The Best Sunscreen Is …

It may be surprising to hear that one of the most commonly asked questions of dermatologists, “What sunscreen do you recommend?” has anything but a straightforward answer. A common response is “the one you are actually willing to put on daily.” Another witty answer is simply “clothing.” Some patients are disappointed unless they receive exact brand recommendations. The truth is there are many options available that work well for the purposes of everyday sun protection. 

It is also true that no matter what sunscreen you use, you are likely to get sun damaged and/or burned if you rely on sunscreen alone as your only protective measure. Sunscreen can often lull people into a false sense of security so wearing a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, covering up, and seeking shade is equally important. Most people only apply a thin layer of sunscreen so a good rule of thumb is to divide your sunscreen’s SPF by 3 and that is the SPF you are likely getting. Look for an SPF of at least 30 to combat this problem.

The other big issue is that sunscreen only lasts about 2 hours and if you are sweating or getting wet it will wear off more quickly. Look for “water resistant 80 minutes” on the label and apply about 15 minutes before going outdoors (pro tip: if your sunscreen contains zinc or titanium it will work immediately). 

The question of which sunscreen to buy is also wrought with controversy. Everyone has a different threshold of concern regarding the chemicals in sunscreens and their possible effects on endocrine disruption and coral reef bleaching. I try to reassure my patients that although it is true that chemicals in sunscreen get absorbed into the bloodstream, the data associating chemicals with endocrine disruption are derived from rats fed large doses in their diet. Studies show that humans would have to apply chemical sunscreen daily for 277 years to achieve the equivalent systemic dose that caused harm in those animal models. That said, the level of commonly used sunscreen chemicals – oxybenzone, octocrylene, and ecamsule – were found to be elevated in the bloodstream beyond the FDA limits for requiring additional safety testing, and manufacturers were asked to perform additional long term studies to rule out biological harm in humans. Look for mineral based sunscreens such as zinc or titanium if you are concerned and want to avoid any chemical absorption. The trade-off is mineral only sunscreens have less cosmetic elegance and can leave a white cast.

Some states and countries such as Hawaii and Aruba have gone as far as to ban chemical based sunscreens for fear they are harming the coral reef. However, these concerns are based mostly on laboratory studies where a large amount of these chemicals sit with coral reef in an enclosed container or plastic bag. This is not a real life simulation so chemicals in sunscreens likely play an insignificant role in coral reef bleaching relative to climate change. Rising greenhouse gas emissions and increasing ocean temperatures are the primary driver of coral mass bleaching events. Again stick to mineral based sunscreens to follow the law in these regions and/or if you are concerned.

Finally, there is exciting news in the sunscreen world as the FDA just approved Bemotrizinol (BEMT), the first new chemical filter cleared in the US in 25 years. Like many other sunscreen ingredients, this filter has been widely available in Europe and Asia since 1999. Many of my sun-savvy patients stock up on sunscreens while traveling in Europe, where less regulatory burden allows for advanced UV filters that offer superior broad-spectrum protection compared to options currently available in the US. BEMT is a welcome addition to sunscreen formulas in the US as it provides greater UVA protection and is not broken down as easily by the sun like other UVA filters. Why should we care about UVA?

SPF measures protection against UVB rays—the rays primarily responsible for sunburn. UVA rays are present even on cloudy days, penetrate deeper into the skin and are the main cause of premature aging, wrinkles, brown spots, and also contribute to skin cancer. Another major selling point for BEMT is that it is not absorbed into the bloodstream so the FDA has designated BEMT as Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective (GRASE) for adults and children 6 months and older. Look for sunscreens with this ingredient to hit the shelves in fall 2026. 

So, what sunscreen do I recommend? After diagnosing skin cancers every day in my practice, I’ve learned the best sunscreen isn’t any particular brand—it’s the one you are willing to apply most generously and consistently. Choose one that is labeled broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, and use a tinted one for visible light protection if you have hyperpigmentation or melasma. Reapply at least every two hours when outdoors, and never rely on sunscreen alone.

Remember that most sun damage doesn’t occur during vacations; up to 80% is due to cumulative, incidental exposure from everyday activities like driving, walking the dog, gardening, or watching your child’s sports games. No sunscreen is perfect, but consistent sun protection is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce your risk of skin cancer and premature aging.