The 14 Best Sunscreen Sticks for Easy and Mess-Free Sun Protection

Best Overall

EltaMD UV Stick Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+

$38 at Amazon $38 at Dermstore View on Eltamd.com

SPF: 50+ | Active Type: Mineral | Water Resistant: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Elta MD makes some of our favorite sunscreens, and the brand’s face stick comes highly recommended by Dr. Castilla. “This is a bit creamier than the usual sunscreen stick, making it a little easier to absorb into the skin.” She adds that “a sunscreen stick should contain an SPF 30 at a minimum,” and this formula boasts SPF 50 with 22% zinc oxide (which can block UVA and UVB rays), so you know you’ll have substantial sun protection and the most sensitive or acne-prone skin covered (literally). It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so the hottest days are no match for Elta MD’s staying power. Although this is a more expensive pick, we love that the stick houses a good amount of product that should last you a while and is infused with antioxidants to further defend against free radicals.

Best Budget

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face & Body Mineral Sunscreen Stick

$16 at Amazon $21 at Ulta $15 at Target

SPF: 50 | Active Type: Mineral | Water Resistant: Yes | Cruelty Free: No

The Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face & Body Mineral Sunscreen Stick is a reliable and budget-friendly option to toss in your beach bag. The water-resistant formula features 21.6% zinc oxide to help shield the skin from the sun’s damaging rays, offering broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection. Given how much product you get in each stick (1.5 oz), the under-$20 price point is pretty impressive. “The stick itself is a bit longer than a typical sunscreen stick, making it easier to get coverage on the cheeks,” adds Dr. Castilla. While it’s advertised as a “sheer” formula, some reviewers note that the formula still leaves behind a chalky white cast. Also worth noting: Since it dries matte, it may not hydrate enough for dry skin types.

Best Clear

Shiseido UV Clear Stick Protector SPF 50

$32 at Amazon $32 at Sephora $32 at Ulta

SPF: 50 | Active Type: Chemical | Water Resistant: Yes | Cruelty Free: No

Many sun-goers tend to opt for a chemical sunscreen due to its ability to easily absorb into the skin—free of any white cast. Shiseido’s Clear Sunscreen Stick does just that; it provides the face with a layer of near-invisible coverage. Designed with a brand-signature technology that intensifies the effectiveness of sun protection when met with heat and water, this stick is sweat-resistant and will stay strong while swimming.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Supergoop! Glow Stick Sunscreen SPF 50

$30 at Sephora $30 at Dermstore View on Supergoop.com

SPF: 50 | Active Type: Chemical | Water Resistant: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The Glow Stick provides top-tier protection without clogging the pores or drying out the skin (we love how it contains several natural oils to deeply hydrate your complexion). Not only does the Glow Stick keep breakouts at bay while adding a natural luminosity to the face, it does so without compromising on skin-protecting ingredients. The efficacious formula features SPF 50 as well as broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays, all while providing up to 40 minutes of water and sweat resistance for days spent in the hot sun (although since the window of protection is shorter, be sure to reapply often).

Best Travel Size

Cetaphil Sunscreen Stick

$8 at Amazon $9 at Target $13 at Walmart

SPF: 50 | Active Type: Mineral | Water Resistant: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

If you're traveling or frequently get sunburned in easy-to-miss areas, like the ears or scalp, you need to add this to your sun care arsenal. It's smaller than most of the picks on this list (0.5 oz), meaning it can easily reach those spots so that you're completely protected. Dr. Castilla counts Cetaphil’s Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick as a top choice for sun protection. She explains that the product is “at a great price point and works well for acne-prone skin.” And the reef-safe formula doesn’t skimp on the defense: Sun-reflecting zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are at the forefront of this ingredient list for optimal protection from damage.

Best Multitasking

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Color Balm SPF 50

$39 at Amazon $39 at Dermstore View on Colorescience.com

SPF: 50 | Active Type: Mineral | Water Resistant: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re a fan of skincare-makeup hybrids that perform double (or triple or quadruple) duty, let us introduce you to Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Color Balms. They provide SPF 50 protection while adding a light wash of color to your eyelids, lips, and cheeks in shades such as bronze, blush, and berry. The balms are also formulated with skin-enhancing ingredients such as hydrating squalene and antioxidant-rich jojoba for a balanced and nourished complexion. However, since you probably won’t be applying this over your entire face, you’ll want to layer it on over your standard SPF application.

Best Hydrating

Coola Refreshing Water Hydration Stick Organic Face Sunscreen SPF 50

$30 at Sephora $30 at Nordstrom View on Coola.com

SPF: 50 | Active Type: Chemical | Water Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Featuring a blend of soothing aloe and moisture-locking hyaluronic acid, this hydrating sunscreen stick is in a skincare league of its own. The chemical formula nourishes and replenishes the skin while simultaneously providing ample sun protection and leaving behind a glowy, dewy finish. We love that it's made with 70% certified organic ingredients and has a lightweight feel that melts into the skin easily. Not only does this impressive stick work to shield against harmful UVA and UVB rays, but it also defends the skin against blue light, infrared radiation, and pollution. We do wish it were water-resistant though.

Best on Amazon

Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Stick

$9 at Amazon $13 at Ulta $13 at Target

SPF: 30 | Active Type: Chemical | Water Resistant: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

With more than 9,000 five-star Amazon ratings, Sun Bum’s Sunscreen Face Stick is a top choice for online shoppers. The chemical formula applies completely clear and is sweat and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. While it's on the smaller side compared to some of our previous options, its compactness does make for a great travel sunscreen. The formula is also certified cruelty-free and vegan. It has a beautiful tropical-esque scent that's reminiscent of a beach day filled with piña coladas, but the fragrance might be too strong for those with sensitive skin (or if you just don't like your skincare to be scented).

Best for Sensitive Skin

Aveeno Protect + Soothe Mineral Sunscreen Stick for Sensitive Skin

$15 at Amazon $16 at Walgreens $16 at Riteaid.com

SPF: 50 | Active Type: Mineral | Water Resistant: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

Aveeno’s Protect + Soothe Mineral Sunscreen Stick is specifically formulated with sensitive and sunburn-prone skin in mind. The ingredient list features 21.6% zinc oxide for protection against harmful rays, while oat essence (which is a top healing ingredient for eczema and irritated skin) soothes and nourishes the skin. The fragrance-free formula boasts 80 minutes of water resistance and is also incredibly comfortable for all-day wear, thanks to its lightweight and nongreasy finish.

Best for Oily Skin

Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick

View on Beautyofjoseon.com $15 at Yesstyle.com View on IHerb

SPF: 50+ | Active Type: Chemical | Water Resistant: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Korean sunscreens are already popular for their completely invisible finish, and this stick from Beauty of Joseon is no different. It applies and dries down 100% clear, and we love that it has a matte finish instead of appearing shiny or greasy (which is common with chemical sunscreen formulations). It’s a great pick for oily skin types, as it's made with a variety of ingredients that can cut shine, balance oil production, and smooth the skin—including silica powder, mugwort, and more. The best part of this sun stick is applying it—its smooth texture glides across the skin without any pulling or discomfort, and it has a lightweight finish that feels unnoticeable on the complexion.

Best for Under-Eyes

CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

$9 at Amazon $9 at Target $9 at Walmart

SPF: 50 | Active Type: Mineral | Water Resistant: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

It's important to put sunscreen all over your face and body—including around the eyes—but a lot of people experience stinging or burning when applying around that area. This is more common when using chemical formulas, but there are a ton of other skincare products that can cause irritation to sensitive spots, such as under the eyes. If you frequently experience that, we recommend this travel-friendly stick from CeraVe. This zinc oxide formula suits the most delicate areas on your face. It’s even a safe choice for young kids, though the brand recommends asking a doctor for children younger than six months. We also love that it comes recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as a sun protection product that is effective at preventing sun damage.

Best Reef Safe

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Stick

$9 at Amazon $10 at Ulta $9 at Target

SPF: 50+ | Active Type: Mineral | Water Resistant: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re aiming to spend more time in the ocean than out of it while at the beach this summer, you’ll want to stock up on reef-safe sunscreen. Consider this compact and ultraconvenient stick from Blue Lizard. The fragrance-free mineral formula is zinc-oxide-based, so it provides SPF 50+ protection from the sun’s damaging rays without potentially harming marine wildlife in the process. While it does apply with a subtle white cast, it disappears fairly quickly once you rub it into your skin. It absorbs quickly without leaving behind a sticky or greasy residue and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Best Splurge

Skinbetter Science Sunbetter SHEER SPF 56 Sunscreen Stick

View on Skinbetter.com

SPF: 56 | Active Type: Mineral | Water Resistant: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This luxe buy from Skinbetter’s sunbetter collection feels more like a skin-smoothing makeup primer than it does a sunscreen. The circular stick glides over the skin with shocking ease and creates a silky, blurred, slightly matte finish. The 100% mineral, nonsticky formula, made with a combination of zinc oxide and titanium oxide, offers SPF 56 broad-spectrum protection and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes—but don’t forget to reapply, of course. It also applies completely clear, so you can swipe it on without worrying about a white cast, and it wears beautifully under silicone-based concealer and foundation. 

Best for Active Days

Badger Sunscreen Cream

$16 at Amazon $16 at Thrive Market View on Badgerbalm.com

SPF: 35  | Active Type: Mineral | Water Resistant: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you plan on exercising outdoors, putting on sunscreen should be part of your warmup. We suggest turning to this tiny tube from Badger for active days, whether you’re taking off on a long run, doing some yoga under the sun, or going for a swim. It’s the perfect size for small running belts, leggings with pockets, and gym bags alike. Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and hypoallergenic, the mineral-based formula has SPF 35 and can even be applied to your lips. While the brand says the formula blends in clear, we did still experience a very minimal white cast. It also leaves behind a slightly waxy finish which may not be appealing for oily skin types.