The best types of sunscreens to avoid sin burns are lotions that protect against both UVA and UVB rays. You can check this on most bottles of sunscreen. Sunscreens with higher SPFs offer higher levels of protection against harmful sun rays. An SPF of 15 or lower will only minimally protect you from the sun.
An SPF higher than 15 will protect you pretty well but you need to be sure to apply every 2-3 hours and more often if you have been in the water or if you have been sweating. Most brands of sunscreen work well so it is more a matter of the type of protection in the sunscreen that will prevent sun burns.