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Most of us apply sunscreen before heading to the park, pool or beach, but did you know you should be shielding yourself from the sun on a daily basis? It’s true! And with summer. and now, UV Safety Awareness Month upon us, now’s the time to really prioritize daily sun protection, if you haven’t already.
The UV rays which cause skin damage (and skin cancer) are present at all times. Now, you might be thinking to yourself, “Yeah, but I’m not about to wear greasy, shiny, smelly sunblock all day.” You don’t have to. Simply swap one of these SPF-infused lotions in for your regular moisturizer to reap the same hydrating benefits with a boost of UVA/UVB protection. No more excuses. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, you should “apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.”
Ahead are products perfect for both morning use and even an SPF refresh before heading out to run a quick errand on your lunch break. On particularly busy days when you might forget, we highly recommend keep a bottle at your desk. (Really, it works.)
But, remember: You should always wear higher SPF in prolonged sun exposure.
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1. Pacifica Beauty Mineral Body Butter
This vegan and cruelty-free body lotion is lightweight and melts into your skin. It contains a fresh pineapple and flower scent that lingers throughout the day. The best part? It protects skin with SPF 50, and it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
2. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Applying SPF every day is the key to preventing signs of aging, sun spots other damage caused by the sun’s harmful rays. Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Sunscreen Lotion makes it easy to give your skin a daily dose of protection. The formula doesn’t leave a white cast behind, and it leaves your skin feeling hydrated.
3. Hempz Yuzu & Starfruit Daily Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Image: Hempz.
Lightweight and streak-free, this daily body lotion with SPF 30 will moisturize, soften and protect your skin.
4. Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter with SPF 45

With zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, argan oil and white tea, this lotion will revitalize even the driest of skin. Unchanged: With zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, argan oil and white tea, this lotion will revitalize even the driest of skin.
5. Supergoop! SPF 40 Body Butter

Made with sea buckthorn, Supergoop! Forever Young Body Butter is loaded with natural oils which will help you feel fresh and hydrated all day long. Better yet, it’s reef-safe, too.
6. Unsun Cosmetics Sunscreen with Broad Spectrum SPF 15

This chemical-free tinted sunscreen lotion is perfect for all skin tones and types, giving a healthy glow with protection that’s perfect for days when you’re mostly cooped up inside. Offering light mineral-based sun protection, it’s unscented and won’t leave a white residue on skin, nourishing thanks to a blend of shea butter and essential oils like evening primrose, linseed, lavender, and more.
7. Glytone Body Lotion Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 15

Image: Glytone.
You may balk at its price tag but this fast-absorbing cream is well worth the splurge. Shea butter offers some of the deepest hydration around while glycolic acid exfoliates dead skin — a potent combo that guarantees supremely smooth limbs.
8. Eucerin Daily Hydration SPF 30 Cream

No one likes having their body lotion compete with their perfume, which is why this fragrance-free lotion is such a breath of fresh air. In addition to sparing nearby noses from olfactory assault, it takes a two-fold approach to sun protection: Titanium dioxide serves as a physical blocker while vitamin E naturally defends skin against free radicals caused by UV exposure.
9. Alba Botanica Very Emollient Body Lotion Daily Shade Broad Spectrum SPF 15

Green beauty buffs, we haven’t forgotten about you: This all-natural option relies on aloe vera, green tea and chamomile extracts to deeply nourish skin the healthy way. It also boasts the most effortless application and least residue we encountered in the category.
10. Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Moisturizing Body Sunscreen Lotion With Broad Spectrum SPF 60

This lightweight, refreshing formula provides plenty of the same skin-loving benefits you’ve come to know and love from the fan-favorite drugstore skincare brand, but with an added bonus of broad-spectrum SPF 60 protection, which will keep you protected from the sun’s harmful rays while also keeping skin looking and feeling its most hydrated. A win-win all the way around, we’d say.
11. MyChelle Dermaceuticals Replenishing Solar Defense SPF 50

Image: Amazon.
This “solar defense” broad spectrum SPF lotion helps protect your skin from sun damage that causes wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging.
12. COOLA Fragrance-Free Mineral Body Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

Image: Coola.
This reef-friendly SPF 50 lotion won’t damage coral and marine plant life – use it the next time you go on vacation. It’s also fragrance-free, making it safe and non-irritating for sensitive skin types.
13. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk

Image: La Roche-Posay.
If your skin is particularly prone to burning, this is the protection for you. This lotion is not only lightweight and fast-absorbing, it’s suitable for more than just your arms, ears, chest, and legs. You can rub it on your scalp and hairline, too.
14. Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Image: Ulta.
This paraben-, fragrance-, oil-free Clinique lotion goes on smooth and won’t make your skin feel sticky, according to one Macy’s reviewer.
15. EltaMD UV Lotion with Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+

While this broad-spectrum SPF 30-based lotion isn’t water-resistant (making it not the best choice for super active days spent in the sun or surf), it is perfect for full protection whether you’re running errands on a sunny day or enjoying an afternoon relaxing outside. The zinc oxide-based formula also contains proven skincare star players like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to keep skin smooth and hydrated all day long.
16. Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 PA++++

This lightweight sunscreen lotion absorbs so fast, you’ll forget you have it on within seconds, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’ve got water- and sweat-resistant high-performance protection from the sun’s super harsh rays. Also in the hydrating formula is beta carotene-rich sunflower extract for protection against free radical damage and rosemary leaf extract to calm irritated skin.
Before you go, check out our slideshow below:
A version of this article was originally published in July 2015.
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