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Thanks to sunscreen sticks, you officially have no excuse to skip sunscreen because it’s literally never been easier or quicker to put on your SPF. Sunscreen sticks are solid bars of sunscreen that you can easily and quickly swipe onto your face and/or body, perfect for anyone who’s constantly on-the-go. Since they’re small in size, they’re great for touch-ups and getting into tough-to-reach crevices and reapplying on often-burned spots like the tip of the nose and forehead.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab regularly tests and evaluates body sunscreen and face sunscreens, including natural sunscreens and SPF products made with zinc oxide, sunscreens for sensitive skin and more. In the Beauty Lab’s most recent in-Lab and consumer sunscreen test, our scientists analyzed more than 60 sunscreens and surveyed more than 1,100 people to find the best sunscreens on the market. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best sunscreen sticks for all skin types, from dry skin to oily skin and everything in between.
Our top picks:
You can read more about how we evaluate sunscreen sticks in our Lab and consumer tests — plus everything you need to know about sunscreen to find the best sunscreen stick for you according to our Beauty Lab pros and Geeta Yadav, M.D., a Toronto-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology, and Brendan Camp, M.D., a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City — at the end of this guide. Looking for more sunscreen options? Check out our guides to the best expert-tested sunscreens and the best sunscreens for kids.
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1
Best Overall Sunscreen Stick
Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick SPF 50
- Contains antioxidants to protect skin
- Small size makes it easy to bring on-the-go
- Stays put even with sweat and humidity
Colorescience’s sunscreen stick has it all: Broad spectrum SPF 50 protection, a mineral, water resistant formula and several hydrating ingredients including jojoba and squalane. It’s a favorite of both GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann and Dr. Yadav. It “goes on white so you can see where you’ve applied it before rubbing it in,” says Dr. Yadav, but it “glides and blends easily leaving a sheer film that doesn’t budge under sweat and it is not sticky to the touch,” adds Wizemann. “Though it may soften a bit in my beach bag if left on the sun, it doesn’t liquify or melt.”
• SPF 50
• Water resistance: 80 minutes
• Active type: Mineral
2
Best Value Sunscreen Stick
Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50
- Doesn’t cause breakouts
- Bargain price for high level of SPF
This travel-sized sunscreen stick makes is perfect for on-the-go. With natural zinc oxide and pure oat essence, Aveeno’s sunscreen stick soothes and protects at the same time. “This is one of the few SPFs that did not cause any reaction on my face; no acne, no milia bumps and no redness,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “The scent is not great, but goes away very quickly. For the price, I love it.”
• SPF 50
• Water resistance: 80 minutes
• Active type: Mineral
3
Best Sunscreen Stick for Face
Sunny Stick SPF 30
- Gentle, plant-based formula
- Small size makes it easy to apply around the nose
- Absorbs quickly
Though this sunscreen stick is marketed for kids, the fragrance-free mineral formula from Mini Bloom is great for all ages. Because it’s made with little ones in mind, it’s full of ingredients that are delicate on the face. “It’s made with a high 20% level of zinc oxide yet blends effortlessly into skin,” says GH Beauty Director April Franzino. “And because it’s made with plant-based skin nourishing ingredients like sunflower oil and aloe, it feels soft instead of chalky on skin.”
• SPF 30
• Water resistance: 40 minutes
• Active type: Mineral
4
Best Sunscreen Stick for Under Makeup
Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+
- Clear formula with no white cast
- Can be applied under or over makeup
- Some customers noticed an off smell
You can still get your sun protection under (or over!) makeup thanks to this editor-favorite Shiseido sunscreen stick with a high SPF 50. It’s easy to reapply both over and under makeup thanks to its smooth, non-sticky formula with a this unique gel-like solid formula. “It glides on skin translucently so there’s no white cast, no matter how dark your skin tone is,” says Franzino. “And because it’s clear, it’s great for touch-ups throughout the day without mess or rubbing.”
• SPF 50+
• Water resistance: 80 minutes
• Active type: Chemical
5
Best Sunscreen Stick for Oily Skin
Mineral Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Face & Body Stick SPF 50
- Good for face and body
- Glides on skin easily
- May leave a white residue
Fight premature aging due to sun damage with Neutrogena’s super sheer mineral sunscreen stick. The brand’s classic dry touch finish helps to fight shine, oiliness and doesn’t make your skin greasy yet still blends easily on both face and body. “It glides nicely on skin with no friction into a faint white film that becomes sheer when rubbed in,” says Wizemann.
• SPF 50
• Water resistance: 80 minutes
• Active type: Mineral
6
Best Sunscreen Stick for Dry Skin
Baby Bum Mineral Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 50 (Pack of 2)
- Fragrance-free
- Contains nourishing ingredients for hydration
- Some users found the formula thick
Specially formulated for babies and children, this Sun Bum sunscreen stick works well on adults too. GH Freelance Beauty Editor Dori Price loves this one for her kids. The plant-based formula has coconut oil, shea butter and cocoa butter that help keep skin hydrated throughout the day, no matter your age. “All four of us have varying degrees of sensitive skin and we can all use this without problems,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “It works great and it’s fast to apply.”
• SPF 50
• Water resistance: 80 minutes
• Active type: Mineral
7
Best Sunscreen Stick for Sensitive Skin
Sunnyscreen SPF 50 Stick For Babies + Kiddos
- Fragrance-free
- Sensitive enough for babies and children
Supergoop’s sunscreen for babies and kids is fragrance-free, making it ideal for sensitive skin for all ages. It’s gentle and soft enough to use all over the face, even lips. Dr. Camp loves its water-resistant formula for beach or pool days. “Doesn’t make my super super sensitive skin break out at all,” writes one reviewer. “Doesn’t look white and feels decent on, not too thick.”
• SPF 50
• Water resistance: 80 minutes
• Active type: Mineral
8
Best Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Stick
UV Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
- Contains high level of zinc oxide
- Works on all skin types
- Rolls onto skin smoothly
EltaMD is widely lauded for its SPF products, and this zinc oxide sunscreen stick recommended by Dr. Camp is no different. It can be used on all skin types and ages on both face and body. Thanks to an impressive 22% zinc oxide along with vitamin E and bisabolol, this stick provides broad spectrum sun protection as well as all-day hydration to the skin. “This sunscreen goes on smoothly, rubs in easily without that greasy feeling,” writes an Amazon reviewer. “Easy to store a small purse or backpack to use on the go.”
• SPF 50+
• Water resistance: 80 minutes
• Active type: Mineral
9
Best Sunscreen Stick for Acne-Prone Skin
Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 50
- Does not contain comedones that can clog pores
- Can be used on face and lips
- Formulated for sensitive skin
Sans highly comedogenic ingredients like coconut butter and cocoa butter that can irritate the skin and cause breakouts, this Cetaphil sunscreen stick is a great choice for acne-prone skin. It’s formulated for sensitive skin and contains hydrating vitamin E to keep you protected and nourished throughout the day. It’s “great for use not only on the face but lips too,” says Dr. Camp.
• SPF 50
• Water resistance: 80 minutes
• Active type: Mineral
10
Best Korean Sunscreen Stick
Natural Perfection Double Shield Sun Stick SPF 50
- Safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin
- Spreads easily
Cult-favorite Korean skincare brand AHC makes a sunscreen stick with SPF 50+ that’s easy to bring on-the-go for quick reapplication all day long. Users are a fan of its sensitive skin-friendly formula. “I have oily skin and I had use tons of different sunscreens but they always leave my face more oily and make me break out,” one Amazon reviewer raves. “But this one is the exception, this sunscreen leaves my skin so smooth and matte and doesn’t make my skin break out.”
• SPF 50+
• Water resistant: Yes (time period not indicated)
• Active type: Chemical
How we choose the best sunscreen sticks
The Good Housekeeping Institute regularly tests and evaluates skincare products, including body and face sunscreens. In the Beauty Lab’s most recent sunscreen test, our scientists analyzed 62 body sunscreens and polled 1,139 people on their sunscreen habits, conducting both Lab and consumer testing to determine the top sunscreen products on the market. Testers took note of several factors, including ease of use, scent, texture, look and feel on skin and sun protection ability. This list was curated with contributions from Wizemann, Dr. Yadav, Dr. Camp and our beauty editors to curate the top-performing sunscreen sticks on the market.
What to look for when shopping for the best sunscreen sticks
✔️ Broad spectrum coverage: The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends sunscreen products that provide broad spectrum coverage, meaning that it includes both UVA and UVB protection, says Dr. Camp. UVA is responsible for aging the skin and UVB is responsible for burning the skin, so it’s safe to say you’ll want to be protected from both!
✔️ SPF 30 or higher: “Always look for a sun protection factor of at least SPF 30,” says Dr. Yadav. The AAD also suggests SPF 30 for the best protection. For even more peace of mind, the GH Beauty Lab recommends looking for SPF 50.
✔️ Formula: “Be cautious when shopping for stick-based formulas if you’re prone to pore congestion or irritation,” says Dr. Yadav, as sunscreen sticks tend to be thick and hydrating. “Sunscreen sticks that use coconut butter and cocoa butter, which are highly comedogenic, may not be the best choice for acne-prone skin,” says Wizemann. Dr. Yadav adds, “However, there are plenty of lighter and/or hypoallergenic stick formulas that are suitable for oily or sensitive complexions,” like our picks above.
✔️ Color: Dr. Yadav recommends considering a tinted or color-changing formula to help determine if you’ve effectively protected all of your skin. “Many formulas go on clear, which can make it challenging to determine if you’ve applied an adequate amount of sunscreen,” she says.
Is stick or liquid sunscreen better?
When applied correctly, Wizemann says sunscreen sticks should be just as effective as liquid sunscreens and vice versa. Sunscreen sticks “are the best for targeted coverage of face and body parts that get exposed to sun (nose, ears, shoulders, top of the feet, cheeks, etc.),” Wizemann adds.
Regardless of formula, the most important part of applying sunscreen is careful, even and thorough application. “When using a sunscreen stick, you should rub it over the same area multiple times and massage it in to make sure you’ve fully coated and protected your skin,” recommends Dr. Yadav. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen 15 minutes before first exposure to sun. “This is crucial for all sunscreens, sunscreen sticks included, as they all require some time to form a uniform protective film on skin before sun exposure,” says Wizemann.
Does stick sunscreen work?
Yes, but take note: Due to their often thicker and waxier formulas, sunscreen sticks may be a bit more difficult to apply than liquid sunscreen. “Typically, these formulas contain rich, plant-based emollients, like shea, jojoba, and coconut oils, making them ideal for drier skin types,” says Dr. Yadav. “They also may not be the best choice for everyday use, for example under makeup, as they may dissolve foundations and concealers and may not be most practical when it comes to covering the entire body,” says Wizemann.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Good Housekeeping Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn authored this article, working closely with the Beauty Lab to help deliver fact-based, science-backed beauty coverage. Over the years, she has interviewed experts, written product reviews and tested hundreds of skincare products like sunscreens, including sunscreen lotions, sprays, chemical and mineral formulas, powders and sticks. She’s never without her SPF and considers it the most essential step in any skincare routine.
For this article, she worked closely with Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann, who has touched, researched, tested and evaluated thousands of products for almost a decade. She carried out various studies from sunscreens (including formulas for sensitive and oily skin and mineral types) and more. She also lends a hand when it comes to explaining skincare ingredients and verifies product claims.
Dr. Brendan Camp is a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, and Dr. Geeta Yadav is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology.
Beauty Assistant
Catharine Malzahn is the Beauty Assistant at Good Housekeeping where she works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to support, pitch and write beauty content.
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