Consumer Reports’ annual sunscreen survey shows that more expensive products do not always confer greater protection.target

In fact, the top honor went to Up & Up Sport SPF 50, from Target—one of the least expensive options out there. Some of the priciest sunscreens tested offered less than their labeled Sun Protection Factor (SPF) value.

The top sunscreens this year include:

• Target’s Up & Up Sport
• Walmart’s Equate Ultra Protection SPF 50,
• Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50
• Walgreens Continuous Spray Sport SPF 50
• Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch SPF 30
• Coppertone Sport High Performance SPF 30

The six that didn’t pass muster include:

• California Baby SPF 30+
• No-Ad with Avobenzone, Aloe, and Vitamin E SPF 45
• Neutrogena Wet Skin SPF 45+
• Kiss My Face with Hydresia SPF 40
• Badger Unscented SPF 34
• All Terrain AquaSport SPF 30

The full report will appear in the July 2013 issue of Consumer Reports.