There are loads of sunscreens available in the market that have the same promise, to protect the skin from the sun, but of the oh-so-many brands, which one's the best?

It's understandable to get confused with the many brands on the market offering a lot of things. If one is planning to get the best sunscreen, the rack of lotions will surely make anyone's head hurt. Chances are, the highest SPF number is what one immediately gets, but is that the only factor to consider?

Consumer Reports recently released its annual list of best sunscreens for 2018, and outdoor enthusiasts should read on to know which brands made the cut. If the brands they are holding on to are not on the list, it might be high time to ditch the old and try these.

The list is based on a test done by Consumer Reports on 73 sunscreens available, which are ranked based on the price, testimonies from real users, and, of course, the effectiveness in protecting the skin against the harmful rays of the sun, UVA and UVB. Apparently, only one passed the test, and it is none other than the La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Milk, which is consecutively holding the top spot for four years!

La Roche-Posay Sunscreen

The findings said that the La Roche-Posay sunscreen is the most effective from the roster, and besting 73 other sunscreens meant this brand is the best to get for the perfect beach getaway. Moreover, it's non-greasy and water-resistant, another reason to love this brand.

Coming in second is Equate Sport Lotion SPF 50. Third is BullFrog Land Sport Quik Gel SPF 50, and the fourth one is Coppertone WaterBabies SPF 50.

While the tests found the best sunscreens in the market, the findings also proved that there are also those that only offer untruthful claims. Out of the 73 sunscreens tested, there were 24 brands that have been found to have less than the SPF they claim to contain.

This might be the case, but it doesn't mean these dubious 24 sunscreens don't give any protection. It's just that the consumers won't actually get the degree of protection they have paid and hoped for.

The study also gave out some helpful tips, like applying sunscreen at least 15 minutes before one gets out in order for the skin to absorb the lotion well. Never forget to put lotion as well on some of the most missed areas, including the ears and the upper back. Lastly, make sure to reapply the sunscreen after two hours.