The 6 Best FSA-Eligible Sunscreens Worth Snagging Before Your Balance Expires (2025)

Looking for the best FSA-eligible sunscreens this summer? I have 6 for you, but first, consider what each one has to offer. I learned the hard way that sunscreen isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal.

My daughter breaks out in hives if anything with fragrance or avobenzone hits her skin. Also, a medication I take makes me photosensitive, so a high, broad-spectrum SPF is non-negotiable. Add my obsession with ingredient lists (some chemical filters can do more long-term harm than a short sunburn), and you’ve got a family that tests SPF the way sommeliers taste wine.

If you’re also staring down an FSA balance that disappears at the end of the year, sunscreen is an easy and dermatologist-approved way to use those pre-tax dollars. I gathered up six FSA-eligible sunscreens that I pulled from FSAstore.com’s best-seller list to save you the time and hassle.

I focused on formulas that keep sensitive skin calm, deliver real protection, and won’t feel greasy in everyday life. I’ve personally tested and used several of these, too. So, whatever your needs are, there’s definitely sunscreen on this list for you.

The Best FSA-Eligible SPF Picks at a Glance

• Best overall for sensitive or acne-prone skin: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
• Best high-SPF face & body lotion: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk SPF 60
• Best budget buy: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 70
• Best lightweight sport SPF: Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50
• Best for dry or eczema-prone skin: CeraVe Hydrating Mineral SPF 30
• Best swipe-on for kids & travel: Banana Boat Sport Ultra Stick SPF 50

Bottom Line Upfront

My personal pick for best FAS-eligible sunscreen is EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46. It’s oil-free, fragrance-free, and packed with niacinamide, which calms redness my meds sometimes trigger. The best part is that my daughter can wear it without itching, and it disappears under makeup.

If you need max protection at the beach, La Roche-Posay SPF 60 has you covered (pun intended!). Whatever you choose, tap that FSA card now because you know those unused funds don’t roll over.

How I Chose These Sunscreens

1. Has to be FSA eligible: Like every product listed on FSAstore.com, these are all eligible.
2. Broad-spectrum & SPF 30+: Meets dermatologist recommendations.
3. Skin-friendly textures: No heavy grease, no white paint streaks that never rub in.
4. Sensitive-skin approval: Free of the most common irritants and oxybenzone.
5. Ingredient safety: Preference for mineral filters or newer chemical filters with solid safety data.
6. Value & size options: Travel tubes for diaper bags and big bottles for family vacations.

The 6 Best FSA-Eligible Sunscreen Options

Don’t just go for the high SPF. Make sure the best sunscreen for you helps with your skin type, allergies, and budget.

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

I found EltaMD during a frantic Google search after my prescription made me photosensitive. One week later, this little pump earned a permanent spot on my bathroom shelf. The lotion feels closer to a serum because it’s thin, silky, and bone-dry within thirty seconds, so I can layer makeup or go bare-faced without looking like a sweaty hog. Even during peak summer, mask-on grocery runs, it never triggered the dreaded “sunscreen drip.”

The formula relies on transparent zinc oxide for UVA/UVB coverage, which is buffered by niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to calm and hydrate. Those extras are a lifesaver when my cheeks flush or my daughter’s eczema flares.

Dermatologists recommend it for rosacea and acne, and I see why: zero fragrance, zero pore-clogging oils, and no ghostly white cast once it settles. One pump for the face, one for the neck, DONE.

Pros

• Lightweight, non-greasy finish
• Niacinamide reduces redness over time
• Safe for sensitive and breakout-prone skin

Cons

• On the pricey side for 1.7 oz
• Contains octinoxate, so not reef-safe in Hawaii

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk SPF 60

If you want one bottle that covers both face and body, Anthelios Melt-In Milk checks every box. I love that the lotion spreads like a body moisturizer but sinks in quickly enough to sit under makeup without pilling. I used it last summer and slathered it on before a full day at an amusement park and walked away with zero sunburn. I was wearing a hat, but still! We were literally in the sun all day.

The secret is La Roche-Posay’s Cell-Ox Shield, which is a blend of modern chemical filters plus antioxidants to neutralize free radicals. Yes, it has high SPF at 60 (which is great for protection) but the finish is satin and not greasy or chalky at all. And the 80-minute water resistance even makes it pool-day friendly. Keep in mind it does have a faint “sunscreen” scent for the first few minutes, but I found that it fades fast.

Pros

• High SPF in a comfortable, face-safe texture
• Water-resistant 80 minutes
• Available in a large 5-oz family tube

Cons

• Mild chemical sunscreen smell on application
• Chemical filters may bother ultra-reactive skin types

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 70

I haven’t bought my refill for the summer yet, but on frantic mornings, I used to grab this drugstore classic because it’s fast, cheap, and reliably matte. The lotion has a whipped, almost mousse-like texture that vanishes within seconds, leaving a powdery feel that tames my midday T-zone shine. For under ten bucks, it’s hard to beat when you’re stocking the whole family’s backpacks.

Helioplex technology blends several chemical filters to maintain UVA protection for hours. I do notice a faint alcohol kick, which helps it dry fast, but it can feel a bit tight on very dry skin. For oily or combination types, though, it’s a gift from the gods. There’s no sticky residue, no white streaks on darker skin tones, and no breakouts on my chin.

Pros

• Wallet-friendly and widely available
• Truly matte finish great under makeup
• PABA- and oxybenzone-free formula

Cons

• Alcohol base can be drying in winter
• Light sunscreen scent lingers on re-application

Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50

Supergoop! PLAY is my “weekend warrior” pick that my husband uses and loves. It was a bit irritating for my daughter’s sensitive skin, but my son had no issues with it. The gel-cream formula glides over your arms and legs in seconds, which is awesome when everyone’s itching to get outside. It’s got a faint citrus scent that disappears pretty fast and a finish light enough that sand won’t stick too badly. During sweaty hikes, it stayed put and didn’t migrate into my hubby’s eyes (an underrated blessing).

PLAY uses a modern mix of avobenzone, homosalate, and octisalate for broad-spectrum coverage plus 80-minute sweat resistance. At 5.5 ounces, the pump bottle lasts an entire family road trip, and the texture works on every skin tone without any cast. If you prefer mineral filters, this isn’t your match, but for sporty days and big surface areas, it’s honestly tough to beat.

Pros

• Feels like body lotion, not sunscreen
• Large, family-size bottle with pump
• Stays comfortable during intense sweat

Cons

• Chemical filters, so not reef-safe in restricted areas
• Slightly pricier than basic sport sunscreens

CeraVe Hydrating Mineral SPF 30

My meds make my skin react in direct sunlight, and my eczema acts up in cold temps. So, when I ran out of my go-to sunscreen, I tried CeraVe Mineral SPF 30 and loved it. Think of it as a two-in-one: daily moisturizer and sun protection. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid reinforce the skin barrier, and then zinc and titanium give you a nice, gentle UV coverage. The lotion starts off with a faint cast, but a minute of gentle pressing helps it melt in. I actually forgot I was wearing it.

Because it’s fragrance-free and paraben-free, dermatologists tend to recommend it for eczema. On my driest days, I layer it over a hydrating serum for extra slip. For beach vacations, I still bring a higher SPF, but for errands and school drop-off, SPF 30 paired with a hat does the job.

Pros

• Dual moisturizer-plus-SPF formula
• National Eczema Association–approved
• Budget-friendly two-pack options

Cons

• Noticeable cast on deeper skin if not fully blended
• Only SPF 30—consider reapplying more often outdoors

Banana Boat Sport Ultra Stick SPF 50

I call this the “stop squirming” stick for moms. My daughter is a bit too sensitive for it, but my son, the slippery rodent he is, uses this every summer. I love that I don’t have to pin him down or fight with him to wait before going in the water. The solid balm twists up like a jumbo glue stick, so I can swipe my kid’s nose, ears, and hairline in seconds. No drips on anything, no greasy palms. The formula is oxybenzone-free and water-resistant for 80 minutes, which covers most trips to the park or beach.

Because it’s small enough to stuff in a coat pocket, I keep one in every bag. It does go on slightly waxy until body heat melts it, so give it a minute to settle before touching clothes. Still better than having to wait 15+ minutes for the liquid stuff to set.

Pros

• Zero mess, zero leaks in travel bags
• Great for quick touch-ups on kids
• Inexpensive and lasts ages

Cons

• Can feel tacky for the first minute
• Press too hard and chunks can break off, so use light pressure

Quick Sun-Smart Tips

(Because I’m a parent – so I have to include this)

1. Reapply every two hours. Sooner if you’re sweating or swimming.
2. Shot-glass rule: An adult needs a full ounce (about two tablespoons) for head-to-toe coverage.
3. Check expiration dates. Filters break down and actually lose potency over time.
4. Pair with shade: Long sleeves, hats, and UPF umbrellas can stretch your SPF.

Use the Best Sunscreen and Protect Your Skin

My FSA deadline used to sneak up every December. Now I top off my balance with sunscreen refills, which is really just an investment my skin and budget both appreciate. EltaMD handles my photosensitive face, and Banana Boat’s stick lives in every coat pocket for on-the-go touch-ups.

If you’ve got an FSA swipe burning a hole in your wallet, pick a formula that suits your skin type and lifestyle, then stock up while it’s covered. Have you tried one I missed? Share your favorite FSA-eligible SPF (or your worst sunburn story) in the comments so we can all stay protected.