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The 5 best sunscreen sticks of 2024 are potent and reliable
These ultra-portable sun-protection companions have come a long way — today they're moisturizing, fast-absorbing and easy to use.
lf you've tried finding a new sunscreen recently, you've probably noticed that the market has expanded somewhat wildly: Today there are many, many new ways to protect your skin. From pricey luxury-brand gels and foams to traditional creams, sprays and even the best sunscreen sticks, there are seemingly endless options for shielding yourself from the sun's harmful rays. (The selections don't end with product type, either: There are the best sunscreens for sensitive skin, the best sunscreens for faces, the best reef-safe sunscreens — the list goes on.)
Best overall sunscreen stick
EltaMD UV Stick Face and Body Sunscreen SPF 50+
Best drugstore sunscreen stick
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
Best sunscreen stick for dry skin
Supergoop! Glow Stick SPF 50
Best skin care/SPF hybrid sunscreen stick
Coola Refreshing Water Hydration Stick SPF 50
Best sunscreen stick for kids
Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+
This is, in part, due to the fact the global sun-care industry is bigger than it's ever been — and growing by the day. According to a report by CNN and an analysis by Grand View Research, the value of global sun care is expected to reach $14 billion by the end of the decade, up nearly 25% since 2020. With more products flooding the market, consumers are left wondering: "What's the best sunscreen for me?" "How should I choose a quality sunscreen?" And, of course, relevant to this story: "Wait, what does a sunscreen stick even do?" For answers to your most pressing sunscreen stick questions, see our FAQ below.
And remember, while sunscreen sticks can provide powerful protection in small areas like the bridge of your nose: "The efficacy of sunscreen is not indefinite," says Los Angeles facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kay Durairaj. "It diminishes over time due to factors like perspiration, swimming and even the mere passage of time."
In short, no matter which type of sunscreen you use, always — always — reapply.
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The best sunscreen stick overall
Other top sunscreen sticks we recommend for 2024
The best sunscreen stick overall
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50+ | Size: 1.3 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Reef-safe: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
Over the course of my career, I've researched and tested dozens of sunscreens — and have interviewed countless dermatologists and experts about the sunscreens they recommend. And the one sunscreen brand that all of them consistently recommend is EltaMD. The brand’s products are uniformly stellar as they’re hypoallergenic and great for all skin types — even the most sensitive skin. This sunscreen stick from EltaMD is no exception: It provides highly potent sun protection, glides on easily and lasts all day on dry land and at least 80 minutes in the water. Of course, as with all sunscreens don’t forget to reapply after a dip in the water or after an especially heavy sweat session.
- Hypoallergenic
- Good for all skin types, including sensitive skin
- Potent broad-spectrum coverage
- Works for face and body
- Reef-safe
- Applicator is a bit large for facial use, some reviewers say
- Pricier than other options in this list
Other top stick sunscreens we recommend for 2024
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: .5 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Reef-safe: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
This ultra-gentle mineral stick is truly pocket-size (it's smaller than a key fob), and it works for all skin types and textures. It's an especially good pick if your face is easily irritated because it glides on easily with a nongreasy formula. The hero ingredient here is zinc oxide, but it's also packed with skin-nourishing beeswax and vitamin E. That said, like most zinc oxide sunscreens, it does leave a slight white cast when applied. To combat this, we recommend applying it slowly in thin layers and massaging it into the skin in between layers for the best coverage. This will ensure you have good protection without a ghostly finish.
- Ultra-gentle
- Water-resistant
- Skin-nourishing
- Reef-safe
- Fragrance-free
- Leaves a bit of a white cast
- Stick is very small
Active ingredients: Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene | SPF: 50+ | Size: .5 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Reef-safe: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
The stick iteration of the TikTok-famous Supergoop Glowscreen, this highly emollient sunscreen leaves behind a pretty, pearly glow — when I've used it on my cheeks, forehead and nose, people have commented on my "radiant" skin. It glides on clear, leaving a dewy, glowy complexion. Perhaps best of all is that it can be used over makeup as well as under it. That means you can reapply throughout the day as needed and your complexion will look refreshed rather than pale and white cast.
- Broad-spectrum coverage
- Can be used with – and over – makeup
- Not sticky
- Extra-moisturizing
- May be too heavy for oily skin
- Should only be used on the face
Active ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | SPF: 50+ | Size: .8 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Reef-safe: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
Forgive the pun, but Coola is the hottest sunscreen around. In addition to providing broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, it's made with extra-hydrating, skin-healing ingredients including aloe, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Niacinamide works to improve your skin’s complexion, while hyaluronic acid boosts your skin’s hydration levels. It's also nonsticky, nongreasy, lightweight and refreshingly cool when you apply it — just right for a hot, summer day.
- Lightweight
- Skin-soothing
- Broad-spectrum coverage
- Cruelty-free
- Reef-friendly
- Cooling on contact
- Wet, gel-like finish turned off some reviewers
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Size: .5 ounces | Water-resistant: Yes | Reef-safe: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
Australian brand Blue Lizard consistently puts out some of the best sun protection on the market, and this reef-safe, fragrance-free zinc oxide stick is pediatricians' most-recommended mineral sunscreen for kids. It's easy to apply, nonsticky, nongreasy and it's water resistant for up to 80 minutes — but remember to reapply after your little one goes for a dip.
- Pediatrician-recommended
- Fragrance-free
- Reef-safe
- Good for sensitive skin
- Affordable
- Small size runs out quickly, some reviewers complain
Stick sunscreen FAQs
Why do I need a sunscreen stick?
It all comes down to ease of use. "Stick sunscreens are good for smaller areas, like the face," said cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban. They also work especially well for protecting harder-to-reach places like the tops of your ears, and it's quick to swipe them onto sunburn-susceptible areas like the tip of your nose.
Of course, they're also portable: Stick sunscreens are often pocket-sized and easy to carry, and they allow you to reapply on the go without dirtying your hands. This makes them ideal for hikes, sports or other active situations when it's more challenging to re-up your sun protection, like when your skin is damp just out of a pool. Because they're solid, they're easy to pack for travel — you don't have to worry about a giant bottle of lotion exploding in your bag or holding you up at security. And while many stick sunscreens are mineral sunscreens made with zinc oxide, they're not like the zinc sticks you remember from childhood that gave lifeguards white noses: Most modern versions blend easily without leaving ghost-like stripes.
Can a sunscreen stick replace my regular sunscreen?
Short answer: No. Stick sunscreens "do not cover as much surface area with ease as lotions, mists or sprays," Shamban said. Since full coverage is key with sun protection, sunscreen sticks are meant only for more precise applications, not for preventing sun damage to larger areas like the entire back, chest or torso.
How do I use a sunscreen stick?
The experts I spoke with recommend making several passes across your skin with a sunscreen stick, and, whether or not you rub in the product, using enough to ensure the fullest coverage possible.
Meet the experts
Dr. Kay Durairaj, Los Angeles facial plastic surgeon, owner of KD Skincare
Dr. Ava Shamban, Beverly Hills cosmetic dermatologist
