The Best Body Sunscreens for All Skin Types
.jpg)
You might have already made applying a daily face sunscreen a crucial step in your skincare routine, but finding a body sunscreen you love is just as important. Sunscreen acts as a protective agent against damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which means that every time you step out into the sun without it, whether you're on a beach vacation or just on a walk around your neighborhood, your skin suffers. With near endless sunscreen varieties available on the market, it can be overwhelming to find the right one for you skin type. Below, the best body sunscreens to pack on your next getaway—from mineral sunscreen to kid-friendly options. And because we want to protect the oceans as well as our skin, we've made sure all our picks are reef-safe, too.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Supergoop! Play Everyday lotion
The Supergoop! SPF 50 Play Everyday lotion's fast-absorbing formula keeps your skin hydrated all day long. It's water- and sweat-resistant for 80 minutes, making it the ideal option for busy days hiking or swimming at the beach. It's also available in a large 18-ounce family-friendly pump so you can bring on your family's next beach vacation without running out. If you're not checking a bag, you can add just enough of the product into a reusable travel bottle for easy packing.
EltaMD UV Aero broad-spectrum protection SPF 45
Don't quite love rubbing in a sunscreen lotion? Try out the EltaMD UV Aero broad-spectrum SPF 45 spray sunscreen. This lightweight formula sprays on white so you can see where you are applying the product and dries to a clear finish without leaving your skin looking or feeling greasy. This makes protecting your back or harder-to-reach places a breeze and makes re-applying throughout the day for continued protection less of a hassle, whether you're poolside in your own backyard or cruising to Barcelona.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In-Milk sunscreen
For those with acne-prone or oily skin who are worried about clogging their pores, this sunscreen from La Roche-Posay is for you. It's oil-free, fragrance-free, and provides SPF 60 sun protection, and will leave your skin feeling hydrated and smooth, without that greasy feeling. Formulated with sensitive skin in mind, it's gentle enough to use on your face, too. (Looking for even more sun protection? It comes in an SPF 100 formula, too.)
Shiseido clear sunscreen stick
Throw Shiseido's clear sunscreen stick in your makeup bag so you can quickly re-apply on the go without having the product all over your hands. The stick's compact, sleek design makes it easy to travel with. Plus, this lightweight, water-resistant formula with SPF 50 protection is gentle enough for all skin types, and doesn’t leave a white cast.
Sun Bum SPF 30 sunscreen lotion
I always go back to my tried and true original sunscreen formula from Sun Bum. It's lightweight, non-greasy, and smells like summer (plus, you can often find it at the drugstore, in case you forget to pack a sunscreen). The moisturizing formula offers broad spectrum protection, protecting from both UVA and UVB rays while nourishing your skin with Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals (the main cause of premature skin aging).
Everyday Humans Oh My Bod! suncreen
Everyday Humans' sheer body sunscreen with SPF 50 is enriched with green tea to help prevent damage caused by harmful UV rays, smog, and urban pollution. It's also made with cucumber and hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin, calm inflammation, and help with after-sun recovery. This one is gentle and feels so calming on the skin, especially if you've already spent a few too many days in the sun and have a sunburn.
Supergoop! Glowscreen Body sunscreen
If you want your skin to look dewy all day long, you need to get your hands on Supergoop!'s Glowscreen Body. This shimmery daily body lotion with SPF 40 protects and illuminates skin for a healthy, natural-looking glow. I love how lightweight this feels and that it gives my skin just the right amount of glow.
Aveeno Positively Mineral sensitive skin sunscreen
This three-ounce, TSA-friendly SPF 50 sunscreen one of the best mineral sunscreens for those with sensitive skin. It’s made with a zinc oxide formula that sits on top of your skin rather than being absorbed in, blocking harmful UVA and UVB rays without causing irritation or adverse reactions. Even more, the fragrance-free lotion dries with a matte finish and doubles as a moisturizer, thanks to the oat ingredients included. Other travel perks: The lightweight formula allows for fast absorption and is sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you’ll spend less time reapplying, and it can be used on all parts of the body, including your face, which means one less thing to pack in your suitcase.
Sonrei Sea Clearly gel sunscreen bundle
This eco-spirited sunscreen brand has a deep commitment to its quality and its impact on the environment. All of Sonrei's products are vegan-friendly, reef-friendly, and formulated in the United States. We also love this sunscreen because it’s unlike any other we've tried with its translucent gel formula, which rubs on clear and dries quickly (making it a great pick for travelers with melanin-rich skin tones), leaving the skin with a velvety matte finish. It’s packed with three powerful antioxidants: Vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid, all of which protect and preserve your skin. Each tube is TSA approved at exactly 3.4 ounces, and you can choose from SPF 30 or 50 (or a two-pack with one of each).
Coola mineral body organic sunscreen lotion
If you prefer a mineral formula but still want your skin to look good (as in, no white cast left behind), then this Coola mineral organic sunscreen lotion is for you. It’s sheer, lightweight, and provides a hydrating broad spectrum protection for all types of skin (sensitive included) without using any worrisome chemicals. The SPF 50 formula goes on like a lotion and dries down invisible, and is made with antioxidant-rich ingredients like raspberry seed oil and prickly pear extract. Remember to apply it at least 15 minutes before sun exposure and to reapply every two hours, or every 80 minutes if you go in the water.
Project Reef mineral sunscreen
This non-nano zinc formula (meaning the particles aren't small enough to penetrate the skin) with organic aloe vera and coconut glides smoothly on your skin without leaving behind any residue. It's packed with antioxidants like green tea, pomegranate, and raspberry extract to leave skin feeling hydrated, while also protected. This mineral sunscreen is safe enough for everyone in the family to use and the product itself removes one pound of plastic from the ocean (the equivalent of 22 plastic bottles), so you can feel good about purchasing it.
Thinksport kids mineral sunscreen
If you’re looking for an environmentally safe product that will also protect your kids from sun damage, look no further. This sunscreen was ranked with the highest score possible by the Environmental Working Group. According to the nonprofit’s website, that means it provides excellent UVA protection and has low health concerns. Another perk: It starts working as soon as it's applied to the skin and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes, allowing kids to play in the water for a longer amount of time before reapplying.
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby sunscreen stick
Babies have incredibly delicate skin, which is why Neutrogena’s specially formulated baby mineral sunscreen stick is a must buy for parents (and an easy one, as it can be found in most drugstores). It’s made with 100 percent naturally-sourced ingredients and has Purescreen technology to absorb, reflect, and scatter dangerous sun rays. The stick allows for easy packing and application—you can glide it over any part of your little one’s body—and because it’s an oil-free formula, there won’t be any greasy feeling left behind.
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection mineral sunscreen
Another one of the best sunscreens for babies, parents can feel good knowing their little ones are protected from the sun with this Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion from Aveeno. This mineral sunscreen lotion is dye-free, fragrance-free, and water-resistant for 80 minutes. It's also hypoallergenic, non-greasy, and comes in a convenient TSA-friendly size so you can always keep one in your travel bag or Dopp kit alongside other skincare products.
