Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brands Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story The best drugstore sunscreens have come a long way in proving that effective sun protection doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag. Simply put: “If a sunscreen is properly tested, broad-spectrum and used correctly, it doesn’t need to be expensive to be effective,” says Kseniya Kobets, MD , a board-certified dermatologist in New York. In fact, these Allure -approved SPF formulas also offer elegant textures, invisible finishes, and ingredient lists packed with skin-care heavy hitters on top of strong broad-spectrum protection from UV rays.
That’s good news for your wallet, especially considering how much sunscreen you’re supposed to use. “A shot-glass amount is enough to cover the whole body, and about a nickel- or quarter-size dollop is needed for the face and neck,” says Elizabeth K. Hale, MD , a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Translation: If you’re applying SPF correctly, you’ll go through your bottle faster than you’d think, which makes finding a drugstore option all the more appealing.
What should you look for in a drugstore sunscreen? Are mineral or chemical sunscreens better? What’s the benefit of a drugstore sunscreen? Meet the experts How we test and review products Our staff and testers Considering there are plenty of SPF options out there—especially when you factor in face sunscreens, body sunscreens, chemical and mineral sunscreens , sticks, sprays, and more—you can start here if you don’t know where to begin. These are the best drugstore sunscreens that are Allure editor- and dermatologist-approved and won’t break the bank.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist La Roche-Posay
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50 in Light
Why we love it: La Roche-Posay is, undoubtedly, one of our favorite French pharmacy brands , especially when it comes to (but not limited to) SPFs—and the Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50 is a prime example. Countless dermatologists and editors have touted this extra gentle, soothing-thermal-water-infused formula over the years, cementing its “tried-and-true” status. Made with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, this mineral tinted sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays as well as visible light (which can cause hyperpigmentation and contribute to skin aging), it has a milky texture that melts into skin, doesn’t leave any greasy residue behind, and offers ample antioxidant protection. “It provides broad-spectrum protection in a lightweight fluid texture that layers well under makeup,” Dr. Kobets affirms. “The tint helps blend more naturally into the skin while providing additional protection against visible light.” Speaking of the tint, it’s also available in four shades to be more flexible across several skin tones.
Han before applying the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50 in Light
Han after applying the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50 in Light
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“My biggest hesitations about mineral sunscreens are white cast (and mind you, I'm pretty light-toned, so it's not even a huge barrier compared to others) and pilling. I only have a handful of mineral SPFs that pass the test and this La Roche-Posay sunscreen is one of them. It took me a while to finally…