The 13 Best Sunscreen Sticks of 2023

These Are The Best Sunscreen Sticks for Quick and Easy Protection — Health / Alli Waataja

Sunscreen sticks are a great way to protect you and your family’s skin on the go. They’re small, super portable, very convenient for reapplication, and come in a variety of textures, SPF levels, and formulas.

When on the hunt for a great sunscreen stick, there are a few factors you need to consider. You should look for a sunscreen stick that has at least SPF 30 protection or more (50 is ideal). And it’s a good idea to look out for ingredients that benefit your skin type. Do you have dry skin? Opt for a sunscreen that includes vitamin E or hyaluronic acid. And if you have irritated, red skin, aloe vera and jojoba oil are a good idea.

To create our list of the best sunscreen sticks, we referred to our own experience of using these sticks personally, including testing some of these in our testing lab. We also interviewed two dermatologists for the exact sunscreen sticks that they recommend to their patients for optimal protection. Here are the best sunscreen sticks for effortless protection all year long.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Skinbetter Science Sunbetter SHEER SPF 56 Sunscreen Stick at Skinbetter.com

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Best Value/Budget:

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face & Body Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50 at Amazon

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Best for Sensitive Skin:

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick at Amazon

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Best for Acne-Prone Skin:

EltaMD UV Stick Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ at Amazon

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Best for Oily Skin:

Coola Refreshing Water Hydration Stick Organic Face Sunscreen SPF 50 at Ulta

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Best for Dry Skin:

CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 at Amazon

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Best for Over Makeup:

MDSolarSciences Tinted Solar Stick SPF 40 at Amazon

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Best for Kids:

Supergoop! Sunnyscreen™100% Mineral Stick SPF 50 Trio at Supergoop.com

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Best Zinc Oxide:

Babo Botanicals Zinc SPF 50 Fragrance Free Mineral Sunscreen at Amazon

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Best Hydrating:

Sun Bum Face Stick at Amazon

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Skinbetter Science

View On Skinbetter.com

Why We Like It

The clean and lightweight formula goes on completely clear.

It’s Worth Noting

The product is only available at select retailers.

The Skinbetter Science Sunbetter Sheer SPF 56 Sunscreen Stick is our overall winner because it contains a high SPF level, has a large rounded tip for easy application, and goes on completely transparent.

“The Sunbetter SHEER SPF 56 Sunscreen Stick is a good option for a sunscreen stick as it is dermatologist-tested and approved due to its clean ingredients and lightweight formula,” explains Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. “It is also water resistant and offers broad spectrum coverage with SPF 56.”

We like that this stick has up to 80 minutes of water resistance and also protects your skin against blue light, infrared radiation, and pollution, too. The biggest downsides are that it’s pricey at $55 per stick, and is available at very few retailers.

Price at time of publication: $55

Product Details:

SPF Level: 56
Duration: 80 minutes
Size: 0.7 ounces
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Neutrogena.com

Why We Like It

You get a lot of sunscreen for what you pay.

It’s Worth Noting

You need to rub this product in pretty well.

You can count on Neutrogena to create a great sunscreen product that’s affordable and family-friendly, too. This pick is pretty large compared to other sunscreen sticks on this list, and has a footprint comparable to a stick of deodorant. “It's gentle enough for sensitive skin and features the brand's signature ‘Dry Touch Technology,’ so it feels silky, almost like a primer, rather than sticky or stiff,” explains Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology.

Dr. Graf also loves to recommend this sunscreen stick to her patients for multiple reasons. “With added vitamin E, this sunscreen stick has a soft, lightweight feel, comes out sheer, and doesn’t leave a sticky film, making for easy application,” she says. “It’s great for all skin types—it leaves no film or bluish cast on darker skin types.”

It’s worth noting that if you don’t rub this product in well, it might leave a bit of a white cast. Additionally, it seems like the stick is prone to breaking apart if you aren’t careful.

Price at time of publication: $13

Product Details:

SPF Level: 50
Duration: 80 minutes
Size: 1.5 ounces
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes

Amazon

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Why We Like It

This is a great product for folks with sensitive skin.

It’s Worth Noting

It leaves a slight white cast on darker skin tones.

People with sensitive skin will do well with this pick from Colorescience. It’s small and portable and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Dr. Graf recommends this to her patients with easily irritated skin.

“Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick is a mineral-based sunscreen with clean ingredients, making this a good option for people with sensitive skin,” she explains. “It has SPF 50 and helps protect against UV rays, UVB rays, blue light, and pollution, making it a great option for any outdoor or on-the-go activities.”

Because this stick is mineral-based, it does seem to leave a white cast on those with darker skin tones. Additionally, the cost is a bit higher at $34 per stick, and it’s not a lot of product for the price.

Price at time of publication: $34

Product Details:

SPF Level: 50
Duration: 80 minutes
Size: 0.63 ounces
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Eltamd.com

Why We Like It

It’s water-resistant and has hyaluronic acid for hydration.

It’s Worth Noting

The formula is likely to pill when you reapply.

EltaMD is a brand that’s well-known for creating sunscreens ideal for acne-prone skin. “You'd be hard-pressed to find a dermatologist that wouldn't recommend EltaMD—their SPF formulas are second to none,” explains Dr. Yadav. “This one can be used on the face and body, is oil-free, and uses mineral blockers to provide SPF 50+ protection.”

Dr. Yadav especially likes EltaMD's products because they're designed to be comfortable and safe on all skin types, even the most sensitive and acne-prone.

Dr. Graf likes this sunscreen stick because it’s water-resistant and contains hydrating ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, which will also benefit the skin while protecting against sun damage. “This SPF 50 sunscreen stick is a 100% mineral sunscreen that is beloved by dermatologists and customers,” she says.

Unfortunately, you might find that this formula pills when you reapply. Also, it’s a bit expensive for a sunscreen stick at $35 per stick.

Price at time of publication: $35

Product Details:

SPF Level: 50+
Duration: 80 minutes
Size: 1.3 ounces
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes

Ulta

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Why We Like It

The non-greasy formula is perfect for people with oily skin.

It’s Worth Noting

Even though it’s a non-greasy formula, it can get a little sticky.

This lightweight, non-greasy formula is ideal for folks with oily skin. The Coola Refreshing Water Stick SPF50 has a sheer finish and contains 70%+ certified organic ingredients. Not only will this help protect your skin against harmful UV rays, but it will also protect against blue light, pollution, and infrared damage.

Upon application, this formula feels really cooling on the skin, which is an ideal situation for a hot summer day. That being said, the formula can feel a bit sticky and it’s not super moisturizing.

Price at time of publication: $30

Product Details:

SPF Level: 50
Duration: 120 minutes
Size: 0.8 ounces
Fragrance-Free: No
Eco-Friendly: No

4.8

CeraVe Broad-Spectrum Mineral Sunscreen Stick - stick

Amazon

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Why We Like It

It’s an affordable product from a dermatologist-tested brand.

It’s Worth Noting

It isn’t easy to use for full-body application.

When it comes to hydrating skin and building your barrier, ceramides are the name of the game. This pick from CeraVe is recommended by dermatologists, including Dr. Yadav. ”I recommend CeraVe products to all my patients—ceramides are a cornerstone of every single product in their lineup and are essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier,” she explains. “In addition to containing ceramides, this product features a non-comedogenic formula with a sheer application that blends well into the skin.”

We love how tiny this little stick is, which makes it super portable and easy to throw into any bag. That being said, because it’s so small, it might not be useful for full-body application.

Price at time of publication: $10

Product Details:

SPF Level: 50
Duration: 40 minutes
Size: 0.47 ounces
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes

4.5

Amazon

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Why We Like It

Its tinted formula is perfect to apply over makeup.

It’s Worth Noting

It may not be best for oily skin.

This stick is unlike most other sunscreen sticks because it’s a mineral-based formula that’s tinted. Dr. Yadav really enjoys the elegance of MDSolarScience’s formulas. “This is a rare tinted SPF stick, so it'll combat the chalky effects of the mineral sunscreens to provide blendable coverage for deeper skin tones—it's also available in an untinted formula,” she explains. “I also like the rounded end of the product; a lot of sunscreen sticks feature a flat tip that can be hard to navigate along the contours of the face.”

We like this stick for applying over makeup because it’s tinted and will offer protection and makeup coverage in one. It’s easily blendable and small enough to throw into your purse while out and about. We think the price is right at $22 per stick, but some find the formula to leave their skin feeling greasy and oily.

Price at time of publication: $22

Product Details:

SPF Level: 40
Duration: 80 minutes
Size: 0.6 ounces
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes

Supergoop!

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Why We Like It

Comes in a pack of three and is SPF 50.

It’s Worth Noting

The sunscreen leaves a bit of a white cast.

Small, portable, and 100% mineral-based, the Supergoop! Sunscreen 100% Mineral Stick SPF Trio is perfect for the whole family. You can throw these into multiple bags and be prepped for any adventure you and your kids take.

“Patients love Supergoop! and the key to using sunscreen is actually liking it enough to apply it regularly, so I recommend this one,” explains Dr. Yadav. ”I like that this is a pack of three so you can have one in every bag to ensure you're always covered.”

Its mineral formula offers SPF 50 and has been tested by pediatricians. “Sticks are often easier and faster to apply on wriggly kids,” Dr. Yadav says. But,because these sticks are 100% mineral-based, you can expect for them to leave a bit of a white cast. They’re probably not ideal for folks with darker skin tones. Additionally, the trio is $72, which isn’t cheap for sunscreen sticks.

Price at time of publication: $72

Product Details:

SPF Level: 50
Duration: 80 minutes
Size: 0.7 ounces each
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes

Amazon

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Why We Like It

It’s great for folks with sensitive skin.

It’s Worth Noting

The zinc oxide formula is hard to rub in and leaves a white cast.

The Babo Botanicals Super Shield Zinc Sport Stick Sunscreen SPF 50 contains 100% zinc oxide as the active ingredient and is safe to use on babies and kids, too. We love that it’s fragrance-free, ideal for those with sensitive skin, and comes at an affordable price.

This formula contains hydrating ingredients including sunflower oil, calendula, avocado oil, and cocoa butter. Because this formula is 100% zinc oxide, you can expect there to be some white cast after application. Make sure you rub in the formula really well.

Price at time of publication: $12

Product Details:

SPF Level: 50
Duration: 80 minutes
Size: 0.6 ounces
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes

Amazon

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Why We Like It

The formula doesn’t leave a white cast.

It’s Worth Noting

It isn’t fragrance-free.

Sun exposure can dry up your skin. Thanks to the Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Stick, you won’t have to worry about a dry dermis after application. This pick contains vitamin E to hydrate skin and neutralize free radicals.

We tested this sunscreen stick in our lab and we all agreed that this small stick smells amazing (think beachy bananas). We were impressed that it goes on clear with no white cast, which makes it a great option for people with dark skin tones. However, this formula does contain fragrance, so if you have really sensitive skin or know that you are sensitive to fragrance, you might want to opt for another stick. We also found this stick to feel a bit greasy, so it may not be ideal for all-day wear, but reserved for pool or beach time.

Price at time of publication: $12

Product Details:

SPF Level: 30
Duration: 80 minutes
Size: 0.45 ounces
Fragrance-Free: No
Eco-Friendly: No

Sephora

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Why We Like It

It goes on clear, making it great for all skin tones.

It’s Worth Noting

Because it’s clear, you should be extra mindful of how much you apply and where.

There’s nothing worse than applying sunscreen only to have it drip (and sting) into your eyes while sweating heavily outdoors. Thankfully, that won’t be an issue with this pick from Shiseido.

Dr. Graf is a big fan of this stick for all things outdoors and exercise. “The Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick formula is great as it is clear, so it will not give you any white cast and it has a non-sticky formula making it go on smoothly,” explains Dr. Graf. “It contains ‘wetforce’ technology, which makes it most effective when in contact with sweat or water. It’s a great option for water, exercise, or outdoor activities.”

We think this is a great option for folks with dark skin because it goes on completely clear and doesn’t leave a white cast. While we love that it goes on without a trace, it does make it hard to see where you actually applied it, and if you missed any spots.

Price at time of publication: $30

Product Details:

SPF Level: 50+
Duration: 80 minutes
Size: 0.7 ounces
Fragrance-Free: No
Eco-Friendly: No

4.8

Supergoop

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Why We Like It

It protects our skin without harming our friends in the ocean.

It’s Worth Noting

This may not be the best product for oily skin.

The Supergoop! Glow Stick SPF 50 has a fantastic formula. This pick comes in a dry oil stick formula and leaves your skin gorgeously dewy and glowy—hence the name. It features oils like buriti oil, pracaxi oil, and tamanu oil.

“The Supergoop! Glow Stick provides SPF 50 and a glowy, dewy finish—it contains argan oil and vitamin E, which will help nourish the skin and keep it hydrated,” explains Dr. Graf. “It is also water resistant and coral safe, meaning it can be used in the ocean without risk of damaging coral reefs.”

Some people with oily skin probably won’t like this product, as it might make your face appear even more oily. Also, if you know that oils irritate your skin or make you break out, you should avoid this product.

Price at time of publication: $26

Product Details:

SPF Level: 50
Duration: 120 minutes
Size: 0.7 ounces
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes

Beauty of Joseon

View On Beautyofjoseon.com

Why We Like It

Leaves your skin looking like satin.

It’s Worth Noting

Since this stick tends to pill, it’s not great to wear with makeup.

This sunscreen stick has been absolutely blowing up on TikTok, and for good reason—it leaves the nicest finish on the skin. The Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick is our favorite matte pick because it manages to create a blurring effect on the skin without making your skin look or feel dry.

With an SPF 50+, this sunscreen stick has a wonderful texture and glides onto the skin flawlessly. It doesn’t leave a white cast on darker skin tones, and is free of any fragrance or essential oils (shoutout to all the sensitive-skin folks out there).

This sunscreen stick tends to pill a little bit, and probably won’t be ideal for applying under or over makeup.

Price at time of publication: $22

Product Details:

SPF Level: 50+
Duration: 120 minutes
Size: 0.63 ounces
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Eco-Friendly: Yes

How We Selected the Best Sunscreen Sticks

We interviewed two board-certified dermatologists for their recommendations and commentary on the best sunscreen sticks. The experts we spoke to included:

Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology

We also chose products we’ve personally tried and had success with, including a sunscreen stick that we tested in our lab. We made sure that each sunscreen stick we’ve recommended has an SPF of 30 or higher, isn’t too heavy on the skin, and comes in an easy-to-apply stick version.

What to Know About Sunscreen Sticks

SPF Level and Broad Spectrum Coverage

When looking for a sunscreen stick, try to find broad spectrum coverage of at least SPF 30 (though SPF 50 is best), which will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, as well as other environmental pollutants.

Ingredients

Depending on your skin type or skin concern, look for ingredients that will help hydrate your skin (like vitamin E and hyaluronic acid) or soothe your skin (like aloe and jojoba oil). Dr. Yadav, it’s more important to avoid certain ingredients when shopping for a sunscreen stick. She explains that sunscreen sticks in particular can feel heavy and thick, and include skin clogging ingredients. For this reason, they can cause breakouts on some people. She recommends avoiding products with raw coconut oil specially because “Avoid formulas that contain raw coconut oil, as this ingredient is highly pore-blocking.”

Types of Sunscreens

According to Dr. Graf, there are multiple types of sunscreen sticks that you can purchase for you and your family. They include:

Face sunscreen sticks: These will be specifically formulated for the face and more sensitive areas of the skin like the nose, cheeks, and forehead. Dr. Graf explains that they will feel lighter than other formulas.
Lip sunscreen sticks: These sunscreen sticks will be specifically formulated for the lips and have a thicker consistency than others as well as contain hydrating ingredients to keep lips moisturized and protected from sun damage.
Body sunscreen sticks: These will have broader coverage and can be used all over the body and have a larger application so it can be used in wider areas like arms, legs, back, etc.
Hairline sunscreen stick: These will be formulated for your hairline and generally have a non-greasy formula so that it won't affect your hair texture or weigh down your hair. Dr. Graf notes that you can also apply sunscreens to the back of your neck as well as your forehead.

Your Questions, Answered

Are sunscreen sticks as effective as lotions?

Sunscreen sticks can be just as effective as lotions as long as they contain the proper ingredients and a high amount of SPF. They’re also ideal for anyone on the go who plans to reapply throughout the day. Dr. Graf does warn that sunscreen sticks are easier to under-apply when compared to lotions, so make sure to apply thoroughly.

Is it OK to share sunscreen sticks?

“While I'd say it's far safer to share a bottle of liquid sunscreen, you can also share a sunscreen stick so long as you wipe down the end with a cleansing or alcohol wipe (or even shave off the tip) first,” suggests Dr. Yadav.

How often should you use a sunscreen stick?

This will mainly depend on your exposure to the sun or the activity you are participating in. Dr. Graf recommends reapplying every 60 to 80 minutes when the formula is water resistant. However, if you’re planning on being in and around water, you should reapply more frequently and pair it with protective clothing, she adds. It’s important to remember to reapply after getting out of the water and towel drying. Staying consistent with reapplying will lead to the best results.

Are adult sunscreen sticks safe for kids?

Dr. Graf says children’s skin is more sensitive than that of an adult. While it is not unsafe for children to use adult sunscreen sticks, it might be better to use a children’s formula as they’re more susceptible to allergic reactions from certain ingredients.

Who We Are

Daley Quinn is a freelance journalist, specializing in beauty and health, who has contributed to numerous publications, such as Elle, Real Simple, Allure, The Cut, WWD, and more. She used her personal experience with testing sunscreen sticks and interview multiple dermatologists for their recommendations for the best sunscreen sticks on the market.