35 Top Sunscreens For Summer — Best Picks To Protect Your Skin

We love spending time outdoors during the summer, but by now it’s no secret that sunscreen is a must. So before your next day spent lounging at the beach or even brunching al fresco, be smart about protecting your skin with these sunscreen tips and picks.

Whether you’re fair skinned like Taylor Swift and quickly burn in the sun, or have a darker skin tone like Rihanna, you need SPF. Not only does it protect you from skin cancer (which, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, nearly 5 million people in the US undergo cancer treatment each year), but it also keeps you from getting wrinkly, leathery skin. We consulted with Dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldfaden, M.D., to make sure your sunscreen game is stronger than the summer sun.

Everyday SPF: You should be wearing sunscreen every day, all year long. But it’s especially important in the summer to apply SPF, no matter how little the amount of time you’ll be in the sun is. Whether you’re driving to work (windows don’t protect you from the sun!) or taking a casual afternoon walk with friends, you’re exposed to harmful UVA/UVB rays, which means you need to be wearing sunscreen on any skin that’s exposed.

Start with a moisturizer with SPF like Skinceuticals Physical Matte UV Defense SPF 50 before applying your makeup. If you don’t want an extra step in the morning, switch out your regular foundation for Avene High Protection Tinted Compact SPF 50, then use a light sunscreen like L’Oreal Paris Advanced Suncare Clear Cool Lotion SPF 30.

Top Sunscreens For Summer 2015 — Stay Safe From The Sun With These Top Picks

Sun Skin Care: If you’ll be spending the day in the sun, use a strong SPF like Alba Botanica Hawaiian Continuous Clear Spray Sunscreen SPF 50, or Kiss My Face Cool Sport SPF 50 if you’ll be working up a sweat or swimming. You should also try to avoid being in direct sunlight in the afternoon because “UV radiation peaks at midday between 12pm and 3pm,” Dr. Goldfaden says.

And just because you applied sunscreen in the morning doesn’t mean you’re good to go for the rest of the day. “Sunscreen chemicals sometimes breakdown in the sun, wash off or rub off on towels and clothing. It’s important that you reapply your sunscreen every hour when in direct sun light to ensure proper skin protection,” Dr. Goldfaden says.

How disciplined are you about applying SPF, HollywoodLifers? Did any of these facts surprise you?

— Marissa DeSantis