Whether you’re spending time this summer relaxing at the beach or sunbathing in your backyard, protecting your skin from the sun is important. Nothing ruins a nice day, let alone a vacation, like burning to a crisp.
Even for those who don’t get burned, sun exposure has been linked to increased skin cancer rates and advanced aging.
But it isn’t always easy to find safe and effective sun protection, let alone products that aren’t expensive. Our recently updated Guide to Sunscreens, EWG’s tool for finding safe and effective sunscreens, found only 1 in 4 SPF products meets our strict standards for ultraviolet protection and health concerns based on their ingredients. Those that have fewer concerning chemicals tend to cost a little more.
EWG has identified 12 sunscreens in our guide that cost $20 or less and rate low for potential hazards. And for the first time this year, two also bear our EWG VERIFIED® mark – they meet our strictest standards for efficacy and ingredient transparency, and are free from toxic chemicals.
Don’t skip sun protection
Browsing sunscreens online is hard enough, but finding the best choice at the store – at any price – can be overwhelming. For those irksome, buzzer-beater corner store trips, EWG has you covered.
After comparing our safety and efficacy ratings with retailer’s online pricing information, we identified 12 low-hazard and low-cost sunscreens at $20 or under, all available from big box chain stores and Amazon.*
$10 Target, Amazon and Walmart.
$16 Target and Amazon.
$17 Target and Amazon.
$18 CVS, Amazon, and Walgreens.
If you can’t find any products from this list when shopping, don’t despair – our scientists have rigorously vetted and rated over 1,700 SPF products for safety and efficacy. You can also check-out the 228 top-rated sunscreens in our guide.
EWG also has created a handy label decoder to help you read and understand the information on sunscreen product labels.
Sun safety tips
Before rushing back to the beach, remember sunscreen is only one part of preventing skin damage. Cover exposed skin with loose-fitting clothing, wear sunglasses, and find or create shade. Be sure to reapply sunscreen generously and regularly, especially after swimming or sweating.
For parents of young children or toddlers, keep in mind that their skin is thinner and more sensitive to sunlight – just a few bad burns can double the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends babies under 6 months old stay out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
For the best coverage, use our guide to pick products that are rated low for hazard and high for efficacy and suit your particular needs. But with our list in hand, if you find yourself with a mostly empty or expired container, now you’ll have excellent, budget friendly options, so you don’t have to forgo sun protection on your next summer adventure.
