14 Best Sunscreens, Tested by Scientists

This Rodan + Fields SPF for both body and face was the winner of the GH Beauty Lab's most recent body sunscreen test. Although it has a higher-than-average price, it excelled across the board for its featherlight “silky” texture and sheer finish that didn’t leave a white residue even on deeper-toned skin.

In GH Beauty Lab evaluations, an impressive 100% of users agreed that it was easy to apply, absorbed well and didn’t leave a white cast on skin, feel greasy or sticky or stain fabrics. It is also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. “I loved everything about this” and “I found the protection first-rate,” two testers raved. Several said they would purchase it.

The Hawaiian Tropic drugstore bargain SPF rated highly for many attributes in GH Beauty Lab evaluations, earning perfect scores for not drying or irritating skin. It ranked high for easily absorbing, not feeling tacky or oily on skin, having a pleasant aroma and rinsing off effortlessly. The formula also came out near the top for effective sun protection and not leaving white residue on skin.

In addition, its "beachy" scent was a total crowd-pleaser, even with testers who tend to be especially critical about fragrance. "It worked perfectly," a tester marveled, though two did note that they thought the consistency was runny.

A GH Beauty Lab’s face sunscreen test winner, Vichy came out on top in almost every category. It earned the best score for being easy to apply, making skin feel hydrated and not leaving a white cast, being sticky, causing breakouts or irritation or interfering with makeup. A full 100% of testers also agreed it had an appealing texture. (All of these benefits come at a higher cost, though.)

The formula ranked highest at effectively protecting skin from sunburn. Users disagreed on its scent: Some adored it while others were put off by it. "It blended in easily and didn't leave a white film and was also very moisturizing without being greasy," a tester noted. Another reported: "My skin looks/feels more healthy and vibrant after using this."

Hawaiian Tropic's affordable buy won the Beauty Lab's most recent face sunscreen test, outperforming formulas multiple times the price. With a lighweight serum texture, it received the highest scores on many attributes, including having a shine-free finish, pleasant texture and scent, not leaving a chalky film on skin and no irritation or breakouts. Among testers, 100% agreed it soaked in fast and wasn't oily or tacky.

Good to know: While some tester liked the tube's slim design, others said it took time to prime the pump and the cap didn't stay in place well. "The product was super light and did not leave any residue like usual sunscreens I use," a user commented. A second revealed: "I plan to switch to this!"

Have a breakout-prone or oily complexion? There's no worry of sunscreen worsening it with this Dr. Jart lotion. It earned top marks in GH Beauty Lab testing for not causing breakouts, bumps or irritation and leaving skin shine-free. (The mineral formula may leave a white cast behind, however.)

A tester called it "one of the best on the market: It did not cause a rash or create any skin problems." Many users were also fans of the SPF's "citrus" scent that "didn't have a whiff of a sunscreen smell."

Created to be more like a skincare serum than a sunscreen, Neutrogena's high level SPF was an overall user favorite in GH Beauty Lab testing for its waterlight feel. The formula achieved the highest score for its texture, as well as not irritating skin or causing redness (although it can sting eyes).

Note that it leaves more of a glowy finish than a matte one. "My makeup went on well over it," a tester remarked. Another said "it is so light I don't know it's even on my face." Several commented they would buy the product.

Mineral sunscreens can be cosmetically elegant, too. Case in point: This liquid from Colorescience, which was the best mineral formula in the Beauty Lab's most recent face SPF test. It scored highest for being easy to apply, not leaving a residue on skin and not interfering with makeup — a feat for a zinc oxide formulation.

"The best face sunscreen I have ever used," a tester enthused. "I couldn't believe how easy it went on my face, like my moisturizer." Another agreed: "It felt light and airy on my face. I couldn't even tell I was wearing sunscreen!" Beauty Lab note: This sunscreen should be shaken well before application to distribute the ingredients and has an initial white cast that disappears once rubbed into skn.

For those who prefer to spritz on their sun protection, Hampton Sun was the winning spray in the GH Beauty Lab's most recent body sunscreen test. Evaluations found it was the easiest spray to apply, doesn't leave a white film on skin or rub off on fabrics, won't dry out skin and rinses off easily.

A few caveats: It may leave skin feeling tacky or slippery and some testers commented on the strong scent. "The application was great — covered a wide angle without spraying all over the place," a tester said. Another reported that "it held up in the sun; I spent time at the pool and no issues."

This tropical-scented Sun Bum mist ranked highly in past GH Beauty Lab sunscreen testing, applying easily and leaving no chalky cast on skin. The formula came out on top for not creating a white residue and provided effective sunburn protection.

The “continuous and even” spray “covered my skin quickly,” two testers said. “I would definitely buy this,” another added. Good to know: Some users found that it left an oily finish on skin that took time to dissipate.

A great choice for those with sensitive skin, the Everyday Humans lotion received the highest score for not stinging or irritating skin in the GH Beauty Lab's most recent body sunscreen test. An impressive 100% of testers who also used it on their face reported no irritation to eyes or the surrounding skin.

The gentle formula infused with skincare ingredients also performed well for its pleasant texture and rinsing off easily. But note that the package is smaller than other body sunscreens. "I liked how well it absorbed into my skin, leaving it feeling moisturized but not greasy, that there was no noticeable scent and that it didn't cause any allergic reaction!" a tester raved.

Shiseido's luxe SPF earned the highest score in GH Beauty Lab testing for not leaving skin feeling dehydrated, making it an ideal match for those with dry skin types. It also ranked highly for rinsing off easily, not leaving a white film on skin and having a pleasant fragrance. One drawback: The sunscreen comes at a higher cost than most.

Some users found it felt runny and slippery on skin, but one tester loved "the silky feel when the product was applied — felt luxurious and more like a moisturizer than a sunscreen!" Another user's take: "Quite light and fresh; this is actually one of the best lotion sunscreens I think I have ever used."

A unique milk formula, Hawaiian Tropic was the best mineral sunscreen in the GH Beauty Lab's most recent body sunscreen test, made with the active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It was the most-liked among consumer testers of all the mineral sunscreen lotions evaluated, least likely to stain fabrics and earned the highest score for its pleasant "tropical" scent.

Users found the SPF easy to apply and rinse off, non-drying on skin and praised the pump packaging. Note that the bottle is smaller than the average size of a body sunscreen and it ranked only average for absorption, so it may leave a greasy feel on skin. "I looked forward to putting on this product," a tester remarked. Another noted: "It has wonderful staying power; even through sweat, the sunscreen stayed in place — no staining, no running."

GH Beauty Lab testers who described themselves as Mexican American, Black or African American and Asian origin rated this high SPF La Roche-Posay formula the best for not leaving a white film on the skin in a recent test. The lotion for both face and body also ranked high for not feeling oily or tacky, though some testers reported seeing a slight sheen after use and one reported tearing up from the scent.

"It did not leave a white cast on my face and absorbed very well into the skin," a tester commented. "It was weightless and even on the go I forgot that I was wearing a SPF 100 sunscreen."

RELATED: 12 Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin That Won't Leave You Looking Ashy

Made with 20% zinc oxide mineral suncreen and organic, naturally-derived ingredients like chamomile and cocoa butter, bargain-priced Babo Botanicals was a top performer in the GH Beauty Lab's sunscreen test. Lab evaluations found it was easy to apply and rinse off, didn't stain or rub off on fabrics and doesn't leave skin feeling oily or dry, though testers commented on its thick texture that might take some getting used to.

"It felt great on my skin and didn't look white. I loved it!" a user commented. Two more added: "Goes on easier than other zinc products," and "I forgot I had it on," but the aroma of its fragrance-free formula was polarizing.

RELATED: Best Natural and Organic Sunscreens