THE TRICK TO creating a consistent sunscreen routine is to find an SPF you love — and this is the summer to do it.
With Australia’s strict sunscreen standards and sun-soaked days, Australian sunscreens are some of the most highly regarded in the world. Following the rise of Australian founders and SPF innovators, there’s an ever-growing suite of sunscreens with SPF ratings, lightweight textures and even skincare actives to suit every daily routine.
Below, find the best Australian sunscreen brands and their standout formulas to try this summer.
Related: 8 best tinted sunscreens to amp up your SPF coverage
When using sunscreen, always read the label, follow the directions for use, and reapply frequently. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and wear protective clothing, hats and eyewear when you’re in the sun.
Best Australian sunscreen brands to buy in 2024
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BEST SUNSCREEN FOR STREAMLINED ROUTINES
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BEST SUNSCREEN FOR STREAMLINED ROUTINES
GO-TO SKINCARE Nifty Fifty Hydrating Sunscreen
$49
Founded by former beauty editor Zoë Foster-Blake, Go-To is a trusted Australian brand simplifying skincare. The broad spectrum and hydrating Nifty Fifty SPF 50 is a beauty community favourite and now there’s two new formulas — Nifty Fifty Fluid, a lightweight sunscreen for oily skin and Nifty Fifty Mineral, a zinc sunscreen for sensitive skin — to suit and streamline every skincare and suncare routine.
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BEST GLOWY SUNSCREEN
ULTRA VIOLETTE Queen Screen SPF50+ Luminising Skinscreen
2
BEST GLOWY SUNSCREEN
ULTRA VIOLETTE Queen Screen SPF50+ Luminising Skinscreen
$52
One of the brightest and best Australian sunscreen brands, Ultra Violette, has pioneered ‘skinscreens’. Their beloved bestsellers — including the Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF50+ Luminising Skinscreen — are sunscreens but they apply like skincare, with a range of finishes and formats to effortlessly slip into your skincare routine. Ultra Violette also offers tinted sunscreens, bronzing drops and lip balms all with SPF to complement your facial sunscreen.
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BEST UNDETECTABLE SUNSCREEN
BEAUTI-FILTR Feather Light SPF50+
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BEST UNDETECTABLE SUNSCREEN
BEAUTI-FILTR Feather Light SPF50+
$25
Founded with a silky sunscreen that you don’t need to scrape together savings for, Beauti-filtr is an affordable introduction to modern sunscreen formulas. The signature BEAUTI-FILTR Feather Light SPF50+ is an SPF, moisturiser and makeup primer that’s filled with antioxidants, oil-free and sits light and invisible on skin. It’s also free from oxybenzone, a common compound in sunscreens which has been linked to damaging effects on coral reefs.
4
BEST SUNSCREEN FOR DARK SPOTS
AB LAB by Adore Beauty Dewy-C SPF50+ Facial Sun Milk
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BEST SUNSCREEN FOR DARK SPOTS
AB LAB by Adore Beauty Dewy-C SPF50+ Facial Sun Milk
$44
Australian beauty retailer, Adore Beauty, has recently ventured into formulations, including three sunscreens tailored to specific skin goals. The Dewy-C SPF50+ Facial Sun Milk is boosted with vitamin C, a skincare active that’s loved in summer for its brightening benefits, and there’s also the Barely There SPF50+ Facial Sun Cream for congested complexions (or anyone who isn’t a fan of feeling sunscreen on their skin) and the Barrier Boost SPF50 Mineral Sun Cream designed for sensitive skin.
5
BEST SUNSCREEN FOR OILY SKIN
ALPHA H Dawn To Dusk SPF 50+ Serum with Niacinamide
5
BEST SUNSCREEN FOR OILY SKIN
ALPHA H Dawn To Dusk SPF 50+ Serum with Niacinamide
$64.95
One of Australia’s most respected active skincare brands, Alpha H, has combined hero ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin E and aloe vera with UVA and UVB filters. The Dawn to Dusk SPF 50+ Serum is lightweight, hydrating and ideal for everyday wear, but there’s also a matte SPF 50+ moisturiser with a natural nude tint for a subtle golden glow.
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BEST AFFORDABLE SUNSCREEN SERUM
BONDI SANDS Sunny Daze Hydrating SPF 50+ Face Fluid Drops
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BEST AFFORDABLE SUNSCREEN SERUM
BONDI SANDS Sunny Daze Hydrating SPF 50+ Face Fluid Drops
$24.99
Bondi Sands pioneered self-tan, and now the Australian brand is turning its attention to sunscreen. These Bondi Sands Sunny Daze Hydrating SPF 50+ Face Fluid Drops sunscreen drops are formulated to go on sheer with an invisible finish (read: no white cast in sight), and are dermatologically tested to be suitable for sensitive and congestion-prone skin.
7
BEST ZINC SUNSCREEN
RATIONALE #3 The Tinted Serum SPF50+
7
BEST ZINC SUNSCREEN
RATIONALE #3 The Tinted Serum SPF50+
$204
Rationale skincare optimises skin health for radiant results — and this SPF serum is formulated with the same principles. The #3 The Tinted Serum SPF50+ sunscreen uses Zinc Fusion technology as its UV filter and imparts an illuminating tint, while its light serum texture and glossy dropper bottle make the once overlooked step a skincare luxury.
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BEST SUNSCREEN WITH A CAUSE
CANCER COUNCIL Face Day Wear Moisturiser Invisible SPF 50
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BEST SUNSCREEN WITH A CAUSE
CANCER COUNCIL Face Day Wear Moisturiser Invisible SPF 50
$17.95
The Cancer Council has an extensive lineup of sunscreens for every face, body and occasion. The Face Day Wear Moisturiser Invisible SPF50+ is as lightweight and hydrating as its luxury counterparts, but proceeds from every purchase go towards cancer research.
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BEST FACE & BODY SUNSCREEN
WE ARE FEEL GOOD INC Signature Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+
9
BEST FACE & BODY SUNSCREEN
WE ARE FEEL GOOD INC Signature Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+
$47.95
We Are Feel Good Inc is a beachside Australian sunscreen brand creating sunscreens, skincare and bodycare that feel comfortable on skin. The Signature Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ is enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E so it slips on like a moisturiser. It’s also water resistant for four hours making it a convenient choice for beach bags this summer.
10
BEST SATIN-FINISH SUNSCREEN
AIRYDAY Clear As Day Dreamscreen SPF50+
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BEST SATIN-FINISH SUNSCREEN
AIRYDAY Clear As Day Dreamscreen SPF50+
$51
Built around the concept of a ‘sunscreen wardrobe’ is Airyday. There’s five facial sunscreen formulas — from fragrance free and mineral sunscreens to illuminating, hydrating or mattifying finishes — the SPFs are designed to be swapped in as skin and the seasons change. The Clear As Day SPF50+ Dreamscreen is a clear gel that dries down to a satin for a fresh but not too dewy finish.
11
BEST MOISTURISER WITH SPF
THE QUICK FLICK SPF 50+ Prep Moisturiser With Blue Light Defence
11
BEST MOISTURISER WITH SPF
THE QUICK FLICK SPF 50+ Prep Moisturiser With Blue Light Defence
$44.99
The Quick Flick is a playful brand that’s serious about everyday sun solutions. One of their first innovations was this SPF 50+ Prep Moisturiser With Blue Light Defence that doubles as a moisturiser and makeup primer, while also claiming to offer blue light protection.
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BEST SUNSCREEN FOR THE BEACH
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BEST SUNSCREEN FOR THE BEACH
STANDARD PROCEDURE SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion
$30
For those who spend summer under the sun and by the beach, Standard Procedure offers sunscreens and after-sun products. The SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion is made for sensitive skin with actives like vitamin A, B and C from Australian superfruits, papaya and pineapple. The sunscreen is also water resistant for four hours making it suited for humid days and summer dips.
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BEST SUNSCREEN FOR UNDER MAKEUP
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BEST SUNSCREEN FOR UNDER MAKEUP
OUTSIDE BEAUTY SPF50+ Mineral Primer
$50
Created by Australian actor Maddison Brown and her sister Allyson Popovic, Outside Beauty is an elevated SPF collection for beauty enthusiasts. The SPF50+ Mineral Primer is zinc-based with a pore-minimising effect and a light tint to help prevent white cast associated with most zinc formulas. The sunscreen can also be applied with Outside Beauty’s Kabuki Brush for even and seamless coverage.
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BEST SUNSCREEN FOR TRAVEL
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BEST SUNSCREEN FOR TRAVEL
SIMKA Invisible Facial Fluid UVA + UVB Broad Spectrum SPF 50
$65
Supporting the skin barrier is the goal of Simka’s skincare and sunscreens. The Invisible Facial Fluid UVA + UVB Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is broad-spectrum and formulated with antioxidants like vitamin C. It also has a dry-touch finish and a compact bottle, so it’s suited to summer travel and humid destinations.
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BEST CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL SUNSCREEN
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BEST CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL SUNSCREEN
THE SECRET Solar Serum SPF50
$110
The Secret was built on its prescription skincare service, with sunscreen being a key step in the brand’s suggestion skin regimen. This newly reformulated Solar Serum SPF50 is a lightweight fluid which leaves skin with a natural-looking peach tint and luminous pigments to enhance the complexion.
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BEST TINTED SUNSCREEN
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BEST TINTED SUNSCREEN
MECCA COSMETICA To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen
$46
MECCA’s own To Save Face sunscreen collection is loved by the beauty community. The best-selling To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen formula is creamy but non-greasy — so it layers well over skincare and underneath makeup and will encourage daily wear.
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BEST MULTI-TASKING SUNSCREEN
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BEST MULTI-TASKING SUNSCREEN
NAKED SUNDAYS SPF 50+ Collagen Glow Mineral Perfecting Priming Lotion
$39.95
Naked Sundays has been dreaming up a range of makeup-friendly, skincare-dosed sunscreens since its launch in 2019. As a primer slash sunscreen that can be buffed into skin with a brush, the SPF50+ Collagen Glow Mineral Perfecting Priming Lotion was one of the first formulas to rethink traditional sunscreens and create buzz over the past few years.
What is the best brand of sunscreen in Australia?
The best brand of sunscreen in Australia is always up for debate. Whether you are looking for a sunscreen to wear under makeup, a hydrating sunscreen for dry skin, a mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin or a water-resistant sunscreen for the beach, there’s no shortage of Australian sunscreen brands to discover — and the “best” option will really come down to your own personal preference. Peruse the above options to work out which product best suits your needs.
Why are Australian sunscreens so popular?
Australian sunscreens are so popular because Australia considers sunscreens as therapeutic goods, which are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Therapeutic sunscreens are regulated as primary sunscreens (products that are primarily used for protection from UV radiation) or secondary sunscreens (products like skincare with an SPF over 15). This means Australian sunscreens must meet strict performance standards — which include their sun protection factor (SPF), if they’re broad-spectrum for UVA and UVB rays and their water-resistant claims — so Australian sunscreens are some of the most highly-regarded both in Australia and across the globe.
Are Australian sunscreens better?
Australia’s TGA regulations mean that Australian sunscreens — and all sunscreens available in Australia — must perform highly and deliver their claimed SPF. Combined with the innovation of Australian sunscreen brands and an Australian beauty community that’s particular about how sunscreens feel on the skin and wear under makeup — considering how often we need to wear them, with UV levels high enough to require wear even during winter — it could be argued that Australian sunscreens are therefore better than international sunscreens.
When using sunscreen, always read the label, follow the directions for use, and reapply frequently. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and wear protective clothing, hats and eyewear when you’re in the sun.
Related: 13 best body sunscreens to slather on year-round
