10 Best Sunscreen Sticks of 2024, According to Experts

Colorescience's sunscreen stick has it all: broad spectrum SPF 50 protection, a mineral, water-resistant formula and several hydrating ingredients including jojoba and squalane. Though pricey, it's a favorite of both GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann and Dr. Yadav.

It "goes on white so you can see where you've applied it before rubbing it in," says Dr. Yadav, but it "glides and blends easily leaving a sheer film that doesn’t budge under sweat and it is not sticky to the touch," adds Wizemann. "Though it may soften a bit in my beach bag if left on the sun, it doesn’t liquify or melt."

Anyone who's on the go will love this stick, thanks to its SPF 50+ protection and skin-loving ingredients that are gentle enough for even those with sensitive skin.

Made by Australian brand Blue Lizard, Dr. Camp recommends this product; he likes it because it "contains aloe vera, shea butter, sunflower seed oil and vitamin E," which are great nourishers for skin. And at just $10, it's a well-priced buy. Take note that some online reviewers did find it a bit difficult to rub in, likely due to the mineral formulation of the product.

Though this sunscreen stick is marketed for kids, the fragrance-free mineral formula from Mini Bloom is great for all ages. Because it's made with little ones in mind, it's full of ingredients that are delicate on the face.

"It’s made with a high 20% level of zinc oxide yet blends effortlessly into skin," says GH Beauty Director April Franzino. "And because it’s made with plant-based skin nourishing ingredients like sunflower oil and aloe, it feels soft instead of chalky on skin." The formula is on the thicker side, Franzino adds, which she likes, but some online reviewers prefer something thinner.

You can still get your sun protection over (or under!) makeup thanks to this editor-favorite Shiseido sunscreen stick with a high SPF 50. The popular Japanese brand created a smooth, non-sticky formula that comes in a unique gel-like solid, so it truly couldn't be easier to use.

"It glides on skin translucently so there’s no white cast, no matter how dark your skin tone is," says Franzino. "And because it's clear, it's great for touch-ups throughout the day without mess or rubbing." Those with oilier skin types may want to pick a different sunscreen stick, as some online reviewers said it makes their skin look greasy.

Fight premature aging due to sun damage with Neutrogena's super sheer mineral sunscreen stick. The brand's classic dry touch finish helps to fight shine, oiliness and doesn't make your skin greasy yet still blends easily on both face and body. Plus, the drugstore pick comes in at an affordable price, well under $20. "It glides nicely on skin with no friction into a faint white film that becomes sheer when rubbed in," says Wizemann. However, some online reviewers found that the white residue didn't fully dissipate for them, so this may not be the best pick for darker skin tones.

Specially formulated for babies and children, Sun Bum's baby sunscreen line, aptly named Baby Bum, offers a stick that works well on adults too. GH Contributing Beauty Editor Dori Price loves this one for her kids. The plant-based formula has coconut oil, shea butter and cocoa butter that help keep skin hydrated throughout the day, no matter your age.

"We all have varying degrees of sensitive skin and we can all use this without problems," writes one Amazon reviewer who has a family of four. "It works great and it's fast to apply." Users wish that it came in a bigger size, though.

Supergoop's sunscreen for babies and kids is fragrance-free, making it ideal for sensitive skin for all ages. It's gentle and soft enough to use all over the face, even lips, and Dr. Camp loves its water-resistant formula for beach or pool days. "Doesn't make my super super sensitive skin break out at all," writes one reviewer. Do take note that some feel like it leaves too much of a white cast due to the mineral formula, but others don't experience any white cast at all.

EltaMD is widely lauded for its SPF products, and this zinc oxide sunscreen stick recommended by Dr. Camp is no different. It can be used on all skin types and ages on both face and body. Thanks to an impressive 22% zinc oxide along with vitamin E and bisabolol, this stick provides broad spectrum sun protection as well as hydration to the skin. "Rubs in easily without that greasy feeling," writes an Amazon reviewer. "Easy to store a small purse or backpack to use on the go." However, some find the stick dry and difficult to roll on the skin.

Sans comedogenic ingredients like coconut butter and cocoa butter that can irritate the skin and cause breakouts, this Cetaphil sunscreen is a great choice for acne-prone skin. The drugstore bargain stick is also formulated for sensitive skin and contains hydrating vitamin E to keep you protected and nourished throughout the day. It's "great for use not only on the face but lips too," says Dr. Camp. Some online reviewers received the stick in the mail only to find it melted from hot weather, so it's not the best option to bring along for a long, hot day outdoors.

Cult-favorite Korean skincare brand AHC makes a sunscreen stick with SPF 50+ that's easy to bring on-the-go for quick reapplication all day long. Users are a fan of its sensitive skin-friendly formula. "I have oily skin and I had used tons of different sunscreens but they always leave my face more oily," one Amazon reviewer raves. "But this one is the exception; this sunscreen leaves my skin so smooth and matte and doesn’t make my skin break out." Several online users reported that the sunscreen would fall out of the packaging and break, so there could be some improvements made there.