Australians search for the best sunscreen to find one that suits their skin and the day: a face fluid for work, a body lotion for the beach, something the whole family can use. This page compares seven sunscreens from seven brands. Four are made for the face and three are for the body or for face and body together.
Every pick is listed on the TGA's Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) with an AUST L number, shown in its section below, and we explain how to check one yourself. We do not rank protection. Each listing words its own SPF and water resistance, and we repeat those words as they are. The first card is the listing with the most ratings, not a ranking.
Face sunscreens
Four face picks cover the main face choices: sensitive skin, oily skin, fragrance free and oil free. All four are SPF 50+ on their listings.
Most rated face sunscreen for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400
Most rated face sunscreen for sensitive skin: the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400, because the listing describes a lightweight daily facial sunscreen formulated for sensitive skin, with an invisible finish and no white cast.
Listed on the ARTG as AUST L 532764. The listing describes a 50ml SPF50+ facial sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays and can help prevent premature ageing. It also describes a non greasy, non comedogenic texture, meaning it won't clog pores, and a non eye stinging formula. It holds 4.5 stars from 18,427 ratings, by far the most of any sunscreen on this page.
It suits anyone who wants one light sunscreen for daily wear on a sensitive face. The honest catch: it is a 50ml face fluid, so it is not a body sunscreen, and you will want a bigger bottle for arms and legs.
Best face sunscreen for oily skin: NIVEA Sun UV Face Shine Control
Best face sunscreen for oily skin: the NIVEA Sun UV Face Shine Control, because the listing describes a mattifying SPF 50+ face cream that absorbs excess oil and feels non greasy.
Listed on the ARTG as AUST L 351735. The listing calls it a matte face sunscreen for oily and combination skin types, with a mattifying effect, a fast absorbing formula and a non sticky feel. It describes UVA and UVB protection, an eye friendly formula and a 50ml size. It holds 4.7 stars from 566 ratings, the highest star rating of the four face picks.
It suits people whose face looks shiny by lunchtime and who want a cream that sits matte. The honest catch: it has far fewer ratings than the La Roche-Posay, and it is made for the face only.
Best fragrance free face fluid: Avene Sunsitive Face Sunscreen Fluid
Best fragrance free face fluid: the Avene Sunsitive Face Sunscreen Fluid, because the listing describes a fragrance free, non comedogenic SPF50+ fluid with a water like texture that layers under makeup.
Listed on the ARTG as AUST L 428615. The listing describes SPF 50+ broad spectrum protection, an invisible finish for all skin tones with no white cast, and 4 hour water resistance. It names vitamin E and aloe vera among its ingredients, and says the fluid melts into skin quickly and is easy to wear daily. It holds 4.5 stars from 71 ratings.
It suits anyone who wears makeup daily, or who avoids fragrance in skincare. The honest catch: only 71 ratings so far, so the score rests on a small group of buyers.
Best oil free face fluid: Natio Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen
Best oil free face fluid: the Natio Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen, because the listing describes a lightweight, oil free invisible fluid with SPF 50+.
Listed on the ARTG as AUST L 383998. The listing title calls it an ultra light sunscreen lotion with UVA and UVB protection, fragrance free, vegan friendly and made in Australia, in a 60ml size. The listing adds the direction to always follow the directions of use. It holds 4.3 stars from 79 ratings.
It suits people who want a light, oil free face fluid from an Australian brand. The honest catch: the listing gives little detail beyond that, and it has the lowest star rating on this page.
Body and family sunscreens
These three are bigger packs for arms, legs and shoulders. The DermaVeen and the Little Urchin are also labelled for the face, so each covers face and body in one pack.
Best body sunscreen for sport: Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen Lotion
Best body sunscreen for sport: the Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen Lotion, because the listing describes a sweat resistant, 4 hour water resistant SPF50+ lotion with a non greasy feel, at 400g.
Listed on the ARTG as AUST L 387335. The listing describes very high UVA and UVB protection, a fast absorbing lotion and a non greasy feel. At 400g it is the biggest pack here, which suits whole body use. It holds 4.6 stars from 120 ratings.
It suits sport, beach days and anyone covering a lot of skin. The honest catch: only 120 ratings so far, and it is a body lotion rather than a face formula.
Best for sensitive skin, face and body: DermaVeen Sensitive Sun SPF 50+
Best for sensitive skin, face and body: the DermaVeen Sensitive Sun SPF 50+, because the listing describes a lightweight, moisturising SPF 50+ cream with natural colloidal oatmeal and 4 hours water resistance.
Listed on the ARTG as AUST L 286302. The listing describes a face and body cream in a 100g size that absorbs easily, with broad spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen. It says the natural colloidal oatmeal is there to soothe, hydrate and protect. It holds 4.8 stars from 63 ratings, the highest score on this page.
It suits someone who wants a single moisturising cream for the face and body. The honest catch: only 63 ratings so far, so the high score comes from a small group of buyers.
Best zinc sunscreen for the family: Little Urchin Natural Clear Zinc
Best zinc sunscreen for the family: the Little Urchin Natural Clear Zinc, because the listing describes a non nano zinc oxide SPF 50+ sunscreen with 4 hours water resistance for body and face.
Listed on the ARTG as AUST L 375131. The listing describes a 100g Australian made sunscreen that is preservative free, with non nano zinc oxide as its sole active ingredient. It says it contains no UV absorbers, titanium dioxide, parabens, synthetic preservatives or synthetic fragrances, and calls it reef safe. It holds 4.4 stars from 59 ratings.
It suits families who want one zinc sunscreen for everyone from 6 months, as the listing words it. The honest catch: only 59 ratings so far, and the listing gives that 6 months and older age as its limit.
How to choose a sunscreen
How to check an AUST L number on the TGA ARTG search
The TGA, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, keeps the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Each sunscreen on this page has an entry there with an AUST L number. To check one, open the ARTG search on the TGA website, type the product name or the AUST L number from its section above, and open the entry. Match the product name and the SPF to the pack in your hand. Our ARTG matches were checked on the register, so each AUST L number above belongs to that exact product name and SPF. The TGA also publishes recalls and safety alerts, which are worth a look before you buy.
SPF 50+ and broad spectrum: what the listings say
All seven picks are SPF 50+ on their listings, so the SPF number does not separate them. SPF mainly speaks to UVB, so look for the words broad spectrum or UVA and UVB protection, which several listings use. The Avene listing says SPF 50+ broad spectrum protection, the DermaVeen says broad spectrum UVA and UVB, and the Banana Boat says very high UVA and UVB protection. We do not rank one as stronger, because the listings do not give a way to compare them.
Match skin type and texture
For oily or combination skin, the NIVEA is the one the listing names for those skin types, with a matte finish. For sensitive skin, the La Roche-Posay is formulated for it, the Avene is fragrance free and non comedogenic, and the DermaVeen adds colloidal oatmeal. If you avoid fragrance, the Avene and the Natio both say so. Try a new sunscreen on a small patch of skin first. If you want zinc and no UV absorbers, the Little Urchin listing is the one that says so.
Face sunscreen or body sunscreen?
Three of the four face picks come in 50ml or 60ml sizes, the Avene listing gives no size, and all four are described as face sunscreens. Body sunscreens come in bigger packs, which matters when you are covering arms and legs. If you want one product for everything, the DermaVeen and the Little Urchin are labelled for face and body, but at 100g each they are a smaller pack than the 400g Banana Boat. A big body lotion plus a small face fluid is a common pairing.
Water resistance, sweat and sport
Four listings give water resistance as 4 hours: Avene, Banana Boat, DermaVeen and Little Urchin. The Banana Boat adds sweat resistance. The La Roche-Posay, NIVEA and Natio listings do not state a water resistance time, so check the pack if you will be in the water. Whatever the pack says, reapply as the label directs.
Budget or premium
The La Roche-Posay costs the most of the face picks and has by far the most ratings. The NIVEA and Natio face picks cost less than the La Roche-Posay and the Avene when we checked. The DermaVeen and Little Urchin come in larger 100g packs, and the Banana Boat is 400g. A higher price does not mean a higher SPF, since every pick here is SPF 50+. Choose on skin type, texture and the size you will actually finish.
Sunscreen is one layer of sun protection
A wide brim hat, sunglasses and shade all cut down the sun on your skin, and sunscreen should be reapplied as the label directs. Our sun hat guide and beach umbrella guide compare options for cover, and the kids sunglasses guide covers eyes for small children.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best sunscreen in Australia?
No one sunscreen suits every job, so match it to your skin. For a sensitive skin face sunscreen, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 has the most ratings here. For oily skin it is the NIVEA Sun UV Face Shine Control, for sport on the body the Banana Boat Sport Lotion, and for the family the Little Urchin zinc.
What is the best face sunscreen in Australia?
For an everyday face sunscreen, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 is the most rated here, and the NIVEA Sun UV Face Shine Control suits oily skin. The Avene Sunsitive is the fragrance free option and the Natio Invisible Fluid is the oil free one. The NIVEA and Natio listings are the lower priced face picks.
What is the best sunscreen to wear under makeup?
The Avene Sunsitive Face Sunscreen Fluid is the one whose listing says so, describing a water like fluid that is easy to wear daily and to layer under makeup, with an invisible finish and no white cast. The La Roche-Posay UVMune 400 and Natio Invisible Fluid also describe invisible, lightweight finishes.
What is the best body sunscreen in Australia?
For sport, the Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen Lotion is a 400g body lotion the listing describes as sweat resistant and 4 hour water resistant with a non greasy feel. The DermaVeen Sensitive Sun and Little Urchin Natural Clear Zinc are both labelled for face and body, in 100g packs, with 4 hours water resistance.
What is the best zinc, mineral or natural sunscreen in Australia?
Little Urchin Natural Clear Zinc is the zinc pick here, and the closest match for a mineral or natural search: its listing describes non nano zinc oxide as the sole active ingredient, no UV absorbers and 4 hours water resistance. None of the seven listings describes a tint, so this page cannot help with tint.
What does broad spectrum mean, and is sunscreen the same as sunblock?
Broad spectrum means a sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays, as the Avene Sunsitive and DermaVeen listings word it. Sunblock is a loose name many people use for zinc style products. Every pick here is sold as a sunscreen, and Little Urchin is the zinc one.
Does sunscreen prevent tanning?
None of the seven listings promises to stop a tan. They describe protection against UVA and UVB rays, with SPF 50+ on each, and the La Roche-Posay listing says it can help prevent premature ageing. Sunscreen is one layer of sun protection, so follow the directions on the pack for how much to use.
Does Australia have better sunscreen, and how do I check one?
We cannot call it better, but each pick here has an AUST L number on the TGA's ARTG, for example AUST L 532764 for the La Roche-Posay UVMune 400. Search the number on the TGA's ARTG search and match the product name and SPF. The TGA also publishes sunscreen recalls and alerts.
Which sunscreen is best for kids and babies?
The Little Urchin Natural Clear Zinc listing says it suits the whole family, 6 months and older, as a daily body and face sunscreen. The DermaVeen Sensitive Sun is labelled for face and body, and its listing gives no age range. Read the pack for age limits before you use either on a baby.
