Forbes Names Top Sunscreens Across Five Categories in a Comprehensive Panel
For another year, Forbes magazine has published an extensive assessment in which dermatologists, pharmacists, and pediatricians identify the best sunscreens across five categories: face, tinted face, special treatment face, body, and pediatrics. Among the brands named, ISDIN stands out by leading four of the five categories. The brand also appears in Forbes Avène rankings, and is listed alongside Heliocare and La Roche Posay.
This marks the third edition of the panel, conceived in the summer of 2020 during a period when awareness and prevention of health issues became paramount. Cristina Romero, the Project Manager for Forbes Woman, notes that the focus was on two elements: awareness and disease prevention, particularly in dermatology. The panel gathers input from leading professionals to guide consumers toward effective photoprotection strategies.
To assemble the panel, Forbes consulted five dermatologists, five pediatricians, and five pharmacists, asking them to evaluate the best photoprotectants available on the market. The consensus emphasizes that while it is an opinion, it is a professional one that should be measured against several criteria: professionalism, quality of experience, true effectiveness, and how well a product performs in real-world use. According to Romero, several brands clearly stand out when judged against these standards.
The standout brand is ISDIN, leading in four of the five categories analyzed. Romero explains that strong performance in the pharmaceutical cosmetics sector and rising prominence in the study reflect not just marketing strength but genuine alignment with skin health needs. This does not imply that other brands are lacking; rather, it highlights the expectations experts have for products that support healthy skin and address potential conditions.
In the photoprotective category for the face, the panel recommends a lineup led by Fotoprotector ISDIN Fusion Water SPF50, followed by Fotoultra ISDIN Age Repair SPF50, Heliocare 360º Gel Oil Free SPF 50, Fotoultra ISDIN Sport Prevention SPF50+, and La Roche Posay Anthelios UVMUNE400 50 Invisible, in that order.
For colored facial photoprotectors that pair well with makeup and provide a natural summer tone, ISDIN Fotoprotector Fusion Water Color SPF50 leads the list. Other options that complement this category include ISDIN Fotoultra Age Repair Color SPF50, Avène Solar Crema 50+ Color, Avène Solar EM Color SPF50+, and Heliocare Gelcream Light.
ISDIN Eryfotona AK-NMSC Fluid SPF100 stands out among face products designed for skin with special needs. Additional recommendations in this niche include ISDIN Fotoultra Active Unify Color SPF50+, Heliocare 360 Fl Pi CYU50+, Heliocare 360 MD AK Fluid, and ISDIN Fotoultra Solar Allergy SPF100.
Experts evaluating body sunscreens favor Avène Solar Spray Pro PF50, ISDIN Transparent Spray Wet Skin SPF50, ISDIN Hydrooil SPF30, ISDIN Hydrolotion SPF50, and La Roche Posay Anthelios XL 50+ Spray as top picks.
Lastly, for pediatric photoprotection—aimed at the most sensitive skin—recommendations include ISDIN Clear Spray Wet Skin Pediatrics SPF50, ISDIN Fusion Water Pediatrics SPF50, Avène Solar Spray SPF50+ INF, Anthelios Derm Pad Wet Skin, and ISDIN Lotion Spray Pediatrics SPF50.
Professionals consistently highlight texture and ease of application as critical factors, along with overall photoprotective performance. As pharmacist Nacho Mir from the Mir pharmacy in Barcelona emphasizes, the key is to help customers find a photoprotective that fits their daily routine so it can be used consistently and correctly.