14 Best Sunscreen Sticks, Approved by Dermatologists & Tested by Editors
We’d argue the most annoying part of slathering on sunscreen is getting your hands all goopy—especially if you’re on the go with no towel handy. Thankfully, there’s a solution. And, no, we're not talking about spray sunscreen—derms say you really need to rub those in, too. We’re talking about sunblock sticks.
The best sunscreen sticks are entirely contained in, well, a stick, so all you have to do is swipe the formula onto your skin. They’re also usually on the more compact side, so you can easily toss them into a giant beach bag or the tiniest work tote for reapplication throughout the day (no possibility of leaks!). And spoiler alert: They’re just as effective as any face SPF or body sunscreen, says Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, noting they’re particularly desirable for an intense concentration of sunscreen in small and sometimes hard-to-reach areas like the nose, ears, and jawline.
After testing dermatologists’ top recommended sunscreens of all kinds for the better part of a year, we have no doubt that these are some of the best sunblock sticks you can buy. During our evaluations, we evaluated each one for key features that make a sunscreen stand out: consistency, absorption rate, finish, and efficacy (i.e., a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher that’s, ideally, water-resistant).
The best sunscreen sticks, at a glance
- Best Overall: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face & Body Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50, $15
- Best Value: CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick for Kids & Adults SPF 50, $9
- Best Sunscreen Stick for Face: Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50, $32
- Best Kids' Mineral Sunscreen: MDSolarSciences Mineral KidStick SPF 40, $20
- Best SPF 50: EltaMD UV Stick Face and Body Sunscreen SPF 50+, $36
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Mustela Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50, $11
Your sunblock stick questions, answered
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- 1/16
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face & Body Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
For those who want to preserve a fresh face of makeup, it’s important to pick a clear formula—which can be surprisingly hard to come by when trying to get the sun protection you need, especially if you’re on the hunt for a mineral SPF. But this one can give you the best of both worlds, says Vladyslava Doktor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Skin Center Boston. The mineral-based SPF 50 is powered by a whopping 21.6% zinc oxide, but goes on entirely sheer for layering purposes.
Testers loved this stick, because it’s a bit larger than some others, making it a more suitable choice for the body too. It’s not at all greasy and goes on clear, but we recommend twisting up only a small amount of product at a time. If too much is popping out of the stick, it did have a tendency to crumble a bit—a big waste of great product!
- Type: Mineral
- SPF: 50
- Size: 1.5 ounces
- Water-resistant: 80 minutes
- What we love: High concentration of zinc, goes on clear
- What could improve: Not as smooth as we’d hope
Save when you shop the best sunscreen sticks with these Ulta promo codes.
- 2/16
CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick for Kids & Adults
“My favorite stick sunscreen stick is the CeraVe Mineral stick, because it’s good for kids and adults,” says Pearl Grimes, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of the Grimes Center of Medical and Aesthetic Dermatology in Southern California. “It applies with ease, is nongreasy, and is a 100% mineral product.” It also happens to be readily available on drugstore shelves, plus it’s relatively inexpensive compared with other similar formulas.
“I love CeraVe’s sunscreens across the board (try its tinted face SPF!), and its sunblock stick is no different,” says Earley. “It’s admittedly a better sunscreen stick for the face, since it’s so small you could fit it in your pocket, but the product has a high SPF, goes on smooth, and is gentle enough for sensitive skin.”
- Type: Mineral
- SPF: 50
- Size: 0.47 ounces
- Water-resistant: 40 minutes
- What we love: Spreads well, budget-friendly, matte finish
- What could improve: Leaves a slight white cast
Save when you shop the best sunscreen sticks with these Target promo codes.
- 3/16
Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
“The lightweight formula is perfect for all skin types and can be applied over and under makeup, making it easy to reapply every two hours,” says Michele Green, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. It has another defining characteristic that makes it one of her favorites: The stick is made with innovative technology that responds to heat stimulus, making this broad-spectrum sunscreen form an even stronger UV barrier in hot weather, Green explains.
Users overwhelmingly agree with Dr. Green, calling this splurge-worthy pick the perfect sunscreen stick for your face, namely because it goes on entirely clear and offers additional skin care benefits. They like that it’s lightweight and not at all sticky, plus rave about the subtle citrus scent that feels more luxe than the tropical scent you get from the average sun blocker.
- Type: Chemical
- SPF: 50
- Size: 0.7 ounces
- Water-resistant: 80 minutes
- What we love: Goes on clear; also targets wrinkles, dark spots, and dullness
- What could improve: Some users say it stings eyes
Save when you shop the best sunscreen sticks with these Sephora promo codes and these Target promo codes.
- 4/16
Mustela Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
Don’t be fooled by the name—this sunscreen stick is perfectly suitable for adults too. In fact, it’s one of Dr. Jaliman’s favorites. “It’s another SPF 50 that is made with zinc oxide, plus it has 70% organic ingredients and is fragrance-free,” she says, noting it’s one of the best SPFs for sensitive skin. It even earned a seal of approval from the National Eczema Association.
Our testers, especially those with kids, like the size of this product. “It’s not only very portable, but it’s also small enough to effectively tackle the tiny areas of my daughter’s face—like around her mouth and behind her ears,” one tester told Glamour. “It does leave a bit of a white cast, but it goes away with a quick rub.”
- Type: Mineral
- SPF: 50
- Size: 0.6 ounces
- Water-resistant: 80 minutes
- What we love: Great for sensitive skin, mostly organic ingredients
- What could improve: Some people don’t like the smell
Save when you shop the best sunscreen sticks with these Target promo codes.
- 5/16
Supergoop! Play! 100% Mineral SPF Stick
Fans of Supergoop’s Glow Stick looking for a mineral alternative should check out this one. “I love this mineral sunscreen, because even my patients with sensitive skin can use it without significant risk of developing irritation,” says Bradley Glodny, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. It’s an ideal sunscreen for those with dry skin, since the formula contains plenty of hydrating ingredients, including shea and cocoa butters, plus jojoba, olive, and chia seed oils.
Though not 100% clear, according to users, this sunblock stick is a popular pick for those who want something that’ll stay put during workouts or other more intensive outdoor activities. “Even when I get really sweaty, this sunscreen doesn’t tend to drip down my forehead and sting my eyes,” one user told us, noting you can even use it as a scalp sunscreen on your part.
- Type: Mineral
- SPF: 50
- Size: 0.67 ounces
- Water-resistant: 80 minutes
- What we love: Safe for all skin types; vegan and cruelty-free formula
- What could improve: Leaves a slight white cast
Save when you shop the best sunscreen sticks with these Ulta promo codes.
- 6/16
EltaMD UV Stick Face and Body Sunscreen
“My favorite sunscreen stick is EltaMD UV Stick, which is a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ all-mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide,” says Dr. Young, echoing a sentiment we heard from more than a few other derms we spoke to. It protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and does not leave the same white cast that other zinc oxide sunscreens do—great for daily use, since you can layer it with makeup, no problem. It’s also water-resistant for a full 80 minutes—ideal for those sweaty summer days by the pool.
One of our testers said this is one of the only sunscreen sticks she’s tried that didn’t sting her eyes. “I've tried so many others hoping to find something a little less expensive, but I just keep going back to EltaMD,” she told Glamour. “My skin is ultra-sensitive, and this one gives me zero issues. Not to mention, I’m incredibly fair, and I find this stick offers me the intense sun protection I need.”
- Type: Mineral
- SPF: 50+
- Size: 1.3 ounces
- Water-resistant: 80 minutes
- What we love: Fragrance-free, water-resistant for 80 minutes, noncomedogenic, safe for acne-prone and oily skin
- What could improve: Some users say the finish is a little tacky
Save when you shop the best sunscreen sticks with these Dermstore promo codes.
- 7/16
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Balm Face Sunscreen Stick SPF 45
Glow Recipe’s products get a lot of buzz, and its latest launch—a Korean sunscreen that’s ideal for a glowy finish is no different. Our editors say the formula is unique because it doesn’t just go on clear—it’s actually 100% clear. It’s so much more than an SPF too. It has a skin-nourishing ingredient list. We’re talking skin-soothing niacinamide, hydrating hyaluronic acid and squalane, and antioxidant-rich watermelon seed oil.
Testers say it’s very dewy, so may not be ideal for anyone with oily skin, but love how effortlessly it glides over the skin. The result is a truly lit-from-within glow. “Without makeup, this product lends a nice refreshed look, but I love that you can also apply it over makeup for touch-ups without ruining a full face,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley, who notes this product does wonders to revive her perpetually dry skin.
- Type: Chemical
- SPF: 45
- Size: .5 oz
- Water-resistant: No
- What we love: Totally clear; easy to apply; can be worn over makeup; smells great
- What could improve: Our only pick that’s not water-resistant
Save when you shop the best sunscreen sticks with these Sephora promo codes.
- 8/16
COOLA Organic Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Sunblock Stick
This zinc-oxide-based sun stick, which is made with organic ingredients like shea butter, avocado butter, and coconut oil, is nourishing for the skin, glides on smoothly, and is super easy to apply. “Additional ingredients like raspberry seed oil offer natural sun protective qualities, and tamanu oil and chamomile extract add skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits,” says Keira L. Barr, a board-certified dermatologist and menopause specialist. “To ensure you are getting full coverage, make at least four passes back and forth on the skin.”
Users like how smoothly this stick glides across skin and rave about the natural light tropical scent (thanks coconut oil!). Like other mineral SPFs, some did report a slight white cast, but a bit of rubbing in can help with that.
- Type: Mineral
- SPF: 50
- Size: 0.6 ounces
- Water-resistant: 80 minutes
- What we love: Fragrance-free, moisturizing formula, water-resistant for 80 minutes
- What could improve: Expensive, especially considering the size
- 9/16
MDSolarSciences Mineral KidStick SPF 40
“I always recommend mineral block sunscreens made with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide for children, since these provide broad spectrum coverage against both UVA and UVB portions of the spectrum,” says Sonia Batra, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Batra Dermatology. The mineral ingredients in this stick form a physical block that shields skin from harmful UV rays, and—just as important—the stick is small and easy for kids to apply SPF themselves or to take along in a backpack to school, sports practices, or the beach.
“This has been a go-to for my family for at least three or four years now,” says contributor Brigitt Earley. “It glides on smooth and leaves a very minimal white cast compared with other formulas I’ve tried.” It’s so easy to use that even her three-year-old twins can apply it to their faces themselves. “I pop one in all of my kids’ camp backpacks and can send them off with confidence that they’ll reapply it throughout the day.”
- Type: Mineral
- SPF: 40
- Size: 0.6 ounces
- Water-resistant: 80 minutes
- What we love: Safe for sensitive skin, water-resistant for 80 minutes, unscented
- What could improve: Can be hard to spread
- 10/16
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick
“I recommend mineral-based sunscreen sticks containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, as these are going to be broad spectrum, safe for sensitive skin, and reef safe,” says Emily Wood, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Texas. Her favorite is this one by Cetaphil that’s easily found on drugstore shelves. “I like to use it as a lip SPF, since it does not leave a white cast,” she says.
Compared with some others, it may be small, but some users say this is actually a bonus both for portability and applying to smaller areas of the face. Overall, testers say it goes on smoothly, doesn’t leave much of a white cast, and offers premium SPF 50 protection without causing skin irritation or flare-ups.
- Type: Mineral
- SPF: 50
- Size: 0.5 ounces
- Water-resistant: 80 minutes
- What we love: Portable, versatile
- What could improve: Some users say it has a slightly greasy feel
Save when you shop the best sunscreen sticks with these Target promo codes.
- 11/16
SunBum Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 30
“I really like SunBum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Stick,” says Jennifer Linder, MD, a board-certified dermatologist practicing between Jackson Hole, Colorado, and San Francisco. “I use this a lot on my kids and also have them carry it in their backpacks for reapplication throughout the day.” Like other SunBum products, it smells divine—like a tropical paradise. But its real claim to fame is how smoothly it applies, thanks to the spreadable vitamin E-infused formula.
We think it’s one of the best overall values. It’s widely available, fairly priced, applies like a dream, and smells great. What more could you want in an SPF? Well, besides maybe a little extra sun protection. While the product does meet dermatologist’s guidelines, most pros tell us SPF 50 is really the gold standard.
- Type: Chemical
- SPF: 30
- Size: 0.45 ounces
- Water-resistant: 80 minutes
- What we love: Great smell; easy to blend in; includes antioxidants
- What could improve: Relatively low SPF
Save when you shop the best sunscreen sticks with these Ulta promo codes.
- 12/16
Vertra Invisible Face Stick SPF 45
This sunscreen stick may be the smallest one on our list (it’s just .35 ounces), but it’s especially beloved by surfers and other athletes. Unlike so many other zinc-based formulas, this stick goes on entirely clear (it does come in tinted versions, if you prefer). Most important for sports, it’s water-resistant for a full 80 minutes.
Most men we polled gravitate toward the clear, while more women reach for the tinted. Either way, users overwhelmingly report a smooth application without a tacky or greasy finish. “I like the portable size as much as I like the nongreasy formula,” our tester told us. “It fits squarely in the palm of my hand—a huge convenience factor for me, since I don’t normally carry a bag.”
- Type: Mineral
- SPF: 45
- Size: .35 oz
- Water-resistant: 80 minutes
- What we love: Comes in both clear and tinted versions; very portable; water-resistant for 80 minutes
- What could improve: Some users say the tinted formula can transfer onto clothing
- 13/16
VitaSea Ultra Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick
Like other great sunscreen sticks, this one glides onto skin like butter (without any greasy residue) and goes on almost entirely clear. If you see any visible white cast, a single swipe with your fingers will take care of it—even on more melanin-rich skin tones.
We love that it’s also hypoallergenic and reef safe, so it’s better for both you and the environment. “I have very sensitive skin, and can use this sunscreen without any stinging or irritation,” one tester said. “My go-to routine includes the stick for the face, and the brand’s spray for the rest of my body.”
- Type: Mineral
- SPF: 30
- Size: .5 oz
- Water-resistant: 80 minutes
- What we love: Glides across skin effortless; applies clear; highly portable
- What could improve: Small container doesn’t last as long as some others
- 14/16
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Stick with Zinc Oxide
Shari Sperling, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey, says Blue Lizard makes another great option for individuals with sensitive skin. It doesn’t contain any fragrances or parabens. Instead, it’s packed with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E for a gentle and silky finish, she says.
Testers say this product feels and acts more like a balm that melts into skin, rather than a stiff or tacky sunscreen. Users who pick this gentle formulation also appreciate the high EWG rating, which is something most sunscreens don’t earn, plus the fact that it’s reef-safe for your tropical vacation.
- Type: Mineral
- SPF: 50+
- Size: 0.5 oz.
- Water-resistant: 80 minutes
- What we love: Reef-friendly; spreads easily; moisturizing ingredients; high EWG rating
- What could improve: On the small side
- 15/16
What’s the disadvantage to a sunscreen stick?
“While sunscreen sticks are effective on other areas of the body [besides the face], it’s really not very practical to use a small sunscreen stick for full-body application,” says Peter Young, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the medical director of Nurx Dermatology, a telehealth practice. This is why experts recommend stocking up on both sticks and either sunscreen sprays or lotions for continual broad-spectrum protection all over.
- 16/16
Do you have to clean a sunscreen stick after each use?
Sunscreen sticks do not necessarily need to be cleaned after each use unless it’s visibly dirty—think makeup residue or dirt/dust particles, says Vivian Chin, MD, MPH, founder of Koru Wellness & Aesthetics NYC. “But, if you’d like to keep it clean, you can use a basic clean tissue or cloth to gently wipe the surface to remove any debris,” she says. “You can also use an alcohol wipe or makeup remover wipes.”
