EltaMD vs La Roche-Posay vs Supergoop: Which Sunscreen Fits You?

The best sunscreen is the one you will actually put on every day. So the real question isn't which one is best. It's which one fits your skin, your day and your routine. These three come up constantly, and we carry all of them, so here's the honest breakdown.

The quick answer

• Choose EltaMD UV Clear if you want a face sunscreen that wears well under makeup and your skin is sensitive, breakout prone or quick to turn red.
• Choose La Roche-Posay Anthelios if you want one fragrance free bottle for your face and body with the highest SPF of the three.
• Choose Supergoop PLAY if you're outside, sweating or covering the whole family, and you want the most sunscreen for your money.

Side by side

	EltaMD UV Clear	La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk	Supergoop PLAY Everyday Lotion
SPF	46	60	50
Where it goes	Face	Face and body	Face and body
Sun filters	Zinc oxide and octinoxate	Four chemical filters, including avobenzone	Four chemical filters, including avobenzone
Skin extras	Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E	Cell-Ox Shield antioxidant blend	Sunflower extract
Water resistant	No, made for daily wear	Yes, 80 minutes	Yes, 80 minutes
Scent	Fragrance free	Fragrance free	Light scent from basil and eucalyptus extracts
Finish	Sheer and lightweight, no white cast	Fast absorbing and velvety	Lightweight, no white cast
Size we carry	1.7 oz	3 oz	5.5 oz
Price at Dermstore	$46	$25.99	$28
Cost per ounce at that price	About $27	About $8.66	About $5.09

EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46: the everyday face sunscreen

You'll often see EltaMD sold right at the dermatologist's front desk, and UV Clear is the one people come back for. It pairs 9% zinc oxide with octinoxate, then adds 5% niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, two ingredients you'd normally find in a serum. EltaMD says it suits all skin types, including sensitive skin and skin prone to acne or rosacea. It's oil free and fragrance free, goes on sheer, and sits under makeup without pilling.

The tradeoff: it's made for your face and for everyday wear, not the pool. It's also the priciest per ounce of the three, so it isn't the one to slather on your legs. Shop EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 60: one bottle for face and body

Melt-in Milk is the sunscreen La Roche-Posay calls its best for face and body. SPF 60 is the highest of the three. It's water resistant for 80 minutes, fragrance free and tested on sensitive skin, and it carries the brand's Cell-Ox Shield antioxidant blend. It goes on as a light lotion that absorbs fast and leaves a soft, velvety finish instead of a greasy one. The 3 oz size fits easily in a gym bag, a purse or the car.

The tradeoff: it uses chemical filters only, so if you specifically want mineral protection, EltaMD's zinc oxide is the closer fit. Shop La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk SPF 60.

Supergoop PLAY SPF 50: built for active days

PLAY is the sunscreen Supergoop made for sports, sweat and long days outside. It's water and sweat resistant for 80 minutes, works on face and body, and is oil free, with sunflower extract so skin doesn't feel dry. At 5.5 oz it's the biggest bottle here and the lowest cost per ounce, which matters when you're covering arms, legs and kids.

The tradeoff: it has a light scent from basil and eucalyptus extracts, so if fragrance bothers your skin, go with EltaMD or La Roche-Posay. Shop Supergoop PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50.

Do you really need sunscreen in November?

Yes. Burns are less likely in winter, but UVA rays, the ones linked to aging, are around all year and come through clouds and car windows. If you ski or spend time in the snow, the sun bouncing off it adds even more. Keep a face sunscreen in your daily routine and a body one ready for the days you're outside.

Winter is also a smart time to stock up. Nobody is shopping for sunscreen in November, which is exactly when finds like these turn up. Check the listing photos for the expiration date before you buy.

Also on our shelves

Laura Geller Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer SPF 30
Primer and broad spectrum SPF 30 in one step, for days you'd rather not layer.

Dune Suncare The Bod Guard Invisible Gel SPF 30
A clear body gel that goes on invisible with no white cast. Water resistant for 40 minutes.

Supergoop PLAY Antioxidant Body Mist SPF 30
A spray with vitamin C for the spots you can't reach, like your back.

So which one?

Face only and sensitive? EltaMD. One fragrance free bottle for everything? La Roche-Posay. Outside, sweating or sharing with the family? Supergoop. And there's no rule against two: EltaMD on your face, Supergoop on everything else.

Where to shop them

We hand pick new brand name sunscreen and skincare and post it as it comes in. Most pieces are one of one, so when it's gone, it's gone. Shop all our skincare finds or the latest in Beauty Steals. Everything ships from New Jersey in 1 to 2 business days, with free shipping on orders over $35.