Best Sunscreens Dermatologists Use

It's not as elaborate as the whole cheating-to-get-into-college scheme, but the sun you know and love is plotting against the health of your skin. The good news? Protecting yourself from harm runs zero risk of legal action and could not be easier, so long as you've got a good sunscreen on hand. (If only the admissions offices at Stanford and Georgetown could say the same.)

The reason is simple: SPF is, as every dermatologist will tell you, the best mode of defense against those UV rays that do not have your best interests in mind, and SPF will keep you safe from any future damage. Finding the right product for your needs, however, is where it gets tricky. There are hundreds upon hundreds of new sunscreens lining the aisles of your local drugstore or retailer — from lightweight formulas that feel like nothing on skin to chemical-free options that keep it au naturale — which makes knowing where to start especially hard.

To help you navigate this sometimes complicated (but ever-important) topic, we've asked top dermatologists across the country to share their favorite new and tried-and-trued sunscreens to stock up on before Summer hits. You'll still have to put in the work of applying it daily before going outside, but if we've learned anything from the news, it's this: shortcuts can come back to bite you.