The 10 best sunscreen sticks for sun protection on the go

Vacation's Super Stick SPF 45 has all the benefits of a high-quality skin moisturizer combined with the brand's signature, award-winning coconut scent and sun protection. The travel-friendly stick goes on clear and wears well under makeup. The formula contains aloe and niacinamide to help calm and clarify the skin, which can come in handy if you've been spending a lot of time outside or simply have reactive skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides to hydrate and strengthen skin without making skin feel sticky or greasy. The vegan, cruelty-free formula is approved by the Hawaii Reef Compliant Act 104, and the packaging is made with recycled materials.

I have dry skin that is also acne-prone. It gets even more dry and inflamed when I travel. I recently spent some time in the desert, where my skin was extremely thirsty and on the brink of a breakout after long days of travel. While I can't 100% say that this is what prevented my skin from really breaking out, it was the only new addition to my routine. I also loved the convenient stick formula. I put it in my pocket while working by the pool, and it was so easy to reapply. I even applied it on my lips. I'm a total sucker for the scent, too.

Shiseido's Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 is non-comedogenic and has been tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists, so it's a great choice for acne-prone skin and sensitive eyes. But what makes this choice so popular is its lightweight texture and clear finish, which wear well both under and on top of makeup. 

It also contains licorice root extract to calm skin while soy lecithin helps smooth lines while brightening pigmentation. It's a great choice for darker skin types who may be more prone to hyperpigmentation and dark spots, especially after a prolonged time in the sun. Castor oil further helps to nourish dry and normal skin types, but it can feel a bit heavy on anyone with more oily skin.

This was one of the very first sunscreens I ever used, back when it was even harder to find a formula with a clear finish that wouldn't make my medium-toned skin look gray and chalky. I used to have really bad acne in my teen years when I started using this, and this never exacerbated it. Now, I love using this on my dry skin because it feels nourishing without giving my skin a sticky feel—even when I go out to India to visit family during humid monsoon seasons. Now, I use it as a touch-up product, too. I have dark circles and like to use this sunscreen stick under my eyes to protect and hydrate that area, too.

As the name would suggest, Neutrogena's Beach Defense SPF 50 is technically marketed as a beach product, likely because it's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. But the hydrating formula is great for everyday use, too. 

At just $13, it's made to be used on the face or body, so if you don't want a separate sunscreen for beach days, outdoor workouts, and daily use, you can easily make this your daily, affordable go-to. The packaging is even travel-friendly; another benefit of stick sunscreens — you won't have to worry about anything spilling into your suitcase.

Madfes says that chemical sunscreens, like this one, tend to feel more comfortable on the skin, so you should be able to layer makeup on top of this easily.

Generally speaking, the beauty world has come far in having more inclusive options that cater to people with darker skin tones. While there's still a long way to go, brands like Live Tinted are leading the charge in making products for the unique concerns of melanated skin. Not only does this sunscreen stick not leave a white cast behind on the skin, but it does so much more. Since melanated skin is more prone to hyperpigmentation, this brightens the skin immediately while also working to treat dullness over time. The vegan, cruelty-free formula contains an array of plant-based ingredients that do this, from cloudberry seed oil and rice extract to vitamin E and dragon fruit extract.

Dermatologist Dr. Hadley King talks about how difficult it can be for people with darker skin to find a sunscreen that won't leave a white cast behind. For them, she recommends a chemical sunscreen like this one. Her only note is to avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate when possible, as those ingredients can cause irritation. Live Tinted's sunscreen doesn't contain either.

Supergoop's Play 100% Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 hydrates dry skin with shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, and a variety of other skin-conditioning ingredients. It also contains olive-derived micronutrients to help reduce the effects of free radicals that damage the skin. This is more unique than most other stick formulas in that it actually has a creamy feel to it. Unfortunately, it's a bit small for the price. It can be a good product for touch-ups on the face, though you'll likely run out quickly if you plan on using it all over the body.

My skin has gotten consecutively more dry over the years, especially since I turned 30. I used to just need one of two hydrating products in my skincare routine, but now everything I use has to be moisturizing, and I'm often doing midday touch-ups, too. I like to keep this one in my purse for times I know I'll be out all day, from the gym to brunch and running errands. Aesthetician and founder of Practice Spa Kristyn Smith also recommends oil-based formulas like this one (which has a jojoba seed oil base) to her clients with dry skin.

Sunflower seed, jojoba, and shea butter are some of the key ingredients in this nourishing, sensitive skin-friendly formula. Although it can initially leave a white cast on the skin (as most mineral sunscreens tend to), that tends to disappear after about thirty minutes. It also helps to calm skin and can even be used on children who are at least six months old.

Madfes is a big proponent of zinc-based sunscreens like this one. It contains 12% zinc oxide, which offers good protection from UVA and UVB rays for daily use.

Having oily skin doesn't mean that you don't need hydration. It just means that you need a lightweight formula that the skin will soak up rather than sit on top of the skin. Coola's Refreshing Water Hydration Stick SPF 50 contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, while aloe and niacinamide calm and clarify the skin. Plant stem cells also help to protect the skin from environmental aggressors, so this can help to balance out external factors that may exacerbate oil production in your skin. The stick has a blue tint to it, but it shows up clear on the skin.

"People with oily skin don't like the feeling of an extra layer on their skin," says Madfes. That's why a light, cooling gel-like formula like this one can feel nice on oily skin types.

Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow Dew Balm sunscreen contains a plethora of plant-based ingredients and features a pleasant scent with a clear finish. Finding a good sunscreen for acne-prone skin can be hard because the last thing you want is an extra layer of a sticky or greasy product on your face. 

However, this contains watermelon seed oil to help calm active breakouts, while niacinamide can help reduce the appearance of pores to prevent future breakouts as it diminishes the look of scars and hyperpigmentation over time. Like the brand's beloved Watermelon Dew Drops serum, it has an ultra-lightweight texture that blends right into the skin without leaving any cast or sticky finish. This may not be the best option for you if you have sensitive skin, as it contains fragrance.

Madfes recommends that people with inflammation in their skin look for an SPF like this one, which contains niacinamide and antioxidants. She says those ingredients will also benefit you if you have rosacea.

This Hello Sunday Shimmer Stick contains a plethora of nourishing ingredients, and it'll make your skin look dewy and glowy the second you apply it. Hyaluronic acid and sunflower wax combine for a healthy, lit-from-within effect. Apply it all over the skin as a base for makeup, wear it alone for a velvety look, or put it on your cheekbones, collarbones, and bridge of your nose to wear it as a highlighter over makeup.

While you may assume this kind of sunscreen is just for dry skin, King recommends that you choose a mineral sunscreen like this one if you also have sensitive or rosacea-prone skin. 

MDSolarScience's Tinted Solar Stick SPF 40 is oil-free, silky-smooth, and gives skin a velvety matte finish with its one universal tint, which is known to be a match to a wide variety of skin tones. Made with vitamins C and E, these two superstar ingredients work with shea butter for a powerful combination of brightening, smoothing, and nourishing ingredients that make this a product minimalist's dream.

Smith recommends MDSolarScience's formulas. She recommends it to people with acne-prone skin because it's oil-free, but it also works for dry skin because it is high in shea butter.

What else we recommend

• Supergoop Glow Stick: Supergoop is one of my favorite sunscreen brands, and I find them to have some of the highest-quality formulas that don't leave a white cast. While I love the glowy finish this has, and it works really well on my dry skin, it can feel quite greasy on normal and oily skin types. It can also be too heavy for acne-prone or sensitive skin.
• EltaMD UV Stick: EltaMD is a well-respected brand, and many people with acne-prone and sensitive skin love this mineral sunscreen. Smith is a big fan of it, too. However, when I tried it on my medium-toned skin, it left a gray cast, so this would be better for those with lighter complexions.
• Banana Boat Sport Ultra Sunscreen: This chemical sunscreen has a high sun protection factor and a non-greasy feel despite the fact that it does contain hydrating and calming ingredients like shea butter. At just $12, it's a great price for the value, but it doesn't have any other standout characteristics. It's a solid, no-frills option.

What we don't recommend

• Coppertone Sport Stick SPF 40: While this Coppertone Sport Stick SPF 40 is affordable, many reviewers say it feels sticky on the skin. It's also marketed as a sport sunscreen, but most dermatologists, like Madfes, recommend an SPF of at least 50 if you plan on spending an extended amount of time in the sun.
• Alba Botanica Sunscreen Stick: This cute, palm-sized sunscreen is a great idea for quick touch-ups, but it leaves an extremely gray and purple cast on the skin, even on lighter skin types.

Ingredients:

The ingredients you seek in an SPF depend upon your skin type. Madfes recommends oil-free and non-comedogenic formulas for acne-prone skin, a water-resistant formula if you spend a lot of time outside, and ingredients like niacinamide and antioxidants if you have sensitive or redness-prone skin. 

Mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as their active ingredients. They tend to leave a white cast on the skin, but they're safer for use on sensitive, redness-prone, or acne-prone skin. King says that chemical sunscreens tend to have a lighter feel and look good on the skin. The active ingredients in chemical sunscreens include avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone, to name a few. Some people with sensitive skin may feel stinging or see irritation in their skin when using one.

Consistency and color:

Mineral sunscreens tend to have a thicker consistency, which makes them more comfortable on dry or mature skin. The most common mineral sun protection ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide tend to leave a white cast on the skin. That's why it's hard to find mineral sunscreens that don't leave a white cast. While there are, of course, always exceptions, chemical sunscreens are, for the most part, a little bit more lightweight and don't leave a white cast on the skin. That said, people with acne-prone or sensitive skin may experience irritation from chemical sunscreens.

Are sunscreen sticks effective?

Sunscreen sticks are just as effective as sunscreen lotions, but to be extra cautious, you can rub the formula into your skin after you apply the stick. Sticks are also more effective than sprays because they help you apply the product more evenly.

How do you apply a sunscreen stick? 

There are many ways to apply a sunscreen stick. Sweep the stick across the area you wish to protect, and then massage it into the skin further if you'd like. You can use it as a touch-up product on certain areas of your face where you may be sweating, too. 

How often should you reapply sunscreen?

"It is important to remember that you need to reapply SPF every two hours," says King. "And, be sure to apply it again after swimming or sweating to maintain a level of sun protection."

Are sunscreen sticks hygienic?

Sunscreen sticks are hygienic because they don't require hands to apply. That said, if you prefer to be extremely cautious or have extremely sensitive skin, you may want to wipe the top of your stick when you're done using it or spray it with a sanitizer.