GET FREE SAMPLES

sign up for our newsletter to get free sample alerts

22 Sunscreens for People Who Hate Sunscreen

Stop cursing under your breath and try one of these editor-approved sunscreens
Photo 1/12
Frankly, sunscreen is a pain in my tuckus. It's sticky, it smells bad and just one day by the pool with multiple reapplications to my face leaves my chin a battle zone of acne for the following week. Since forsaking the sun and becoming a hermit didn't work out, I moved on to a new plan: Find a sunscreen that doesn't suck. Luckily, I have a fairly large beauty closet and a team of editors always willing to try a new product at my disposal. We worked tirelessly attending pool parties and outdoor barbecues weekend after weekend -- all to find the best sunscreens that aren't sticky, don't stink, play nice with makeup, are kind to sensitive skin and won't make you break out. Try out a few of our new "holy grail" sunscreens for yourself. We recommend your testing be conducted on a balcony with margaritas -- for the sake of science, of course.

Image via Imaxtree

Photo 2/12
The Deal Breaker: You Hate the Smell
Your Holy Grail Product: Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Waterlight Broad Spectrum 50+ PA+++ Anti-Aging Sunscreen, $48

Why You'll Love It:
Despite the $48 price tag, one of our editors admits she applies this face sunscreen to her whole body when attending outdoor social events so she won't reek of the typical sunscreen scent. "It's not like any sunscreen I've ever smelled. It's very light and fruity." The consistency is more like a serum, it's ultra-hydrating and only requires two or three drops for smooth application. Bonus points: Although this product is a physical sunscreen (meaning the sunscreen ingredients don't sink into the skin), the anti-aging and moisturizing-specific ingredients do, so you get the best of both worlds.

Or Try:
Tocca SPF 30+ Towelettes, $24
Richly scented Tocca candles or hand creams have always been a favorite pick-me-up treat for myself on a bad day (aka Mondays). Now you can savor the brand's signature Stella scent of Italian blood orange while doing something as mundane as applying sunscreen. Just two travel-friendly wipes will take care of your whole body. We promise: You'll find yourself becoming much more diligent about your SPF application.

Photo 3/12
The Deal Breaker: It's a Sloppy, Gooey Mess
Your Holy Grail Product: The Honest Company Sunscreen Stick SPF 30, $9.95

Why You'll Love It:
I have a major aversion to messy, goopy sunscreens. It's fine when I'm at home carefully applying it in front of a mirror. But outside, I'm spilling it, rubbing it over my swimsuit or clothes or getting it in my eyes. And once it's sat in the sun a few hours -- forget it. Enter: sunscreen sticks. This one from Honest Company is my favorite, because unlike some stick sunscreens, it applies with a gentle hand. The all-natural mineral-based stick warms easily on the skin and glides on. Plus, you can reach spots like your ears and the back of your neck without having to worry about dragging your hair through it. And okay, I like to think Jessica Alba would be proud of my choice.

Or Try:
Hampton Sun Continuous Mist 35, $32
This sunscreen mist comes in an innovative bottle that can be sprayed at any angle (yes, even upside down), and protects skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays. It also contains hydrating aloe vera and vitamins A, C and E.

Photo 4/12
The Deal Breaker: Your Sunscreen Sends Your Makeup Running
Your Holy Grail Product: Tatcha Pore Perfecting Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35, $68

Why You'll Love It: Can a facial sunscreen really be worth $70? Yes, yes it can. Every editor on our team who tried this sunscreen was immediately smitten with its silky, mattifying formula. To this day, that love affair is still going strong (it even won our 2016 TotalBeauty awards for best sunscreen). The second you apply it, it miraculously diminishes the look of pores and imperfections, and feels like you're wearing nothing. And as an added bonus, it makes your foundation last longer.

Or Try:
Elizabeth Arden Triple Protection Factor Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50+ Lotion

I've seen the horrible, scary photos of sun damage, but -- confession time -- I'm not a saint when it comes to everyday application. As vain as it sounds, I don't want my face looking super shiny all day at work or my makeup melting off because of the sunscreen on my face. Thanks to this new Elizabeth Arden sunscreen I can't make any more excuses. While you do have to go to a physician's office to get it, the product is a makeup savior --especially for women with oily skin. The lightweight formula applies like a serum and almost feels like a makeup primer. Once I applied my powder and concealer over it, you couldn't tell I was wearing any SPF at all. I had no extra shine and my makeup stayed on almost longer than when I wear it with nothing underneath. And thanks to the antioxidant complex and DNA enzyme complex I actually feel like I'm doing my skin a little bit of good. One downside -- the formula's "universal tint" isn't quite. I have fair to medium skin, but extra pale skin tones may not find the product as camouflaging.



Photo 5/12
The Deal Breaker: It Smells Like You'd Fail a Breathalyzer
Your Holy Grail Product: Supergoop! Antioxidant-Infused Sunscreen Mist with Vitamin C SPF 50, $13

Why You'll Love It:
Spray sunscreen is fast, easy, convenient and feels so much nicer on the skin than thick, greasy lotions. But truth be told -- most of it stinks. After coating myself in spray sunscreen in my bathroom last weekend, my entire apartment smelled like it had been fumigated. The answer -- non-aerosol sprays like this Supergoop! one that don't have that alcohol scent. This one is full of essential oils and smells natural and earthy.

Or Try:
L'Oreal Paris Sublime Sheer Protect Sunscreen Oil Spray SPF 50+, $10.99
The light vanilla scent of this product is almost good enough to apply when you're staying indoors.

BY ALLIE FLINN, HAYLEY MASON | MAY 26, 2016 | SHARES
VIEW COMMENTS
Full Site | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
TotalBeauty is a property of Evolve Media Holdings, LLC. © 2024 All Rights Reserved. | Affiliate Disclosure: Evolve Media Holdings, LLC, and its owned and operated subsidiaries may receive a small commission from the proceeds of any product(s) sold through affiliate and direct partner links.