The best sunscreens for daily use this season
We’ve sourced the top sunscreens for various uses to keep you protected.
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The Canadian Dermatology Association recommends sun safety every day to help prevent the long-term consequences of too many harmful rays. It’s especially important to remember to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher before you step outside. With sunnier, longer days upon us, these options will cover whatever plans you have! We selected these sunscreens based on their SPF rating, water resistant protection (when applicable for full body coverage), application, and online customer reviews.
Sunscreen for the Face
Our pick: Garnier Ombrelle Sunscreen Ultra-Light Face SPF 60, 75 ml
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: This sunscreen for the face is recognized by the Canadian Dermatology Association. It’s hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, colorant-free, and contains both a vitamin E antioxidant for hydration and Ombrelle’s patented Mexoryl Technology for filtering the sun. Customers remark the application is lightweight and non-greasy. Since this cream is formulated specifically for your face, it absorbs quickly for use under makeup.
Sunscreen for the Body
Our pick: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Face & Body Sunscreen SPF 30, 88 ml
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: The Hydro Boost gel is light enough to wear on your face and ideal for your body. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, which is known for its benefit of alleviating dry skin, claiming to hydrate for eight hours after application. This sunscreen also uses HELIOPLEX technology to stabilize the filters that protect against harmful rays. This invisible gel wears lightly and does not easily transfer onto swimwear or clothing, plus it’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Spray Sunscreen
Our pick: Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Weightless Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: Hawaiian Tropic is known for its light island botanical scent! Beyond that, they’ve packaged their unique breathable formula that offers 12 hours of moisturization and up to 80 minutes of water resistance into a convenient no-mess spray bottle. Spray sunscreens can help cover hard-to-reach areas for better overall protection. If you’re unsure which is the best type for you, you can always start your day by applying a lotion and bring this spray with you for quick re-application while you’re on the go.
Sport Sunscreen
Our pick: Banana Boat Ultra Sport Sunscreen Spray SPF 30, Value Pack
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: This sunscreen is formulated specifically for active lifestyles and outdoor sports. It offers superior endurance against both sweat and water, claiming that it won’t run into your eyes to affect your performance, plus it’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes. We also chose a spray as the best option in this category because of the ease of reapplication when you’re on the move.
Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Our pick: La Roche-Posay SPF 50, 125 ml
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: The La Roche-Posay sunscreen is a bit more luxe and higher priced, but it’s worth every nickel if you have sensitive skin. It’s everything it says it is: lightweight, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, quick-absorbing, oil-free, and recognized by the Canadian Dermatology Association. The formula applies invisibly with no residue and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Natural Sunscreen
Our pick: Green Beaver Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40, 90 ml
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: The Green Beaver sunscreen is organic and developed for all skin types. Their long-lasting protection will moisturize your skin and is water resistant up to 80 minutes. The features include certified Ecocert, gluten-free, Health Canada-approved, hypoallergenic, non-nano, non-silicone coated, and biodegradable with natural ingredients like zinc, jojoba, and raspberry seed oil. When you order this product, you can feel good about supporting a small Canadian business too!
Baby Sunscreen
Our pick: Aveeno Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50, 88 ml
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: Ranked as a number one bestseller on Amazon.ca, this sunscreen is formulated specifically for babies and is pediatrician recommended. In addition to the naturally sourced zinc, it contains soothing oats, which help make it pure enough to apply to your baby’s sensitive skin. It’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes, so make sure you remember to reapply when you’re spending a day by the pool.
Kids Sunscreen
Our pick: Thinksport Kids Sunscreen SPF 50, 89 ml
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: Thinksport for kids is a mineral-based sunscreen, which means it’s composed of natural ingredients making it a better option to use on kids’ sensitive skin. It’s a zinc-based lotion that does not leave a chalky white residue and it’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes. The founder of this brand brought his interest in health and preservative medicine together with his background in biotechnology to create functional alternative products for little ones (and adults too!).
Sunscreen for the Lips
Our pick: Sun Bum Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 30, Coconut
SHOP NOW on Amazon.ca: It’s easy to forget about protecting your lips from the sun resulting in crispy burns and chapped skin. Bring this Sun Bum lip balm with you wherever you go to protect against harmful rays, wind, and salty sea. It’s hypoallergenic, free of irritating ingredients, and water resistant for up to 80 minutes with a hard-to-resist, delicious coconut scent.
Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.
Here’s what we kept in mind while researching top-reviewed brands:
SPF: As mentioned above, we aligned with the recommendations from the Canadian Dermatology Association, which are to look for a product with a minimum SPF of 30 to protect against UVB rays and contain ingredients that protect against UVA rays - which contribute to premature aging and the development of skin cancer. All of the sunscreens we are listing are considered to be broad-spectrum, meaning they help protect against both.
Water Resistant Protection: We looked for sunscreens that offer water resistant properties, especially for the sports category. It’s important for consumers to note that sunscreen should always be reapplied after swimming, sweating, towel drying, or at least every two hours.
Application: Not all sunscreens are created with the same ingredients, so we were careful to read through online reviews and draw from personal experiences to recommend ones that apply well to the skin. Criteria we considered included being non-greasy, non-oily, lightweight, and does not leave a white residue even when zinc is listed as an ingredient.
Customer Rating: We rely on customer reviews and ratings to determine the top-quality products that make the list. Our product specialists read through multiple online sources and carefully cross-reference what customers are saying to provide the best options for sunscreen on the market.
Our trusted Product Specialists recommend high-quality items that we think will enhance your experience with Canadian weather conditions. Prices and availability of items are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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