The Best Body Sunscreen for outdoor sports, days on the water, and everyday use
April 24th, 2024
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Body sunscreen you apply twice a year on vacation at the beach or a hiking or camping trip is a sunscreen that is not working for you. Body sunscreen needs to happen every day.
Whether you're outdoors hiking a trail or walking the dog around the city, the sun can cause some major harm to your body. UVA and UVB rays cause skin cancer, sun spots, wrinkles, leathery skin, etc.
Darker skin, while less prone to burning than lighter skin tones, is still susceptible to all the risks above – plus, darker skin is more likely to develop hyperpigmentation from rashes and acne blemishes due to sun exposure. Body sunscreen can help.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone use a sunscreen that offers:
Broad spectrum protection (i.e., protects against UVA rays and UVB rays)
SPF 30 or higher
Water resistance
Since any sunscreen for the body that meets these guidelines, when applied properly, is going to work as sunscreen, the question becomes: which sunscreen(s) will you actually USE? We review 19 body sunscreens to find the best sunscreen you will put on your body every day (or at least as often as possible!) – not just on vacation!
Related: The Best Face Sunscreen
Read more: The Best Reef Safe Sunscreen
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Comparison Table
SOURCE: Manufacturers
The Best Sunscreens for Your Body
Best Sunscreen for Your Body: Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
Broad Spectrum SPF: Yes, SPF 50
Type: Chemical Sunscreen
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 10%
Water Resistant: 80 minutes
Reef safe: Hawaii Act 104 Reef Compliant (Oxybenzone and Octinoxate free)
Cost per oz: $2.92
What we like: doesn’t feel greasy, relatively affordable, no white cast on skin, easy to find, doesn’t leave clothes oil
What we didn’t like: some people don’t like the fragrance (but we do!)
The original product of a now-ubiquitous company, the Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion sunscreen is basically the much-nicer version of the beach sunscreen you grew up with. It’s oil-free, so it doesn’t feel greasy; non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores. It also contains vitamin E, so it feels more like a moisturizing lotion than a sunscreen. That's why we think the Sun Bum Original SPF 50 is the best sunscreen for most bodies.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE SUN BUM ORIGINAL SPF 50 SUNSCREEN LOTION
Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Lotion absorbs into all skin tones without leaving a white cast, and customers with sensitive skin swear by it. Sun Bum Original has a slight fragrance variously described as “summery” or “tropical,” but it’s subtle enough that it receives very few complaints.
Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Lotion is my family’s go-to body sunscreen for all outdoor activities, from the beach to the mountains. We love that it’s non-greasy, applies like a moisturizer, smells great, and doesn’t feel like it’s getting our clothes oily. Once it absorbs, you can barely notice it at all.
Curious about sun protection? See our page:
Best Face Sunscreen
Best Sun Shirts
Best Sun Hats
Best Electrolyte Powders
Best Mineral Body Sunscreen: Thinksport Sunscreen SPF 50
Broad spectrum SPF: Yes, SPF 50
Type: Mineral Sunscreen (non-nano zinc oxide)
Active Ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide,
Water resistant: 80 minutes
Reef safe: Yes
Cost per oz:$4.00
What we like: rubs in very well for a mineral sunscreen, the most reef safe sunscreen we tested
What we didn’t like: some people don’t like the fragrance
The Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is the highest-recommended fully mineral sunscreen lotion by dermatologists and customer reviews. It is also the most reef-safe sunscreen of the ones we considered, thanks to its non-nano zinc oxide formulation. That's why we think the Thinksport Mineral is the best mineral sunscreen for most bodies. Additionally, it’s worth noting that this is one of few models of sunscreen that didn’t increase in price in the last year.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE THINKSPORT SUNSCREEN SPF 50
Like all mineral sunscreens, we found the Thinksport Mineral SPF 50 tougher to rub in, leaving a bit of a whitish cast on the skin. Still, the Thinksport mineral sunscreen rubs in fairly easily (especially for a mineral sunscreen) and with minimal white residue, even on darker skin tones. It's a good option for folks with oily or sensitive skin.
Thinksport is easy to find at most major retailers (unlike fully reef-safe sunscreens) and is more affordable than comparable mineral sunscreen options. Thinksport mineral sunscreen lotion does have a subtle fruity scent that some people find too strong for comfort, but our testers found the fragrance very slight.
After wearing Thinksport on many hikes, our testers appreciated that it applied so easily and absorbed quickly. We like that it left such a minimal white cast. We also liked that it didn’t get more visible or chalky after sweating.
Thinksport Mineral SPF 50 is ranked #1 on the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database for reducing exposure to potentially toxic chemicals in personal care products. It's free of parabens and phthalates.
Overall, despite being a mineral sunscreen, we could forget we were wearing the Thinksport – and that’s the ultimate goal of sunscreen.
Bonus: The baby version of Thinksport (called Thinkbaby) is also at the top of many lists.
While sunscreen isn’t recommended for infants under 6 months, pediatricians recommend mineral sunscreens for older babies and young children, and Thinkbaby is a top choice.
Best Drugstore Body Sunscreen:
Best Budget Body Sunscreen: Coppertone Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70
Broad spectrum SPF: Yes
Type: Chemical Sunscreen
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 15%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Oxybenzone 6%
Water Resistant: 80 minutes
Reef safe: No
Cost per oz: $1.32
What we like: affordable price, easy to find, relatively non-greasy compared to other budget sunscreens
What we didn’t like: greasier feeling than more expensive sunscreens, not reef safe
The Coppertone Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70 is the Best Body Sunscreen for people who want a budget sunscreen for their body. Coppertone Ultra Guard is one of the highest-rated body sunscreens out there. Coppertone Ultra Guard's sunscreen SPF rating is the highest of the other sunscreens we considered. It’s worth noting that Coppertone’s price per ounce actually went down in the last year (by 0.07 cents per ounce)! This is notable as many consumer products have become more expensive recently that Coppertone Ultra Guard is even a better budget choice.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE COPPERTONE ULTRA GUARD SUNSCREEN LOTION SPF 70
Ultra Guard is Wirecutter’s pick for the best overall sunscreen and has been highly rated by Consumer Reports for years (it received the top rating a few years ago and still hovers near the top of the list). In our testing, it feels lightweight and less thick compared to other drugstore sunscreens.
The Coppertone Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is inexpensive, widely available, and has a better feel on the skin than most other budget sunscreens.
In our testing beachside in San Diego, we found it feels heavier/greasier than the Neutrogena or SunBum products we tested. That’s the typical trade-off with more affordable sunscreens. But the Coppertone felt the least greasy and heavy of the budget drugstore sunscreens we tested. Coppertone Ultra Guard will keep you from getting sunburned just as well as the more expensive brands (as long as you reapply!).
Being more affordable than other sunscreens goes a long way to making sure that you actually are putting enough sunscreen on every application. Remember what the American Academy of Dermatology Association says (paraphrased): Apply more than you think you need (most people only use 25-50% of the recommended amount), literally every day, to every part of your body that will see the sun—and reapply every two hours after swimming. With the Coppertone Ultra, the price tag behind doing it right is more manageable.
Best Sunscreen for Face & Body: Supergoop Play everyday Sunscreen SPF 50
Broad spectrum SPF: Yes, SPF 50
Type: Chemical Sunscreen
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (7.5%)
Water resistant: 80 minutes
Reef safe: Reef-friendly
Cost per oz: $3.78
What we like: not greasy, no white cast on skin, one bottle can be used on face and body
What we didn’t like: expensive for body sunscreen (but affordable for face sunscreen)
If you’re looking for a single, all-around, use-all-over body sunscreen, Supergoop Play Sunscreen SPF 50 is your best (and most highly recommended) bet. Very few sunscreens are formulated for the sensitive skin of the face but are still robust (and affordable) enough to use all over your body. This, in our opinion, is the best of them. That's why we give the Supergoop Play the award for Best Sunscreen for Face and Body.
Our testers wore the Supergoop Sunscreen SPF 50 as an everyday body sunscreen at the beach in California, by the pool in Palm Springs, and boating on the Great Lakes. We also wore it for more intensive activities like backpacking and all-day vintage shopping at outdoor popup markets (if you’ve done this, you know it’s intense).
COMPARE PRICES OF THE SUPERGOOP PLAY EVERYDAY SUNSCREEN SPF 50
“The most important feature of a body sunscreen is that it’s one you’ll use every day – EVERY DAY – and we definitely like this sunscreen enough to want to use it daily.”
At almost $4 per ounce, Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 is on the slightly more expensive side for a body sunscreen but is on the less expensive side for a facial sunscreen. It tops many dermatologists' and user lists for both face and body. The most important feature of a body sunscreen is that it's one you'll use every day – EVERY DAY – and we definitely like this sunscreen enough to want to use it daily.
The Supergoop Play Sunscreen SPF 50 absorbs quickly and does not leave a white cast on any skin tones.
Supergoop Play is the body sunscreen that our testers with darker skin raved about because it didn't leave any traces of color on the skin.
While many brands/products are highlighted for leaving absolutely no white cast (including most of the products on this list), one that comes up frequently is Black Girl Sunscreen. Other than being extra-moisturizing, though, Black Girl Sunscreen did not have many distinguishing features and was not hands-down a favorite among people with darker skin. However, as a well-reviewed Black-woman-owned brand, we wanted to give it a shoutout.
On the downside, some Supergoop customers find the Play Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 to feel sticky. We didn’t find it nearly as sticky as almost all the other sunscreens we tested. Even on a day with 88% humidity on the Great Lakes, the stickiness was from the heat, not our sunscreen.
It’s not available in drugstores or big-box retailers like Target. However, it is widely available online and in-person at stores like Sephora, Ulta, and Nordstrom, among others (pro tip: the Supergoop website charges shipping on smaller orders, but Sephora & Nordstrom have no-minimum free shipping).
We appreciated that Supergoop Play absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel thick or greasy over the course of the day, even after re-application. It’s also water resistant for 80 minutes, so is good for swimming, sweating during hikes or workouts, or kayaking, canoeing, and boating.
BEST REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN: BADGER REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN, SPF 40 SPORT MINERAL SUNSCREEN
SPF: 40
Broad spectrum: Yes
Active ingredients: Uncoated, non nano zinc oxide 22.5% (clear)
Water resistant: 80 Min
Cost per ounce: $6.21/fl oz
Oxybenzone-free sunscreen: yes
HEL certified: yes
What we liked: safest option with only 4 ingredients (and no oxybenzone or HEL List problematic chemical filters), excellent water and sweat resistance, white cast is minimal, rubs in evenly, comes out easily from bottle, widely available, made in USA, company is woman-owned and B-Corp
What we didn’t like: other options are more affordable or more sheer
The Badger Reef Safe Sunscreen SPF 40 Sport Mineral Sunscreen is our winner for Best Reef Safe Sunscreen. It’s the only widely-available sunscreen that has undergone intensive reef-safe testing by Haereticus Environmental Laboratory (or HEL, the nonprofit research organization that maintains the most well-regarded list of non-reef-safe ingredients, which also provides exhaustive testing for its own reef-safe certification). To get the certification, it isn't enough to be an oxybenzone free sunscreen (what is sometimes called “reef-friendly). HEL maintains a list of active and inactive ingredients that do not qualify for reef-safe certification (see our Best Reef Safe Sunscreens guide for more on ingredients that aren’t reef safe).
The Badger Reef Safe Sunscreen is a top-rated sunscreen across all sources–including our own testing– with excellent water and sweat-resistance. It comes easily out of the bottle, rubs in evenly, and its white cast is minimal. It’s worth noting that reef-safe sunscreens generally require more rubbing and have more of a white cast than the other sunscreens in this article. See our Best Reef Safe Sunscreen guide for more recommendations.
The Badger Reef Safe sunscreen has no added fragrance, and most testers and reviewers found it to be completely or nearly fragrance-free. Essentially, the user experience of this sunscreen is about what you can expect from a 100% mineral sunscreen: thicker than chemical sunscreen and with a white cast, but decently easy to rub in, waterproof, and non-irritating. It’s also our overall winner in our Best Reef Safe Sunscreens guide.
As a bonus, the company is woman-owned, family-run, made in the USA, and a B-Corp (a highly respected designation for companies that strive to have beneficial impacts on society & the environment).
Honorable Mentions
Body sunscreen Honorable Mention: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50
Broad spectrum SPF: Yes, SPF 50
Sunscreen Type: Chemical Sunscreen
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (2.7%), Homosalate (9%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (9%), Oxybenzone (4.5%)
Water resistant: 80 minutes
Reef safe: No
Cost per oz: $3.83/oz
Neutrogena is a frequent winner in the drugstore sunscreen category, so most of its products are a good bet. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost SPF 50 is particularly well-reviewed and oft-recommended due to its lightweight, non-greasy, liquid-like texture that absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave a white cast on any skin tones. The Neutrogena Ultra Sheer (chemical) and Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Oxide (mineral) lines are also very popular.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE NEUTROGENA HYDRO BOOST WATER GEL LOTION SPF 50
Our testers liked that this sunscreen absorbs so well and feels so barely there, even when re-applied over the course of a day of hiking, biking, or sitting by the pool.
Cons: This sunscreen has a distinct perfumey fragrance, which some people find off-putting. Some people (me included) didn’t like how it feels on the face or found that it causes burning, stinging, or irritation on sensitive skin. As someone with moderately oily skin, I also found that it got into my eyes over the course of a normal day.
For a simple solution-at least the solution I’m going with-don’t use it on your face. I (and other testers) really like it as a body sunscreen, particularly as an everyday sunscreen that doesn’t feel sticky or greasy where it touches clothing. It leaves as little tackiness on the skin as Sun Bum Original, and our testers liked it just as well (or better). Still, as it’s slightly more expensive and has a more intense fragrance, it’s an honorable mention rather than the category winner.
Mineral honorable mention: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+
Broad spectrum SPF: Yes, SPF 50
Sunscreen Type: Mineral (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide)
Water Resistant: 80 minutes
Active Ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
Reef safe: Yes
Cost per oz: $4.00
The Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ is at or near the top of many best mineral sunscreen lists. The user experience is very similar to that of Thinksport. However, it does not contain as many reef-safe ingredients as Thinksport, so we’re giving it honorable mention status.
In testing, we liked that the Blue Lizard absorbs at least partially into the skin rather than remaining fully visible. The white cast typical of physical sunscreens is less evident. We also like that it doesn’t get more chalky over the course of the day like many zinc oxide sunscreens.
Blue Lizard is also fragrance-free. I’ve worn it for full days of sweaty, dirty farm work, where it was excellent at keeping me from sunburns, even though (confession) I didn’t re-apply as often as I should have. The downside: it's all over my car door where I rested my arm driving home.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE BLUE LIZARD SENSITIVE MINERAL SUNSCREEN SPF 50+
Other Sunscreens We Tested
Banana Boat Ultra Sport SPF 65
Broad spectrum SPF: Yes, SPF 65
Sunscreen Type: Chemical
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.7% Homosalate 13.5%, Octisalate 4.5%, Octocrylene 6.5%
Water resistant: 80 minutes
Reef safe: No
Cost per oz: $1.62
The Banana Boat Ultra Sport SPF 65 is a standard available-at-any-store sunscreen, and we used it as a baseline in comparing sunscreens. You probably have it on your shelf at home. It’s completely fine. It’s a little heavier and greasier than our category winners but still completely functional. Just make sure you use it up (or throw it out) before the expiration date!
COMPARE PRICES OF THE BANANA BOAT ULTRA SPORT SPF 65
Broad spectrum SPF: Yes, SPF 50
Sunscreen Type: Chemical
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octinasalate 5%, Octocrylene 10%
Water resistant: 80 minutes
Reef safe: Reef-friendly
Cost per oz: $8/oz
We tested the Supergoop Glow Oil out of curiosity, but since it’s literally an oil, we had low expectations of a positive user experience. We were wrong!! Despite being an oil and looking/feeling, indeed, like oil at first, after a very short time it sinks in and is surprisingly non-greasy going forward. It gets a little more oily after re-application, but no more so than any sunscreen layered over another sunscreen.
We did find the Supergoop Glow Oil to be too oily to use on the face. But as a body sunscreen, we actually like it a lot – it’s very light, non-greasy, and has a pleasant fragrance. It costs more than a drugstore sunscreen, but if you want to give it a try, rest assured that it is not actually an oily experience. I ordered the one-ounce size and like throwing it in my bag whenever I leave the house, just in case.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE Supergoop Glow Oil SPF 50
Broad spectrum SPF: Yes, SPF 45
Sunscreen Type: Chemical
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (10%)
Water resistant: 80 minutes
Reef safe: No
Cost per oz: $3.33 /oz
This is another drugstore standard, and Neutrogena is a perpetually highly-recommended sunscreen brand. It’s relatively lightweight, sinks into the skin well, and the scent is sunscreen-y but pretty neutral.
It left less of a shine than the Neutrogena Hydro Boost, but it was a bit heavier overall and also left a bit of white cast on darker skin tones, so we preferred Sun Bum Original & Neutrogena Hydro Boost.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE NEUTROGENA ULTRASHEER DRY-TOUCH SUNSCREEN SPF 45
Broad spectrum SPF: Yes, SPF 45
Sunscreen Type: Mineral
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (Non-Nano) 19.6%
Water resistant: Yes
Reef safe: Yes
Cost per oz: $7.20 /oz
A local shopowner in Hood River, Oregon, introduced us to the Salt & Stone Natural Mineral Sunscreen Lotion. After he told us that it was the only sunscreen that his toddler son could use and not react to, we were intrigued.
Our tester, who also has sensitive skin, has used up the entire 3-ounce bottle and has nothing but good things to say:
It’s thick so a little goes a long way
It’s easy to rub in
It doesn’t leave a white cast — even on her face
It’s odorless
It doesn’t leave her face greasy
SEE THE SALT & STONE NATURAL MINERAL SUNSCREEN LOTION
Literally, any and every other type of sunscreen
Is it SPF30+ with sun protection from UVA rays and UVB rays? Is it water resistant?
Go ahead and use it. It’ll work.
They’re “losers” in this article because they didn’t have as many user-experience factors to recommend them.
Maybe they feel heavy, or greasy, or don’t rub in completely, or bother some sensitive skin, or get streaky when you sweat or any number of things depending on the person – but they’re still 100% functional as sunscreen.
If you’ll wear them, buy them!
What is a body sunscreen?
The term "Body sunscreens" is nebulous but usually means it hasn’t been specially formulated for the face. Body sunscreens tend to be more affordable than face sunscreen. Aside from price, body sunscreens might be thicker, heavier, or have more fragrance than face sunscreen. Of course, you can use it on your face, but stop if you get skin irritation or breakouts.
What's the difference between face sunscreen and body sunscreen?
Face sunscreens
Face Sunscreens are specially formulated to be used on the sensitive skin of the face. Because the skin on your face is thinner and often more sensitive than other body areas, these sunscreens are usually lighter-feeling than a body sunscreen.
A face sunscreen may be less oily and often contains moisturizing ingredients that aren't in a body sunscreen, like hyaluronic acid or anti-oxidants.
For face sunscreen, your skin type (e.g., oily skin, dry skin, acne-prone skin) matters more than it may for a body sunscreen.
You’re welcome to use these on your body, but those ingredients mean they’re more expensive per ounce than body sunscreens. See our Best Face Sunscreens Guide for more recommendations.
Body sunscreens
Body sunscreens usually just means they haven’t been specially formulated for the sensitive skin of the face. Body sunscreens might be thicker, heavier, or have more fragrance than face sunscreen. Of course, you can use a body sunscreen on your face, but stop if you get skin irritation or breakouts.
Do I really need to wear sunscreen on my body?
“But it’s winter!” “I don’t live somewhere sunny.” “I don’t spend every day outside.”
Fun fact about those rays: UVB rays (“B” for Burning!) are the primary cause of sunburn; these are blocked by window glass. UVA rays (“A” for Aging! Thank you, American Academy of Dermatology Association [AADA] for these helpful mnemonics) also cause sun damage and are responsible for premature aging, wrinkles, etc. They are the leading cause of skin cancer.
UVA rays pass through window glass, so you’re still at their mercy in your car, office, breakfast table, and other places you thought you were safe. Both types of rays pass through clouds, so they cause sun damage regardless of weather or season.
So what do I do? See below for how to find the sun protection you need daily for your skin!
Why aren’t there any spray sunscreens on this list?
As mentioned above, many dermatologists don’t recommend spray sunscreens because it’s tough to know if you’ve applied enough and whether you’ve achieved full coverage. That said, I like spraying sunscreens for re-application and for applying to my feet because I’m lazy and I don’t want to rub sunscreen lotion into the skin that’s dirty, sweaty, or sandy.
The spray versions of the Supergoop, Sun Bum, and EltaMD products recommended above are all well-regarded and highly recommended, so if you want to have a spray around, those are all good choices.
If I need a sunscreen spray, I use Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray. My family and I find it less greasy than other drugstore sunscreen sprays, but we can still buy it at CVS. It was also a top pick in Consumer Reports’ spray sunscreen ratings. Win-win.
How should I use body sunscreen?
Apply more than you think you need (most people only use 25-50% of the recommended amount), literally every day, to every part of your body that will see the sun.
Re-apply every two hours when outdoors and after swimming or sweating.
If you’re going to be outside for a while, wear other forms of protection, including UPF-rated clothing and a sun hat.
See our Best Sun Shirts guide and Best Sun Hats guide for our recommendations for clothing with sun protection.
And that’s it. Go forth, apply, and prosper without skin cancer! If you want more fun & helpful facts about UV rays and sun protection, please enjoy the AADA’s website.
What Makes a Good body Sunscreen
Great question. Assuming you’ve met the AADA’s guidelines, the answer is: look for one that feels good and that you’ll put on every day (every day. EVERY. DAY.).
Of course, what “feels good” differs from person to person. However, most people seem to agree that they DON’T want sunscreens to:
Feel thick, greasy, oily, sticky, or heavy
Clog pores or cause skin reactions/breakouts
Leave a white cast or stay visible on the skin
Get pilly or otherwise weird if applied with other skincare products or makeup
Have an overwhelming fragrance
Again speaking generally, people DO want a sunscreen that:
Feels light and non-greasy, so you can forget you’re wearing it
Absorbs quickly
Becomes invisible once applied, regardless of skin tone
Maybe has other skincare benefits, like moisturizing or acne-fighting ingredients
As a rule of thumb, the more a sunscreen meets the needs above – the lighter, less greasy, more quickly-absorbent, and more skincare-beneficial it is – the more you can expect it to cost.
What are the types of sunscreens?
Chemical sunscreens
Chemical sunscreens use chemical ingredients to absorb the sun’s harmful UV rays like a sponge. These tend to be easier to rub in without leaving a residue.
Physical sunscreens
Physical sunscreens use ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to act as a shield, deflecting the sun’s UV rays. Often called mineral sunscreens as a nod to their main ingredients, these tend to leave a white residue but can be easier on sensitive skin.
Sunscreen cream and sunscreen lotion
Sunscreen creams and lotions have a smooth lotion-like consistency.
Sunscreen sprays
Sunscreen sprays you apply as a spray. These tend to be less recommended by experts since they’re more challenging to apply evenly and with complete coverage, but let’s be honest, there’s a time and place for easy-and in my opinion, that place is re-application.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Reef-safe sunscreens don’t contain common active ingredients that block or absorb UV rays. Some chemical sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate can harm living coral.
In contrast, reef-safe sunscreens tend to be physical sunscreens such as mineral sunscreens. Reef-safe sunscreens use active ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Reef-friendly sunscreen
FYI, the term “reef-friendly” is not regulated, so many sunscreens put this term on their packaging. If you’re a frequent ocean swimmer, are playing in tidepools, or are traveling to Hawaii (which has banned sunscreens that are not reef safe) or other tropical ocean destinations, refer to this guide to ensure you’re good to go.The most common sunscreen ingredients that lead to coral bleaching are oxybenzone, butylparaben, octyl methoxycinnamate, or enzacamene.
Our guide to Best Reef Safe sunscreen compares sunscreens that meet the most stringent state and national regulations on reef-safe sunscreen and are free of these (and other) harmful ingredients.
Broad Spectrum Sunscreen
Broad spectrum sunscreen is a type of sunscreen that protects your skin from both types of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays: UVA and UVB:
UVA have a longer wavelength, penetrate deeply into the skin, contribute to skin cancer, and are associated with skin aging and wrinkling. UVA can penetrate cloud cover and windows.
UVB have a shorter wavelength, are the primary cause of sunburn, and play a significant role in developing skin cancer. UVB does not penetrate windows.
Prior to the implementation of FDA rules, sunscreens only needed to protect against UVB rays. Now, if a sunscreen is labeled as "broad spectrum," it must offer protection against both UVB and UVA rays. The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) number on the sunscreen indicates the level of UVB protection, while the "broad spectrum" label assures you that it also protects against UVA.
Broad spectrum sunscreens are recommended by dermatologists and health organizations to provide comprehensive protection against sun damage.
Safe Ingredients
We cross-referenced active ingredients with the Environmental Working Group's database Skin Deep.
What should I look for in a body sunscreen?
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone use a sunscreen that offers:
Broad spectrum protection (i.e., protects against UVA rays and UVB rays)
SPF 30 or higher
Water resistance
Buy a sunscreen that meets the requirements above (this info is usually on the front of the bottle). All the sunscreens we tested meet this minimum requirement. Then, we got into the weeds even further to develop criteria based on not just whether it'd work, but also whether we'd actually use the sunscreen.
If you want a little more help and info on your sunscreen-selection journey, I’ve got you.
Since anything meeting the AADA guidelines, when applied properly, is going to work, the question becomes: which sunscreen(s) will you actually USE?
The sunscreen you apply twice a year on vacation is a sunscreen that is not working for you. We’re here to help you find one you’ll use every single day.
How we Researched & Tested
For this review, I started with my extensive passion for the sun protection category and the desire to justify purchasing many products I had wanted to try for a while but didn’t exactly “need.”
From there, I expanded to include expert input from dermatologists, scientists, doctors, and other professionals (the American Academy of Dermatology Association, Skin Cancer Foundation, SaveTheReef.org, etc.); professional review sources (like Wirecutter and Consumer Reports); periodicals and informational sites (like Healthline, Men’s Health, Byrdie, AARP, Self, Into the Gloss, and others); user reviews on retail sites (like Amazon, Target, Sephora, REI, etc.); social media influencers; and fellow testers. These fellow testers span a range of skin tones, locations, and outdoor activities.
To compile this list, we considered:
AADA requirements for sunscreens: All of our picks had to offer broad spectrum sun protection for UVA rays and UVB rays; SPF 30+; and water resistance.
Price: You can spend $80 on a bottle of sunscreen (and power to you if you want to), but we wanted these to be more accessible. Everything here is under $40.
Availability: Readily available at lots of major stores and online. If you can’t grab it on your way to the beach/trail/party, what’s the use?
Expert recommendation: Do dermatologists and other skin experts recommend it?
User experience: Does it feel heavy or greasy? Does it absorb quickly and invisibly, regardless of skin tone? Does it have a strong fragrance? Do people like using it?
Remember that no sunscreen can completely block damaging rays from the sun, especially if misapplied (i.e., you don’t use enough or don’t re-apply)! Wear clothing with sun protection if you’re going to be out there for a while. See our guide to Best Sun Shirts and Best Sun Hats for our recommendations.
Are you running? Just because you’re out for “just a short run” or are moving fast or it is cold outside doesn’t mean you’re safe from the sun’s rays. See our Best Running Hats and Running Sunglasses for recommendations.
About the Author/Why You Should Trust Us
I am a native Southern Californian (read: I’m in the sun all the time, all year, by default). I’m ahiker, backpacker, small-scale farmer, dog-walker, general outdoor enthusiast, and all-around sun-worshiper with an unfortunate history of skin cancer in my family. I’ve been known to pop into the backyard in my pajamas “just for a minute, to get some air” and then accidentally toil in the garden for several hours, or go “for a short walk” and come back many miles and many “Where are you? ARE YOU DEAD???” texts from my wife later. All this to say: sometimes you plan to be in the sun all day, and sometimes a day in the sun finds you, you know? To protect myself from myself – and to be prepared for the unexpected – I have been testing many sunscreens for many years, hoping to find the one(s) that make me WANT to put them on in the morning.
What do I, the author and self-proclaimed sunscreen nut, personally wear and use?
Wow, I’m so glad you asked! Let's talk about it! My daily face sunscreen is Isntree Watery Sun Gel, but I use Supergoop Play Everyday when I want a little extra moisture.
For a body sunscreen, I use Supergoop Play Everyday, Neutrogena Hydro Boost, and of course, Sun Bum Original, our overall winner for best body sunscreen.
I’m also a devotee of facial sprays for re-application. I use Supergoop Re-Setting Mist and Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Face Mist about equally often.
I’m also, full disclosure, a huge fan of Supergoop as a brand – I don’t love every single one of their products – but I love their ethos of taking products people are using anyway (like primers and vitamin serums and hand creams and makeup) and adding SPF because, why not?
They lower the energy necessary to screen up and, as a lazy person, this appeals to me greatly. I highly recommend exploring their repertoire and trying anything that sounds fun – if you haven’t already.
To see all of Katie's stories, check out her author page.
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