There’s a sea of sunscreens out there.

You’ll find most include about a half-dozen widely used active ingredients that provide sun protection, with each lotion, spray or stick using a slightly tweaked combination. The real differences are in how they look, feel and smell.

Linda Wells, editor in chief of Allure magazine, suggests some of her favorites:

¢ Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 45 feels like a regular moisturizer. “It isn’t sticky, greasy, or chalky the way many sunscreens are,” says Wells, “which means I don’t dread wearing it.”

It also has Helioplex, an ingredient that doesn’t break down as quickly as other UVA sunscreens.

¢ La Roche-Posay Anthelios contains the photostable Mexoryl that protects against UVA/UVB rays and doesn’t degrade as quickly as other UV filters after exposure to the sun. Wells used to load up on this product when she’d be traveling in Europe; now it’s available in the U.S.

Mexoryl SX is an exclusive technology to L’Oreal SA, which owns both La Roche-Posey and Lancome. Lancome’s UV Expert SPF 20 is the only water-resistant version in the U.S.

¢ DDF Enhancing Sun Protection SPF 30 has antioxidants to protect the skin cells against sun damage, and chamomile and other anti-inflammatories to calm the skin and keep it from turning red.

“I’m a blusher and a flusher, especially in the heat. So this keeps me from looking like a canned ham,” Wells says.

While all her choices are traditional lotions, she says that each new type of application method has a time, place and appropriate user. “Some people don’t like lotions because they look too greasy and may clog pores; a gel is better for them. A spray is ideal if you’re in a hurry, when you can’t reach the middle of your back. And it’s great for kids who won’t stand still while you rub in a lotion,” she said in an e-mail to the AP.

In a pinch, she turns to Coppertone Quick Lotion Spray, which is visible during application so you can be sure you haven’t missed a spot, but it doesn’t have to be rubbed in. On her nose, lips and ears, she uses Clarins Sun Control Stick SPF 30.

Some other noteworthy sun-protection options:

¢ Darphin’s Soeil Plaisir Protective Face Cream added an antioxidant the company claims will address the dullness and other skin cell damage that can occur with exposure to pollution, wind and temperature extremes.

Venuceane mimics the protective shield of a micro-organism that lives in deep waters off the coast of California. It delivers varying levels of antioxidants based on the intensity and length of exposure to the sun, says Tammie Basseghi, Darphin education director.

¢ Shady Day Sunscreen Wipes offer broad-spectrum protection without any synthetic fragrances. Vitamins E and A, mango fruit extract, cactus flower extract and organic aloe vera are added as moisturizers and antioxidants.

Because they’re wipes, not liquids, you can carry them on airplanes.

¢ H2O Plus Sea Results UV Plus Maximum Moisture Fluid SPF 30 is a 100 percent mineral broad-spectrum sunblock.

A mineral complex derived from sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium, along with marine algae and sea whip create a moist surface that is protected by microfine titanium dioxide. Vitamins and light-activated photosomes aim to repair damage already caused by UV and environmental exposure.