10 Sunscreens for Men Worth Wearing Year-Round, From Daily SPF to Beach Picks

Daily sunscreen earns its place in a grooming routine when it fits the day you’re actually having. A lightweight face formula can work for the commute; a water-resistant option makes more sense for a run or a swim. The picks here span both, with differences in texture, ingredients and staying power that matter as much as the SPF number.

Sun protection isn’t just a beach-day consideration. Ultraviolet rays can reach skin during ordinary outdoor time, and exposure can damage skin cell DNA, create reactive oxygen species and break down collagen. Dermatologist Dr. Y. Claire Chang says that damage can begin in as little as 15 minutes, whatever the temperature or activity. Regular use of sunscreen helps limit that exposure and the resulting risk of sun damage.

The recommendations below draw on a year of testing more than 50 sunscreens, weighing how they feel, how well they wear, their value and their protection. The editor also consulted dermatologists about the products they use or recommend and the ingredients they look for. Here are the ten standouts, organized by the situations they suit.

Reliable everyday protection

La Roche-Posay Anthelios

La Roche-Posay Anthelios is dermatologist Dr. Alexander Witkowski’s go-to for extended sun exposure. He also uses it on his four-year-old child for a beach day or long bike ride. The formula combines ceramides, which support the skin barrier, with niacinamide and glycerin for a comfortable, moisturized feel. Senna alata adds antioxidant support against oxidative stress.

It spreads easily, absorbs quickly and offers broad-spectrum protection. The oil-free, non-comedogenic formula is designed with acne-prone skin in mind and includes prebiotic thermal spring water. It’s also water-resistant for 80 minutes and gentle enough for sensitive skin, according to Witkowski. For a more affordable alternative to EltaMD UV Clear, this is the strongest all-purpose pick in the group.

One practical detail: the sunscreen is moisturizing enough that it may pair best with a lightweight face moisturizer. EltaMD UV Clear costs more than twice as much, and can leave a cast if layered over a thicker moisturizer, particularly on deeper skin tones. Anthelios is a sensible choice when you want a single face sunscreen that can move from daily errands to longer time outside.

Supergoop daily sunscreen

Supergoop’s daily sunscreen is built for a busy routine: broad-spectrum, water-resistant, quick to absorb and hydrating. The clear, silky texture makes it easy to wear to the office, gym or beach, while its neutral scent sits comfortably alongside cologne. In testing, it held up across all three settings and left skin feeling moisturized.

The finish has two caveats. It can leave a slight white cast, especially on darker skin tones, and a subtle greasy residue that may bother those with oily skin. If texture and wear time are your priorities, it’s a versatile option; if you’re sensitive to shine or residue, try it before making it your everyday pick.

Dermatologist-formulated SPF 60

This sunscreen was developed with dermatologists and has Dr. Witkowski’s backing. It has a lightweight, clear, silky feel similar to Supergoop, but leaves no residue. Niacinamide helps visibly even skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots caused by sun exposure. Its non-comedogenic formula is intended to suit all skin types, including sensitive skin.

At SPF 60, it offers one of the highest protection ratings among these selections. The source reports that SPF 60 blocks up to 98.5 percent of the sun’s rays. The formula is also free of oxybenzone, octinoxate, phthalates and dyes. The product name isn’t provided in the source, so the useful takeaway is its combination of a clean-feeling finish, niacinamide and high SPF.

For sensitive or acne-prone skin

EltaMD UV Clear

EltaMD UV Clear pairs zinc oxide with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Zinc oxide is a mineral sunscreen ingredient that protects against UVA and UVB rays, while the other two ingredients help make the formula feel soothing and hydrating. Witkowski highlights its 5 percent niacinamide, which can help improve the look of uneven tone and discoloration, calm visible inflammation, support the skin barrier and regulate oil production.

The oil-free texture feels silky and leaves no lingering white cast when thoroughly rubbed in. It can suit sensitive, acne-prone or oily skin, but there’s no need to have those concerns to use it. Its lack of water and sweat resistance is the main limitation. In the editor’s experience, it began to run or rub off around two or three miles into a jog, and an application lasted about 20 minutes while swimming. Keep it for lower-sweat daily wear, and choose a water-resistant option for exercise or time in the water.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost sunscreen

Neutrogena Hydro Boost is a lightweight, non-greasy choice that absorbs quickly and leaves an invisible sheen. That clear finish makes it a useful option for darker skin tones when a visible white cast is a concern. It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so it can also work for beach days.

Dr. Robert Finney recommends it for patients with sensitive skin. Hyaluronic acid helps keep skin hydrated without making the finish feel sticky or greasy. The editor noticed a slight chemical scent; it isn’t overpowering, but fragrance-sensitive users may find it distracting. This one balances a clear finish and hydration with practical water resistance.

For workouts, travel and targeted application

Kelly Slater’s mineral sunscreen

Created by surfer Kelly Slater, this mineral sunscreen is designed for extended activity. It applies thickly, then blends in with thorough rubbing. In testing, it stayed put through long runs, hikes and swims without dripping into the eyes, even during heavy sweating. The formula is water-resistant for 80 minutes and sweatproof for 40.

It’s fragrance-free and gentle enough for sensitive skin, and the finish leaves little to no white cast when you don’t apply too much and take time to blend it. The package is made from 100 percent recycled plastic, and the formula is free from oxybenzone and octinoxate. Its combination of staying power and a low-cast finish makes it a compelling activity pick. The source doesn’t give the product’s specific name, so check the packaging for its stated water and sweat resistance.

Oars and Alps Go Stick

A sunscreen stick makes touch-ups easier when a lotion bottle is awkward or inconvenient. Oars and Alps Go Stick glides on, absorbs within seconds and leaves no visible residue. The clear finish can make application hard to see, so take care to cover the full area rather than relying on a quick swipe.

The fragrance-free formula skips parabens, phthalates and sulfates. Jojoba and sunflower oils help moisturize, while alpine caribou moss and vitamin E help condition the skin. The solid format travels neatly without spill risk. Witkowski says he reaches for it after shaving when he’s short on time, appreciating its gentle feel. Though it promises 80 minutes of water and sweat resistance, the editor reapplies after about an hour during workouts or water activities.

Marlowe No. 128 Facial Lotion

Marlowe No. 128 Facial Lotion combines moisturizer and sunscreen in one step, with SPF 50 broad-spectrum protection, shea butter and aloe vera. It absorbs in seconds and leaves skin feeling smooth. For anyone who finds a separate moisturizer and sunscreen cumbersome, this format can make a regular morning application easier to maintain.

It’s water-resistant for 80 minutes, though the editor found it could run during a swim. It performed well before workouts, but its best fit is everyday wear such as commuting or walking to the market. Think of it as a daily face lotion with SPF rather than a dedicated choice for long sessions in the water.

More options for specific preferences

Malin and Goetz SPF 30

Malin and Goetz SPF 30 uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the mineral sunscreen ingredients that sit on the skin’s surface and help block UV rays. Shea butter, glycerin and hyaluronic acid give the formula a moisturizing base. Its gel-cream texture glides on easily and absorbs quickly, with a lightweight, residue-free finish.

The brand’s MicroSperse technology is described as a cold-processing method that gives the sunscreen its smooth glide and fast absorption. It’s reef-safe, according to the source, and water-resistant for up to 40 minutes. That shorter resistance window is worth factoring in for swimming or heavy sweating; it may suit everyday use better than a long beach session.

Vacation Orange Gelee SPF 30 Spray

Vacation Orange Gelee SPF 30 Spray is designed for convenient coverage, especially across hard-to-reach areas such as the back and shoulders. It sprays on clear and offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection alongside a lightweight, hydrating formula. The source describes it as supporting gradual bronzing under controlled sun exposure; sunscreen doesn’t eliminate UV exposure, so use it for protection rather than as a way to pursue a tan.

Witkowski likes the fragrance, which combines bergamot, clove, saffron, patchouli and sandalwood. That makes this a more scented option than the fragrance-free picks above. The spray format and distinctive scent are the appeal; remember to apply it evenly, including areas that are easy to miss.

Choosing an SPF and formula

Look for broad-spectrum coverage, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays. SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, indicates protection against UV rays. The dermatologists cited recommend at least SPF 30. The figures in the source put SPF 30 at 97 percent of rays blocked, SPF 50 at 98 percent, SPF 60 at 98.5 percent and SPF 70 at 99 percent. Higher numbers bring smaller gains, so a formula you’ll apply consistently matters more than chasing the largest SPF figure.

Reapply every two to three hours while exposed to the sun, Dr. Chang advises, including when you’re indoors near a window. For swimming, choose a water-resistant formula and follow the time listed on its label. Water resistance can also help during sweaty workouts. Dr. Brendan Camp says it’s a useful quality in a sunscreen even when you aren’t planning to swim.

Mineral and chemical sunscreens protect skin in different ways. Mineral formulas use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to form a barrier on the surface. They’re often a good fit for sensitive or acne-prone skin, can work immediately and tend to cause less irritation. Their thicker texture can be more difficult to blend and may leave a white cast.

Chemical formulas absorb UV rays and convert them into heat. Ingredients can include oxybenzone or avobenzone. These sunscreens often feel lighter and look clearer on the skin, which may appeal to people with oily skin. Some can irritate sensitive skin, and certain ingredients have been linked to environmental concerns. Chemical sunscreens need time to set: allow 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure. Mineral formulas don’t need that extra activation time.

Application, expiry and testing

Coverage depends on reaching the easy-to-forget spots. Dr. Heather Rogers recommends paying special attention to areas that face the sun directly, including the top of the head, shoulders and tops of the feet. Reapply every two hours, and after swimming or sweating. A stick can help with targeted touch-ups; a lotion may make it easier to cover a larger area evenly.

Check the expiry date before using an old bottle. Dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman says all sunscreens expire, whether mineral or chemical. He advises discarding opened sunscreen after one year and unopened sunscreen after three. For mineral formulas, the active ingredients may continue to sit on the skin and block UV rays, but changes in inactive ingredients can alter the texture and ease of application.

The editor’s shortlist reflects input from dermatologists and 12 months of use across more than 50 products. The evaluation considered feel, value, longevity and protection, with the aim of covering different skin types and routines. The practical choice is the one that fits your day: Anthelios for a flexible everyday face option, UV Clear for a silky feel without water resistance, Hydro Boost for a clear, water-resistant finish, or a stick or sport formula when activity and quick reapplication come first. Keep it within reach, apply it thoroughly and give chemical formulas time to set.