Annalina's Pick
Sunscreens, Ranked by a Biologist
Here’s the full list of sunscreens ranked by filters, spectrum coverage, and formula feel on skin. Drop your email below to see the full list, for free.
SPF only measures UVB (the rays that burn); it says nothing about UVA (the rays that age you) or visible light (which drives melasma). Mineral filters like zinc oxide can protect against both UVA and UVB. Whilst some chemical filters also have broad spectrum (meaning both UVA and UVB) protection, some degrade fast in sunlight.
We prefer mineral filters over chemical ones. The FDA’s Maximum Usage Trials (MUsT) revealed that multiple commonly used chemical filters (such as avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, and octinoxate) enter the bloodstream after a single application. While bloodstream presence does not automatically mean the ingredients are dangerous, some have been linked to hormone disruption and we need more evidence to confirm correlation + safety.
Here's the full breakdown:
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Supergoop Mineral Unseen
S• What it is: one of the best mineral formulas out there — high zinc-oxide protection (~17% on latest ingredient data) with no white cast. • Why it’s S: strong mineral protection in a texture and format you will actually wear and reapply — which is what real-world protection depends on. There’s no point in protection if it doesn’t seamlessly fit into your everyday routine.
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Colorescience Total Protection
S• What it is: zinc, titanium, and an iron-oxide tint — so it covers UVA, UVB, and visible light. • Why it’s S: iron oxides block visible light, which drives melasma; few American sunscreens protect against all three. For those with skin of color (even if you are fair skinned) the iron oxide is especially important because many sunscreens do not protect well against melasma. [1]
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Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Face Shield Classic SPF 50
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ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica
S• What it is: fantastic mineral protection — plus photolyase, a DNA-repair enzyme that works on UV damage you already have, not just prevention. [2] • Why it’s S: one of the few sunscreens doing active repair on top of protection, in addition to a lightweight, liquid formula that makes reapplication on top of makeup easy. Pro tip: use a sponge puff to reapply over makeup throughout the day for maximum protection.
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La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral
A• What it is: a titanium + zinc combo that covers UVA (aging) and UVB (burning). • Caveat: in my personal experience, can feel oily, not as ideal for oily or acne prone skin. The tinted range also doesn’t have the best color options.
Recommended Products
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Neutrogena Ultra Sheer
D• Red flag: it uses homosalate at 15% — the US maximum, and roughly double the 7.34% the EU now allows in face products over endocrine (thyroid) concerns. [3] • Bottom line: a filter level that wouldn’t be permitted in the EU at that concentration. Yes, it’s not conclusive that homosalate or similar chemical ingredients can cause hormone disruption. But if the FDA’s findings + EU regulation cite risk, we should certainly pay attention, especially when there’s better options available.
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Supergoop Unseen
D• Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 7%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 9%, all chemical filters. • Issue: a chemical formula that runs oily and degrades relatively fast in the sun (lower photostability compared to minerals). This one is also not great for acne prone skin.
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Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch
D• Issue: one of the worst mineral formulas here — leaves a heavy white cast. There’s no point in a sunscreen you won’t like wearing.
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CeraVe AM SPF 30
D• Issue: SPF 30 isn’t enough — especially because most people underapply, so in practice you get less than half the protection on the label. [4] • Bottom line: real-world protection lands well below the “30” on the bottle.