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Caroline Igo Editor, Sleep
Caroline Igo (she/her/hers) is a wellness editor and holds Sleep Science Coach and Stress Management certificates from the Spencer Institute. She received her bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Miami University and continues to further her craft in her free time. Before joining CNET, Caroline wrote for past CNN anchor, Daryn Kagan.
- Carl R. Greer/Andrew D. Hepburn Award for Best Nonfiction Essay (Miami University, 2020)
Summer is one of my favorite seasons. However, my skin doesn’t always agree. In addition to my sensitivities to some skincare products, my fair skin will burn in the slightest bit of sunshine. So, I have to work extra hard to take care of it. Even if you aren’t sunburn-prone, it is especially important to protect your skin under the sun this summer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. It is by far the most common cancer in the US. So, take the time to lather and reapply your sunscreen and help prevent skin cancer. Here are some of the UV-protectant products I use and a few favorites from my fellow wellness editors.
Best sun protection products
Pros
- No white cast
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight
- Moisturizing
- Has a tinted version
Why we like it: This mineral and chemical combination sunscreen is our pick for the best facial sunscreen of the summer. It’s continued to top our list for the past couple of years due to its gentle formula suitable for those with acne, rosacea, eczema, sensitive skin and hyperpigmentation. The sunscreen is lightweight and rubs in without a white cast.
Who it’s best for: I have extremely sensitive skin, so I must carefully consider which products work for me. Elta MD is one of the best if you have any skin sensitivity issues, such as acne, eczema or rosacea. Dermatologists constantly recommend it, and I can see why.
Who should not get it: If you want a tinted sunscreen or a product with a glowy finish, you may want to consider another sunscreen.
Why we like it: I’ve been wearing this tinted, glowy sunscreen almost every day this summer. It looks flattering on my skin while moisturizing, blurring my pores and protecting against UVA and UVB rays. It has an SPF of 50 and is available in two shades.
Who it’s best for: If you want a daily SPF to be a step in your makeup or skincare routine, this mineral sunscreen is easy and beautiful. It can be worn with or without makeup or even as makeup on its own. It’s suitable for light, buildable coverage and a glowy finish.
Who should not get it: Not everyone may want a tinted mineral sunscreen. I recommend the Vacation Shake, Shake Mineral Milk instead if that’s you. My boyfriend — who despises tinted sunscreen — used it while surfing in Hawaii.
Why we like it: Solbari makes some of the best UPF sun hats, and this bucket hat is no exception. It’s a perfect lightweight option for casual walks outside. It’s certified UPF 50+, made of 100% quick-drying nylon, has a 2.75-inch brim for extra sun protection, has a moisture-wicking sweatband and is both adjustable and easily packable.
UPF hats reduce UV exposure in the areas they cover, protecting skin from premature aging, sunburn and skin cancer by blocking over 98% of UVA and UVB rays.
Who it’s best for: This sun hat is best for those who want extra sun protection for everyday wear, casual walks, hikes or outdoor activities. It’s also easy to pack in a suitcase for travel.
Who should not get it: If you want the most sun protection possible, I recommend one of Solbari’s other UPF hats with a wider brim. I love the Resort Wide Brim Sun Hat UPF 50+, which is made of cotton linen and still lightweight even with the brim.
– Anna Gragert, wellness editor
Why we like it: An important factor of sunscreen is reapplying based on your chosen SPF. However, it’s so easy to forget. UV detection stickers were popular on TikTok a few summers ago, and I like the ones from SpotMyUV. The small purple stickers stay purple until sunscreen is applied over them. When they turn clear, it means you are protected from the sun. However, over time, purple will peak back through until the stickers are completely lilac again. That tells me it’s time to put on more sunscreen.
Who it’s best for: If you worry about not knowing when to apply your sunscreen, these stickers are fun and easy to use. They are also great for teaching kids when it’s best to reapply.
Who should not get it: I tested these sun stickers with mineral, chemical and combination sunscreens. The mineral sunscreen didn’t seem to work as well as the chemical or combination sunscreen, so I don’t recommend these to mineral sunscreen lovers.
Why we like it: I love my Paka Sol Hoodie. It has a 30+ UPF and is exceptionally soft, lightweight, comfortable and versatile. I recently brought it to a lake vacation, and it did a great job of protecting my skin against the harsh rays that reflected off the water. It’s also breathable, so I never felt suffocated. The soft hoodie comes in four neutral colors and is made of Tencel, nylon, alpaca fibers and spandex. Another great feature is that the hood is oversized to make room for a hat.
Who it’s best for: This hoodie is perfect for hiking, walking, fishing, paddleboarding, boating and other leisure activities. There’s even a men’s style.
Who should not get it: Compared to other UPF clothing, 30+ is on the lower side. If you want a hoodie with a higher UPF, this might not be for you.
Why we like it: Midspring is a women-owned and operated company offering stylish golf and sports attire. I tried the Nora Dress, and I love how lightweight and comfortable it feels. The style is classy, but I can easily style it with tennis shoes. It’s made of polyester and spandex, two of the best materials for sun protection, giving it a UPF of 50+.
Who it’s best for: This causal, comfortable dress is perfect for golfers and tennis players. And while I’m not either, I enjoy wearing exercise dresses like this one, running errands and doing light exercise outside, like walking my dog. If you’re like me, it could work for you, too.
Who should not get it: If dresses aren’t for you or if you’re looking for UPF clothing that is a bit more casual, I recommend checking out Tasc Performance.
Why we like it: One of my favorite parts of shopping for sunglasses is looking at all the styles, colors and frame shapes. Diff Sunglasses has a large collection of polarized sunglasses to browse. I have a pair of Meredith glasses in the tortoise brown color, and I love how chic the oversized style looks. While they don’t feel too heavy, they feel sturdy and secure on my face. In addition to being stylish, the lenses are polarized and protect from 100% UVA and UVB rays.
Who it’s best for: The glasses at Diff appeal to those looking for new, trendy sunglasses in both modern and vintage styles.
Who should not get it: While Diff often has buy one, get one free sales, I don’t recommend these sunglasses to someone on a strict budget.
Why we like it: I’m prone to burning the part in my hair, so I wanted to test a scalp sunscreen this summer. The Scalp and Hair Sunscreen Mist from Coola has been a great addition to my SPF lineup. It smells fantastic and doesn’t feel too heavy on my hair. Once I spray it, I have to wait a little for it to dry, and I will rub it in a bit. But, then it leaves my scalp and part protected.
Who it’s best for: This sunscreen mist is excellent for someone on the go who isn’t afraid of tossing up their hair for a bit (since you will need to rub it in).
Who should not get it: If you’re concerned that a spray will make your hair look greasy, I recommend a powder sunscreen. The spray may hold onto textured hair and make it look damp.
Why we like it: I have used this hair protectant for years. This creamy spray from Davines is nourishing, moisturizing and contains UV filters. I apply it to damp hair as a leave-in conditioner, but you can also use it on wet or dry hair during sun exposure. This has been a game-changer for the summer as someone with dyed hair.
Who it’s best for: I can’t recommend this spray enough. It should work for almost every hair type: textured, colored, thin and thick.
Who should not get it: If you’re looking for a heat protector for your hair, this isn’t the product for you. It protects against UV rays, not heat from styling tools.
UV protection is the ability to block harmful UV rays from the sun. UV protection shields your skin from premature aging, burning and skin cancer that the sun can cause.
There are many ways to protect your skin against UV rays. These include wearing proper sunscreen, a hat or visor, sunglasses and UPF clothing. Seek shade whenever possible and avoid using tanning beds.
As for clothing, the best materials to protect yourself are tightly woven fabrics such as polyester, nylon, spandex, wool, Tencel, cotton blends or hemp.
No, UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor, while SPF stands for sun protection factor. UPF measures how adequately clothing protects against UV rays and how deep the rays penetrate the fabric. SPF refers to how long it takes until the sunscreen wears off and no longer protects.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
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