I came to sunscreen begrudgingly. As a kid, my only memories of it were greasy sprays reluctantly applied by the pool or the beach—nothing I’d ever want to put on my face. As a beauty writer, though, I’ve had many opportunities to try a myriad of sunscreen formulas over the years. After much research, I’ve narrowed it down to four I actually look forward to wearing. They range from $20 to $45, aren’t slick, have great textures and pair well with makeup, including foundation and blush. Below are my thoughts, good, bad and ugly. (But mostly good.)
I Tested Over 40 Sunscreens So You Don't Have To—These Are My 4 Favorites
All under $50
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Published Aug 4, 2025
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original photos by marissa wu/purewow
How I Chose My Favorite Sunscreens
This guide is focusing on face sunscreen, and I am always looking for one that won’t cause breakouts. In the past, I’ve dealt with cyclical acne, so now I assiduously avoid any product that doesn’t get a bill of approval from my favorite esthetician, Emme Diane, and her pore-clogging ingredient database. (In one frenzy, I eliminated 90 percent of products on my vanity. The upside is that I haven’t had a real breakout in almost a year.)
Once the sunscreen passed her criteria, I was really looking at texture and feel. I hate anything that makes me feel greasy, especially in the summer, but being chalky is worse. Thus, I typically opt for chemical sunscreens, which tend to feel less gritty, though over the years I’ve tried everything. A PA rating (i.e., the level of protection it offers against UVA rays) was a bonus. (And if you’re curious, I did a whole breakdown on chemical vs. mineral sunscreens and what PA ratings actually stand for here.) Lastly, I prioritized picks that were under $50, with my favorite coming in at $20.
What I Like
- high SPF
- high PA rating
- affordable
What I Don't Like
- pump mechanism makes it hard to dispense the recommended "2 fingers" worth of sunscreen
Versed
Versed launched Good Defense at the end of last year, but truthfully, I was testing so many products at the time it took me a good eight weeks to crack open the lab sample. When I did, it was immediately clear that I needed more. Of the dozens upon dozens of sunscreens I’ve tested, Good Defense is the clear winner.
I love that it’s SPF 50 with a PA++++ rating. The gel-cream spreads easily and is lightweight. Ingredients like illipe butter and ceramides give my skin a dewy glow and boost of moisture without feeling greasy. It functions as a great makeup base, but is perfectly fine on its own. Good Defense and Typology’s Concealer Serum ($36) were my essentials when I visited a humid Taipei in the spring, making me appear hydrated and put-together without needing a ton of product. The price is also nice, clocking in at $20. In all my research, I’ve been hard-pressed to find a really good SPF 50 at this price point, that also delivers a stellar formula.
Fast Facts
- SPF: 50
- PA rating: ++++
- Formula: chemical
- Key ingredients: illipe butter, ceramides, amino acids, bisabolol
- Size: 1.7 ounces
- Delivery mechanism: pump
2. Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid
What I Like
- high SPF
- water-like, weightless formula
What I Don't Like
- no PA rating
- squeeze tube can be difficult to control
Paula's Choice
This is a new-to-me discovery, put on my radar by a fellow beauty editor. Then, earlier this summer, an out-of-town friend came to stay with me and noted the two bottles on my desk. Unprompted, she quickly began proselytizing me on the joys of Paula’s Choice sunscreen—even her boyfriend was hooked. They have an adorable morning ritual where they put on sunscreen together and call it “Paula Time.” After that anecdote, I knew I needed to stop dawdling and try it.
Friends, I know a good sunscreen when I see one. Dr. Jart+, next on this list, has been my long-time favorite. But I wasn’t prepared for the genius, watery, lightweight, invisible texture of the Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid. It’s not a Korean sunscreen, but boy oh boy does it feel like one. It’s weightless. Pairs well with makeup. No strong scents. High SPF. Truly, my only gripe here is that a 2-ounce squeeze tube is about $40. (My friend always stocks up on sale.) Two things to note: No PA rating, and squeeze gently—the finesse and sensitivity of the tube to pressure isn’t great.
Fast Facts
- SPF: 50
- PA rating: n/a
- Formula: chemical
- Key ingredients: green tea, oat bran
- Size: 0.5 ounces, 2 ounces
- Delivery mechanism: squeeze tube
3. Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Sun Fluid
What I Like
- high SPF
- leaves a satin finish
- gentle lavender scent
What I Don't Like
- no PA rating
Dr. Jart+
Dr. Jart+’s Korean formula was *the* sunscreen that convinced me to wear sunscreen with aplomb and enthusiasm. Everything else felt like an obligation. The chemical formula has a gentle, creamy lavender scent (thanks to the lavender oil) that goes on easily and leaves me with a dewy finish over my skincare. Otherwise, I’d say it dries more satin. I love it under makeup or going bare-faced, which, honestly, is more often the case. Also, at 3.38 ounce, it just flies under the TSA liquids limit of 3.4 ounces, making it a good travel pick if I know I’m going to be away for a while. While $45 seems like a lot to plunk down, after doing some math, I worked it out to $13/ounce. Versed is $11/ounce, while Paula’s choice is $19. So, not as steep as it first appears.
Fast Facts
- SPF: 50
- PA rating: n/a
- Formula: chemical
- Key ingredients: lavender oil
- Size: 3.38 ounces
- Delivery mechanism: squeeze bottle
4. Kopari Bright As Day Suncreen
What I Like
- high SPF
- gentle shimmer
- white cast isn’t strong
What I Don't Like
- no PA rating
- mineral formula is a tad chalky
Kopari
I was skeptical about this one, as it’s both the most expensive (by the ounce) on this list, as well as a mineral formula, which I don’t tend to go for. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This is my honorable mention for the people who might want a little sparkle and tint in their sun care. While I am typically glitter-averse, Kopari’s Bright As Day concoction pleasantly surprised me.
Though mineral, it’s not too chalky, and lends a slight shimmer that’s not obnoxious. (I like it paired with Typology’s serum concealer.) Mineral sunscreens are known for some degree of white casting, but this one was pretty minimal. I even tested it on my African American friend one day when we decided to give each other makeovers, and it blended fairly well on her, too.
Fast Facts
- SPF: 50
- PA rating: n/a
- Formula: mineral
- Key ingredients: vitamin C, astaxanthin, niacinamide, mica
- Size: 1.7 ounces
- Delivery mechanism: squeeze bottle
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