From glow-boosting mists to non-comedogenic sprays and daily-use body lotions, these picks are backed by dermatologist insight and editor approval. Below, you’ll find nine chemical sunscreens that protect for all skin types, concerns, and finish preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50 Face & Body Sunscreen
Why we love it: Supergoop’s PLAY Everyday Lotion does exactly what its name promises: It keeps your skin protected through movement, sweat, swimming, and sun-filled days alike. To make that possible, the lightweight lotion absorbs quickly, feels breathable on both face and body, and leaves behind a hydrated finish with no white cast or greasy residue.
Plus, it’s water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes and has a fresh, subtle scent that doesn’t overpower—no sickly-sweet coconut scent here. Inside, you’ll also find sunflower extract to defend against environmental stressors, rosemary leaf extract to calm and condition skin, and rice bran extract to deliver antioxidant support and softness.
“Unlike the lotion sunscreen of yore that takes rigorous rubbing to blend into your skin (if it ever does), this one melts right on. The lightweight formula feels like a lotion that deeply moisturizes without leaving a white cast on my tan skin. Best part: It doesn’t feel heavy or sticky throughout the day.”
Key ingredients: sunflower extract, rosemary leaf extract, rice bran extract
Size: 5.5 oz.
Best Scent: Vacation Classic Lotion SPF 30
Why we love it: Vacation’s Classic Lotion SPF 30 is an ’80s summer in a bottle. The lightweight, fast-absorbing SPF blends seamlessly into skin without leaving behind a greasy film or chalky cast. It offers broad-spectrum protection and wraps you in the brand’s signature scent—a nostalgic blend that smells like a beach vacation. It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and layers effortlessly under makeup or body care. In addition to UV filters, the formulation includes skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide, which helps brighten and even skin tone, aloe vera leaf juice to calm and hydrate, and avobenzone, a tried-and-true chemical filter that protects against UVA rays.
“Heavily tattooed folks such as myself often call the sometimes-arduous process of applying full-body sunscreen ‘protecting the investment’ (UV rays cause premature ink fading), and my favorite way to do that is to bring a massive tub of Vacation’s Classic Lotion every time I’m on an outdoor excursion. It’s high-octane sun protection in a creamy but lightweight format that sinks into skin easily—one that smells good enough to eat (if you like tropical fruits, that is).”
Key ingredients: avobenzone, niacinamide, aloe vera leaf juice
Size: 3.4 oz.
Best Spray-On: Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance SPF 50 Body Spray
Why we love it: If you’re chasing that just-got-back-from-the-beach glow, Sol de Janeiro’s Rio Radiance SPF 50 Body Spray delivers it in one sun-protective step. The non-aerosol mist gives skin a radiant sheen while shielding it with broad-spectrum SPF 50. Powered by niacinamide to visibly brighten, pongamia seed extract to defend against environmental stressors, and coconut water to hydrate, it keeps skin feeling as good as it looks.
The biggest bonus, though? It’s scented with the brand’s signature Cheirosa ’87 fragrance, a beachy blend of solar tuberose, coconut milk, and warm sand, and the 360-degree spray makes full-body application effortless, even on your back and shoulders. It’s also water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.
“I love a spray on sunscreen, but sometimes the spritz can be a bit… splotchy. Not this one: The mist is super-fine so it floats out of the nozzle and onto your skin in an even layer (though you still want to rub it in to be sure). The instant ‘radiance’ part comes from hydrating coconut water, which really makes my tattoos pop.”
Key ingredients: niacinamide, pongamia seed extract, coconut water
Size: 6.7 oz.
Best for Face and Body: Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence Lavender
Why we love it: Japanese beauty brands consistently deliver some of the best sunscreens on the market, and Skin Aqua’s Tone Up UV Essence in Lavender lives up to that standard. It pulls double duty, offering broad-spectrum protection while instantly brightening the skin. The lavender tint neutralizes dullness and evens out tone, making it a favorite for those looking to add a subtle radiance boost to their routine.
The non-greasy essence blends seamlessly and wears beautifully under makeup without pilling or streaking. In addition to shielding against UVA/UVB rays with SPF 50+ PA++++, the formula is infused with sodium hyaluronate for lasting hydration and vitamin C derivative (ascorbyl phosphate) to visibly brighten over time.
“Last year, I visited Tokyo for the first time and quickly fell in love with the city, its culture, and its… skin care. The sunscreen, ugh! It’s just so good. So good I had to pay an ‘overweight fee’ for my suitcase, but I digress. One of my favorites is the Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence Lavender. It’s super lightweight, blends easily, and has a bit of a brightening effect. It can be used on both face and body, which shows its versatility and, most importantly, backs up my rationale for buying two extra tubes at Duty Free right before my flight home.”
Key ingredients: sodium hyaluronate, ascorbyl phosphate
Size: 1.7 oz.
Best Water-Resistant: Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion Sunscreen SPF 70
Why we love it: There isn’t a surf shop or beach store you won’t find this sunscreen in, and for good reason. Hawaiian Tropic’s Sheer Touch Lotion SPF 70 has earned cult status for its ultra-radiant finish, oil-free feel, and nostalgic, tropical mango scent. The formula glides on sheer and leaves skin looking luminous, not greasy, thanks to its vitamin C and E infusion, which also helps nourish and condition. It provides broad-spectrum SPF 70 protection and holds up for up to 80 minutes of water or sweat.
“I remember my mom reaching for Hawaiian Tropic’s Sheer Touch Lotion Sunscreen on pool days when I was growing up, and more than 15 years later, it’s still a staple in my beach bag. Unlike other formulas, it doesn’t have that harsh, telltale sunscreen smell, and even without reapplying (I know, I know), I’ve never burned while wearing it—I thank the higher SPF. It blends effortlessly into my deeper summer complexion without leaving a cast and leaves behind a subtle, radiant glow that makes my skin look even better in the sun.”
Key ingredients: vitamin C, vitamin E
Size: 8 oz.
Best Moisturizing: Sun Bum Daily 50 Body Lotion
Why we love it: Sunscreen doesn’t have to be a separate step from the rest of your body-care routine. Sun Bum’s Daily Body Lotion SPF 50 combines broad-spectrum protection with 24-hour hydration, so you can moisturize and shield your skin in one easy swipe. The formula is lightweight and enriched with vitamin E and antioxidants to help nourish skin and combat environmental stress, all while keeping your moisture barrier in check. Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, it’s also paraben-free, and reef-compliant—basically, it checks every box for a beach bag or bathroom shelf staple.
Expert feedback from Dr. Patel
Patel recommends this option for anyone who struggles to remember daily sunscreen. “I like Sun Bum Daily 50 Body Lotion because you can apply it like a regular body lotion right after showering, so you don’t forget to put on SPF for the day,” she says.
Key ingredients: vitamin E, antioxidants
Size: 8 oz.
Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 60
Why we love it: This French sunscreen is beloved by many, including our dermatologist experts, for its ability to provide weightless protection without any residue. La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Melt-In Milk SPF 60 is a velvety, quick-absorbing lotion that delivers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection for both face and body. It uses the brand’s Cell-Ox Shield Technology, a blend of photostable chemical filters and antioxidants, to defend against sun damage and oxidative stress. Bonus: It’s also enriched with La Roche-Posay’s signature thermal spring water to calm and hydrate skin, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Dr. Patel recommends this pick for sensitive skin in particular, noting that it “is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and noncomedogenic.”
Tester feedback from deputy beauty director Liz Siegel
“I keep a bottle of La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 60 by my front door and actually look forward to putting it on before I head outside (and this is coming from someone who has begrudgingly used sunscreen for years!). It feels so lightweight going on, and it actually makes my skin look better immediately — it has a pretty radiant finish that reminds me more of a really good moisturizer than a sunscreen. I love the high SPF value, and feel confident I’m protected with this chemical sunscreen formula (reapplying every two hours or after sweating or swimming, of course!).”
Key ingredients: cell-Ox shield antioxidants, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water, chemical UV filters
Size: 3 oz.
Best for On-The-Go: Neutrogena Clear Body SPF 50 Spray
Why we love it: No one wants sunscreen to burst in their bag. The fix? Neutrogena’s Clear Body Sunscreen Spray SPF 50. It’s a mess-free, ultra-light mist designed for on-the-go protection that won’t clog pores or leave a greasy finish. Ideal for oily or acne-prone skin, this fast-drying spray delivers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, while niacinamide and vitamin E work to calm and defend against environmental damage. It also cools and moisturizes skin without weighing it down, is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and goes on sheer—no rubbing required.
Expert feedback from Dr. Zeichner
“The non-greasy formula is a great option for people with oily skin or when you’re sweating at the beach. Plus, it has been shown not to cause acne breakouts.”
Key ingredients: niacinamide, vitamin E
Size: 5 oz.
Best Fragrance-Free: Eucerin Sun Advanced Hydration SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
Why we love it: If you have sensitive or dry skin, Eucerin’s Advanced Hydration SPF 50 is the sunscreen you should be tossing into your beach bag this summer. It goes beyond sun protection by acting like a moisturizer, thanks to a blend of hyaluronic acid and humectants that deliver and lock in hydration for up to 8 hours. The lightweight, fragrance-free lotion leaves a soft, invisible finish that isn’t greasy or ashy, and it’s boosted with five antioxidants, including vitamin E and C, to defend against long-term UV damage.
Expert feedback from Dr. Zeichner
“Besides broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection, this ultra-light fluid sunscreen contains a proprietary blend of five antioxidants that have been shown to help neutralize free radical damage caused by long-wave UVA and high-energy visible light.”
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, vitamin C
Size: 5 oz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chemical sunscreen good for the body?
Chemical sunscreens are effective for protecting the body from UV damage, but whether they’re the best option depends on your skin type. These formulas, which contain organic (carbon-based) UV filters, have been used for decades and offer strong sun protection. While the FDA continues to evaluate their long-term safety, Dr. Zeichner notes that “the benefits of using sunscreen in preventing skin cancer and premature skin aging outweigh any perceived risk.”
However, they’re not for everyone. Dr. Patel cautions that while they’re effective at protecting skin, they can cause irritation, especially in dry, sensitive, or melanin-rich skin. (Even more reason to steer clear? Irritation in deeper skin tones can sometimes lead to hyperpigmentation.) In that case, reach for a mineral sunscreen instead.
Do dermatologists recommend chemical or mineral sunscreen?
Both mineral and chemical sunscreens are effective, but the right choice depends on your skin type, skin tone, and texture preferences. “Chemical sunscreens tend to be more cosmetically appealing,” says Dr. Zeichner, because they’re lightweight, rub in easily, and leave no white cast, making them especially ideal for deeper skin tones and men with facial hair. “Mineral sunscreens are ultra gentle and can be used even in people with sensitive skin,” he adds, and they’re often preferred for children.
Unlike chemical sunscreens, “mineral SPF products sit on top of your skin and UV rays bounce off,” says Dr. Patel. Meanwhile, chemical filters are absorbed. For acne-prone or reactive skin, she recommends physical sunscreens as they tend to be easier on the skin and stay on the surface rather than absorbing into the body.
Do you need to reapply chemical sunscreens? If so, how often?
Yes, chemical sunscreens need to be reapplied regularly to maintain their effectiveness. Dr. Zeichner explains that “chemical sunscreens need to be reapplied every 2 hours” because “the UV filters become inactivated as they react with UV light.” He also emphasizes proper application, recommending “a quarter-sized dollop for the face” or following the “two finger rule” to ensure adequate coverage. Since most people underapply, he suggests opting for higher SPFs to compensate.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best chemical body sunscreens, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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