Do not forget to use SPF on your eyes, lips, ears and body. It is the easiest way to younger, healthier skin.