Lather it on.
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A body lotion containing SPF is the ideal below-the-neck skincare situation. We’re not talking about just sunscreen per se (though a hydrating formula certainly does the trick), but rather an everyday body lotion that also happens to protect from the sun’s damaging rays. “Using a body lotion with SPF hydrates your skin and provides sun protection in one simple step,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marie Hayag, MD. Who doesn’t love two benefits for the price of one?
We conducted hours of research to find the best body lotions with SPF. Then, we took 18 home and incorporated them into our daily routines over four weeks. We tested each formula based on its consistency, sun-blocking capabilities, and how efficiently each hydrated the skin. After considering the many options, we consulted with a dermatologist to land on these picks we can personally vouch for.
Best Overall
Bask SPF 30 Lotion
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This SPF 30 lotion from Bask is impressive for a few reasons: it’s fast-absorbing, has an incredibly lightweight consistency, and is even water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. When we first tried this formula, we were admittedly taken aback by its slightly watery texture. (We were worried it would be a greasy mess.) However, once we rubbed it into the skin and saw that it disappeared almost immediately—sans an oily finish—we were hooked. Because of that lightweight, spreadable consistency, we could apply quickly, efficiently, and (most importantly) evenly—a huge win for those who hate reapplying.
Best Budget
Everyday Humans SPF 50 Body Sunscreen
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For a no-fuss formula that does what it says it will, look to Everyday Humans’ Oh My Bod! SPF 50. The everyday lotion offers UVA and UVB protection with the help of chemical UV filters. It’s a bit thick, however, after a minute or two of rubbing in, it sinks into the skin and looks invisible on all skin tones. The hydrating formula is powered by hyaluronic acid (which helps bind moisture to the skin), providing unparalleled hydration and nourishment while also protecting the skin from UV damage and sunburns.
Best Splurge
Aesop Avail SPF 50 Body Lotion
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Allow us to introduce you to the Aesop Avail Body Lotion with Sunscreen for a luxurious moisturizer with SPF. If you’re someone who likes everything on their vanity to look clean and stylish (or maybe you’re already an Aesop fanatic), this lotion is right up your alley. Thanks to sleek packaging and a divine minty scent, it’s not lacking in outward appeal. As for the actual formula, it’s what you’d expect from a lotion. It contains vitamin E and jojoba oil but never felt greasy or sticky. The only remnant of the formula was a nice sheen. And with SPF 50, you know you’re getting top-notch sun protection.
Best for Face and Body
Attitude Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 Unscented
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If you’re in the camp of people who prefer using as few products as possible, we got you. This face and body lotion from Attitude covers all your bases—and your skin from head to toe. Because it’s a mineral formula (meaning it contains zinc oxide, an ingredient that sits atop the skin and physically blocks the sun’s rays), it tends to be a safer bet for those with sensitive skin. Plus, it’s free from added fragrances, making it even more suited for those who are prone to allergies and flare-ups. We also appreciate that the formula has a bunch of nourishing ingredients like avocado oil and jojoba seed oil to soften and hydrate during wear. While we love almost everything about it, we did find it a little sticky upon application. It rubs in easily, but a residue can linger on the skin for a few minutes before absorbing completely.
Best Reef Safe
Beauty by Earth Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 25
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Lea d’Auriol, founder of the international non-profit Oceanic Global, previously told us that oxybenzone and octinoxate (common chemical ingredients in SPF products) are major contributors to coral bleaching. “Coral bleaching is so harmful that Hawaii and several other regions around the world have banned these ingredients,” she explained.
The good news is that more and more companies, like Beauty by Earth, are taking this seriously. Formulated with non-nano zinc oxide, this option doesn’t rely on chemical filters to protect the skin. You’ll also find natural ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, and shea butter on the ingredient list (added to hydrate and nourish the skin). During testing, we found it lightweight and not at all sticky, but it did require some elbow grease to get it to blend in evenly. However, since calling a product “reef safe” is often considered marketing jargon by derms, until there are more independent, peer-reviewed studies supporting what makes purportedly reef-safe sunscreens truly reef-safe, we suggest taking the branding with a grain of salt.
Best for Darker Skin Tones
Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
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This chemical sunscreen from one of our favorite Black-owned brands, Black Girl Sunscreen, is great for those with darker skin tones. Since it doesn’t contain chalky zinc oxide (and instead relies on reef-safe chemical filters), it won’t leave behind a white cast. The sheer formula absorbs as soon as it’s applied so it’s a great product to have on hand for SPF touch-ups throughout the day. Also nice: It can be used on the face and body without worry of causing breakouts. The only downside is that it’s not as moisturizing as other formulas we tested. Those with super dry skin will find that the formula alone isn’t enough to quench dry patches, however works well as a complement to everyday lotion.
Best for Dry Skin
Unsun Cosmetics Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
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Flaunting a blend of healing extracts of prickly pear, bitter orange, and cucumber, this body lotion promises to quench thirsty skin while safeguarding it from the sun’s harmful rays. While it’s not tinted (a rarity for mineral sunscreen), the citrus-infused formula delivers a subtle glow that lasts both during and after wear. We love that it has a lightweight texture that aids in fast absorption. The fact that it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes is the cherry on top.
Lisa, a tester who often has chapped skin: “My hands chap and peel from cold air very easily, and this helped a ton. It left my skin feeling hydrated and nourished, and my poor hands don’t look like sandpaper anymore.”
Best Glowy Finish
Cay Skin Isle Glow Body Lotion SPF 45
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Founded by model and influencer Winnie Harlow after getting a severe sunburn and sun damage that permanently changed her vitiligo, Cay Skin products are where it’s at. Not only is this one silicone-free, vegan, cruelty-free, reef-friendly, and dermatologist-tested, its also chock-full of skin-loving ingredients like sea moss (a nutrient-rich seaweed that hydrates and protects skin), nectar (the brand’s proprietary plant-based moisture-replenishing ingredient), and cocoa seed butter (a powerful antioxidant that restores moisture). During testing, it left a slight beige tint that doesn’t quite change the color of your skin but helps create the illusion of a warm glow.
Best for Everyday
Coola Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Lotion
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Made with 70% certified organic ingredients, COOLA’s coveted Classic Body Sunscreen is designed for long, active days spent in the sun. It offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection from UVA and UVB rays with the help of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Despite being chock-full of mineral ingredients (which tend to be goopy and white cast-inducing), this creamy, spreadable formula goes on sheer, moisturizing the skin as it protects. It absorbed into our skin in less than five minutes without any residue and actually made the skin feel soft and smooth. The only con is that this fragrance-free formula has a slight sunscreen-esque scent. It’s probably due to the ingredients and their natural odor, but it’s something to keep in mind if you detest the quintessential SPF smell.
Best for Sensitive Skin
EltaMD UV Active Sunscreen Lotion
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Historically, mineral formulas tend to be better tolerated by those with skin conditions and concerns like eczema, body acne, psoriasis, and otherwise highly reactive skin. Mineral SPF, like in this formula, works by reflecting the sun’s rays away from the skin topically (rather than chemically, as is the case with chemical formulas). We also like that it has SPF 50, so you know it’s doing the utmost to protect the skin from the sun’s rays (and it’s sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes). When we tested this one, we found that it does have a tacky, thick consistency, however, once it’s warmed up in the palms, it’s easier to distribute. After 10-15 minutes, it absorbed almost completely and left comfortable, healthy skin in its wake.
Best Absorption
Kinlo Always Golden Body Lotion SPF 30
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This mineral sunscreen from Kinlo does a lot of things: it helps protect against UVA and UVB rays, filters blue light and imparts a gold tint that counteracts a white cast. The whipped, airy formula is blendable, and, thanks to an ingredient list filled with skin-smoothing antioxidants (like green tea extract, for one), it leaves skin soft, shiny, and, obviously, golden. When we tried it, we loved the consistency (it feels more like a fluffy lotion than a stiff, hard-to-work-with sunscreen) and that it doesn’t transfer—so you can put it on and not worry about staining your robe, towels, clothes, and sheets.
Best Sweat-Proof
Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion
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Supergoop!’s Play deserves all the praise; between its sheer finish, noncomedogenic formula, and suitability for both the face and the body, it ticks off a lot of boxes. Plus, it comes in several sizes—1 ounce, 2.4 ounces, 5.5 ounces, and 18 ounces. The smaller options are more popular for face application, but when it comes to whole-body care, don’t hesitate to get the biggest bottle, which is essentially a jug with a pump top. The milky lotion goes on smooth, absorbs quickly, and moisturizes skin without making it feel greasy—it’s even water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Our only complaint is that for the first 15 or so minutes, it can feel sticky.
Best Consistency
Vacation Classic Lotion SPF 50
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As its name suggests, Vacation Classic Lotion is ideal for trips away from home. Not only is the 3.4-ounce tube TSA-compliant for carry-on luggage, but this moisturizing cream absorbs super quickly, offers 80 minutes of water resistance, and smells like paradise. (Just keep in mind that the scent is strong, so if you have an aversion to or simply don’t enjoy scented products, you may want to skip this one.) The consistency of this lotion feels like a luxe facial moisturizer—whipped and lightweight but also creamy—so it’s no surprise that it spreads across the skin easily and sinks in nicely.
What to Look for in a Body Lotion With SPF
- SPF Strength: If you’re planning on using an SPF body lotion as your sunscreen, Dr. Hayag recommends looking for a sunscreen product that offers at least SPF 30 protection. The formula you’re using should also have broad-spectrum protection, which prevents harmful UVA rays from damaging your skin.
- SPF Type: There are two types of sunscreen: mineral and chemical. Mineral sunscreens (aka the type of sunscreens that physically deflect the rays away from the skin) contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to create a physical barrier between the skin and UV rays. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, absorb UV rays with the help of chemical filters like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate. The choice is yours, but mineral sunscreens are better suited for those with sensitive skin but can be thicker (and can potentially leave a white cast on deeper skin tones.) Chemical sunscreens are usually lighter, more sheer, and more enjoyable to use, but the Key Ingredients can be irritating to those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
- Size: To get the most out of this one-and-done product, you need a substantial amount to cover your entire body (roughly a shot glass full). We suggest a product that comes in a generously-sized container so you’re not running out after a few uses.
FAQ
How can you tell if a sunscreen is mineral or chemical?
Read into its ingredient list. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, previously told us that mineral sunscreens contain ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, while chemical sunscreens use chemical filters like avobenzone and octinoxate.
Are body lotions with SPF effective?
Body lotions with SPF are effective, as they contain mineral or chemical sunscreen ingredients that deflect the sun’s rays from the skin. Make sure you use enough to fully cover the skin (about the size of a full shot glass).
What SPF number is the best for the body?
Choosing an SPF of 30 or higher will provide significant protection from the sun and prevent sunburns.
Should you use body sunscreen every day?
If you’re exposed to the sun every day, our experts stress you should use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher daily. If you wear clothing that covers your body, you don’t necessarily need to wear sunscreen on your body. Always wear it on your face, though.