How to select the best sunblock? 

TL;DR

1.Look for broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

2. Choose an SPF that fits your needs and apply enough sunscreen to get the protection listed on the label.

3. If you’ll be swimming or sweating, choose a water-resistant formula and reapply as directed.

4. Consider the formula and format, especially when choosing sunscreen for babies, kids, or sensitive skin.

5. The best sunblock is one that suits your routine and that you can apply and reapply consistently.

By now, most people know sunscreen should be part of their daily routine. After all, an estimated 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. Yet surveys suggest fewer than 14% use sunscreen every day.

So, why the gap? With SPF 30, SPF 50, mineral, chemical, lotion, stick, spray, and water-resistant formulas all competing for attention, choosing sunscreen can feel overwhelming.

How do you choose the best sunblock? It’s not simply about picking the highest SPF or the bottle with the most features. It’s about finding a sunscreen that provides the protection you need and fits easily into your routine.

Start with the label, not the bottle.

Before you even think about brand or scent, it helps to know what you’re actually reading on that label. Three terms matter most.

Broad-spectrum. 

This tells you the sunscreen helps protect against both UVA and UVB rays, not just one or the other. Both types of rays contribute to sun damage, so broad-spectrum coverage is worth prioritizing over a formula that only addresses part of the picture.

SPF. 

This number relates to how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays, which are the main cause of sunburn. A higher SPF isn’t a free pass to skip reapplication, but it does give you a sense of the level of protection you’re starting with.

Water resistance.

 A water-resistant sunscreen can hold up better during swimming or sweating, but it isn’t the same as waterproof. Every water-resistant sunscreen has a specific time window before it needs to be reapplied.

Once you understand these three things, picking a sunscreen becomes a lot less like guesswork.

Think about what your day looks like

The best sunblock for one day might not be the best choice for another. It really comes down to what you’re actually doing.

A day at the beach or pool calls for water resistance, since you’ll likely be in and out of the water. A hike or an outdoor sport is a little different, and you’ll want something that fits easily into an active routine and can be reapplied without much fuss. 

A short errand or quick trip outside still calls for sun protection, but water resistance probably isn’t your top priority. And if you’re applying sunscreen to a baby or young child, an easy, gentle format tends to matter more than anything else.

Matching the sunscreen to the moment is often more useful than chasing the “best” bottle on the shelf.

Mineral or chemical? Know what you’re choosing

Sunscreens generally rely on either mineral or chemical active ingredients to provide protection. Neither type is universally “better”; the right choice often comes down to your skin, your family, and your personal preferences.

Mineral sunscreens use ingredients like zinc oxide, which sit on top of the skin. Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick, for example, uses zinc oxide as its active ingredient and is formulated specifically with babies’ sensitive skin in mind. 

If you or your little one tend to react to certain formulas, a mineral option is worth a closer look.

Don’t underestimate the sunscreen format

Instead of asking “Which sunscreen is best?” a more useful question is: Which sunscreen are you actually going to use properly?

Lotion covers larger areas efficiently. Spray can be quick, though it takes some care to make sure coverage is even. 

A stick offers precise, mess-free application, which makes it especially handy for smaller areas and quick touch-ups, like around a child’s face.

None of these formats is objectively the best. What matters is whether the format encourages you to apply enough sunscreen and reapply when you need to. A sunscreen you skip because it’s a hassle isn’t doing much good sitting in the bag.

If you’re choosing sunblock for a baby, read the formula carefully

Choosing sunscreen for a baby or young child deserves a bit more attention. A few things worth checking on the label include the active ingredients, the SPF, whether it offers broad-spectrum protection, water resistance if it fits your child’s activities, and whether the formula is designed with sensitive skin in mind.

Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick is formulated with a mineral active ingredient and designed with babies’ sensitive skin in mind. As always, check the product’s specific age and use guidance before applying any sunscreen to an infant.

The best sunblock is one you’ll actually reapply

A sunscreen can have a great SPF and all the right features, but if you don’t like using it, forget to reapply it, or find the format frustrating, it may not be the best fit for your routine.

As a general rule: reapply at least every two hours, reapply sooner after swimming or sweating, follow the specific water-resistance window on your sunscreen, and reapply after towel drying when it applies. Consistency ends up mattering just as much as the formula itself.

So, how do you choose the best sunblock?

When it comes down to it, look for:

1.Broad-spectrum protection

2. An SPF appropriate for your needs

3. Water resistance if you’re swimming or sweating

4. A formula suited to the person using it

5. A format that’s easy to apply correctly

6. Directions you’ll actually follow

For parents looking for a mineral sunscreen stick made with babies’ sensitive skin in mind, Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick can be one option to consider.

Find the sunblock that fits your routine

Finding the right sunblock doesn’t have to mean comparing every bottle on the shelf. Start with what matters most for you, from the level of protection to the formula and format you’ll actually enjoy using.

And if you’re shopping for a baby-friendly mineral stick, the Mineral Sunscreen Stick is one option to keep in mind. Its compact stick format makes it easy to toss in the bag and reach for when your little one needs a quick sunscreen touch-up.