Just in time for Memorial Day Weekend, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released its 12th annual Guide to Sunscreens, which lists the safest and most effective SPF formulas on the market.
So, what’s the group’s criteria? There are a number of things EWG looks for as it puts together the guide. Each tested sunscreen is…
EWG Sunscreens
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Coola
Mineral Sport Sunscreen Stick SPF 50, $26 at Sephora
This face sunscreen offers water-resistant mineral coverage in an easy-to-use stick form, which makes it perfect for on the go.
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Drunk Elephant
Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30, $36 at Sephora
With its keen standards for "clean beauty," Drunk Elephant is a reliable destination for skin-safe products. As such, it's no surprise that this lightly tinted sunscreen made the EWG's cut with its physical, broad-spectrum protection.
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Neutrogena
SheerZinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 50, $12.99 at Ulta
This sunscreen's thick, zinc-heavy formula might feel intimidating at first, but it absorbs nicely into the skin while offering some serious broad-spectrum coverage.
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Biossance
Squalane + Mineral SPF 45, $39 at Sephora
Biossance is founded on principles of environmentally safe, sustainable clean beauty and its new sunscreen does that and more. Packed with hydrating squalane, it protects while creating a lovely, luminous base that primes the skin perfectly for makeup application.
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Pacifica
Body Butter Coconut SPF 50, $13.99 at Target
Looking for a little extra color with your SPF? (Heck, you might need it if you're following the EWG's suggestion to stay indoors between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) This coconut-scented body butter offers both a bronzy glow and SPF 50 mineral protection.
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Kiehl's
Super Fluid Daily UV Mineral Defense, $38 at Nordstrom
This hardworking sunscreen has a light texture that makes it so easy to apply and wear — it's the kind of formula you forget you're wearing, even though it has major mineral SPF.
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Cetaphil
Redness Relieving Daily Facial Moisturizer, $14.49 at Ulta
Don't sleep on Cetaphil: Its recent skin care launches (including this affordable tinted moisturizer) have been nothing to sneeze at. This product offers light coverage with SPF 20 protection and we love that it's formulated for sensitive skin.
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Aveeno
Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Lotion SPF 50, $10.89 at Target
Don't leave the little ones out! The EWG has a specially curated list of kid and baby-safe sunscreens and this affordable, sensitive skin-safe Aveeno option is definitely worth checking out.
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La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer UV SPF 30, $19.99 at Ulta
In addition to its broad-spectrum protection, this multitasking moisturizer also employs a prebiotic complex that helps guard your skin barrier (and, as we know, keeping that skin barrier strong is important).
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Alba Botanica
Sport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45, $6.85 at Walmart
This UVA/UVB mineral sunscreen is water resistant and hydrating, and since it's fragrance-free, it's good for sensitive skin. Win-win-win!
