‘Smells like vacation’: the 21 best nontoxic sunscreens in the US that dermatologists use and recommend

Guardian journalism is independent. We earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. The best sunscreen is the one that you’ll use everyday. We asked doctors for the best SPFs for every face, from acne-prone skin to babies and everything in between The best skincare and best beauty products for women over 50 Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things We all know what sunscreen is (or do we?) and that we should use it (right?). But you may have heard internet chatter about some sunscreen ingredients being “toxic” and wondered: how do I know if my sunscreen is safe to use? Understanding why something so necessary might actually be bad for you is the first step. Because sunscreen makes health claims such as preventing sunburn and reducing risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging, it is regulated for safety and effectiveness in the US by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an over-the-counter or non-prescription drug (rather than a cosmetic). The FDA evaluates OTC medication ingredients by the standard of “generally recognized as safe and effective” (Grase). “Nontoxic”, “clean” or â