travel size nivea sunscreen

We're Jet-Setting Beauty Editors—Of Course We Have a List of Our Favorite Travel-Size Sunscreens

I'm officially crowning myself the Mary Poppins of my friend group. No, I don't randomly burst into song and dance (wouldn't that be something?), but I do have a seemingly endless bag of beauty goodies to share with my loved ones. At group dinners, I'm your girl for a swipe of lip oil . At weddings, I'm armed to the teeth with blotting papers, tissues, and waterproof mascara because, you know, happy tears. On beach getaways, you can bet your bottom dollar I have more than a few sunscreens to offer.

Carrying around multiple bottles of sunscreen can get clunky, though, which is why I often snag adorable travel-size minis before jetting off. Many of my favorite SPF brands create TSA-friendly versions of their cult favorites, too, so it really doesn't feel like I'm sacrificing quality for the sake of avoiding a crowded baggage claim. Plus, they make great gifts. Find my favorite picks below—the majority of which are beloved by the entire WWW beauty team—and packing for your next sunny destination will be an absolute breeze.

Best Travel-Size Sunscreens, Listed

Best spray: coola classic body organic sunscreen spray spf 50, best lotion: black girl sunscreen moisturizing sunscreen lotion spf 30, best facial spray: e.l.f. suntouchable all set for sun spf 45, best face lotion: paula's choice calm barrier protect mineral sunscreen spf 30, best for glowy skin: supergoop glowscreen body spf 40, best scent: vacation classic lotion spf 30, best under makeup: mdsolarsciences mineral crème spf 50.

• Best Serum: Caudalie Vinosun ProtectDaily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Lotion

Best Sheer: Sun Bum Premium Moisturizing Sunscreen Spray SPF 50

Best water-resistant: bask spf 30 lotion.

• Best Hydrating: UnSun Cosmetics Full Coverage Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

Best Splurge: Dr. Loretta Urban Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 40

Pros: Applies sheer and easy to blend

Cons: Nozzle can clog after use

Size: 2 ounces

Nongreasy, fast-absorbing, and fragrance-free—what more could you ask for in a travel-size spray? Coola makes some of the best sunscreens in the game (its Water Plumping Gel Serum is also a dream), so I make sure to snag a mini spray or two every time I have a trip coming up. If you do the same, everyone in your travel party will be begging to borrow the stellar formula.

Customer review: "Love the convenience of the spray, the scent, and protection! Very easy to throw in your bag and use throughout the day at the beach, pool, lake, etc."

Pros: A+ consistency, easy to blend, and doesn't pill or leave a white cast

Cons: Can make sensitive eyes sting

Size: 3 ounces

Generously sized at three ounces, this sunscreen formula is a wonderful everyday option to use on both the face and body. It absorbs like a dream, instantly disappearing into the skin with no greasy or ghostly residue, and it actually feels hydrating, whereas many sunscreens tend to strip my skin dry. If you have sensitive eyes, you might want to bring another option in your carry-on for your face, but overall, this is a winner.

Customer review: "It's just a wonderful product. … Doesn't make me look ashy, smells good, feels good, and I take it on all of my vacays!"

Pros: Easily portable, great for reapplication

Cons: Can feel a bit wet

This cute little spray resides in my tote all summer. It's my number one pick for a refresh. Friendly reminder: You should reapply sunscreen every two hours, and this teeny spray makes reapplication an absolute breeze. Not to mention, it doubles as a setting spray to lock in your makeup. Win-win! I only wish it had a finer mist—it can make my face feel a bit wet—but on no-makeup beach days that isn't an issue at all. In fact, it feels quite refreshing!

Customer review: "I have always wanted something to refresh my SPF over my makeup throughout the day. This is PERFECT. It's the perfect size to throw in my diaper bag (mom life) to protect my skin throughout the day!"

Pros: Neutralizes redness and calms skin, so hydrating it could be a moisturizer

Cons: People with oily skin might find it too dewy

During the summer months when I want to melt into a puddle of sweat, I will often use SPF in place of a moisturizer—many sunscreen formulas come infused with impressive skin hydrators like shea butter and hyaluronic acid anyways. I typically will reach for a Paula's Choice number, and the new mineral option from its Calm line is just divine. It's as if a color corrector and sunscreen had a baby. With allantoin and centella asiatica, it immediately calms my complexion and makes my skin so dang soft.

Customer review: "As somebody with sensitive skin who often finds sunscreen irritating, I appreciated that the sunscreen was not irritating at all. It is a mineral formula, and I did find it to leave a white castle on my skin. It didn't sit that well in my skin, and it didn't play that well and make up. I think this would also be a great body sunscreen."

Pros: Like a shimmery highlighter and SPF in one, blends easily with no white cast

Cons: Not the best for oily skin

Size: 3.4 ounces

Huge Glowscreen girl over here! I remember the first time I tried the cult-favorite facial sunscreen. I thought, " Wow, I want to slather this all over for a full-body glow, " and pretty soon the brand answered my prayers. (I'm sure I wasn't alone in begging for a body-sized version.) Now, there's more than enough of the shimmery formula to go around, but it's still TSA-approved at 3.4 ounces. I plan on tossing a few in my carry-on to shine from head to toe.

Customer review: "I love the Glowscreen for my face and use it daily. This is now my go-to for my body, especially on vacation. I love it."

Pros: Smells amazing without being too overpowering, feels hydrating on the skin

Cons: Not ideal if you're sensitive to fragrance

When it comes to scent, it doesn't get better than Vacation. In fact, people loved the sunscreen's fragrance—a blend of coconut, banana, and fresh pool water—so much that the brand bottled it into a perfume. What's more, the lotion has a creamy, gel-like consistency that disappears upon application.

Customer review: "I'm so glad I came across yall on Instagram!! The smell, omgggg it's like I went back in time to my childhood!! It smells amazing and I'm instantly transported back to the beach even if I'm in my backyard. Also my husband, who is quite fair-skinned, hasn't burned since using it which is why I'll keep coming back! Please continue with the great products!!"

Pros: Has a smooth, matte finish that resembles makeup primer

Cons: Expensive

Size: 3.4 ounces, 1.7 ounces

I know what you're thinking. A mineral sunscreen under makeup? Mineral formulas are notorious for being less than stellar in the spreadable department, making them not the best choice to layer underneath foundation or concealer. Trust me when I say that this creamy formula feels like silk on the skin—absolutely no pilling or chalky cast. A bonus? It comes in a tinted version , too, for a primer-like effect.

Customer review: "This is the best mineral sunscreen. Goes on silky smooth and blends right in. It is sheer (no white cast) yet provides great protection. I have been using this for years and shared with friends and family who also love it!"

Best Serum: Caudalie Vinosun Protect Daily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Lotion

Pros: Provides a glowy base for makeup, lightweight and great for warmer months

Cons: Very small size

Size: 1.7 ounces

It's called a lotion, but I find this sunscreen to have more of a milky, serum-like consistency. Of course, it features viniferine, the brand's signature grapevine sap, to brighten dark spots as it protects against harsh UV rays, which is one of the biggest culprits for said dark spots. It also has a slight tint that balances zinc oxide in the mineral formula. Caudalie sunscreens are beloved in Europe, but this is the first formula to make its way stateside. It's exceptional, so no surprise there.

Customer review: "I tried this product for the first time in Paris, and when I ran out, I had no other way but to order another one. I think this is the best sunscreen on the market right now that Doesn't make my skin breakout."

Pros: Fine mist, feels lightweight, easy to apply

Cons: Strong sunscreen scent

Size: 1.75 ounces

Sun Bum sunscreens are known for a fine, lightweight mist that makes you feel like you're wearing nothing at all. No greasy residue here! It does have a classic sunscreen scent, which is something to note if you prefer fragrance-free formulas. It's a great staple to pick up before your next vacay, and at $9 a pop, it feels like a steal.

Customer review: "I'm not a huge fan of spray sunscreen but this one smells great and is super nice, it doesn't leave that sticky nasty feel like other ones can!"

Pros: Fabulous subtle scent, great for active lifestyles

Cons: Takes a minute to rub in

This water-based formula was specifically designed not to stain your clothing or sting your eyes when exposed to sweat, the ocean, the pool, etc., so it's great to slather on your face and body. It also features a light vanilla-and-coconut aroma that smells nostalgic yet not too dominating. Even if you have a sensitive nose (like me!), I'd wager you'll enjoy the subtle scent. My only callout is that it takes a bit to rub in—it does eventually turn sheer, but it does appear very opaque right out of the tube. That said, the extra few seconds will ensure you never miss a spot.

Customer review: "I love this sunscreen. It smells fantastic and works even better. I am a triathlete and spend a lot of time outside swimming, biking, and running. It never runs in my eyes and does not sweat off. I am a HUGE fan and have ordered multiple items for everyone in my family."

Best Hydrating: Unsun Cosmetics Full Coverage Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Lotion

Pros: Great for face and body, doubles as moisturizer

Cons: Takes a bit to rub in

The best sunscreens make you feel like you aren't wearing sunscreen at all, and this one totally fits the bill. In fact, it feels just like an ultra-moisturizing body lotion that just so happens to contain SPF. It contains prickly pear, bitter orange, and cucumber extracts for hydration and brightening, antioxidant power along with baobab oil to further drench the skin in moisture and leave behind a subtle sheen. Trust me—it packs a punch in its three ounces.

Customer review: "This full-body sunscreen is just as great as the facial sunscreen I tried and bought two summers ago. I've been anxiously awaiting this body product, since first falling in love with the tinted facial sunscreen. It absorbs well, protects extremely well, and washes off with just one shower—something that can not be said for most commercial mineral sunscreens. I love how quickly I can put it on before being in the sun, and how much I can rely on coverage throughout the day. It's reassuring to know that I'm fully protected from harmful invisible UVA/UVB rays while being active outdoors."

Pros: Great texture, contains targeted ingredients for aging concerns

Cons: Expensive for a smaller size

Leave it to a derm to create one of the best mineral sunscreens I've tried! I adore Loretta Ciraldo, MD, and her skincare line is truly top-notch. It's a bit spendy, but it includes high-quality ingredients like peptides to plump fine lines and Lipochroman, a special antioxidant that defends against pollution. Consider it your most elegant face cream spiked with SPF.

Customer review: "This sunscreen is amazing. It's the first formulation I have tried that protects but is not greasy. It has a radiant pink hue that disappears on the skin on application. Highly recommend."

Can I put sunscreen in a travel container?

Technically, you could, but most experts would advise against it. Every time you open up a sunscreen bottle, you're exposing it to light and air—both of which can accelerate the product's shelf life by breaking down the ingredients. Your sunscreen is in its packaging for a reason, and every time you rehome the goop, you risk losing its efficacy. Any dirt, dust, or bacteria in your DIY jar can also mess with the ingredients and their potency. Not to mention, things can get messy!

If you're in an absolute pinch, go ahead and transfer your favorite formula. Wearing potentially less effective sunscreen is better than not wearing it at all! If you are able, try to cop a travel-size bottle instead of playing chemist.

What is the max sunscreen size for travel?

According to the TSA website , you can pack sunscreen in a bottle less than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters), be it a lotion or aerosol spray, in your carry-on baggage. For checked baggage, feel free to exceed that limit and bring full-sized bottles.

Does TSA consider stick sunscreen a liquid?

Nope! Stick sunscreens are considered solids, so they don't have the same size restrictions as liquids. Sunscreen sticks tend to be quite small anyways, which makes them great for travel purposes. Here, find our favorite editor-approved sticks to glide on.

Jamie Schneider is Who What Wear’s senior beauty editor based in New York City. She has a penchant for trend forecasting, covering everything from innovative skincare launches to celebrity profiles, and her work has appeared in mindbodygreen, Coveteur, and more. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English before moving to NYC, and she's been there ever since. When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty finds, Jamie loves exploring vintage boutiques, reading mystery books (bonus points for an unexpected twist), and she’s always down for a park picnic in Brooklyn. 

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I’ve Tried Dozens of SPF Products, but These Are the 10 Best Sunscreens I’ve Ever Used — From $10

From reef-friendly formulas to the best tinted SPF.

Travel + Leisure / Madison Woiten

If there’s one product that you should never leave for a trip — let alone the house — without , it’s a high-quality sunscreen . Sun protection factor, or SPF, represents a sunscreen’s ability to protect against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) light, preventing sunburns and potential skin damage. By using sunscreen regularly, you can decrease your likelihood of developing skin cancer and premature aging signs like wrinkles and dark spots.

And if there’s one thing to know about me, it's that I’ll never be caught outside without being covered head to toe in sunscreen, even on an overcast day. This SPF love affair started back in my beauty retail days , and I have tested dozens of sunscreen products — each with different formulas, textures, and target areas — to find the very best ones that not only provide ample protection, but look and feel good, too. I'm not one to gatekeep, so I've rounded up my picks so everyone can get one step closer to finding their SPF soulmate. Below, I've included everything from a whipped cream-like body SPF to my go-to hand sunscreen from Supergoop . Prices start at just $10, so if you have a trip coming up, you'll definitely want to stock up. 

Vacation Classic Whip SPF 30

The brand Vacation calls this body SPF a “dessert for your skin,” and as someone who has been proudly wearing it since 2022, I can absolutely attest to that. If the mere thought of applying sunscreen doesn't spark joy for you, then it's time to trade in your ordinary squeeze bottle of traditional lotion for this dreamy version that dispenses the product like a whipped cream bottle. Aside from its fun packaging, the sunscreen is reef-friendly and water-resistant (for up to 80 minutes), and it feels just as good as it looks. The mousse-like texture also feels far more moisturizing than other body sunscreen products that I’ve tried, and with how much the sun dehydrates my skin, it’s something that I absolutely love about this product. 

Vacation Super Spritz SPF 50

As someone who wears makeup on most days, it can be hard to reapply sunscreen once you’ve already concealed, contoured, and powdered. Most formulas are only intended to be applied under your makeup and protect you for just a few hours, so I keep this convenient sunscreen spray on me at all times to refresh my SPF coverage throughout the day (you can spray it over your makeup without disturbing your glam). It's also formulated with skin-friendly ingredients like aloe, vitamin E, caffeine, and more to give my face a jolt of hydration, energy, and brightness — things it can always use after a long travel day or sun tanning session. Even better, it's on sale for $17 at Ulta right now. 

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

When considering which sunscreen is best for you, it’s important to evaluate when and where you are planning to use it. While some of my go-to SPF products are better suited for everyday protection, if I am preparing for an extended day outdoors or engaging in physical activities, I consistently apply Blue Lizard's fragrance-free sunscreen. This particular sunscreen is both sweat- and water-resistant, making it the perfect choice for active days. While it does give a slight white cast (nothing too stark), I don’t mind it because I know how much protection its mineral SPF 50 formula is giving me. 

Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen

While I have a plethora of sunscreens in my lineup, when it comes to travel, I love streamlining my products as much as I can. The space in my toiletry bag is disappointingly finite, so that’s why I absolutely love this tinted SPF that acts as a sunscreen and glowy foundation. It actually works so well as a foundation that I’ve routinely worn it on nights out and have been delightfully pleased with its long-lasting, flashback-free formula. And I’m not the only one that loves skin-enhancing sunscreen, one Travel + Leisure writer raved that “this product saves time and does double duty by evening out my skin tone while also protecting from the sun, no matter the season.” Its light-to-medium coverage is perfect for anything on your itinerary and it's easy to apply on the go, so give it a try ahead of your next vacation. 

Tatcha The Kissu Lip Tint SPF 25

Protecting your lips from the sun is just as important as protecting the rest of your skin. UV rays can cause damage to the delicate skin on your lips, leading to issues like sunburn, wrinkles, and dryness. I’ve tried plenty of SPF lip products over the years, but few have compared to this newly released lip tint from Tatcha. With SPF 25 coverage, a luxurious-feeling formula, and a subtle tint of color, this product not only keeps my lips safe but also leaves them looking fabulous. I love that it gives me peace of mind that my pout is protected, hydrated, and dolled up. 

Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50

In my experience, few mineral sunscreens that claim to feel weightless deliver, but this lightweight formula actually feels like a veil of silk on my skin. We all know how damaging and drying the sun can be for our skin, but fortunately, in addition to its SPF 50 protection, this product is filled with good-for-you ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide for extra hydration. It’s consistently sold out — which speaks to its effectiveness — but I found a bunch of them in stock at Sephora. Whether you wear it alone for a radiant, makeup-free look or as a base under makeup for all-day protection, this product is a game-changer.

Coola Scalp & Hair Sunscreen SPF 30

Many people tend to overlook the importance of protecting their scalp, but being as it's one of the first places that the sun touches, it should be a crucial part of your overall protection routine. In an effort to be more diligent about my scalp SPF coverage, I started using this product last summer, and I’m amazed by how much more hydrated my hair feels by not being dehydrated and burned from the sun. This spray blends in incredibly seamlessly, providing protection within moments and, even better, without making your hair feel greasy or weighed down.

Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spray SPF 70

Made without harmful chemicals like oxybenzone or octinoxate that harm our reefs, this is one of my go-to spray-on sunscreen products for beach days. It goes on easily, smells nice, and is affordable enough that I feel comfortable sharing it with large groups of people during a day out in the sun. In addition to my high praise, it's also garnered over 21,000 perfect ratings from shoppers, who gushed that its easy-to-apply formula never feels greasy . 

Supergoop! Mini Handscreen SPF 40 

I love nearly all of Supergoop’s effective and skin-friendly formulas , but a product that I feel is often overlooked is its hand cream. While you can (and should) be lathering your hands in your body SPF, the skin around our hands is much more delicate than the rest of our body (it's one of the first places to show wrinkles as we age). Therefore, it benefits from sunscreen with a bit more TLC. That’s where Handscreen, which is designed specifically for your hands, comes in. Formulated with SPF 40 and anti-aging antioxidants and hydrating oils, it's not only protecting your skin, but also enhancing it over time. 

EltaMD UV AOX Eye Broad Spectrum SPF 30 

The skin under our eyes, much like our hands and lips, is extremely delicate and requires special care — particularly in terms of sun protection. With a powerful SPF 30 and sun damage-reversing antioxidants that combat dark circles and wrinkles, this compact under-eye product is an essential addition to my travel toiletry bag. In fact, I use it in lieu of concealer on busy travel days thanks to its subtle coverage and skin-brightening ingredients. Although it may be a bit more expensive than your drugstore coverup, it's an invaluable product that goes a long way, and I firmly believe that it has had the most significant impact in terms of safeguarding my under-eyes from the sun and brightening them over time. Plus, it helps you save precious toiletry bag space. 

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8 Travel Size Sunscreens You Can Take on Vacation

Traveling by plane is a joy and privilege, but it comes with its own set of challenges–including that dreaded rulebook that tells you which liquids you can and cannot take in your carry-on luggage. Sunscreen, turns out, is a liquid no matter what the bottle says: water-gel, milk, lotion, cream, it’s all a liquid, and so it’s all subject to the 100ml (or 3.4 ounces) limit. Fortunately, it’s possible to find really high quality travel size sunscreens that fit all the sun protection you need in a very small package–talk about efficient!

Below, you’ll find some of our favorite carry-on-approved sunscreens, ready to take on your next vacation:

One type of sunscreen that we get asked for a lot here at Care to Beauty is travel size sunscreen in a spray format. You’d think these would be easier to find, but if you think about it, they’re actually a combination of two features that are in and of themselves a little unpopular: travel-size sunscreen (much easier to find either tiny facial sunscreens or big bottles for the whole family!), and spray sunscreen (much more difficult to apply the proper amount of sunscreen using a spray).

Despite the difficulty, there are options. We like the Australian Gold Instant Bronzer Spray Gel Sunscreen SPF30 , a sunscreen that offers high sun protection with SPF30, along with water resistance up to 80 minutes. The quick-dry formula is enriched with a slight pigment, which leaves skin with a sun-kissed glow immediately upon application.

If you’re not necessarily looking for something for the beach, and what you really need is a spray sunscreen for quick sunscreen reapplication during a city break, we like the SVR Sun Secure Moisturizing Invisible Pocket Spray SPF50+ : this is a very tiny, very practical sunscreen that fits in any pocket and ensures very high sun protection, no matter where you are.

For Everyone, Every Day

If what you’re looking for is a practical and effective sunscreen, no bells and whistles, that everyone can apply and reapply with ease, we bring you two recommendations that are hard to beat:

The Altruist Sunscreen SPF50 , available in a travel-friendly 100ml or in the biggest bottle you’ve ever seen (1 liter, baby!), is a super versatile sunscreen that can be used by the whole family, including children from 2 years old. The cream formula is easy to apply and does not leave a sticky residue, which makes it ideal for reapplication.

Another travel-sized sunscreen we love is the SVR Sun Secure Lait Invisible Moisturizing Milk SPF50+ . With a milky lotion formula, fluid and easy to spread, this sunscreen is ideal for days by the pool or on the beach, when you just want to take one sunscreen for the entire family.

If going on holiday means spending a lot of time outdoors, you need a sunscreen that’s up to the task:

ISDIN Fotoprotector Fusion Gel Sport Wet Skin SPF50+ is already a well-known sunscreen, due to its gel texture that offers a refreshing effect and can be applied even to wet skin. In addition to sun filters, this very water-resistant formula also contains antioxidants, providing extra protection to the skin. The non-greasy texture is ideal for application to the scalp (don’t burn your hair part!) or to hairy areas, such as the arms and legs.

You can also try the Avène Sun Very High Protection Sport Fluid SPF50+ , which this writer has been known to use as a daily sunscreen! With a fluid texture that does not leave the skin feeling sticky or greasy, this sunscreen is also very water-resistant, easily resisting sweat during sports. Like the previous option, it’s also enriched with antioxidants, for global sun protection.

Children aren’t always excited to apply sunscreen—or to have it applied to them—so it might help to have a sunscreen they can call their own:

A good sunscreen option for children is the Babé Pediatric Sunscreen Lotion FPS50+ , a sunscreen specially developed for the delicate skin of babies and children. The formula is very water-resistant and suitable for both the face and body.

We also love the Bioderma Photoderm Pediatrics Milk SPF50+ , a sunscreen suitable for children that can even be applied to atopic or eczema-prone skin. The formula is water, sand, heat, and friction resistant, which makes it perfect to withstand all the adventures a kid might get into during a day out in the sun.

Fans of mineral sun protection can and should also have a travel-size option that they can take with them everywhere. We recommend two in particular:

The Uriage Bariésun Mineral Cream SPF50+ is a 100% mineral sunscreen enriched with the exclusive hydrating complex Aquaspongines. Along with Uriage Thermal Water, this complex guarantees deep hydration to the skin, leaving it comfortable during and after application. If you tend to find mineral sunscreens a bit drying, this could be a good option!

We also like the Suntribe Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF50 , a 100% mineral sunscreen with some tricks up its sleeve. As you know, mineral sunscreens frequently leave a white cast on the skin, but this one reduces it through the addition of Pongamia glabra seed oil. The formula also contains soothing aloe vera and chamomile, for a super gentle combination for the skin. And here’s a fun fact: this sunscreen is packaged in an eco-friendly sugar cane tube!

Now that you’ve chosen your travel size sunscreen, you’ve solved part of the dilemma of carrying your skincare routine in a carry-on bag. Make sure to explore our full selection of mini beauty products in the shop , for even more space-saving solutions!

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• Health and fitness
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The Best Sunscreen

By Nancy Redd

Nancy Redd is a writer who covers health and grooming. She has tested dozens of hair dryers, toothbrushes, and pairs of period underwear.

The best sunscreen is the one you’ll apply liberally and often, so it should be affordable but still feel and smell good on your skin.

After extensive brand-concealed panel testing, we recommend the physical sunscreen Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ and the chemical sunscreen Banana Boat Light As Air Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 , which best suit most preferences.

Everything we recommend

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+

An easy-to-spread physical sunscreen.

This physical sunscreen lotion absorbs easily and is free of added fragrance. Although it can feel greasy and leave behind a white cast, it’s less visible on skin than most physical sunscreens.

Buying Options

Banana Boat Light As Air SPF 50+

A nongreasy chemical sunscreen.

This easy-to-apply lotion lives up to its name, as it rubs in with a dry, transparent finish and appears nearly colorless on skin. It has added fragrance but not an overpowering sunscreen-y scent.

May be out of stock

Budget pick

Equate Sport Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Value Size SPF 50

A lower-price chemical sunscreen.

This store-brand chemical sunscreen is surprisingly pleasant to use. It feels good, rubs in easily, and looks nearly invisible on all skin tones. Its polarizing medicinal smell can be a dealbreaker, though.

Thrive Bodyshield SPF 50

A reef-safe physical sunscreen.

This lotion is formulated with non-nano zinc oxide, an active ingredient known to be safer for marine life. It leaves a minimal white cast, but it’s pricey and has a strong scent.

What to look for

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests wearing sunscreens that advertise a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.

Choose a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation.

Even if you don’t plan to sweat or swim, water-resistant sunscreens have better staying power on skin.

To be well protected, you need to apply sunscreen liberally and reapply it often.

We also recommend a budget pick in a big bottle: Equate Sport Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Value Size SPF 50 , a chemical sunscreen that rubs in effortlessly but has an added fragrance our testers found divisive. (It’s four times less expensive per ounce than Banana Boat Light As Air.)

And for those seeking a "reef-safe" sunscreen, the lightweight Thrive Bodyshield SPF 50 is an excellent option.

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ formula spreads relatively quickly and absorbs easily for a sunscreen containing only physical UV blockers , which tend to be chalky and difficult to rub in. Formulated with both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, this sunscreen contains no added fragrance.

SPF: 50+ Type of protection: physical Active ingredients: zinc oxide (10%) and titanium dioxide (8%) Broad spectrum: yes Reef safe: no Price per ounce (at the time of publication): $2.85 per ounce in the largest bottle size (8.75 ounces)

Banana Boat Light As Air Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ is our favorite chemical sunscreen that doesn’t contain oxybenzone (a common active ingredient that some advocacy organizations have expressed concern about). It’s lightweight, nongreasy, and blends seamlessly into a variety of skin tones. Although it contains added fragrance, testers weren’t put off by its fruity scent. It costs less per ounce than our physical sunscreen picks—although much more than our budget pick.

SPF: 50 Type of protection: chemical Active ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (9%), octisalate (4%), octocrylene (5%) Broad spectrum: yes Reef safe: no Price per ounce (at the time of publication): $1.67

Walmart’s oxybenzone-free Equate Sport Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Value Size SPF 50 was very popular in our brand-concealed panel testing, during which many testers rated its translucence and skin feel as highly as sunscreens that cost 10 times as much. However, some found its medicinal odor a dealbreaker.

SPF: 50 Type of protection: chemical Active ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (15%), octisalate (5%), and octocrylene (7%) Broad spectrum: yes Reef safe: no Price per ounce (at the time of publication): 39¢

Thrive Bodyshield SPF 50 is easier to rub in than our physical-sunscreen pick from Blue Lizard, and its feel and transparency on all shades of skin is better, too—on par with most chemical sunscreens. In our testing we found that it leaves less of a white cast on skin than any of the other 15 reef-safe formulas we’ve tested. But this sunscreen is much more expensive than our other picks and contains a strong added fragrance.

SPF: 50 Type of protection: physical Active ingredient: non-nano zinc oxide (23.5%) Broad spectrum: yes Reef safe: yes Price per ounce (at the time of publication): $4.30

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked and tested, our favorite physical sunscreens, our favorite chemical sunscreens, other good sunscreens, what does spf mean, what’s in sunscreen, how much sunscreen should i use, do i need a separate face sunscreen, does sunscreen expire, the competition.

To find the best sunscreens, we spoke with multiple cosmetic chemists, dermatologists, and other medical professionals.

We read studies on FDA-approved active ingredients, investigations into how people apply sunscreen (spoiler: poorly), and literature reviews. Over years of work on this guide, we have consulted the FDA several times to learn more about its regulation of sunscreens .

We also read through sunscreen reviews from nonacademic publications—and then tossed most of them out because of their utter lack of basis in science. Although we previously considered independent SPF testing from Consumer Reports , we’ve concluded that lab simulations tell us very little about sunscreen efficacy during real-world use.

Sunscreen is for everyone over 6 months of age, including people with darker skin . Experts recommend keeping young infants out of the sun altogether; if that’s impossible, using sunscreen is better than not .

“Just because some cultures don’t have a long-standing history of wearing sunscreen doesn’t mean there can’t be a benefit from wearing it,” said Vinod Nambudiri, a dermatologist in Boston. “Darker-skinned people can absolutely get skin cancer as well as other skin problems caused by UV ray damage.”

Applied properly, sunscreen lowers your risk of skin cancer and helps prevent wrinkles (video) ; it’s arguably the most effective anti-aging product available. You’re getting hit by a fair amount of the sun’s rays every day, even overcast ones, “unless you are a spelunker,” said Rachel Herschenfeld, a Wellesley, Massachusetts–based dermatologist. “I put it on every single day. I will leave the house in smelly workout wear, but I never leave the house without my sunscreen.”

Many sunscreens meet our basic requirements . If you’re satisfied with what you already use and it’s not past its expiration date, continue using it. Particularly if you’ve developed an allergic reaction to a certain formula in the past, you ultimately know which sunscreen is best for you.

For this guide, we considered physical and chemical sunscreen formulas containing FDA-approved active ingredients that are widely available for purchase in the US. We focused our search on:

• formulas with a listed SPF of 30 or higher
• formulas that offer broad-spectrum protection
• formulas that are water resistant, per the American Academy of Dermatology’s recommendation

We prioritized lotion formulas without added fragrance, which can be a potential skin irritant, but did not exclude those that contain it.

Although we’ve tested continuous-spray sunscreens in the past, we no longer recommend them. While aerosolized sprays seem to be an appealing option for covering hard-to-reach parts of your body, every expert we asked said that you can’t just spray your own back and be good to go (you still have to rub the sprayed sunscreen into your skin). Aerosol-spray sunscreens are also easy to accidentally inhale, posing a significant health risk. “If you can smell your spray sunscreen, you’re inhaling it,” warned pediatric dermatologist Lawrence Eichenfield.

Along with continuous sprays, we also skipped foams and powders, since those formats are less common, and it can be hard to tell how much to apply. Stick sunscreens are semi-solids, so their formulas often differ from the lotion versions from the same brands. We’ve tried a variety of stick sunscreens and concluded that they are best for spot treatment. No stick we’ve tried is the best choice for full-body application, and all of them cost significantly more per ounce when compared with sunscreen lotions.

We’ve tested nearly 90 sunscreens since 2015 (including over 25 reef-safe formulas and even more facial sunscreens ). We considered but ultimately decided against commissioning an independent lab to assess SPF, broad-spectrum, and water-resistance claims because the results of even the most sophisticated lab tests can’t predict how a given sunscreen performs in the real world, where application amount and frequency matter much more than a subtle difference in SPF. Instead, we’ve focused our testing on the factors that affect people’s sunscreen use: namely, how the formulas feel and smell.

In each round of testing, a panel of testers tried the sunscreens in swatches on their arms. All of the bottles were covered in tape to avoid the influence of brand names and marketing claims. Testers rated the texture, feel, appearance, and smell of each formula, assessing if it was a pain to rub in, either because it took too long or it was not spreadable enough. We wanted to account for how different sunscreens might work for people with different skin tones and body-hair textures, so we made sure to assemble a diverse panel.

Physical sunscreens available for sale in the US contain varying concentrations of the FDA-approved active ingredients zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both . The FDA recognizes these ingredients as safe and effective .

Physical sunscreens are also commonly called mineral sunscreens.

Formulated with both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the water-resistant Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ offers broad-spectrum protection and was a staff favorite in our tests for a few key reasons.

It rubs in easily: Testers found it easy to apply. Compared with most mineral sunscreens, this sensitive formula is especially runny, which makes application and absorption much easier. It rubs in almost as smoothly as a chemical sunscreen (like our pick from Banana Boat ), and many people find this sunscreen to be near colorless on the skin (though people with darker skin are more likely to see a white cast).

It’s inexpensive: Our pick from Blue Lizard is less expensive than many mineral sunscreens we’ve considered. And it’s even less expensive per ounce if you buy it in a larger bottle (8.75 ounces) than the 5-ounce bottle pictured above. A feature unique to all Blue Lizard sunscreens is that part of the packaging turns from clear or white to blue (or for baby formulas, pink) in the presence of UV light, which the company says provides a helpful visual reminder of sun exposure.

It’s free of added fragrance: Our testers appreciated that this formula is fragrance-free (many didn’t like formulas with added scents).

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ is also available in a ½-ounce semi-solid stick. Like the lotion, it is fragrance-free. Unlike the lotion, which contains both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, zinc oxide (20%) is the lone active ingredient in the stick version. Like all sticks, we think this is best for spot application (especially because of this stick’s small size).

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Although the formula doesn’t contain chemical UV filters that can harm aquatic life, Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ lotion is not reef safe, according to one of the strictest definitions of the term, because it contains nanoparticles of zinc oxide (10%) and titanium dioxide (8%). If you prefer a mineral sunscreen containing only non-nano UV blockers, consider the more expensive (but even more translucent and lightweight) Thrive Bodyshield SPF 50 .

The feature that sets Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ apart—its runniness, compared with the thicker mineral sunscreen lotion competition—can also feel like a bug. It’s easy to dispense too much with too hard a squeeze. The formula comes in bottles and tubes, ranging in volume from 1.7 ounces to 8.75 ounces. (The 5-ounce bottle with a blue cap is pictured throughout this guide. There’s also a 5-ounce tube with a translucent, color-changing cap.) In our experience, the blue-cap bottles are slightly less messy overall. Lotion tends to accumulate in the translucent caps of the tubes. And, as with all lotion sunscreens, there is some risk of leakage .

For people who don’t mind spending more for a “reef-safe,” mineral-only sunscreen , we recommend Thrive’s Bodyshield SPF 50 . Unlike most mineral sunscreen formulas we’ve tested (including our pick from Blue Lizard ), Thrive’s sunscreen, which is formulated with non-nano zinc oxide, is easy to rub in and didn’t leave a white cast on any of our panel testers.

Like our other picks, it’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes and offers broad-spectrum protection. However, Thrive’s sunscreen lotion costs more than double our physical pick from Blue Lizard and our chemical pick from Banana Boat , and more than 10 times as much per ounce as our budget chemical pick from Equate . It also contains added fragrance that leaves a strong, sweet smell on the skin that takes up to several hours to fully dissipate.

This formula only comes in a 5.8-ounce tube with a seal-tight cap, but it is also sold in multipacks that lowers the price per ounce, sometimes by about 20%.

The single active ingredient is non-nano zinc oxide (23.5%).

Most chemical sunscreens available for sale in the US contain varying concentrations of the FDA-approved active ingredients avobenzone, ecamsule, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, or some combination of these. The FDA is evaluating additional data to further determine the safety and efficacy of these ingredients . The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents consider avoiding using sunscreens containing oxybenzone on kids . (Neither of our chemical picks contain oxybenzone.)

Banana Boat Light As Air Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+

If you prefer a chemical sunscreen, the broad spectrum, water-resistant Banana Boat Light As Air Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ stood out as the overall favorite in our brand-concealed testing. In addition to being less expensive than our physical sunscreen picks, we like the Light As Air formula because:

You can forget you’re wearing it: This formula is easy to apply, blends well, and has a nongreasy, dry finish that is translucent and truly feels light as air. The formula doesn’t contain oxybenzone, which some people want to avoid.

It’s scented, but nicely so: Although the formula does contain added fragrance, our testers did not find its scent overpowering. One described it as a “light, fruit-like smell.”

Currently, this formula only comes in a 6-ounce tube with a seal-tight cap.

The active ingredients are homosalate (9%), octocrylene (5%), octisalate (4%), and avobenzone (3%).

Walmart’s Equate Sport Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Value Size SPF 50 earned top marks in our brand-concealed panel testing, which was surprising considering it is the least expensive sunscreen we’ve ever tested at just 39¢ an ounce (when purchased in the 32-ounce pump bottle). The majority of testers loved how easy it was to apply and considered it nearly as comfortable, translucent, and nongreasy on the skin as our top pick from Banana Boat (as well as other sunscreens that cost over 10 times as much per ounce, including Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 ).

Like our other picks, it is oxybenzone free, broad spectrum, and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Since this sunscreen is only available for purchase at Walmart, it’s not as easily obtainable as the other sunscreens we recommend.

Like our picks from Banana Boat and Thrive, Equate’s sport sunscreen contains added fragrance, which proved polarizing during our testing. Some testers either didn’t notice it or enjoyed its short-lived medicinal smell (“reminds me of childhood,” one tester said), whereas others—in particular those who only needed to purchase sunscreen for themselves instead of a household—refused to consider it for long-term use despite giving its feel and appearance positive marks, all because of the “hospital-esque odor.”

For first trying this sunscreen, consider buying the 8-ounce version . In our testing, even when properly closed, a small amount of sunscreen leaked out of the 32-ounce pump bottle when the container was jostled around.

The active ingredients are avobenzone (3%), homosalate (15%), octisalate (5%), and octocrylene (7%).

Physical sunscreens

If you want a relatively affordable reef-friendly sunscreen but can’t find or don’t like Thrive’s formula: Thinksport Sunscreen SPF 50 (active ingredient: 23.4% non-nano zinc oxide) is a reliable, affordable choice (and the runner-up pick in our guide to reef-safe sunscreens). But it is more difficult to rub in and appears chalkier on skin than our other sunscreen picks. Thinksport also has a 0.64-ounce SPF 30 stick, containing 20% zinc oxide.The applicator is sized such that it’s only practical to use on small patches of skin. Our testers liked applying the Thinksport SPF 30 stick sunscreen to their faces and ears, but we don’t see much practical value to this format beyond that.

If you want a reef-friendly sunscreen without added fragrance: Badger Adventure Mineral Sunscreen Cream SPF 50 (active ingredient: zinc oxide 25%) is a four-ingredient formula that is more expensive, more difficult to spread, and has more of a greasy, heavier feel on the skin than Thrive Bodyshield. However, it contains no fragrance and, like our pick, is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. A semi-solid “sport” version comes in a packable tin. Some testers found the semi-solid formula difficult to spread for adequate coverage anywhere other than on the face.

Chemical sunscreens

If you want a huge bottle of luxe sunscreen that will last for weeks, if not for a season: Consider Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 (active ingredients: avobenzone 3%, homosalate 10%, octisalate 5%, octocrylene 7.5%), a pick in our guide to face sunscreens . It’s moisturizing, nicely scented, and normally under $4 per ounce when bought in an 18-ounce jug .

If you want a budget-friendly option and can’t find or don’t like Equate’s formula : No Ad Sport 50 Sunscreen (active ingredients: avobenzone 3%, homosalate 10%, octisalate 5%, octocrylene 5%), a former pick which was discontinued in 2020, is available again. It’s more than double the price per ounce when compared with our pick from Equate (and almost identical in terms of ingredients, scent, and skin feel) but half the price of our Banana Boat pick .

All sunscreens have a sun protection factor, or SPF. It’s a measure of how well sunscreen protects against UVB rays, the type that causes sunburn.

Many sunscreens also protect against UVA rays, the type of rays that cause wrinkles. Both types of radiation can lead to cancer, and sunscreens that protect against both are labeled “broad spectrum.” The SPF rating, though, only applies to UVB protection.

The relationship between SPF and protection is not linear: SPF 15 filters 93% of UVB rays, whereas SPF 30 filters 97% and SPF 50 filters 98%. No sunscreen blocks 100% of UVB rays. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends choosing sunscreens that list a minimum SPF of 30. However, your chances of getting an effective SPF above 30, regardless of what the label claims, are better if you buy a sunscreen labeled SPF 50 or even 70. (All of our picks are labeled SPF 50.)

A sunscreen with a higher SPF can’t make up for poor application. An SPF 15 lotion that you apply liberally and often can protect you better than an SPF 50+ lotion that you put on only once in eight hours.

The two main kinds of sunscreen formulas are physical (reflects rays away from your skin) and chemical (soaks up rays so your skin doesn’t). Some companies also make combination sunscreens, which have both physical and chemical UV filters.

Physical sunscreens, which are also commonly called mineral sunscreens, tend to be thicker and go on whiter. Chemical sunscreens (which are sometimes called “organics” because of the structures of the molecules they’re made of, not because of how the ingredients are sourced) tend to be greasier but go on translucent. Most combination sunscreens strike a balance between those textures and appearances.

Physical (aka mineral) sunscreens deflect UV rays using the active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, often in tandem.

• Zinc oxide protects against both UVA and UVB. It tends to make sunscreen whiter. Dermatologists often recommend this active ingredient because it does a great job of protecting against the whole spectrum. Look for formulas with 5% or more zinc oxide.
• Titanium dioxide protects against UVB and some UVA rays.

These FDA-approved active ingredients often come in micronized—finely ground—nanoparticles, which, according to cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson , are easier to apply and more sheer on the skin. Sunscreens that rely on non-nano particles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide tend to be thicker and more chalky. But the trade-off is that those larger particles cannot penetrate the skin (there is no published evidence that nanoparticles of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are harmful, except, possibly, when inhaled ).

Chemical sunscreens absorb the photons of the sun’s rays before they reach your skin; the photons’ energy goes into breaking down those chemicals rather than into penetrating your skin. Avobenzone, oxybenzone, ecamsule, and octocrylene are the four main FDA-approved filters (PDF) , though several other active ingredients work similarly.

• Avobenzone , like zinc oxide, protects against UVA1—most other UV filters in chemical sunscreens do not. Avobenzone is also what typically causes some sunscreens to stain white and light-colored clothing yellow. According to scientists at Merck, avobenzone protects about as well as zinc oxide . Avobenzone also goes by the name Parsol 1789. Look for formulas containing 3% or more avobenzone.
• Oxybenzone protects against a portion of the UVA spectrum that avobenzone does not, plus it protects against UVB rays. Many chemical sunscreen formulas contain oxybenzone. (People who experience photoallergic contact dermatitis may have an allergic reaction to oxybenzone or another sunscreen ingredient.)
• Ecamsule protects against some UVA rays and also goes by the name Mexoryl SX.
• Octocrylene protects against UVB and some UVA rays.
• Homosalate protects against some UVB rays.
• Octisalate , or octyl salicylate, protects against UVB radiation.

Currently, the FDA only acknowledges the mineral active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) . The agency has said it needs additional data to determine the GRASE status of 12 additional active ingredients.

Globally, there are many other effective UV filters approved for use as active ingredients in sunscreens. “The complexities—time, cost, toxicological tests—of getting new sunscreen actively approved in the US have left some effective molecules in limbo for nearly two decades has deterred many companies from attempting to put other new ingredients through the process,” Kelly Dobos, an independent cosmetic chemist who has advised personal care companies that manufacture lotions, hand sanitizers, and SPF-containing lip balms, wrote in an email.

To improve the efficacy and appearance of their sunscreen formulas, some companies include inactive ingredients that are sometimes called SPF boosters (video). These, Dobos explained, are likely how sunscreens that contain differing concentrations of the same active ingredients can provide the same level of stated SPF. One commonly found SPF booster, butyloctyl salicylate , is similar to the FDA-approved UV filter octisalate . Because it is not considered an active ingredient, some “mineral” sunscreens are functionally combination formulas.

Many sunscreens also contain added fragrance. You may want to avoid fragrances because they can be irritating, and fragrance preferences are largely personal. That said, the sunscreen active ingredients themselves still have a scent, so it’s hard to find a sunscreen that has absolutely no scent (even if it’s labeled fragrance free).

To get the SPF listed on the bottle, the average-size adult needs roughly a shot glass’s worth (1 ounce) of sunscreen for their mostly naked body (excluding areas that swimwear typically covers). So as you may have just concluded, you are almost certainly not using enough sunscreen.

Apply your sunscreen at least 15 minutes before sun exposure, since it takes that long for the formula to fully sink into your skin. Then reapply once every hour (or two hours , per the American Academy of Dermatology), as well as after each time you work up a sweat or go in the water. Consider setting a phone alarm or a timer to remind you when it’s time to reapply.

There’s no reason a body sunscreen can’t work on your face. Face sunscreens are often simply body sunscreens repackaged, according to independent cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski.

If you don’t want to spend the extra cash on a specific face lotion, keep in mind this caveat to using one of our body-sunscreen picks on your face: Water-resistant formulas contain more oil. That’s what makes them water resistant, Romanowski said. Face sunscreens tend to be formulated with less oil. We recommend several options in our guide to face sunscreens , but we wouldn’t hesitate to use a body sunscreen on the face for a beach day. No matter what you use, keep in mind that your level of protection depends on how much and how often you apply.

Yes, sunscreen expires. Usually there is an expiration date stamped on the bottle. If there’s not one, know that sunscreen is generally OK to use for up to three years from purchase . You should discard unused sunscreens that are beyond their expiration dates or more than three years old: Beyond that, the FDA warns, “there is no assurance that they remain safe and fully effective.”

Alba Botanica Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 contains no added fragrance and is generally less expensive than other nanoparticle-free physical sunscreen lotions we considered, but most of our testers did not like it due to its difficulty to rub in and sticky skin feel.

The All Good Mineral Sport Sunscreen SPF 30 contains less non-nano zinc oxide than the Thrive formula we recommend , and it leaves more of a white cast.

Testers disliked the artificial, syrupy scent of Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen SPF 50 , which left a whitish cast on our skin.

We found that Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 took significantly longer to rub in compared with most other physical sunscreens we’ve tried, and it consistently left a white cast. Aveeno’s Protect + Soothe Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 and Kids Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 offer the best values among physical sunscreen sticks we’ve considered. (Even so, the former regularly costs just north of $9 per ounce.) These Aveeno sticks are larger than the Blue Lizard and Thinksport sticks—more like the size of a stick of deodorant—yet still impractical for full-body coverage.

Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 , a sunscreen lotion with non-nano zinc oxide as the lone active ingredient (and with butyloctyl salicylate as a possible SPF booster), feels and smells good. But it’s currently nearly $6 an ounce—significantly pricier than our picks.

Badger Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is a reef-friendly, unscented formula that looks and feels nice on skin but is rated water resistant for only 40 minutes.

Banana Boat Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ , Banana Boat Kids Mineral SPF 50+ , CVS Health Baby Sun Lotion SPF 50 , and  Equate Kids SPF 50 all contain less of the active ingredients (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) than other physical sunscreens we recommend. However, they are well priced and, in general, highly rated by customers. On a per-ounce basis, the Equate Kids is the least expensive sunscreen containing only mineral active ingredients we’ve ever tried—just 61¢ an ounce. However it contains only 3.1% titanium dioxide and 4% zinc oxide by volume (whereas our pick from Blue Lizard, which is also labeled SPF 50, contains 10% zinc oxide and 8% titanium dioxide). When we shared both brand-concealed ingredients lists of both formulas with cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos, she posited that an SPF booster in the Equate formula, butyloctyl salicylate, may have contributed to the total SPF. (Banana Boat Baby and CVS Health Baby also contain butyloctyl salicylate.)

The separated, watery consistency of Bare Republic Mineral Body Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 made it difficult to use. It, too, contains butyloctyl salicylate.

Many of our testers found Coppertone Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 , a physical sunscreen that contains the SPF booster butyloctyl salicylate, to be goopy. While its zinc oxide percentage is among the highest of the sunscreens we tested (over 24%), most testers found that the runny formula made complete absorption nearly impossible.

Test panelists rated the fragrance-free Eucerin Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 (active ingredient: 24% zinc oxide) highly. It costs roughly 40% more per ounce than our pick from Blue Lizard , though, and contains butyloctyl salicylate.

Of the physical sunscreens we’ve tested, Goddess Garden Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 was by far the most polarizing. Testers either absolutely loved or positively hated the way it felt as well as its strong, cinnamon-like smell (one tester said it reminded them of Big Red chewing gum).

Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Skin Nourishing Milk SPF 50 is a nice-feeling, near-odorless, physical sunscreen that comes in a convenient pump bottle. But it’s available only in a 3.4-ounce quantity, and it’s more expensive than the Blue Lizard sunscreen we recommend. Some people may find it worth the extra cost.

We liked Hello Bello Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 for its price and skin feel; it’s similar to our pick from Blue Lizard and usually costs a bit less. But it’s frequently out of stock or difficult to find (either at Walmart or on the company’s website—the only two places it is sold), and several of our testers actively disliked this sunscreen’s scent. The Hello Bello formula contains the SPF-boosting inactive ingredient butyloctyl salicylate.

Kōkua Sun Care Hawaiian Natural Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50 , which contains the same concentration (25%) of active ingredient non-nano zinc oxide as our reef-safe pick from Thrive , looks and feels as nice on skin. But it costs twice as much.

Somewhat confusingly, the Supergoop Play SPF 50 sunscreen stick is a mineral formula. (Another Supergoop Play formula we recommend is a chemical sunscreen lotion.) We found it a bit more difficult to spread and took longer to dry down on the skin when compared with a less-expensive stick sunscreen from Blue Lizard .

Test panelists appreciated the lack of added fragrance in Vanicream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ , a non-nano physical sunscreen formulated for sensitive skin that is beloved by people with eczema, rosacea, and related conditions that sunscreens can aggravate. But this formula costs much more per ounce than the sensitive formula from Eucerin we like .

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Body Lotion SPF 60 felt watery and difficult to rub in, with many panelists noticing a white cast after application.

Most panelists disliked the sweet scent of Banana Boat Sun Comfort Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 , another chemical sunscreen lotion.

The deodorant-stick-size Banana Boat Ultra Sport Sun Stick SPF 50 is among the least expensive and most user-friendly sunscreen sticks we’ve tried, but it is still difficult to use and apply anywhere other than small swaths of skin.

Neither Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 nor Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70 ranked as well as our chemical picks in terms of translucence, skin feel, and ease of application.

Coppertone WaterBabies Lotion SPF 50 , a chemical sunscreen, is easy to apply and wear, but the flowery scent of this formula isn’t for everyone.

Coppertone Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70 was a beloved pick for years until it was discontinued.

We found that Fruit of the Earth Block Up Sport 50 rubbed in easily, but not as easily as our other chemical-sunscreen picks.

Hawaiian Tropic AntiOxidant+ Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 , a chemical formula, felt nice on skin, but testers found its traditional sunscreen smell to be overly strong.

Early on in our testing, we eliminated one chemical sunscreen lotion, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen Weightless Face SPF 30 , because of its bottle. With one drop on the floor, the pump broke, making it difficult to use.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 60 is a much-revered chemical sunscreen lotion. Per ounce, it tends to cost more than 10 times as much as our picks. In a practical sense, each hour spent wearing this formula costs a few dollars.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 45 comes in a bottle that’s small enough to toss in a purse, but despite the marketing, the feel was not significantly drier than that of other sunscreens we tried.

Combination sunscreens

CVS Health Clear Zinc Broad Spectrum Sun Lotion SPF 50 is a fine choice for sunscreen but we found that it does not appear colorless on all skin tones.

Coppertone Pure & Simple Baby SPF 50 felt thick and took a while to fully absorb into our skin.

Panelists generally liked EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 , rating its feel and appearance highly. But at over $7 an ounce, it’s expensive if applied often enough to be effective.

Shannon Palus contributed reporting. This article was edited by Tracy Vence and Kalee Thompson.

Perry Romanowski, cosmetic chemist , phone interview

Rachel Herschenfeld, MD, doctor at Dermatology Partners in Wellesley, MA , phone interview

Ron Robinson, cosmetic chemist , email interview , June 25, 2019

Henry Lim, MD, MD, former president of the American Academy of Dermatology , email interview , June 26, 2019

Vinod Nambudiri, MD, assistant professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School , phone interview , April 23, 2021

Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego , phone interview , April 23, 2021

Kelly Dobos, cosmetic chemist , email interview , March 20, 2024

Meet your guide

Nancy Redd is a senior staff writer covering health and grooming at Wirecutter. She is a GLAAD Award–nominated on-air host and a New York Times best-selling author. Her latest nonfiction book, The Real Body Manual , is a visual health and wellness guide for young adults of all genders. Her other books include Bedtime Bonnet and Pregnancy, OMG!

Further reading

Lots of People Apply Sunscreen Wrong. Here’s How to Do It Right.

by Rose Maura Lorre

For optimal sun safety, you need to apply (and reapply) sunscreen to uncovered skin. Most people don’t use nearly enough. We’ve got you covered.

Surprise: We Really Like Whipped Cream Sunscreen

by Caira Blackwell

Yes, it’s gimmicky, but Vacation Classic Whip SPF 30 is exceptionally easy to apply and feels great on skin.

Putting Sunscreen on Squirmy Kids Is Hard. And This Viral Doodad Doesn’t Really Help.

by Annemarie Conte

Is the viral sunscreen applicator the key to kid-friendly SPF application?

Ask Wirecutter: What’s the Best Way to Pack Sunscreen for Vacation?

From carry-ons to checked bags to buying on-site, we have some tips for making sure you are fully stocked with sunscreen on vacation.

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Yekaterinburg city, Russia

The capital city of Sverdlovsk oblast .

Yekaterinburg - Overview

Yekaterinburg or Ekaterinburg (Sverdlovsk in 1924-1991) is the fourth most populous city in Russia (after Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Novosibirsk), the administrative center of the Ural Federal District and Sverdlovsk Oblast.

This city is one of the country’s largest transport and logistics hubs, as well as an important industrial center. It is unofficially called the “capital of the Urals.”

The population of Yekaterinburg is about 1,493,600 (2022), the area - 468 sq. km.

The phone code - +7 343, the postal codes - 620000-620920.

Ekaterinburg city flag

Ekaterinburg city coat of arms.

Ekaterinburg city map, Russia

Ekaterinburg city latest news and posts from our blog:.

26 May, 2020 / Unique Color Photos of Yekaterinburg in 1909 .

2 December, 2018 / Yekaterinburg - the view from above .

21 November, 2018 / Abandoned Railway Tunnel in Didino .

4 December, 2017 / Stadiums and Matches of the World Cup 2018 in Russia .

3 January, 2017 / Ekaterinburg, the Capital of the Urals: Then and Now .

More posts..

News, notes and thoughts:

4 April, 2011   / Free travel on new high-speed trains should allay fans' fears about long journey to Ekaterinburg - the most far-flung city on Russia's list of sites for 2018 World Cup. Let's hope the train will not break down in the middle of nowhere.

1 February, 2011   / Today is the 80th anniversary of the birth of Boris Yeltsin, the first president of Russia. President Medvedev today unveiled a monument to Yeltsin in his home city Ekaterinburg. First one in Russia.

History of Yekaterinburg

Foundation of yekaterinburg.

The territory along the Iset River, which served as a convenient transport route from the Ural Mountains deep into Siberia, has long attracted settlers. The oldest of the currently discovered settlements on the territory of present Yekaterinburg was located next to the Palkinsky Stone Tents rock massif and dates back to the 6th millennium BC.

From the 7th-3rd centuries BC, ancient metallurgists who mastered the smelting of copper lived in this settlement. Copper figures of birds, animals, people, arrowheads, various household items were found here. Later they learned how to make iron products. All discovered settlements were destroyed as a result of fires, possibly during raids of the conquerors.

The territory occupied by present Yekaterinburg became part of Russia in the middle of the 17th century. At that time, it had practically no permanent population. The first Russian settlements were founded in the second half of the 17th century. At the beginning of the 18th century, the first ironworks were built here.

In the spring of 1723, by decree of Emperor Peter I, the construction of the largest iron-making plant in Russia began on the banks of the Iset River. Construction began on the initiative of Vasily Tatishchev (a prominent Russian statesman). He was supported by Georg Wilhelm de Gennin (a German-born Russian military officer and engineer), on the initiative of which the fortress plant was named Yekaterinburg in honor of Empress Catherine I (Yekaterina in Russian), the wife of Peter I.

More Historical Facts…

The historic birthday of Yekaterinburg is November 18, 1723. On this day, a test run of the plant equipment was carried out. Its main products included iron, cast iron, and copper. In 1725, the Yekaterinburg Mint began production on the territory of the fortress and became the main producer of copper coins in the Russian Empire. Until 1876, it produced about 80% of the country’s copper coins. In the 1720s, the population of Yekaterinburg was about 4,000 people.

Yekaterinburg - one of the economic centers of the Russian Empire

In the middle of the 18th century, the first ore gold in Russia was discovered in this region, which was the beginning of the gold industry in the country. As a result, Yekaterinburg became the center of a whole system of densely located plants and began to develop as the capital of the mining region, which spread on both sides of the Ural Range.

In 1781, Catherine II granted Yekaterinburg the status of a county town in the Perm Governorate. The population of the town was about 8,000 people. In 1783, the town received a coat of arms depicting an ore mine and a melting furnace, which symbolized its mining and metallurgical industries (similar images are depicted on the current coat of arms and flag of Yekaterinburg).

In 1783, the Great Siberian Road was opened - the main road of the Russian Empire that passed through Yekaterinburg. It served as an impetus for the transformation of Yekaterinburg into a transport hub and a center of trade. Thus, Yekaterinburg, among other towns of the Perm Governorate, became the key town for the development of the boundless and rich Siberia, the “window to Asia”, just as St. Petersburg was the Russian “window to Europe.”

In 1808, the Yekaterinburg plant was closed, and the history of the town entered a new stage related to the development of a large regional center with a diversified economy. At the beginning of the 19th century, the gold mining industry flourished. At the same time, deposits of emeralds, sapphires, aquamarines, diamonds, and other precious, semiprecious, and ornamental stones were discovered in the Urals. Yekaterinburg became one of the world centers for their artistic processing.

After the abolition of serfdom in 1861, the mining industry of the Urals experienced a severe crisis, a number of plants were closed. In 1878, the first railway was constructed across the Urals and connected Yekaterinburg with Perm. In 1888, the Yekaterinburg-Tyumen railway was built, and in 1897 - the railway to Chelyabinsk, which provided access to the Trans-Siberian Railway. Yekaterinburg became a major railway junction, which contributed to the development of the local food industry, especially flour milling. In 1913, the population of Yekaterinburg was about 69,000 people.

Yekaterinburg in the first years of Soviet power

On November 8, 1917, Soviet power was established in Yekaterinburg. On April 30, 1918, the last Russian emperor Nicholas II and his family members with a few servants were transported from Tobolsk to Yekaterinburg. They were placed in the “House of Special Purpose”, the mansion of engineer Nikolai Ipatiev requisitioned for this purpose, and transferred under the supervision and responsibility of the Ural Regional Soviet.

In July 1918, units of the White Siberian army approached Yekaterinburg, under this pretext the leadership of the Ural Regional Soviet decided to shoot the imperial family. On the night of July 16-17, 1918, it was done in the basement of the Ipatiev House.

10 days later, units of the Czechoslovak Legion entered Yekaterinburg. Over the next 12 months, it was under the control of anti-Bolshevik forces. On July 14, 1919, the Red Army reoccupied the city. Soviet authorities and the Yekaterinburg Province with a center in Yekaterinburg were restored. In 1920, the population of the city was about 94,400 people.

The political center of the Urals moved from Perm to Yekaterinburg. In 1923, Yekaterinburg became the administrative center of the vast Ural Oblast, which in size exceeded the territory of the present Ural Federal District of Russia. In 1924, the city council decided to rename the capital of the new region to Sverdlovsk - in honor of Yakov Sverdlov, a Bolshevik party administrator and chairman of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee.

Sverdlovsk - a Soviet industrial giant

During the years of Stalin’s industrialization, Sverdlovsk was turned into a powerful industrial center. The old factories were reconstructed and new large factories were built, including giant machine-building and metal processing plants. In 1933, the construction of the future flagship of Soviet engineering (Uralmash) was completed. The population of Sverdlovsk grew by more than 3 times, and it became one of the fastest growing cities in the USSR.

January 17, 1934, Ural Oblast was divided into three regions - Sverdlovsk Oblast with a center in Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast with a center in Chelyabinsk, and Ob-Irtysh Oblast with a center in Tyumen. By the end of the 1930s, there were 140 industrial enterprises, 25 research institutes, 12 higher educational institutions in Sverdlovsk. In 1939, the population of the city was about 425,500 people.

Along with other Ural cities, Sverdlovsk made a significant contribution to the victory of the USSR in the Second World War. In total, more than 100,000 residents of the city joined the Red Army. 41,772 people didn’t return from the war: 21,397 - killed in battles, 4,778 - died from wounds in hospitals, 15,491 - went missing, 106 - died in prisoner of war camps.

Sverdlovsk became the largest evacuation point, more than 50 large and medium enterprises from the western regions of Russia and Ukraine were evacuated here. During the war years, industrial production in Sverdlovsk grew 7 times.

After the war, this city became the largest center for engineering and metalworking in Russia. During the Cold War, Sverdlovsk, as a key center of the defense industry, was practically closed to foreigners. In 1960, in the sky above the city, Soviet air defense shot down the U-2 spy plane of the US manned by Francis Gary Powers.

On January 23, 1967, a millionth resident was born in the city and Sverdlovsk became one of the first Russian cities with a population of more than 1 million people. In 1979, Sverdlovsk was included in the list of historical cities of Russia.

On October 4, 1988, a serious accident occurred at the Sverdlovsk railway station. The train carrying almost 100 tons of explosives rolled downhill and crashed into a coal freight train. An explosion occurred, aggravated by the proximity of a large warehouse of fuels and lubricants. The funnel at the site of the explosion had a diameter of 40-60 meters and a depth of 8 meters, the shock wave spread 10-15 kilometers. The explosion killed 4 people at the station and injured more than 500 people. About 600 houses were severely damaged.

Yekaterinburg - one of the largest cities of the Russian Federation

On September 4, 1991, the Sverdlovsk City Council of People’s Deputies decided to return the city its original name - Yekaterinburg. The population of the city was about 1,375,000 people. The restrictions on foreign visitors to the city were also lifted, and soon the first consulate general was opened here - the United States of America (in 1994).

The transition to a market economy led to a reduction in production at industrial enterprises, inert giant plant found themselves in a particularly difficult situation. In 1991, the construction of the television tower was stopped. The city was flooded with chaotic small retail trade in temporary pavilions and markets. These years were the heyday of organized crime, Yekaterinburg became one of the “criminal capitals” of Russia. The economic situation began to improve by the end of the 1990s.

In 2000-2003, the Church on Blood in Honour of All Saints Resplendent in the Russian Land was built on the site of the Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg. In 2008-2009, the Koltsovo Airport was reconstructed. In June 15-17, 2009, SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) and BRIC (Brasilia, Russia, India, China) summits were held in Yekaterinburg.

In 2015, the Presidential Center of Boris Yeltsin, the first president of Russia, was opened in Yekaterinburg. On March 24, 2018, the abandoned unfinished television tower was dismantled. It was the tallest building in the city (almost 240 meters) and became one of the symbols of Yekaterinburg. 4 matches of FIFA World Cup 2018 were played in Yekaterinburg.

Today, Yekaterinburg is the largest center of attraction not only of Sverdlovsk Oblast, but also of the surrounding regions. By some socio-economic indicators, this city ranks third in Russia, after Moscow and St. Petersburg. Along with the development of trade and business, the city lost the status of the country’s largest industrial center.

On the streets of Yekaterinburg

Soviet-era apartment buildings in Yekaterinburg

Author: Alex Kolm

In the central part of Yekaterinburg

Author: Serg Fokin

Yekaterinburg street view

Author: Krutikov S.V.

Yekaterinburg - Features

Yekaterinburg is located in the floodplain of the Iset River on the eastern slope of the Middle Urals in Asia, near its border with Europe, about 1,800 km east of Moscow. Since the Ural Mountains are very old, there are no significant hills in the city.

This relief was a favorable condition for the construction of the main transport routes from Central Russia to Siberia (the Siberian Route and the Trans-Siberian Railway) through Yekaterinburg. As a result, it has become one of the most strategically important centers of Russia, which still provides a link between the European and Asian parts of the country.

Yekaterinburg is located in the border zone of temperate continental and continental climates. It is characterized by a sharp variability in weather conditions with well-defined seasons. The Ural Mountains, despite their low height, block the way to the masses of air coming from the west from the European part of Russia.

As a result, the Middle Urals is open to the invasion of cold Arctic air and continental air of the West Siberian Plain. At the same time, warm air masses of the Caspian Sea and the deserts of Central Asia can freely enter this territory from the south.

That is why the city is characterized by sharp temperature fluctuations and the formation of weather anomalies: in winter from severe frosts to thaws and rains, in summer from heat above plus 35 degrees Celsius to frosts. The average temperature in January is minus 12.6 degrees Celsius, in July - plus 19 degrees Celsius.

The city has a rather unfavorable environmental situation due to air pollution. In 2016, Yekaterinburg was included in the list of Russian cities with the worst environmental situation by this indicator. Car emissions account for more than 90% of all pollution.

Yekaterinburg ranks third in Russia (after Moscow and St. Petersburg) in the number of diplomatic missions, while their consular districts extend far beyond Sverdlovsk Oblast, and serve other regions of the Urals, Siberia, and the Volga region.

In terms of economy, Yekaterinburg also ranks third in the country. It is one of the largest financial and business centers of Russia. The main branches of production: metallurgical production and metalworking, food production, production of electrical equipment, electronic and optical equipment, production of vehicles, production of machinery and equipment, chemical production.

Almost all types of urban public transport are presented in Yekaterinburg: buses, trolleybuses, trams, subways, taxis. Yekaterinburg is the third largest transportation hub in Russia: 6 federal highways, 7 main railway lines, as well as Koltsovo International Airport, one of the country’s largest airports. The location of Yekaterinburg in the central part of the region allows you to get from it to any major city of the Urals in 7-10 hours.

Yekaterinburg has an extensive scientific and technical potential, it is one of the largest scientific centers in Russia. The Presidium and about 20 institutes of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 66 research institutes, and about 30 universities are located here.

This city is a relatively large tourist center. A significant part of tourists visit it to honor the memory of the last Russian emperor and his family killed by the Bolsheviks in the basement of the Ipatiev House in 1918.

There are about 50 different museums in Yekaterinburg. One of the world’s largest collections of constructivist architectural monuments has been preserved here. In total, there are over 600 historical and cultural monuments in the city, of which 43 are objects of federal significance. The City Day of Yekaterinburg is celebrated on the third Saturday of August.

Interesting facts about Yekaterinburg

• It was founded by the decree of the first Russian Emperor Peter I and the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II was shot here;
• In 1820, the roof of the UK Parliament building in London was made of roofing iron produced in Yekaterinburg;
• Ural steel was used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris;
• Ural copper was used in the construction of the Statue of Liberty in New York;
• During the Second World War, Sverdlovsk was the center of broadcasting in the USSR;
• Equipment for the world’s deepest borehole (Kola Superdeep Borehole, 12,262 meters) was produced in Yekaterinburg;
• Boris Yeltsin, the first president of Russia, began his political career in Yekaterinburg;
• Minor planet #27736 Yekaterinburg, discovered by the Belgian astronomer Eric Elst on September 22, 1990, was named in honor of this city;
• Two most northern skyscrapers in the world are located in Yekaterinburg: the Iset residential tower (209 m) and the Vysotsky business center (188 m), they are the tallest buildings throughout Russia east of Moscow.

Pictures of Yekaterinburg

Yekaterinburg city view

Author: Andrey Zagaynov

Modern architecture in Yekaterinburg

Author: Yury Baranov

The territory of the central stadium of Yekaterinburg before reconstruction

Author: Sergey Likhota

Main Attractions of Yekaterinburg

Sevastyanov House - a palace of the first quarter of the 19th century built in the architectural styles of pseudo-Gothic, Neo-Baroque, and Moorish traditions and painted in green, white, and red tones. Today, it is the most beautiful building in Yekaterinburg and one of its symbols. The house stands on the promenade of the Iset River, very close to the city dam. Lenina Avenue, 35.

“Plotinka” - the dam of the city pond on the Iset River built in the 18th century. From an architectural point of view, it is an ordinary bridge. However, it is of particular importance for the residents of Yekaterinburg since the construction of the entire city started from this place. Today, this is the main place for festivities in Yekaterinburg. Lenina Avenue.

Observation Deck of the Business Center “Vysotsky” - an open-air observation deck on the 52nd floor at an altitude of 168 meters. From here you can enjoy the views of all of Yekaterinburg. On the second and third floors of this skyscraper there is the memorial museum of Vladimir Vysotsky - a singer, songwriter, and actor who had an immense effect on Soviet culture. Malysheva Street, 51.

Vaynera Street - the central avenue of Yekaterinburg, the so-called “Ural Arbat”. One of its parts from Kuibysheva Street to Lenina Avenue is a pedestrian street. This is one of the oldest streets in Yekaterinburg laid in the middle of the 18th century. Along it, you can see merchant mansions, shops, administrative buildings, most of which were built in the late 19th and first half of the 20th centuries.

Rastorguev-Kharitonov Palace (1794-1824) - one of the most valuable architectural manor and park ensembles in Yekaterinburg, an architectural monument of federal significance built in the classical style and located in the city center. Karla Libknekhta Street, 44.

Church of the Ascension (1792-1818) - one of the oldest churches in Yekaterinburg located next to the Rastorguev-Kharitonov Palace. This beautiful building combines the features of baroque, pseudo-Russian style, and classicism. Klary Tsetkin Street, 11.

Yeltsin Center - a cultural and educational center dedicated to the contemporary history of Russia, as well as the personality of its first president, Boris Yeltsin. The museum dedicated to his life is one of the best museums in Russia. Borisa Yeltsina Street, 3.

Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts - the largest art museum in the Urals housed in two buildings. This museum is best known for its unique collection of Kasli art castings and the world-famous Kasli cast iron pavilion - a participant in the 1900 Paris World’s Fair.

The following collections can also be found here: Russian paintings of the 18th - early 20th centuries, Russian avant-garde of 1910-1920, Russian porcelain and glass of the 18th - 20th centuries, Russian icon painting of the 16th-19th centuries, Western European art of the 14th-19th centuries, stone-carving and jewelry art of the Urals, Zlatoust decorated weapons and steel engraving. Voevodina Street, 5; Vaynera Street, 11.

Museum of the History of Stone-Cutting and Jewelry Art . A unique collection of this museum consists of gem minerals, works of jewelers and stone-cutters of the Urals, and products created at the Ural lapidary factory. The museum has Malachite and Bazhov halls, the Emerald Room, and several exhibition galleries where visitors can see works made of colored stone and metal created by local artists. Lenina Avenue, 37.

Sverdlovsk Regional Museum of Local Lore . At first, its collection consisted of four departments: mineralogical, botanical, zoological, and paleontological. Later, numismatic, ethnographic, and anthropological sections were added. Today, there are more than 700 thousand exhibits here. Lenina Avenue, 69/10.

Museum of the History of Yekaterinburg . This museum occupies a historic building of the 19th century. In addition to the main exhibition, you can see the wax figures of Peter the Great, Catherine II, Nicholas II, the Ural manufacturers Demidov, and the founders of Yekaterinburg.

Old Railway Station of Yekaterinburg - one of the most beautiful and picturesque buildings in the city built in 1878. In 2003, after a large-scale reconstruction, the Museum of the History of Science and Technology of the Sverdlovsk Railway was opened here. Vokzal’naya Ulitsa, 14.

Yekaterinburg Circus . Visible from a lot of points of the city, the building of the Yekaterinburg Circus is known for its amazing dome consisting of trellised openwork semi-arches, which is not typical for circuses in Russia. 8 Marta Street, 43.

White Tower (1929-1931) - a former water tower 29 meters high located at a certain distance from the center of Yekaterinburg, an architectural monument of Constructivism. Today, it is used as a cultural site. Bakinskikh Komissarov Street, 2?.

Keyboard Monument - a contemporary art object made on a scale of 30:1 in 2005. This 16x4 meter concrete keyboard consists of 104 keys spaced 15 cm apart. From here the famous tourist route “Red Line” begins (a self-guided tour of the historic city center). The monument is located on the embankment of the Iset River next to the House of the Merchant Chuvildin (Gorkogo Street, 14A).

Ekaterinburg city of Russia photos

Places of interest in yekaterinburg.

Sculpture of talking townspeople in Yekaterinburg

Author: Pichugin Mikhail

Old buildings in Yekaterinburg

Author: Andrew Golovin

Wooden Church of the Holy Martyr Arkady in Yekaterinburg

Author: Kutenyov Vladimir

Street transport of Yekaterinburg

Tram in Yekaterinburg

Author: Andrey Permyakov

Bus in Yekaterinburg

Author: Per Heitmann

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