It’s sunny days ahead for SPF products.

The category, which grew in the course of the pandemic despite housebound consumers, has develop into a drugs cabinet mainstay. Beauty shoppers see it now as a each day essential, not a seasonal one. To find the highest products within the category, WWD Beauty Inc polled shy of 400 executives, founders, editors, financiers, retailers, chemists and influencers on their favorite skincare products across each key category. 

Promised secrecy (the total list of those willing to be identified as electors appears on this story, though the content of their ballots stays confidential), the sunscreen results are bifurcated between skincare multitaskers and a slew of sheer, light, barely-there formulas. Amongst them, the primary chemical SPF to eschew oxybenzone; one other has sold enough to cover an NBA basketball court. Here, in alphabetical order, the 20 most iconic SPF products in beauty, as voted on by industry insiders.

Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution Sunscreen Multi Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Launched: 2015

Formula: Along with traditional UV filters, UV Plus also features a natural anti-pollution complex to mitigate damage from environmental stressors. It is available in 4 shades as a substitute for light-coverage makeup — sheer brilliance, indeed.

Results oriented: Clarins’ most awarded sunscreen can be its top seller within the category.

Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Cream

Launched: 2006

Formula: At Clinique, good things are available in yellow packaging. The brand’s universal sunscreen has Clinique’s SolarSmart technology, which also features antioxidants activated by the sun. No wonder its appeal endures almost twenty years after launch.

Results oriented: One unit is sold every five minutes.

Clinique Superdefense City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Every day Energy + Face Protector

Launched: 2020

Formula: Part primer, part protector, Superdefense City Block’s appeal is as cosmetic because it is efficacious. This oil-free formula protects against a broad spectrum of aggressors, including UVA/UVB rays, infrared and blue light due to Clinique’s Stop Signs proprietary technology, and was designed to be layered under or on top of makeup.

Results oriented: One tube of Superdefense City Block is sold every two minutes.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-on

Launched: 2017

Formula: Patents, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, oh my. This brush-on boasts patented technology to stop free radical transformation, and is the one brush-on to earn the Skin Cancer Foundation’s seal of suggestion for energetic use.

Results oriented: This sunscreen is the brand’s bestseller in a powdered SPF.

Coola Refreshing Water Cream SPF 50

Launched: 2021

Formula: 70 percent organic and lightweight enough for on a regular basis use, Refreshing Water Cream also protects against infrared and blue light. It steeps skin in moisture, too, with hyaluronic acid and coconut water.

Results oriented: Coola needed to delay the water cream’s launch by a yr to grow enough organic safflower extract to fulfill its own “clean” guidelines — and guarantee sufficient quantities for production.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops

Launched: 2016

Formula: Half serum, half sunscreen, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s sun drops mix purslane, beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid at the side of UVA and UVB filters for an equally soothing and protective dose.

Results oriented: A favourite of recent investor Oprah Winfrey and consumers alike, Sun Drops are certainly one of the brand’s top 10 bestsellers.

Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50+

Launched: 2020

Formula: At a time when Korean sunscreens are taking off on TikTok with greater than 100 million views, this mainstay combines mineral filters for a matte, lightweight finish.

Results oriented: Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen is Dr. Jart+’s best selling sunscreen on its website.

EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46

Launched: 2019

Formula: This brand has many fans from the Kardashians, Hailey Bieber and Drew Barrymore, but not only megawatt names. EltaMD, which purports to be the highest dermatologist-recommended brand, has built a formidable business due to a non-comedogenic formulation with 9 percent zinc oxide, vitamin E, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

Results oriented: UV Clear SPF 46 is EltaMD’s top-selling product.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50

Launched: 2022

Formula: Glow Recipe was early to mix skincare advantages with the cosmetic effects of makeup, and its sunscreen is not any exception. This glow-inducing foray into the category combines chemical and mineral UV filters for a high SPF without causing a white forged.

Results oriented: At launch, the product’s landing page at Sephora was the top-visited skincare page on Sephora.com.

La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Protecting Fluid

Launched: 2014

Formula: True to the brand’s ultra-reparative and cult-favorite ethos, La Mer’s sun block rewinds past damage as much because it prevents future aging. Meant to renew cells in addition to protect them, La Mer’s only SPF combines sunscreen with the brand’s hero ingredient, Miracle Broth.

Results oriented: In only over a month, La Mer sells enough tubes of Protecting Fluid to succeed in the highest of the Empire State Constructing.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 60

Launched: 2009

Formula: One among the engines behind L’Oréal’s Dermatological Beauty division, La Roche-Posay has found breakout success. For those within the know, though, its sunscreens have all the time been definitely worth the hype. The velvety Melt-in Milk Sunscreen adds glycerin to the brand’s proprietary Cell-Ox Shield technology: a cocktail of UVA and UVB filters, in addition to antioxidants.

Results oriented: Anthelios Melt-in Milk is the top-selling face and body sunscreen, based on the brand.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 60

Launched: 2009

Formula: A high SPF rating with a dry-down that’s barely perceptible, no wonder Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen has been going strong since 2009. Tested extensively for sensitive skin types, it combines a slew of UV filters with antioxidants and silica for a mattifying effect.

Results oriented: One tube of Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen is sold every two minutes within the U.S.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 55

Launched: 2006

Formula: Neutrogena is a mass market leader in sun care, and that is the stock keeping unit that began all of it. Noncomedogenic and soft to the touch, Neutrogena’s hero product relies on the brand’s Helioplex technology — which now has expanded to incorporate a bestselling range of face and body SPFs.

Results oriented: Three units of Ultra Sheer Dry Touch are sold every minute.

Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+

Launched: 2018

Formula: In few other products is Shiseido’s innovation prowess higher showcased. While many sunscreens tout resistance to water and warmth, Shiseido’s sunscreen stick is activated by it. Its HeatForce and WetForce technologies provide a one-two punch, all in a gel-like texture.

Results oriented: Clear Sunscreen Stick is the highest sunscreen stick within the U.S.

SkinCeuticals Every day Brightening U.V. Defense Sunscreen SPF 30

Launched: 2021

Formula: SkinCeuticals has built its credibility — and market leadership — off of time-tested antioxidants, so it’s no wonder its sunscreen includes one of the best of them. Buzzy skincare ingredients like tranexamic acid and niacinamide, in addition to UV filters, give this formula — which took greater than 60 iterations to perfect — its equally brightening and protective claims.

Results oriented: Up to now, the brand’s sold enough units to cover the surface area of an NBA basketball court — greater than 100,000 units.

Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Launched: 2022

Formula: With a reputation like Summer Fridays, a world-class SPF was only a matter of time. True to the breezy lifestyle vision cofounders Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Ireland have dropped at beauty, ShadeDrops is vegan, reef-safe, and licensed Clean at Sephora with a natural finish on all skin types.

Results oriented: Shade Drops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 is certainly one of the fastest growing sunscreens at Sephora, based on the brand.

Supergoop Glowscreen SPF 40

Launched: 2020

Formula: Meant to construct on an SPF wardrobe, Glowscreen includes sea lavender, cocoa peptides, vitamin B3 and hyaluronic acid for its shimmery finish — which has since expanded into 4 different shades.

Results oriented: Glowscreen is the brand’s third bestseller on its website.

Supergoop Play On a regular basis Lotion SPF 50 with Sunflower Extract

Launched: 2007

Formula: Play On a regular basis Lotion was Supergoop’s first product, in addition to the primary chemical sunscreen to eschew oxybenzone within the U.S., and it also claims to be water- and sweat-resistant for 80 minutes. No wonder Maria Sharapova became an early investor.

Results oriented: This sunscreen is the brand’s second-bestselling product across channels.

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

Launched: 2018

Formula: Frankincense, red algae and a meadowfoam oil complex give Unseen Sunscreen its moisturizing and soothing properties — and weightless sheer gel texture. It’s a success with all ages, too, having been launched in elementary schools to show children the importance of each day sun protection.

Results oriented: In 2022, the brand sold one tube of Unseen Sunscreen every 14 seconds.

Unsun Cosmetics Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 30

Launched: 2016

Formula: Unsun Cosmetics was a pioneer of constructing mineral-based sunscreens accessible to richer skin tones, adding beet root, bitter orange and shea butter to the vegan formula.

Results oriented: Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen is Unsun Cosmetics’ bestselling product.

The voters

Voters were asked to submit ballots with their top skincare selections. While the products they voted for are confidential, participants got the choice to stay anonymous or be identified as a part of the general electorate. The vast majority of voters opted for confidentiality, but here, listed alphabetically by first name, are those that agreed to be identified.

Ada Polla
Alicia Sontag
Alicia Yoon
Andrea Mennella
Dr. Anthony Nakhla
April Uchitel
Bee Shapiro
Charles Rosier
Cristina Nuñez
D’Andre Michael
Emily Dougherty
Emily Parr
Francesco Clark
Gwen Flamberg
Holly Thaggard
Ian Michael Crum
Jane Lauder
Jasmina Aganovic
Jessica Richards
Jill Kargman
Dr. Joyce Park
Kelly McPhilliamy
Leslie Blodgett
Lily Garfield
Linda Wells
Marianna Hewitt
Marla Beck
Nyakio Grieco
Oliver Garfield
Penny Coy
Wealthy Gersten
Robin Coe Hutshing
Romain Gaillard
Ron Robinson
Sarah Brown
Sarah Lee
Stephanie Morimoto
Susan Biegacz
Suzie Wokabi
Tarang Amin
Tera Peterson
Troy Surratt
Vennette Ho