The Sunscreens Teens Will Actually Wear
I write about my teen (and tween and 8-year-old) a lot. I have a mini focus group at home. As a beauty writer, I find it fascinating to see which products and trends they gravitate toward and where the influence comes from — mostly TikTok (but sometimes me). So I was pretty alarmed last summer when the hot topic on social media was teens using the UV index to tan.
If you’re not familiar with the UV index, it’s a measure of ultraviolet radiation from 0 to 11 so people know their risk of sunburn throughout the day. The higher the UV index, the greater chance of a burn — only some teens think the higher numbers mean it’s prime time to tan.
I sound like a broken record as I tell my kids constantly that even a tan is a sign of sun damage and increases the risk of skin cancer. And that they can enjoy time in the sun with sunscreen (and ideally hats and sunglasses), but there’s no “laying out” during a UV index of 9 (or, er, ever).
Social-media tanning pressure coupled with the fact that teens are hardwired to reject anything thick and goopy makes them pretty tough sunscreen consumers with poor compliance. If they’re going to apply it (and reapply it), they want it sheer, lightweight, easy to blend, and for it to not feel like, well, sunscreen. Of course, they also want something that feels and looks cool, too.
What checks all the boxes? I interviewed some teens to find out which sunscreen they’ll actually use. Parents, take note and stock up this summer.
A formula that feels like water
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As a beauty writer who gets a lot of samples, I have an array of sunscreen offerings in my house: lotions, whipped formulas, oils, sprays, etc. I asked my 15-year-old daughter Aubrey for her current favorite. She said it’s this one from Isdin. “It’s really light and doesn’t feel icky and gross,” she says. Plus “it works well under makeup.” Makes sense, because Fusion Water Magic is a super-thin fluid that also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid. It probably helps that Isdin sunscreens are now available at teen-approved Sephora.
A sunscreen that feels like nothing
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Aubrey is also a fan of Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen, which is completely clear and weightless. “It doesn’t really feel like anything on my skin,” she says. “And it doubles as a makeup primer too.”
A spray with a great scent
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“I really like Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance SPF 50 Body Spray for a couple different reasons,” says Isabelle Levitt, 13. “Wearing this is like wearing perfume with the SPF protection. It doesn’t smell like your average sunscreen.” It scores points for looks, too. “It’s Sol de Janeiro branded on the bottle and super-aesthetic-looking,” she adds. Plus, “it makes my mom happy.”
A sunscreen for the ingredient-conscious teen
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Connor P., 16, wears this spray from Thinksport. He’s up on his ingredients, and his mom said this one got his “no bad chemicals” approval. Connor says, “I like how natural and sensitive-skin friendly all the ingredients are.” It’s free of octinoxate, fragrance, and homosalate, all of which he tries to avoid: “For sunscreens I’ve considered using consistently, I analyze almost all of the ingredients.”
A tinted formula that adds glow
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Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF 40
The lines have been blurred between sunscreen and makeup, and teens are here for it. Emilia Lagnese, 16, likes this tinted formula from Supergoop!. “As a teen who struggles with acne and scarring, Supergoop! Glowscreen has become a staple in my routine.” The bronzy tint evens out her skin tone, while hyaluronic acid hydrates. Plus it has copper peptides to protect against blue light, which comes from devices like phones.
A nonsticky, clear spray
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Twins Kate and Jack Bojer, 17, share the same taste in sunscreen, with both agreeing that Sun Bum Spray is their favorite. “I like the way it smells and that it sprays on clear, not white,” says Kate. Jack prefers it over other sunscreens because it’s light and absorbs quickly. “I like this brand because it’s not sticky,” he says.
And an easy-to-wield stick
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The Bojer twins also like the surf-inspired brand’s stick to use on their faces.
A sunscreen that does the job
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After much trial and error, athlete Lena Altomare, 15, says Banana Boat Sport lotion works best for her when she’s on the field. “It’s the only one that keeps my skin from burning,” she says.
Six other sunscreens we love
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