Good news: you’ll never have to deal with a thick, goopy, white-cast-leaving sunscreen again in your life. That’s because sunscreen serums have officially taken over the shelves at Sephoras and local drugstores alike. What used to require French pharmacy runs or stocking up in Korea has finally arrived in the U.S. (about time, America).
Serum sunscreens are about as effortless as SPF gets. These ultra-lightweight formulas absorb quickly, leave behind zero chalkiness, and feel virtually undetectable on the skin—making them ideal under makeup, too. Think of them as the final step in your skincare routine: a hydrating serum with the added benefit of broad-spectrum sun protection.
Most sunscreen serums are packed with moisture-boosting ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, helping keep skin hydrated without any heaviness or grease. To find the very best options, the Cosmo team spent months testing the latest formulas everywhere from sweltering days in Miami and New York City to tropical vacations.
Ahead, the best sunscreen serums for your summertime skincare routine.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Air Serum Sunscreen SPF 50
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Air Serum Sunscreen SPF 50
| SPF protection | 50 |
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glycerin |
Why we love it: Meet our favorite sunscreen serum, from a brand that has mastered sun protection and skincare—La Roche-Posay. It has a fast-absorbing, non-comedogenic formula that delivers hydration and barrier support with glycerin, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, while antioxidants help defend against environmental stressors alongside top-tier sun protection. It truly looks and feels like nothing on the skin, exactly how a sunscreen serum should be.
Cosmo editor review: “La Roche-Posay does sunscreen so well, I love just about any formula they dropped. But this one really impressed me—so much so, it was the only SPF I wore for four days in Miami and at the Miami Open. It glides on skin effortlessly without feeling sticky or goopy on skin. It also doesn't pill, making it fantastic to wear under makeup. ” —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Summer Fridays ShadeDrops SPF 50 Daily Mineral Milk Sunscreen
Summer Fridays ShadeDrops SPF 50 Daily Mineral Milk Sunscreen
| SPF Protection | 50 |
| Key ingredients | Vitamin E, vitamin C, ceramides, glycerin |
Why we love it: Mineral sunscreens that don’t leave behind a white cast are no longer the standout; they’re the expectation. And not only does Summer Fridays’ latest formula go on sheer, but it’s also packed with skin-conditioning moisture that leaves skin looking glowy and fresh. Infused with glycerin and ceramides alongside zinc, it delivers reliable mineral sun protection while keeping the skin looking and feeling hydrated all day long.
Cosmo editor review: “I’m mega impressed by this new mineral SPF from Summer Fridays. It makes my skin look plump, fresh, and dewy—but it doesn’t feel heavy either, a feat for something with such a strong sheen. This is thanks to the lightweight construction, and where the whole “mineral milk” thing comes in. The consistency is similar to a milky essence or toner, which really helps it spread evenly across my skin. But it provides the most gorgeous glow, all while protecting my face.”—BG
First Aid Beauty Hydrating Sunscreen Milk
First Aid Beauty Hydrating Sunscreen Milk
| SPF Level | 45 |
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, colloidal oatmeal, aloe |
Why we love it: If you’ve got sensitive skin, wearing SPF is essential to help prevent burns and irritation—but not all sunscreens are created with reactive complexions in mind. Luckily, First Aid Beauty’s serum-like formula is packed with soothing colloidal oatmeal and aloe to help calm skin as you wear it. It also delivers a boost of hydration to support the skin barrier, keeping your complexion comfortable and less prone to dryness and tightness after spending time in the sun. Plus, it just earned itself a Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award as our favorite chemical sunscreen for all the aforementioned reasons.
Cosmo editor review: “This is one of the rare sunscreens that genuinely feels good to apply—the texture is thin and fast-absorbing, and there’s zero weird SPF smell. I personally appreciate the screw-off top, too. It feels extra secure, so I can throw in my bag and trust there’s no risk of spills.” —LUCY DOLAN-ZALAZNICK, SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR
ILIA Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
| SPF Level | 50 |
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, plant sugars, rhodiola root |
Why we love it: Ilia’s serum formula is not only light as a feather (thanks to the duo of hyaluronic acid and glycerin), but it also delivers impressive smoothing benefits. While it’s not a full-coverage pigment, the mineral formula comes in two flexible shades that subtly even out skin tone and blur the look of texture with just a few drops. Beyond the finish, skin-balancing botanicals like rhodiola root and echinacea help minimize the appearance of pores, while barrier-supporting plant sugars keep skin plump and hydrated. The result is instant smoothing from the tint, plus longer-term smoothing from the skincare ingredients themselves.
Cosmo editor review: “I love the idea of Ilia’s iconic Super Serum skin tint, but it’s just too dewy for my combo skin. This new SPF from Ilia has the perfect finish, though. While the coverage is just a sheer hint of tint, the way it makes my skin look smooth and velvety all day long is simply amazing.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
| SPF Level | 50 |
| Key ingredients | Ectoin, aloe, vitamin E |
Why we love it: While technically labeled as a sunscreen milk, I’d classify this as a serum-y sunscreen thanks to its fast-absorbing texture that doesn’t leave behind a trace of chalkiness. It sinks into the skin like a hydrating skincare step, delivering lightweight moisture alongside soothing aloe and barrier-supporting ectoin.
Cosmo editor review: “Never in my life has a sunscreen blended into my dry skin as seamlessly as this SPF. I wear it on repeat while swimming and running, and it never leaves behind a white finish when mixed with water or sweat. And since it absorbs into the skin so nicely, it works just like a hydrating primer underneath any level of summer makeup.” —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
ISDIN Fusion Water MAGIC, Ultralight Broad Spectrum SPF
ISDIN Fusion Water MAGIC, Ultralight Broad Spectrum SPF
| SPF Level | 40 |
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, Mediterranean algae, |
Why we love it: This derm-loved SPF goes beyond traditional sun protection, acting as a daily shield for the skin. Alongside high UVA and UVB protection, the antioxidant-rich formula helps defend against everyday environmental stressors—like blue light damage and pollution—that can also speed up signs of aging. As the name suggests, the fluid-like texture is ultra-sheer and weightless, sinking into skin instantaneously, so it feels like you’re wearing nothing at all.
Cosmo editor review: “I’ve been obsessed with this sunscreen ever since it came stateside last year. It has a water-light texture that glides into the skin with ease, and I love sweeping it along my hairline when my hair is in a ponytail—especially over the areas where I have freckles and sun damage, since it doesn’t leave behind any white cast. I also love that it protects from more than just sun damage.”—JH
Why Trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo, who is obsessed with all things skincare. For this story, she and the Cosmo beauty team tested a range of new sunscreen serums and narrowed them down to choose the best ones based on texture, ingredients, efficacy, and price.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
