Without fully outing myself on age, let’s just say it took me several decades to get on board with sunscreen. For years, I brushed off my mother’s warnings and every derm in a 10-mile radius as I slathered Hawaiian Tropic SPF 4—on my face, no less—and baked from sunrise to sundown in a desperate attempt to mask my pale, slightly yellow undertone. My naturally golden-skinned friends were the envy of my twenties and thirties.

Fast forward to a crepey neck, freckled ears, and what feels like the early whispers of jowls, and I’m now a full-fledged, reformed SPF devotee. It doesn’t help that I moved to Miami, where I’m essentially slow cooking 24/7—thanks in part to Volvo’s decision to replace roofs with panoramic glass.

So without further denial (or damage), here are my go-to sunscreen picks for surviving summer under the sun—with grace, glow, and at least a fighting chance of keeping it all where it belongs.

ELTAMD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen

This one’s been a game changer. It goes on like a light moisturizer, doesn’t leave that chalky white film, and has just enough tint to even things out a bit. I love that it has niacinamide too, so it feels like it’s doing more than just protecting. I use it daily, with or without makeup.

 

Bioderma Cicabio Cream+

I started using this after a facial when my skin felt irritated and raw. It’s super soothing and the texture has this cushiony feel that actually protects without suffocating your skin. I love that it helps with healing, which means I don’t have to worry about dark spots popping up while things are still recovering. I reach for it anytime my skin’s been through peels, scars or anything needing repair.

 

Caudalíe Invisible High Protection Stick

This lives in every one of my bags. It’s totally invisible (no white cast, ever), glides on like a lip balm, doesn’t feel heavy or greasy, and I love that it’s clean, reef-safe, and smells like summer in the best possible way. Ideal for tennis, beach days, or when I’m stuck in traffic under a glass roof. The only downside is that it’s only available in France!

 

SVR Sun Secure Collection

SVR is one of the few pharmacy-brand sunscreens that actually feels high-end. The textures are elegant, the protection is solid, and there’s literally an option for every situation—spray, gel, stick, mineral, tinted… they’ve covered it all. I keep the spray in my tennis bag, the tinted gel in my purse, and the stick for my son.

 

Vacation Orange Gelée SPF 30

To be perfectly honest, this made the edit mostly because of the nostalgic packaging which reminds me of those carefree tanning-oil summers of the ’90s—except this time, it’s actually good for your skin. The texture is a glossy, non-sticky gel that somehow manages to make your limbs look better the second you put it on. Is it my everyday SPF? No. But on beach days, boat days, or anytime I want to pretend I’m in a Slim Aarons photo, this is what I reach for.