The 16 Best Affordable Sunscreens of 2023

Let's cut to the chase: sunscreen is a non-negotiable part of your skincare routine. Yep, even if you only go outside for a few minutes a day, and yeah, even through the winter. Some dermatologists recommend wearing SPF indoors, so make sure you slather it on in the morning, no matter what you have planned.

"A great sunscreen is a sunscreen that someone wants to apply generously every single day and reapply when needed," says Claudia Christin, MBBS, Ph.D. in dermatology and medical advisor at Picky. In other words, it's all about finding one you like. But since you need roughly half a teaspoon's worth to cover your face and neck, and a full shot glass worth when applying SPF to your whole body, you can expect to go through a tube relatively quickly—which is why affordability is key.

We searched high and low, contacted experts, and checked our own medicine cabinets to bring you budget-friendly options for various skin types. Once you land on an SPF product you love, you might actually look forward to putting it on.

Scroll on for the best affordable sunscreens currently on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Etude House Sun Milk SPF50+ PA+++ at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Alba Botanica Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 at Amazon

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Best Drugstore:

CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

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Best for Sensitive Skin:

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen at Amazon

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Best for Deep Skin Tones:

Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 at Amazon

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Best for Fair Skin:

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen SPF 100+ at Amazon

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Best Tinted:

Australian Gold Botanical Tinted Face Sunscreen

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Best for Dry Skin:

Cocokind Daily SPF at Amazon

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Best for Oily Skin:

A'PIEU Pure Block Natural Daily Sun Cream at Stylekorean.com

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Best for Redness:

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
Why Trust Byrdie?

Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+ PA+++

View On Amazon

What We Like

Non-sticky
Soothes skin
No chemical sunscreen

What We Don't Like

Can have a white cast

What do buyers say? 85% of 9,100+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

Korean cosmetics brands reign in the sunscreen category. While the formulas are certainly impressive, one place K-beauty sun creams really stand out is their relative affordability—and you can always count on Etude House for wallet-friendly products with brilliant textures.

Sunprise offers long-lasting SPF 50 mineral protection and a smooth finish that's never sticky. The milky lotion contains soothing aloe vera and hydrating hyaluronic acid, plus a handful of other plant-derived, skin-enhancing ingredients.

Price at time of publish: $12.92

Alba Botanica Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Absorbs quickly
Non-greasy
Lightweight

What We Don't Like

Can have a white cast

Alba's Sensitive Fragrance Free Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 only costs a few bucks, but it holds its own against pricier products. The SPF 30 mineral formula is gentle enough to use on your face, as well as the rest of your body. Plus, it absorbs super quickly and leaves your skin feeling moisturized but not greasy.

Price at time of publish: $11.99

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Target

What We Like

Lightweight
Hydrating
Matte finish

What We Don't Like

Can pill

When it comes to drugstore skincare products, you can depend on CeraVe to deliver. This SPF 30 lotion uses a chemical formula (as opposed to a physical formula containing zinc and other minerals) to protect your skin from the sun. Essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid nourish the skin barrier without clogging pores.

Price at time of publish: $18.99

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart

What We Like

Lightweight
Non-greasy
Safe for sensitive skin

What We Don't Like

Can have a white cast

If you're hesitant to try new products for fear of how your skin may react, you can have peace of mind with this mineral sunscreen. Recommended by New York-based board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, the SPF 50 formula safeguards your skin from 97 percent of the sun's rays. And without any irritating fragrances or preservatives, it's easy on sensitive skin.

Price at time of publish: $14.98

Ulta

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target

What We Like

No white cast
Hydrating
Lightweight

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note it's not for oily skin

Black Girl Sunscreen was made by and for people of color. Formulated with natural ingredients, it goes on totally clear—no white cast in sight—and offers SPF 30 protection. We also like that it doubles as a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated all day.

Price at time of publish: $15.99

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 100 Sunscreen Lotion

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Absorbs quickly
Non-greasy
Higher SPF than other options

What We Don't Like

Can pill

Fair-skinned folks prone to sunburn should keep a tube of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen on hand. The broad-spectrum SPF 100 cream works hard to protect you from the sun's rays, and the Dry-Touch formula absorbs quickly with a grease-free finish.

Price at time of publish: $18.66

Australian Gold Botanical SPF 50 Tinted Face Lotion

Courtesy of Amazon

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Evens out skin tone
Matte finish
Approved by the National Eczema Association

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note it looks orange

Australian Gold Tinted Sunscreen has just a hint of color that blends effortlessly on all skin tones. The mineral formula delivers SPF 50 protection from UVA and UVB rays, while antioxidant botanicals like Kakadu plum and red algae give your complexion the TLC it craves.

Price at time of publish: $13.99 for medium-tan bottle

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target

What We Like

Hydrating
Prevents premature aging
Lightweight

What We Don't Like

Bottle is only half full

Made with shea butter, aloe vera, skin-enhancing oils, blue phytoplankton, and microalgae, CocoKind Daily SPF is a godsend for dry complexions. It safeguards the skin barrier with moisture, pollution defense, and SPF 32 protection from zinc.

Price at time of publish: $25

A’pieu Pure Block Natural Sun Cream SPF45/PA+++

Courtesy of Walmart

View On Stylekorean.com View On Yesstyle.com

What We Like

Hydrating
Non-greasy
Matte finish

What We Don't Like

Strong scent

This SPF 45 Korean sunscreen is formulated with aloe and fruit extracts to hydrate the skin without leaving a greasy residue. You can count on broad-spectrum sun protection and a matte finish that lasts for several hours.

Price at time of publish: $9.90

4.9

COSRx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++

Courtesy of COSRx

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Yesstyle.com

What We Like

Reduces redness
Hydrating
No white cast

What We Don't Like

Strong smell

If you battle redness on your face, neck, or chest, COSRX Soothing Sun Cream is right up your alley. Containing naturally anti-inflammatory aloe extract, it calms and moisturizes without irritating your skin. And you can count on SPF 50 protection without a white cast.

Price at time of publish: $15.38

Face Moisturizer by Olay Complete Daily Defense All Day Moisturizer With Sunscreen

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Hydrating
Soothes skin
Lightweight

What We Don't Like

Can have a white cast

If you're a one-and-done type of person, you'll appreciate this sunscreen-lotion hybrid from Olay, which blends both chemicals and minerals to offer SPF 30 protection from the sun. As for the moisturizer component, the formula contains aloe, vitamin E, glycerin, and other soothing, hydrating ingredients.

Price at time of publish: $25.98

4.8

La Roche-posay Anthelios Melt-in Sunscreen Milk SPF 60

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Dermstore

What We Like

Absorbs quickly
Non-greasy
Hydrating

What We Don't Like

Pricier than other options

La Roche-Posay's cult-loved Melt-In Milk Sunscreen has a smooth, velvety texture. The quick-absorbing formula is never greasy or sticky, plus it offers broad-spectrum SPF 60 protection. While it's a little pricier than other products on this list, the 5-ounce tube will last a lot longer.

Price at time of publish: $35.99

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Face-Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 30

View On Amazon View On Walgreens

What We Like

Lightweight
Hydrating
Absorbs quickly

What We Don't Like

Strong scent

If your day includes a sweaty outdoor workout or splashing around in a pool, reach for Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen. It's water-resistant for 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, protecting you from the sun's harmful rays while nourishing your skin with lightweight moisture.

Price at time of publish: $9.87

Derma E All Sport Performance Face Sunscreen SPF 30

View on Ulta View On IHerb

What We Like

Hydrating
Great for the outdoors
Absorbs quickly

What We Don't Like

Can have a white cast

For runners, hikers, bikers, and anyone else who exercises outdoors, we recommend Derma E All Sport. This ultra-hydrating SPF 30 face sunscreen works on sweaty skin for up to 80 minutes.

Babo Botanicals Super Shield Non-Nano Zinc SPF 50 Fragrance Free Mineral Sunscreen

View on Ulta View On Amazon

What We Like

Easy-to-apply stick formula
No white cast
Tug-free

What We Don't Like

Slightly heavy texture

Sunscreen sticks are great for touch-ups, tattoos, kids, and on-the-go applications. This little guy by Babo Botanicals goes on clear and glides effortlessly over the skin, offering water-resistant SPF 50 sun protection for up to 80 minutes.

Price at time of publish: $15.95

4.9

Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion

View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY View On Walgreens

What We Like

Lightweight
Non-greasy
Formulated for kids and babies

What We Don't Like

Can have a white cast

Dr. Engelman is also a fan of Baby Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion-Fragrance Free, and we can see why. The fragrance-free mineral cream delivers ultra-light, non-greasy protection. And since it's formulated for kids and babies, you can bet it's gentle enough to slather over your entire body.

Price at time of publish: $16.49

Final Verdict

When it comes to affordable sunscreens, Etude House's Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk (view at Amazon) stands out from the rest. The creamy lotion is formulated with soothing, hydrating ingredients like aloe and hyaluronic acid, and you'll get long-lasting SPF 50 protection without a sticky feel.

However, if you don't want to spend more than a few dollars, you really can't go wrong with the fast-absorbing and notably moisturizing Alba Botanica Sensitive Fragrance Free Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 (view at Amazon).

What to Look for in an Affordable Sunscreen

SPF

When buying sunscreen, the most important thing to consider is the SPF (sun protection factor) rating and if the label says broad-spectrum, which indicates the product protects from both UVA and UVB rays, while SPF protects solely from UVB rays.

Mineral vs. Chemical Protection

Mineral (or physical) sunblocks are formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which create an immediate physical barrier to protect your skin from the sun's rays. Zinc tends to be gentle on sensitive skin, plus it offers the most resistance to sweat and water.

Then there are chemical sunscreens which work by converting UV light into heat to guard your skin from sun damage. Sometimes called organic sunscreens (because they contain organic chemical compounds), this type of product should be applied about 15 minutes before you go outside since it takes a few minutes to activate. Christin recommends looking for a hybrid formula, something containing both mineral and chemical filters.

Formula

If you have a sensitive, oily, or notably dry complexion, you'll want to find a sunscreen that works for your skin type. For sensitive skin, look for a fragrance-free product with a mineral-based formula, as this will be the gentlest. With oily skin, we suggest an oil-free, mattifying formula that hydrates without leaving a greasy residue. If your skin is dry, look for something blended with naturally derived butters and oils, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Theresa Holland is a seasoned commerce writer specializing in makeup and skincare. Once an over-tanner, she's now an SPF devotee with a keen eye for good formulations. She's particularly fond of sunscreens by Etude House, Alba Botanica, CeraVe, A'Pieu, COSRX, and Sun Bum. You can check out more of Theresa's work on Verwell Mind, The Spruce, and MyDomaine.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15 percent of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough affordable sunscreens from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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