Sunny Picks: Top Sunscreen Brands for Ultimate Skin Protection

Choosing the right sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays while maintaining a healthy complexion. With a multitude of options available on the market, selecting the best sunscreen can be overwhelming. Factors to consider include SPF level, formulation, and skin type compatibility, each playing a crucial role in maximizing sun protection. For a comprehensive list of top sunscreen brands that balance quality, effectiveness, and user satisfaction, read on.

Illustration of sunscreen

Best brands of sunscreen in 2025

Neutrogena

Neutrogena is a renowned brand in the sunscreen market, known for its high-quality and dermatologist-recommended products. The brand's Helioplex sunscreens have historically been strong in skin cancer prevention, although it faced competition from mineral-based sunscreens like those from CeraVe starting in 2019. Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer collection offers broad-spectrum protection, blocking 97% of UVB rays and protecting skin 6 layers deep to prevent premature aging. Despite a decline in market share to less than 14% in 2023 from 23% in previous years, Neutrogena remains a significant player in the sun protection skincare industry. The brand's products, such as the Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen with SPF 70, are praised for their lightweight, non-greasy finish and effective sun protection.

La Roche-Posay

La Roche-Posay is a leading brand in the sunscreen industry, renowned for its advanced and clinically tested products. The brand's sunscreens, such as those in the UVMune 400 range, feature innovative ingredients like Mexoryl 400, which provides enhanced UVA protection, particularly in the 370-400 nm range. La Roche-Posay's products are dermatologist-recommended and formulated with technologies like Cell-Ox Shield, combining antioxidants with UVA/UVB protection. The brand has seen significant success, closing out 2018 with a highly successful sun safety year and continuing to innovate with products like the Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen-Gentle Lotion. With a strong market presence, La Roche-Posay's sunscreens are priced competitively, with some products costing around $31.38 per unit, reflecting their premium quality. For more information, visit their official sunscreen product page.

EltaMD

EltaMD is a leading brand in the sunscreen market, recognized for its high-quality, medical-grade products that are trusted by dermatologists and loved by consumers. The brand has seen significant growth, with its "EltaMD Tinted Sunscreen" topic increasing by over 5,000% on Google Trends since 2021 and a 1,900% rise in organic mentions on TikTok. EltaMD's products, such as the UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, contain active ingredients like zinc oxide and niacinamide, providing effective protection against UVA and UVB rays. The brand's holistic digital campaigns, including MD Mondays and Skin Cancer Awareness programs, have dominated the skin health conversation digitally. EltaMD was also named WWD's Breakthrough Brand of the Year, highlighting its rapid growth and impact in the skincare industry.

Supergoop!

Supergoop is a pioneering brand in the sunscreen industry, known for its innovative and feel-good formulas that have revolutionized daily SPF use. Founded in 2005 by Holly Thaggard, the brand has seen significant growth, doubling its revenue to $40 million in 2018 and reaching $250 million in sales by 2022, a substantial increase from $20 million in 2017. Supergoop!'s product development process is highly consumer-centric, involving extensive feedback collection and lab testing to ensure products meet diverse skin needs. The brand has expanded its product line to over 40 SKUs, including best-sellers like Glowscreen and Unseen Sunscreen, and has successfully entered international markets such as the UK, France, Italy, and Germany. With a strong focus on education and marketing, Supergoop continues to drive the global sun care market, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.28% to reach $16.204 billion by 2029. For more details on their innovative products, visit their official website.

CeraVe

CeraVe is a highly regarded brand for sunscreen products, known for its broad-spectrum protection and hydrating properties. With a brand awareness of 76% among face care users in the United States, CeraVe is widely recognized and trusted, and 29% of these users actively use the brand. CeraVe sunscreens, such as the Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50, feature essential ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to restore and hydrate the skin's barrier, and are compliant with Hawaii's sunscreen regulations. The brand has also earned recommendation seals from the Skin Cancer Foundation, further endorsing its effectiveness and safety.

Aveeno

Aveeno is a renowned brand in the sunscreen market, known for its high-quality products that offer effective sun protection. The Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion SPF 30, for example, provides very good protection against sunburn-producing rays, with tested SPF levels falling within the 30-39 range. Some of Aveeno's sunscreens, however, have faced recalls due to contamination with benzene, a known carcinogen, with levels detected ranging from 11.2 to 23.6 parts per million, exceeding safe limits. Despite this, Aveeno remains a popular choice, especially for its products like the Calm + Restore Daily Moisturizer Mineral Sunscreen, which is suitable for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin. The brand's commitment to hydration and broad-spectrum protection makes it a favorite among consumers.

Bioderma

Bioderma is renowned as one of the leading producers of sunscreen products, known for its high-quality and effective sun care solutions. In the global sun care market, sun-protection products like those from Bioderma dominate with a 68.7% market share, reflecting the heightened consumer focus on UV protection and skin health. Bioderma's products, such as their Photoderm range, are popular for their broad-spectrum protection and moisturizing benefits, contributing to the lotion segment's 51.2% market share. The demand for Bioderma's sun care products is driven by rising health and beauty consciousness, with the global suncare products market projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% to 4.2% by 2031. Bioderma's commitment to innovation and consumer health aligns with the market's growth, particularly in regions like Europe, which leads the global sun care products market with a 35.3% share. For more details on their sun care solutions, visit Bioderma's sun care section.

Hawaiian Tropic

Hawaiian Tropic, established in 1969, is a renowned brand for sunscreen, known for its broad-spectrum protection and moisturizing ingredients. It is currently owned by Edgewell Personal Care and enjoys a significant market presence, with 9% of respondents indicating they love the brand and 39% liking it, according to recent surveys. Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens are designed to protect skin from harmful UV rays, preventing sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. The brand is popular globally, contributing to a sun care products market valued at USD 11.66 billion in 2022, projected to grow to USD 17.18 billion by 2031. With its fragrance and effective protection, Hawaiian Tropic remains a favorite among consumers.

Drunk Elephant

Drunk Elephant is a highly regarded brand in the skincare industry, particularly for its sunscreens offering broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with active ingredients like 20% zinc oxide. Known for their reef-safe and cruelty-free formulations, Drunk Elephant's sunscreens, such as the Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defence SPF 30, are enriched with potent antioxidants like astaxanthin and grape juice extract to effectively minimize photoaging. The brand achieved significant growth, with global net sales of $120 million in 2019, marking a 61% increase from 2018 and boasting a compound annual growth rate of 118% between 2016 and 2019. Drunk Elephant's products are free from harmful substances like oxybenzone, octinoxate, and other chemical sunscreens toxic to marine life. Their sunscreens are designed for daily use and are suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Shiseido

Shiseido is a renowned brand in the skincare and sunscreen industry, known for its innovative products like the Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+, which combines WetForce and HeatForce technologies for enhanced sun protection. This lotion is formulated to be water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes and has been praised for its quick absorption and moisturizing properties. In 2023, Shiseido achieved significant growth, with its external sales increasing by 13% for the full year and 8% in the fourth quarter, excluding FX and business transfer impacts. The brand's prestige brands, including Cle de Peau Beaute and NARS, also saw strong growth, particularly during events like Double 11 in China. Shiseido's commitment to sustainability and innovation has solidified its position as a leader in the global sunscreen market, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.28% from 2022 to 2029.