Sunscreen Buying Guide

CR uses a testing protocol that is modeled on the one the Food and Drug Administration requires sunscreen manufacturers to use. But as is the case with other products we test that have government or industry standards, we use those standards as benchmarks and develop our own methodology to identify differences in performance and give consumers a comparative evaluation.

We test only sunscreens with a listed SPF of at least 30 that are water-resistant for 40 or 80 minutes, the two time periods for which the FDA permits water-resistance claims. (The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a product with an SPF of 30 or higher.) We buy the sunscreens for our tests off the shelf, the way consumers would, and use three samples, preferably with different lot numbers, of each product. 

In addition to rating each sunscreen for SPF, we test for UVA protection and also list CR’s average tested SPF.

Alas, there are no trips to Tahiti for our sunscreen panelists—they go to a lab. Our SPF test is similar to the one the FDA requires, but we use fewer panelists. To check for SPF, a standard amount of each sunscreen is applied to a 2x3-inch rectangle on our panelists’ backs. Then they soak in a tub of water for 40 or 80 minutes, depending on the product’s water-resistance claims. Afterward, each of those areas is exposed to five or six intensities of ultraviolet light from a sun simulator for a set time based on how quickly the panelist’s skin burns without protection. About a day later, the six spots are examined for redness. The resulting SPF ratings reflect each product’s effectiveness after water immersion and are based on an average of our results for each sunscreen.

To test for UVA protection, technicians smear sunscreen on plastic plates, pass UV light through, and measure the amount of UVA and UVB rays that are absorbed. This is the same process used in the UVA test the FDA requires. But our test, similar to the one used in many other countries, allows us to determine the degree of UVA protection. The FDA’s test is pass/fail, and a sunscreen that just passes the test is given the same designation—broad-spectrum—as one that screens out even more UVA. The UVA test we use allows us to differentiate the degree of UVA protection among sunscreens.

In addition, our trained sensory panel evaluates the scent and feel of every sunscreen in our tests. These sensory aspects of sunscreen are important factors to consider. You’re less likely to use a product if it smells unpleasant to you, feels sticky or greasy, or leaves white streaks on your skin. However, these factors are subjective—you may love the scent of a sunscreen, for instance, but your friend may hate it—so we don’t rate sunscreens’ scent and feel. Instead, our panel objectively evaluates and describes the scent and feel aspects so that you can choose a product that works for you. 

Sunscreens come in a variety of fragrances. In addition to the classic beachy scent, the ones in our tests had tropical, floral, baby powder, citrus, herbal, and woodsy/outdoorsy notes. We also found that no fragrance doesn’t always mean no odor. Many fragrance-free sunscreens have a slight plastic (think beach ball) or wet-clay scent. 

For feel, the panel considers whether the sunscreen is greasy, tacky, sticky, lightweight, or heavy. They also judge whether the product leaves a visible residue on skin, such as a shiny film or a white cast. These evaluations are performed 10 minutes after the sunscreen is applied, to give the product a chance to sink in. 

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., and the benefits of sunscreens outweigh potential risks from their ingredients. 

That said, there have been a lot of worrisome reports about the health effects of so-called chemical sunscreens—those that contain one or more of a dozen chemical ingredients, such as avobenzone or oxybenzone, approved for use in the U.S. to filter the sun’s damaging UV rays.

In 2019, the FDA announced that it wanted more information on the safety of those ingredients, including whether they are absorbed systemically—through the skin into the bloodstream. That’s in part because Americans are now using a lot more sunscreen than in the past, and because today’s products contain more combinations and higher concentrations of the ingredients.

Soon after, FDA scientists published studies showing that six common chemical ingredients—avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone—do indeed get into the bloodstream.

The FDA stresses that absorption doesn’t mean these ingredients are unsafe, nor does it mean that consumers shouldn’t use sunscreens that contain them. But the amounts absorbed were higher than the level the FDA says would exempt them from safety testing, so more research is needed.

However, some of those chemicals may be more worrisome than others. Oxybenzone and, to a lesser extent, octinoxate have emerged as the biggest concerns. Preliminary research in animals suggests that oxybenzone might interfere with hormone production, which theoretically could affect fertility, puberty, and thyroid function. However, sunscreen research that has been done in humans hasn’t raised any major concerns.

Still, to play it safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents not use oxybenzone-containing sunscreens on children. And people of any age who want to avoid sunscreens with either of those chemicals can easily do so because manufacturers are now using them less often. The UV filters in each sunscreen are listed in our ratings. Very few of the products contain oxybenzone, and none have octinoxate.

CR’s experts say there is overwhelming evidence that sunscreen protects against skin cancer and other harmful effects of the sun, so consumers need to continue to use it on exposed skin while scientists do more research on the safety of sunscreen ingredients. 

If you are concerned about the chemicals in sunscreen, you may wish to use a mineral (sometimes called natural) sunscreen. These contain only titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or both as active ingredients, and there are no safety concerns about them, according to the FDA. But the downside of choosing a mineral product may be less protection. In our tests over the years, we have not found a mineral sunscreen that provides top-notch SPF and UVA protection and that has minimal variation from SPF.

Two other safety issues with sunscreens are retinyl palmitate and benzene. One large animal study found that retinyl palmitate, one of a group of chemical compounds related to vitamin A called retinoids, may become carcinogenic when exposed to light. But that hasn’t been studied in people. Taking pills that contain a different type of retinoid for skin conditions such as acne has been linked to birth defects. As a precaution, pregnant women may want to choose a sunscreen without the ingredient retinol palmitate or retinyl palmitate.

Benzene, a potential carcinogen, isn’t an ingredient in sunscreen, but it is a contaminant in spray sunscreens. How it gets into spray sunscreen isn’t known. In 2021, several sunscreens were recalled because of their benzene levels. None of the sprays in CR’s ratings were part of those recalls. (Read our article about the risks of benzene.) Sunscreen lotions are not known to contain benzene.

Environmental concerns also drive sunscreen choices. Here too, oxybenzone or octinoxate stand out. They’re the ones that are most often flagged as being potentially harmful to coral reefs.

You can use less sunscreen if you follow other sun protection strategies, which everyone should do anyway. Research shows that people who rely on sunscreens alone tend to burn more than those who stay in the shade and wear long sleeves. Try to avoid the sun or stay in the shade when the sun is the strongest (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and dress right for the occasion. Wear a hat and clothing made from tightly woven fabric. Hold clothing up to the light; if you can see through it, the UV rays can get through, too.

When Using Sunscreen

Check the expiration date. Sunscreen is formulated to remain effective for at least three years, according to FDA regulations. Any bottle older than that isn’t guaranteed to protect you. If the container doesn’t have an expiration date and you can’t recall when you bought it, it’s better to play it safe and buy new sunscreen.

Shake it. The directions might not tell you to do this, but it’s a good idea because it helps distribute the active ingredients throughout the sunscreen.

Use enough. CR’s tests have shown that if you use half the proper amount of sunscreen, the SPF protection declines by about half. Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside. For lotions, a good general rule is to use a shot glass full (about an ounce) to cover your entire bathing-suit-clad body. Or think of it as a teaspoon per body part or area: 1 teaspoon for your face, head, and neck; 1 for each arm; 1 for each leg; 1 for your chest and abdomen; and 1 for your back and the back of your neck. For sprays, apply as much as can be rubbed in, then repeat.

Don’t forget commonly missed spots. These include the lips, backs of hands, tops of feet, back of the neck, scalp, and ears.

Reapply. Regardless of which kind you use, reapply every 2 hours and immediately after swimming or sweating.

Use spray sunscreens carefully. The proper way to use a spray is to hold the nozzle 4 to 6 inches away from your skin and spray until your skin glistens, then rub it in. Do this even if a spray is labeled “no rub”; smoothing it into skin increases its protection. Then repeat, just to be safe.

The FDA has said that it is exploring the risks of inhaling spray sunscreens. Do not spray them directly onto your face. Instead, spray sunscreen onto your hands, then apply it to your face. Children are more likely to inhale the mist, which could cause lung irritation. Consumer Reports recommends using a lotion on kids rather than a spray, but if you choose to use a spray, be very careful when applying it. The best thing to do is spray it into your hands and rub it onto your child’s skin. At the very least, have children close their eyes and mouth, and turn their heads while you spray. Last, sprays are flammable, so let them dry before going near an open flame.

Check our ratings for a sunscreen that did well in our tests. If you can’t find one of those, the results of our tests over the years indicate that choosing a sunscreen with chemical active ingredients and an SPF of 40 or higher will give you a better chance of getting at least an SPF 30. Using any sunscreen is better than using none, but it’s just one part of a smart sun protection strategy.