Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46
Best Overall Face SunscreenHawaiian Tropic Skin Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Best Budget Body SunscreenPrice
$44-$45
$10-$12
Summary
The dermatologist-favorite face sunscreen that works for acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation without leaving a white cast. Niacinamide calms redness while zinc oxide provides mineral protection — no fragrance, no oil, no parabens.
The best-value body sunscreen you can buy — at under $2 per ounce, it outperforms formulas costing 5x more. Earned perfect scores for not drying or irritating skin, absorbs fast, and smells like a beach vacation.
Pros
- No white cast despite being a mineral/chemical hybrid formula
- Contains niacinamide (vitamin B3) to soothe inflammation and reduce redness
- Fragrance-free, oil-free, paraben-free, and noncomedogenic
- Has a tinted version for added coverage
- Recommended by dermatologists for acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation
- Exceptional value at ~$1.83 per ounce
- Perfect scores for not drying or irritating skin in GH Beauty Lab testing
- 80-minute water resistance — great for beach and pool use
- Crowd-pleasing 'beachy' scent even among fragrance-averse testers
- Absorbs quickly without feeling tacky or oily
Cons
- Takes time to blend — not the fastest-absorbing formula
- Higher price point (~$44-$45) compared to drugstore options
- SPF 46 is slightly lower than some competitors at SPF 50
- Some testers found the consistency too thin/runny
- Chemical formula (not mineral) — contains avobenzone
- Not ideal for those avoiding synthetic fragrance
Our take
If you only buy one face sunscreen, make it this one. Dermatologists recommend it constantly, Reddit's skincare community swears by it, and it's one of the few sunscreens that genuinely works for sensitive, acne-prone, and redness-prone skin all at once.
This is the sunscreen to grab when you need to slather it on liberally without guilt about cost. It's a GH Beauty Lab winner that beats pricier options on almost every metric — and that tropical scent makes you actually want to put it on.
Buy
