The Clark Howard Podcast
The Clark Howard Podcast

07.06.26 Shining A UV Light On Sunscreens / Side Hustle Savvy

July 6, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Sunscreen Science, Side Hustle Reality, and Smart Money Moves

The best sunscreen you can buy this summer costs about eight dollars and is probably sitting on a shelf near you right now. Consumer Reports gave Coppertone Water Babies lotion a perfect score of 100 — almost impossible to achieve — and named it a "smart buy" for its combination of quality and price. The irony is that most people will overlook it because they prefer sprays over lotions, even though lotions consistently outperform sprays in lab testing. The second-best performer, La Roche-Posay, costs three times as much and scored a 90. In the spray category, Neutrogena Beach Defense Water came in at 71 with a nine-dollar price tag and earned a "best buy" designation. The top-rated spray scored an 88 but costs sixteen dollars.

The Coming Revolution in Sunscreen Chemistry

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (01:04) **Sunscreen Ratings & Best Buys** - Clark discusses Consumer Reports' top-rated sunscreens and the paradox of choice at the drugstore
  • 2 (06:33) **Homeowners Insurance: Wind & Storm Deductibles** - Advice for a Gulf Shores homeowner on choosing a deductible for hurricane coverage
  • 3 (09:20) **Budgeting Apps & Plaid Security** - Answering a listener's concern about linking bank accounts to Monarch Money via Plaid
  • 4 (11:41) **Closing Old Credit Cards vs. Credit Score** - Advice on whether to close "giant monster mega bank" cards after switching to a credit union
  • 5 (14:29) **Side Hustle Savvy: Why Easy Gigs Don't Pay** - Clark explains why most simple side hustles are a waste of time and what actually works
  • 6 (23:04) **Home Improvement: Adding a Florida Room** - Answering whether converting a lanai to a conditioned room increases home value
  • 7 (24:49) **Travel Money for a Teen in Europe** - Best way for a high schooler to handle spending money abroad

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Today, something new under the sun - at least in the U.S.: A now FDA approved sunscreen option long in use overseas, arrives next year.  Meanwhile, are you overpaying for sunscreen just because of a fancy brand name? Consumer Reports released its annual sunscreen rankings, and the results again prove you don't have to spend a fortune to protect your skin. Also, Clark dives into the reality of modern side hustles. A TikTok influencer recently went viral after testing different side hustles every day for 100 days to make $100 a day, learning that only three were actually worth sticking with. The truth is, if a side hustle is incredibly easy to start, there are no effective barriers to entry. When anyone can do a job, the organizer doesn’t have to pay you well. If you want to make a meaningful, steady income, you need a side hustle that leverages education, training, or special skills that set you apart from the crowd. However, if you just need quick, one-time cash, look no further than your own home—just like Christa, who came out of her closet with cash assets! 

Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the July 6, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark.

  • Best Sunscreens: Segment 1
  • Ask Clark: Segment 2
  • Smart Side Hustles: Segment 3
  • Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show: