When I asked my fellow Vogue editors to share their favorite daily sunscreen, the replies flooded in almost instantly. And to be clear, we’re not talking about the beach-day body SPF you slather on by the handful. This is about the face-first formulas you apply religiously every morning—rain or shine. Aside from being deeply committed to practicing safe sun, it seems that everyone feels passionate about what exactly makes a sunscreen “the best,” making the category both polarizing and entirely subjective. Needless to say, everyone has their holy grail.
For me, it’s all about sunscreens that are entirely acne-safe and layer well under makeup— whereas Kiana Murden, Vogue’s beauty shopping editor, says the perfect SPF is one that’s both lightweight and combats oily, acne-prone skin. Meanwhile, Vogue’s beauty editor at large, Arden Fanning Andrews, is a mineral sunscreen loyalist, while senior beauty and wellness editor Margaux Anbouba prefers an SPF with an unmistakable glowy finish. So, how do you decide which type of sunscreen is “the one” for you? There’s much to consider.
Vogue’s Favorite Daily Sunscreens
For starters, there’s chemical or mineral sunscreens to choose from. Board-certified dermatologist Omer Ibrahim, MD, breaks down the difference. “Chemical sunscreens work like a sponge, absorbing the sun’s rays,” Dr. Ibrahim tells Vogue. “Physical sunscreens (also known as mineral) act like a shield. They sit on the surface of the skin, deflecting the sun’s rays.” Next, you’ll want to opt for a broad-spectrum SPF (this means it will protect you from UVA and UVB rays) 30 or higher.
Since SPF is measured by concentration on the skin, board-certified dermatologist Lisa Airan, MD, reminds us not to overthink which level of SPF we pick. “SPF above 30 is not exponentially stronger.… SPF 100 is not three times as strong, only slightly stronger,” Dr. Airan tells Vogue. When pinning down the right amount to apply, expert advise two easy visual aids—opt for squeezing out a nickel size amount, or two finger length worths of product.
While that may seem like a lot to juggle before stepping out this summer, we turned to our editors for the sunscreens they swear by—formulas that meet dermatologists’ standards and slip seamlessly into your daily routine. Whether you’re going bare-faced or layering your SPF of choice beneath makeup, these picks make sun protection feel like second nature.
Best Lightweight: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Air Daily Supercharged Serum Sunscreen
“If La Roche-Posay is going to do anything, it’s make an incredible sunscreen. Year after year, I’m impressed by a new formula. This year, it’s the new Anthelios UV Air. I consider myself a SPF serum connoisseur, and I’d argue this sits more in the “cream” arena. Despite this nuance, it’s still incredibly lightweight—making it one of those formulas you’ll genuinely forget you’re wearing. And because it’s powered by gentle ingredients, it’s an SPF I’d feel comfortable recommending to anyone.” —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor
