I’LL SAY IT loudly for everyone in the back: rubbing in sunscreen is the worst. I know I’m not the only one who has spent countless minutes rubbing, rubbing, rubbing trying to get that goop to disappear into my skin when I would much rather be sitting by the pool, jogging down the beach or doing basically anything else. That’s exactly why spray sunscreens were invented. They make application easier–just press the nozzle and a stream of screen curtains your skin immediately. In my book, anything that makes application (and reapplication) of sunscreen easier is a win for us all.
Best Spray Sunscreens
- Best Overall Spray SunscreenEltaMD UV AOX Mist Mineral Sunscreen SprayRead more
- Best Chemical Spray SunscreenSupergoop! PLAY Antioxidant Mist with Vitamin C SPF 50Read more
- Best Luxury Spray SunscreenShiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Spray SPF 40Read more
Even though spray sunscreens are more convenient to apply, they still come with some instructions to avoid user error. “It’s easy to think you’re applying more sunscreen than you actually are,” says Morgan Rabach, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. You still need to rub it in a little bit to make sure you don’t miss spots and confirm the spray doesn’t just wash off the surface of your skin from sweat or water. She recommends applying chemical sunscreens inside, 20 to 30 minutes before going outside and to apply them in front of a mirror “from the top of your body and working your way down.” Never spray them directly onto your face. Instead, spray them into your hands and then rub it in.
Whether you choose a spray out of convenience or moisturizer with SPF, the most important thing is that you actually wear it. If you think using a spray (properly) will help you get the sun protection you need, more power to you. And any of the spray sunscreens on this list are a safe bet.
What To Consider
Choosing the right sunscreen for you goes well beyond the SPF level. Here’s what to consider when choosing your next spray sunscreen.
Sunscreen Type
You’ll generally find two sunscreen types – mineral and chemical. Chemical sunscreens use ingredients like avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene and more (you won’t find oxybenzone as often as it’s not reef safe).
Chemical screens work by absorbing into your skin and then converting UV rays to heat before dispersing them. Since they’re absorbed into your skin, they’re generally more clear and leave less of a white cast on your skin. Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, sit on top of your skin and form a protective physical barrier that reflects UV rays before they can penetrate your skin. The most common of these are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Since they’re not absorbed into your skin, they’re generally safer for sensitive skin, but they do tend to leave more of a white cast.
Active Ingredients
Since sunscreens are classified as drugs by the FDA, you’ll find the actual sun filters listed under “active ingredients” on the label. This is where you’ll see if it’s mineral or chemical – remember the above ingredients. These days, many sunscreen formulas also contain skincare ingredients like antioxidants (Vitamin C, green tea extract), soothers (aloe vera, Vitamin E), and moisturizers (coconut oil, shea oil) and more. These are listed under “inactive ingredients” but they’re still important parts of the formula.
SPF
SPF stands for Sun Protective Factor and will tell you how much protection you’ll get from UV rays. No matter what sunscreen you pick, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends a minimum of SPF 30 and to make sure it says “broad spectrum.”
Broad Spectrum
Speaking of broad spectrum, that means that it protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. This means the formula helps protect you from the full range of sun-induced issues like skin cancer, sunburn and signs of skin aging like dark spots and wrinkles.
Water Resistant
You probably (hopefully) use sunscreen when you’re at the beach or lake or hanging out at the pool, which means you want a formula that still holds up even if you get wet. But even if you’re not near a body of water, a water resistant formula will keep it from sweating off of your skin and can still offer you protection through outdoor workouts or just daily activities. Keep in mind that you should still reapply every two hours, and if you towel off after going swimming, you’ll want to reapply then, too.
How We Selected
When choosing the best spray sunscreens, our intrepid team of grooming editors and dermatologists tried more than 30 top-reviewed spray sunscreens, and evaluated how well they absorbed in our skin, if they provided ample sun protection (no sunburns!) and whether they remained effective in water. Read on to find see our top picks to use this summer and beyond.
Best Overall Spray Sunscreen
EltaMD UV AOX Mist Mineral Sunscreen Spray
$45 at Amazon$40 at Walmart$45 at Dermstore
Pros
- Reef safe
- Suitable for all skin types and tones
- Contains antioxidants and hydrating ingredients
Cons
- On the expensive side compared to other spray sunscreens
Dermatologists love this brand for not only it’s mineral-based sun protection, but also because the sunscreens it makes are gentle on skin. This spray is no exception, which is why Marie Jhin Lassila, MD, a Silicon Valley-based dermatologist, likes it. The continuous spray nozzle makes it easy to apply and it’s water resistant up to 80 minutes–perfect for the beach or outdoor workout.
It’s not just the mineral-only sun protection that makes this good for sensitive skin. This formula is also packed with antioxidants to help protect skin against free radical damage and skin-hydrating ingredients like Vitamin E, aloe vera and coconut fruit extract, which helps keep your skin hydrated and calm even when you’ve been in the sun for hours (just don’t forget to reapply). It’s so gentle you can even use it on your face as well as your body. It also dries clear and leaves no white cast on all skin tones.
Read more: Best Mineral Sunscreens for Men
| Type | Mineral |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Zinc oxide |
| SPF | 40 |
| Broad Spectrum? | Yes |
| Water Resistant? | Yes |
Best Chemical Spray Sunscreen
Supergoop! PLAY Antioxidant Mist with Vitamin C SPF 50
$24 at Sephora$24 at Amazon$32 at Walmart
Pros
- Contains antioxidants
- Goes on clear without any greasy residue
- High water resistance
Cons
- May not be good for sensitive skin
This chemical sunscreen spray has everything you want in a sunscreen and more. The chemical blockers offer powerful protection from the sun and it’s water and sweat resistant for up to 80 minutes (it’s called Play for a reason). But it’s also packed with antioxidants from vitamin C, green tea extract and acai extract to help your skin stay hydrated and protect itself from free radical damage.
The benefit of chemical sunscreens like this is that they come out of the bottle clear and they stay that way – there’s never much of a white cast when it comes to a chemical screen. This one is the best we’ve used. It has a dry finish so you can easily wear it even if you’re not by the pool or on the beach and, while it does have a scent, it’s not overwhelming. It’s the ideal daily wear body sunscreen that we endorse for all outdoor endeavors, even if you’re just lunching al fresco.
| Type | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene |
| SPF | 50 |
| Broad Spectrum? | Yes |
| Water Resistant? | Yes (80 minutes) |
Best Luxury Spray Sunscreen
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Spray SPF 40
$38 at Sephora$38 at Amazon$38 at Ulta Beauty
Pros
- Completely clear formula
- Suitable for face and body
- Also contains hydrating ingredients
Cons
- Small size for the price
- Non-aerosol spray can be harder to use
Okay, this spray is a bit of a splurge, but the formula speaks for itself. It’s shockingly light and once you spray it on and rub it in, leaves your skin feeling hydrated and smooth, not sticky or greasy. It’s also completely clear so won’t leave any sort of white cast, just a slight healthy-looking sheen. Best of all, it’s still sweat and water resistant and won’t gunk up your face either.
With hydrating ingredients in the formula, it’s ideal for dry or aging skin on both your face and body, and delivers hours of hydration that helps keep your skin healthy and happy even when in the blazing sun. We will say that since it’s non-aerosol, the spray dispenser can be a bit finicky to use and you definitely need to make sure to rub it in, but that same pump makes it easy to use on smaller and hard to reach areas of the body that you might otherwise overlook. We like to think of it as more of a body serum that just happens to contain sunscreen.
Read more: Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin Tones
| Type | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene |
| SPF | 40 |
| Broad Spectrum? | Yes |
| Water Resistant? | Yes (80 minutes) |
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Best Mineral Spray Sunscreen
Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen Sensitive SPF 50+
$19 at Amazon$19 at Walmart$22 at Ulta Beauty
Pros
- 100% mineral protection
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Reef safe
Cons
- Needs to be rubbed in very well
“There’s nothing better than a clear mineral physical blocker,” says Orit Markowitz, MD, a dermatologist in New York City, which is why she recommends this powerful spray sunscreen. The protection you get is from zinc oxide and it’s free from chemical fragrances which make it suitable for sensitive skin, but it still sprays on clear so you don’t need to worry about looking like a ghost.
Mineral sunscreens are especially good for sensitive skin and this one goes a step further by not including fragrance or alcohol in the formula. If you have skin that’s prone to irritation, this one is a safe bet (which is another reason why dermatologists love to recommend mineral sunscreens). Keep in mind that even though this one goes on clear, it’s still a mineral screen, so you need to spend extra time rubbing it in to get rid of any trace of white cast (it does go away though, we promise).
Read more: Best Zinc Oxide Sunscreens
| Type | Mineral |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Zinc oxide |
| SPF | 50 |
| Broad Spectrum? | Yes |
| Water Resistant? | Yes (80 minutes) |
Best Unscented Spray Sunscreen
Bare Republic Clearscreen Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
Pros
- Goes on clear with no white cast
- Contains antioxidant and hydrating ingredients
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Formula can be a bit shiny
This clear sunscreen spray is made for outdoor adventures. It’s lightweight, goes on completely clear without leaving a sticky film behind, and is loaded with antioxidants to keep your skin healthy and protected. There’s no icky things like parabens or synthetic fragrances in the formula either, so it’s suitable for sensitive skin.
Bare Republic is known for their mineral sunscreens, but this one is a chemical screen, which is what makes it crystal clear. Just like with the gentle and effective mineral screens they make, this one is also safe for all skin types and promotes healthy skin by including additional antioxidant and hydrating ingredients in the formula. The reason we love this one though is the finish—there’s not even a hint of white cast which you can’t always say about mineral sunscreens.
Read more: Best Natural Sunscreens
| Type | Chemical |
|---|---|
| SPF | 50 |
| Broad Spectrum? | Yes |
| Water Resistant? | Yes (80 minutes) |
Best Spray Sunscreen With Antioxidants
Oars + Alps Hydrating SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray
Now 40% Off
$11 at Amazon$11 at Walmart$18 at Macy’s
Pros
- Can spray in all directions even upside down
- Reef safe
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- May be harsh on sensitive skin
This Men’s Health Grooming Award-winning sunscreen spray not only smells great (no cloying sunscreen smell here), but is also loaded with vitamin C to help your skin protect itself from sun damage in addition to the high protective factor. Even with all that, it goes on without a trace.
Truly, this sunscreen checks all the boxes we look for. It has a nice, high protective factor, it’s water and sweat resistant for a long time, and the spray can be applied in all directions (even upside down) which means it’s easy to get on hard to reach places like your back and the backs of your legs (have you ever been sunburned behind your knees? We have). But most of all, it’s a pleasure to wear with a lightweight, non-greasy finish that you can barely tell is there at all.
| Type | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene |
| SPF | 50 |
| Broad Spectrum? | Yes |
| Water Resistant? | Yes (80 minutes) |
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Best Drugstore Spray Sunscreen
Banana Boat Sport Ultra, Reef Friendly, Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50, 9.5oz.
Now 16% Off
Pros
- Stays put when active
- Easy to apply
- Non-greasy finish
Cons
- May not be great for sensitive skin
When you’re outside, you need a sunscreen that works as hard as you do. This spray screen is specifically formulated for when you’re going to be especially active–like a long run outside or a day of surfing. It’s water and sweat resistant for up to 80 minutes and won’t bleed down into your eyes when you start to push yourself.
There are plenty of “sport” sunscreens out there that don’t hold up to heavy activity – or much activity at all (believe us, we’ve tried them). This one, however, really seems to have been designed for active people because it truly locks in. Even if you’re sweating (profusely), it feels like it stays put on your skin and keeps it’s protection in place. We’ve tried it in a variety of scenarios – outdoor runs, hikes, HIIT classes, and of course the beach and the pool – and it never left us burnt.
Read more: Best Reef-safe Sunscreens
| Type | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene |
| SPF | 50 |
| Broad Spectrum? | Yes |
| Water Resistant? | Yes (80 minutes) |
Best Hypoallergenic Spray Sunscreen
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray
Now 24% Off
$15 at Amazon$24 at Walmart$20 at Nordstrom Rack
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free
- Reef safe
Cons
- Leaves a bit of a white cast
If you’re more into mineral-based sun protection, this spray derives it’s protective factor from zinc oxide, a physical sun blocker. It might take slightly longer to rub in, but once you do, it won’t leave your skin feeling greasy or sticky. Another bonus: mineral blockers like this tend to be soothing to sensitive skin and this one is hypoallergenic for those with irritation issues.
While this sunscreen doesn’t have any added skincare ingredients like antioxidants, it’s more about what it doesn’t have than what it does. There is no fragrance, there are no chemical sunscreens, it’s fully vegan (no animal products) and no other potentially harmful ingredients. It does have aloe vera to further help soothe skin, which when combined with the high concentration of zinc oxide, makes for a very chill sunscreen with pretty much no potential for irritation at all.
Read more: Best Sunscreens for Acne-prone Skin
| Type | Mineral |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Zinc oxide |
| SPF | 30 |
| Broad Spectrum? | Yes |
| Water Resistant? | Yes (80 minutes) |
Best Smelling Spray Sunscreen
Vacation Classic Spray SPF 50 Sunscreen
$19 at Nordstrom$19 at Ulta Beauty$19 at Revolve
Pros
- Contains hydrating and soothing ingredients
- Nostalgic scent
- Continuous spray application
Cons
- May not the best option for sensitive skin
Remember when you were little and your mom slathered you with that tropical coconut-smelling white goop at the beach? Somehow this sunscreen not only captures the exact scent of the old-school stuff, but also the nostalgic vibes that come along with those memories. This version, of course, is modernized with newer UV filters and way less harsh ingredients. In fact, it’s packed with things like soothing aloe vera and Vitamin E, moisturizing coconut and shea oils, and hydrating banana extract so your skin stays healthy and hydrated as well as protected.
The continuous spray nozzle makes this sunscreen a dream to apply and easy to get into hard to reach areas like your back and legs. While it is dermatologist tested, keep in mind that it’s still a chemical screen with added fragrance, so it may not be great for super sensitive skin. In most cases, though, this formula would be a winner even without the scent. But once you smell it, you won’t be able to get enough.
| Type | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene |
| SPF | 50 |
| Broad Spectrum? | Yes |
| Water Resistant? | Yes (80 mins) |
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Best Organic Spray Sunscreen
Coola Classic Sunscreen Spray
$28 at Amazon$49 at Walmart$28 at Nordstrom
Pros
- Smooth, matte finish
- Applies completely clear
- Smells great
Cons
- Scent may be too strong for some
The word “clean” when it comes to sunscreen can be incredibly confusing, especially when it comes to chemical sunscreens. We’re not going to get into the complications here, but we will say that one way this brand defines it is by using 70 percent organic ingredients in this innovative sunscreen formula. That’s not something you hear a lot from sunscreen products and while it might not make a huge difference in the immediate performance of the sunscreen, if you’re worried about what you’re putting on your body, it’s reassuring.
Speaking of performance, this sunscreen stacks up among the best. It’s broad spectrum and offers complete sun protection in a crystal clear formula that dries quickly into a matte, dry finish that doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy or filmy. That same formula also includes antioxidants that help protect your skin from free radical damage and hydrating botanical ingredients to keep your skin from drying out in the sun. Combined with a good-smelling tropical coconut scent and you have a winner.
| Type | Chemical |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene |
| SPF | 30 |
| Broad Spectrum? | Yes |
| Water Resistant? | Yes (80 minutes) |
Best High Protection Spray Sunscreen
Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Natural Spray SPF 70
Now 17% Off
Pros
- Contains antioxidants and botanical extracts
- Dries quickly
- Powdery finish
Cons
- High SPF means more chance of a white cast
If you need a slightly higher protective factor, this sunscreen spray has you covered. Even though it’s an SPF 70, it doesn’t leave a weird white sheen on your skin and sprays on easily and thoroughly. The formula contains botanical extracts like kakadu plum, eucalyptus and red algae to provide antioxidant protection and nourishment to the skin as well.
With any high SPF sunscreen, you’re going to run a greater risk of a white cast, but since this one is a chemical screen, there’s less risk than if it was mineral-based. The finish is non-greasy and matte, even a little powdery, which is nice since you’re probably going to sweat a bit on top of it anyway. There’s a scent, but it’s pretty subtle and not overpowering.
| Type | Mineral |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene |
| SPF | 70 |
| Broad Spectrum? | Yes |
| Water Resistant? | Yes (80 minutes) |
Meet the Experts
- Morgan Rabach, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, NY
- Marie Jhin Lassila, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Silicon Valley, CA
- Orit Markowitz, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, NY
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