When the sunshine season hits, protecting your skin is essential. Burning up, getting blemishes, and harming your skin is not cool. That said, sunscreen is a non-negotiable.
But although sunscreen should be a staple of your skincare routine during the brighter months, you have to pay big bucks for products that won’t make your skin feel greasy.
Actually, you don’t. The best affordable sunscreens will protect your skin from the sun’s rays without grease or irritation. Oh, and some of them smell amazing—especially when you consider the pocket-friendly pricing.
But with so many products out there promising to deliver the skincare-boosting goods, how do you know which ones to trust?
I know that when it comes to keeping your skin safe from the sun’s rays, you cannot mess around. So, I’m here to save the day with my essential guide to the best affordable sunscreens on the market right now.
Let’s dive in.
Key Takeaways
Much like when you’re choosing a body lotion or a beard moisturizer, it always pays to follow your instincts and consider your personal preferences when choosing the best affordable sunscreens for your needs.
To make it easy for you, I’ve picked seven of the best products based on brand trust, user reviews, ingredients, and ease of application.
I discovered that Neutrogena’s Ultra-Sheer Dry Touch is the overall best cheap sunscreen. If you’re looking for a luxury option that doesn’t break the bank, Sun Bum is the one. Oh, and for a reliable sunscreen stick, Blue Lizard Sensitive will deliver the goods.
Why it’s great: Boasting a treasure trove of five-star user reviews, an impressive 70 SPF, and an easy application formula, this is my overall top pick for the best affordable sunscreens you can find.
In addition to its gentle lotion-like texture, non-greasy feel, and broad-spectrum sun protection qualities, this impressive sunscreen offers 80 minutes of water resistance and anti-aging skin protection. This lightweight yet super powerful sunscreen is also free from harmful chemicals and is fast-absorbing for premium protection when you’re on the go.
Who is this for? This real sun-blocking all-rounder is perfect for anyone looking for a quality product on a budget, especially fellas with slightly more sensitive skin. Oh, its dainty bottle is also perfect for anyone who travels to sun regions regularly.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The only drawback I can think of is that it’s unscented. So, if you’re searching for something with an aroma, then you should look elsewhere on the list.
Scent: Unscented | Item Form: Cream/lotion | Size: 3 oz | SPF: 70 | Skin Type: All
Why it’s great: This rather impressive 50 SPF Amazon-approved brand also boasts 80 minutes of reliable water resistance as well as an easy-to-apply texture. Not only is Solimo Sport respected by skincare-conscious guys worldwide, but it also offers long-lasting broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection for those specially hot, sunny days.
With a generous bottle size, this epic sunscreen offers plenty of
Who is this for? This is perfect for fellas who have fairer or paler skin but who like to get out and about in the sunnier season. It’s also perfect if you work in the sunshine for long periods of time
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The formula has a tendency to harden a bit if left alone for too long. If you use sunscreen daily, you’ll likely go through the bottle before this happens.
Scent: Mild | Item Form: Cream | Size: 8.8 oz | SPF: 50 | Skin Type: All
Why it’s great: Sporting a refreshing formula and a subtle piña colada scent, this fine skin-saving product from the brilliantly named Sun Bum is my top pick for the best luxury affordable sunscreen. Considering the fact that it’s formulated with vitamin E and a melting pot of soothing anti-oxidants, this sunscreen is fairly priced.
It’s cruelty-free and super easy to apply—it also feels lavish to the touch—meaning that you’ll feel refreshed and revitalized while enjoying 80 solid minutes of water resistance and 50 SPF protection. Oh, and it comes in a cool bottle.
Who is this for? This is perfect for guys who like to swim or visit the beach regularly. Its gentle fortified formula also makes Sun Bum great for anyone whose skin chaps and dries in the sun easily.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The price-to-portion ratio may not be suitable for slightly more frugal or budget-conscious dudes.
Scent: Tropical | Item Form: Gel | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: 50 | Skin Type: Normal to sensitive
Why it’s great: As one of Amazon’s best sellers, Thinbaby is an unscented vegan concoction that is perfect for people with super sensitive skin. As well as being wildly popular on Amazon, Thinkbaby is also my top pick for the best affordable face sunscreen.
Its gentle hypoallergenic formula is kind to even the most sensitive of skin and considering its a robust 50 SPF cream, it glides across the skin like a dream.
Who is this for? As I said, this is perfect for guys with particularly sensitive skin as well as anyone who spends a large amount of time under the sun’s rays.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This might be a little thick for fellas in search of slightly more gel-like solutions.
Scent: Unscented | Item Form: Cream | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: 50 | Skin Type: Sensitive
Why it’s great: Another Neutrogena addition to my best affordable sunscreens shortlist, this oil-free block is perfect for everyday use. Considering the fact that it offers a whopping 70 SPF of sun protection, this cream is so easy to apply to the face and body.
It’s also recommended by dermatologists. This subtly scented sun-blocking elixir also contains electrolytes that nourish and protect the skin, even on those days when you sweat a lot.
Who is this for? This is ideal for guys who work outdoors, travel often, or like to spend hours upon hours bathing in the sun.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: 70 SPF protection might be a little heavy for some guys. It certainly won’t do any harm, though.
Scent: Light fruit | Item Form: Cream | Size: 2.5 oz | SPF: 70 | Skin Type: Normal to sensitive
Why it’s great: This punchy little product from skincare brand Eucerin takes the top spot for the best drugstore sunscreen. In addition to its largely natural hypoallergenic formula, this vitamin-infused concoction actually hydrates the skin while protecting you from the sun’s rays.
One of the best affordable sunscreens, it’s also recommended by dermatologists and spreads across the skin like a dream, drying quickly and leaving a lavish matte finish. Awesome.
Who is this for? This is a real wallet-friendly all-rounder. But, as a little goes a long way, this is perfect for skin care-conscious dudes who are also doting dads.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This might be a little light on the SPF for guys with slightly more sensitive skin.
Scent: Unscented | Item Form: Matte finish cream | Size: 3.52 oz | SPF: 35 | Skin Type: Normal to sensitive
Why it’s great: Made from a mix of skin-nourishing minerals, this easy-to-apply stick from Blue Lizard is a joy to use when you’re out and about. This eco-friendly and cruelty-free sunscreen is kind to the planet, as well as your skin, and with no active ingredients in the mix, this is decidedly gentle.
This sensitive skin sunscreen stick is also non-greasy and sweat-resistant and offers up to 80 minutes of rock-solid protection in the water.
Who is this for? This is perfect for guys who have busy schedules and who like to keep their skin safe when on the go.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: What can I say? A sunscreen stick isn’t for everyone.
Scent: Unscented | Item Form: Stick | Size: 0.5 oz | SPF: 50 | Skin Type: Sensitive
Buying Considerations for the Best Affordable Sunscreens
Scent
First of all, when you’re seeking the best cheap sunscreen to suit your personal needs, it always pays to follow your nose.
The great thing is that these days, sunscreen comes in all manner of nostril-tingling aromas (including affordable ones). From the classically unscented to the boldly tropical—and everything in between—there are so many affordable sunscreen smells to choose from. So, choose one that makes your nose smile, and you can’t go wrong.
Ingredients
The best sunscreens are usually made with a balanced blend of quality natural ingredients that not only protect your skin from the sun’s rays, but also hydrate and nourish it in the process.
When you’re whittling down your shortlist, consider your skin type as well as your personal preferences and go with ingredients that will suit your needs. If you struggle with dry or sensitive skin, for example, then going for an aloe vera-based sunscreen will give you a solid SPF boost without the dryness or irritation.
The point here is: look at the ingredients label carefully and you’ll end up with the best cheap sunscreen for your ‘fun in the sun’ requirements.
SPF
When choosing the best affordable sunscreens, the SPF rating is crucial. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) will give you a clear idea of the strength of a potential product.
If you spend most of your time indoors or in the shade or if you have skin that is more partial to tanning than burning, an SPF of 15 or 20 will do the trick. On the flip side, if you’re outdoors a lot or you have sensitive skin that’s prone to burning, you should go for an SPF of between 30 and 50.
How We Chose
To create my shortlist of the best affordable sunscreens available, I extensively researched online and compared a wide range of products within a certain price range.
After a full investigation and product evaluation, I settled on my shortlist of sunscreens based on these three criteria:
Sun-screening power: I evaluated each sunscreen’s SPF rating as well as its ease of application to decide which ones offer the best balance of effectiveness, convenience, and wallet-boosting affordability.
Texture and Feel: Affordable sunscreens can differ in how they feel on the skin. So, I picked products with the smoothest, non-greasy application to ensure a silky smooth feel on the skin free from blotchy patches, lumps or general irritation.
Brand Reputation: I considered factors like customer feedback, ingredient quality, and ethical practices to focus on well-respected brands known for their reliability and commitment to skin health.
Why Trust Us?
Dan is a passionate expert in men’s style, hygiene, and grooming. He tests a variety of items before giving them his seal of approval, from foil shavers to the best soaps for BO, to make sure that you connect with reliable information as well as product picks that truly deliver the goods.
In this guide, Dan has excelled once again. He meticulously evaluated a range of affordable sunscreens, assessing them on specific criteria to ensure they are skin-friendly, easy to use, and long-lasting.
He also consulted with men’s hygiene experts to gather additional insights. This rigorous research process guarantees that Dan’s recommendations are top-notch.
Final Verdict
With a light lotion-style formula and six layers of epic UV protection, Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch product is my top pick for the best affordable sunscreen.
With an SPF of 70 and impressive anti-ageing properties, this wildly popular all-rounder really does deliver the goods for a very reasonable price. But though it came out on top, every single product on my shortlist has its very own set of skin-protecting credentials.
So, work your way back through the list, consider your personal preferences, and take your pick.
FAQ
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With a healthy blend of natural ingredients, long-lasting protection, and a wealth of glowing reviews, Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer and Bare Essentials’ SPF-based products are among the best affordable options on the market.
But, there are many more reasonably-priced sunscreens that hit the mark. Consider your personal needs and you’ll find a range of products that suit your skin protection needs.
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If you’re on a budget, you can buy affordable sunscreens that will protect your skin without the greasy texture or irritation. Some of the best drugstore sunscreens are super effective.
There is a wealth of quality, affordable sunscreens out there right now—and this guide showcases the seven best you can buy.
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