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According to experts, sunscreen is an essential, no-skip step in an everyday skin care routine. However, finding the right formula you'll actually want to wear is oftentimes the most challenging feat. So, we did the work for you: After weeks of testing over 60 sunscreens across various formulations (face, mineral, chemical), applications (sprays, powders) and post-sun essentials, our editors narrowed down official winners for the first-ever Shop TODAY Sunscreen Awards. To kick off the launch, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss stopped by Studio 1A, showcasing some of the winners that impressed our team the most, including a 'sheer' SPF body spray, a soothing aftercare lotion and an SPF-infused powder foundation, to name a few!
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Best lightweight sunscreen: According to the brand, this luxury sunscreen offers a number of sun damage-correction benefits, like reducing dark spots and soothing stressed skin. Though the formula has a faint milky color, our testers say it blends quickly and transparently, creating a smooth, radiant base. “I’ve been wearing it under makeup and have no issues with my makeup slipping throughout the day,” raves social media editor Kara Quill, who adds that the SPF feels "nice on my face" and "high end."
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Best SPF powder foundation: One of the easiest ways to be consistent with your sunscreen application is through makeup infused with SPF. This SPF 15 pressed powder foundation offers sheer-to-full coverage that adds radiance and protects, per the brand. It comes in 30 shades in cool, neutral and warm undertones — a great variety to help you find your perfect match. However, our experts recommend an SPF 30 minimum, so to receive the best sun protection, be sure to apply sunscreen before use.
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Best post-sun care: Admittedly, we’re guilty of sometimes forgetting to reapply our sunscreen. Which, in turn, can cause redness, sensitivity and burns. Luckily, we found an after-sun lotion that is formulated to cool sun-stressed skin with aloe to restore hydration levels and improve the appearance of redness. “Everything I have ever tried, including aloe and other lotions, has burned my skin upon application,” says editorial operations manager Jillian Ortiz. “This felt amazing. I got a small sunburn after sitting outside, put this on at night and then all of the redness was gone by the morning."
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Best scalp spray: Our experts say that sunscreen should be applied anywhere skin is exposed, including the scalp and the top of your ears. Rather than applying a ton of thick product to those areas, this spray reduces the chances of greasy strands with a fine mist that requires no rubbing to receive even protection. Just spray along your part, hairline and anywhere that has the risk of being burned — your face and neck included.
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Best body sunscreen: This sunscreen body spray received a near-perfect rating for many reasons: It’s highly lightweight, dries down in just a minute, has zero white cast, causes no skin sensitivities and sprays evenly without missing a spot. “While I don’t have sensitive skin, I appreciate that this formula is alcohol free since the sun/chlorine/shaving tends to dry out my skin during the summer,” says partnerships associate editor Lauren Witonsky. “It’s also fragrance-free and only has the faintest sunscreen-like scent."
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Best mineral sunscreen: Dr. Idriss says this formula is great to try if you have sensitive skin. Though mineral sunscreens are known for possibly leaving a white or gray/ashy cast, editor Evan Siegel says this formula left him pleasantly surprised. “It blended into my skin easily, and it left no white cast,” he claims. Plus, it comes with many other benefits outside of finish and protection: Per the brand, the formula offers visible anti-aging benefits and can help to repair the moisture barrier on post-procedure skin.
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More Shop TODAY Sunscreen Awards Winners
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Best tinted SPF for dark skin: Despite its smaller shade range, our testers note that this sunscreen perfectly complements medium to deep skin tones. The brand says this tinted sunscreen delivers long-lasting protection, zero white cast and all-day hydration, without that greasy feel. Former intern Jasmine Stewart said the shade match was perfect and helped to conceal dark spots and scars, without entirely hiding her skin underneath.
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Best SPF lip product: Experts previously shared with us that excess sun exposure can irritate the lips and corners of the mouth, leading to peeling, dryness, burns and more. As a solution, this viral lip balm provides optimal broad-spectrum protection with SPF 45, plus our testers have noted that it leaves lips feeling soft, smooth and nourished (sans stickiness), thanks to ingredients like shea butter, cupuaçu butter and plant squalane.
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Best glow-boosting sunscreen: "I was pleasantly surprised that this sunscreen managed to balance the line between leaving no white cast, being hydrating and being lightweight," says associate editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson. "It doesn't leave my skin feeling extra oily throughout the day, so I feel comfortable reapplying it, as well." She also notes that she had her husband try it on his darker skin tone and reports that he didn't notice a white cast and was "pleasantly surprised with how well it felt on his skin."
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Best SPF setting spray: According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman, sunscreen "should be applied every 90 minutes to two hours." This makeup setting spray is a quick hack to ensuring your skin is always protected (and your beauty look stays in place). "Whether you need a makeup setting spray or just want a new reapplication mist, this is my recommendation," says editor Vivien Moon. "From the scent to the lightweight mist, it really has it all, and I have been raving about it to anybody who will listen."
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Best hydrating SPF stick: Based on tester reviews, this sunscreen stick — from a Shop TODAY-approved brand — is a favorite throw-in-your-bag option. It features a balm-like texture that feels refreshing and comfortable on the skin. It's also formulated with a patented soothing complex that provides instant cooling and moisturizing benefits, per the brand.
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Best sunscreen for acne-prone skin: "This is a winner for patients who have oily or acne-prone skin who want a sunscreen that won’t clog pores, but will also work in the background to calm down inflammation and help fade acne marks," explains Dr. Sandra Oska. The hybrid sunscreen contains both chemical and physical UV filters, which, when formulated with niacinamide and Zinc-AOX Pro Technology, help to reduce visible blemishes, pore size and excess oil, per the brand.
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