10 Best Spray Sunscreens for All-Year Protection
Protecting your skin from the sun's damaging rays has never been easier.
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Warmer temperatures are fast approaching, meaning you may soon be wearing less clothing on your long runs or gearing up to put on your favorite swimsuit for a trip to the beach. Unfortunately, less clothing means more exposure to harmful UV rays, which can lead to sunburns, premature aging, and even skin cancer. Luckily, you don't have to stay indoors all summer to avoid damaging your skin: all it takes is practicing safe sun.
While traditional cream or gel sunscreens can be messy and difficult to put on, spray sunscreen application is a cinch, making it easy to protect those hard-to-reach places, even when you're applying it on your own. Since there is a huge variety of sunscreen options out there, we've gathered some of our favorites to help make the shopping process a bit easier. Look below for buying advice to help you find the spray sunscreen that's right for you.
How to Choose a Spray Sunscreen
While all sunscreen has one thing in common—the ability to protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays—there are some marked differences that will affect how it performs, how it feels on your skin, and its longevity.
SPF
The most important thing to consider when choosing a sunscreen is the SPF level—most sunscreens will range from 15 up to 100 SPF—though there's not much of an increase in protection beyond SPF 50, so don't be too worried if the sunscreen you like doesn't have the highest SPF level. However, if you are going to be in direct sunlight for an extended period of time, you should use SPF 40 or higher, and reapply your sunscreen at least every two hours.
Mineral vs. Chemical
Mineral and chemical sunscreens are the two types you're most likely to encounter. Mineral sunscreens—which are typically zinc-based—sit on top of the skin and create a physical barrier so that the sun cannot penetrate your skin. This means they may leave a bit of a residue or white film on your skin when applied properly, but this type of sunscreen is also generally better for sensitive skin. Chemical sunscreens actually soak into the skin, absorb UV rays, and turn those rays into heat, allowing them to dissipate without causing damage.
Water Resistance
If you are going to be in the water, or may be sweating heavily, you will want to be sure that your sunscreen is water-resistant. If it's not, it could come off and leave you unprotected. Note that some sunscreens will claim to be "waterproof," but that designation isn't quite correct. Any sunscreen will eventually wash off in the water over time and will need to be reapplied.
How We Selected
To determine the best spray sunscreens on the market, we looked at expert-tested reviews from trusted sources like Best Products and Healthline. We then took into account price, ingredients, SPF level, on-skin feel, and longevity. Finally, we consulted more than 42,000 reviews, written by people who’ve bought these spray sunscreens on sites like Amazon, to bring you the best varieties on the market.
Coola Organic Sunscreen SPF 70 Sunblock Spray
Key Specs
- SPF: 70
- Type: Chemical
While it is a bit more expensive than many other spray sunscreens, this Coola sunblock is well worth the price. It packs SPF 70 and is water-resistant, making it a great choice for hot workouts or a day at the beach. The mist is light and cooling, and won't leave you feeling greasy—plus, it has a light peach scent that's a pleasant departure from most sunscreens' vaguely coconutty smells.
Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray
Key Specs
- SPF: 15, 30, 50, 70
- Type: Chemical
If you're heading to the beach, you should really consider a reef-safe sunscreen like this one by Sun Bum. The lightweight formula dries down nicely on the skin and leaves you with a healthy glow. It has a typical coconutty scent that smells beachy and sweet, plus it packs vitamin E, which is great for helping to keep your skin clear.
Key Specs
- SPF: 15, 30, 50, 100
- Type: Chemical
For long, sweaty runs, you want a sunscreen that won't come off as you perspire—or when you dump a bottle of water over your head to cool down. This one is a tried and true favorite of athletes, and can protect you for up to two hours without reapplication. It comes in SPF 15, 30, 50, and 100, depending on how much protection you need, and its non-greasy formula won't move around once applied.
Key Specs
- SPF: 50, 70
- Type: Mineral
Natural sunscreens can sometimes leave your skin feeling sticky or oily, but this one goes on easily, and provides SPF 70 protection for up to 80 minutes.
This hypoallergenic formula is produced without the use of oxybenzone, parabens, PABA, phthalate, petroleum, sulfates, and dyes, making it a great choice for sensitive and acne-prone skin. It also uses an assortment of antioxidant-rich ingredients, including eucalyptus and red algae, that will leave your skin glowy and moisturized, but not greasy.
Key Specs
- SPF: 45
- Type: Mineral
Simple, clean, and effective, this sunscreen protects your skin without clogging your pores. This formula is free of fragrance, parabens, oils, and sulfates, and uses zinc oxide and octinoxate to protect against UV rays. This formula does only pack SPF 45, but it's sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Key Specs
- SPF: 45
- Type: Chemical
You don't need to choose between risking a sunburn and having a total makeup meltdown on a hot summer day, thanks to this genius SPF 45 setting mist from Pacifica. The spray sunscreen has a lightweight, matte finish, which will keep you from looking greasy, even when it's applied over makeup.
The formula is vegan and cruelty-free, and it's packed with vitamin C, seaweed, algae, and sunflower seed oil, which can keep your skin looking and feeling soft and hydrated.
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray
Key Specs
- SPF: 30
- Type: Mineral
This sunscreen uses zinc to fend off harmful UV rays instead of chemicals that can be irritating to the skin. Like many zinc-based formulas, it may leave a slight white cast on your skin initially, but it dries matte and won't leave you feeling greasy. For optimal results, make sure to shake the bottle prior to use, and apply 15 minutes before sun exposure.
Key Specs
- SPF: 30
- Type: Mineral
If you want to protect your baby's skin from the sun and from irritating ingredients found in many other sunscreens, this formula from Babo Botanicals might be the perfect fit for you. Developed by a mom for use on little ones' sensitive skin, this spray sunscreen uses a gentle zinc oxide formula and can protect skin for up to 80 minutes in the water. The sunscreen goes on clear, is fragrance-free, and has a non-greasy texture for comfortable all-day wear.
Key Specs
- SPF: 30
- Type: Chemical
Popular flavored water brand Hint now makes sunscreen—and this one smells so great you'll have to remind yourself not to take a sip. The non-greasy formula leaves your skin soft to the touch, and is alcohol-free, making it perfect for anyone with dry or sensitive skin. It contains senna alata, a medicinal herb that can help soothe and heal skin, and uses compressed air instead of propellants, which helps it dry quickly.
Coola Full Spectrum 360° Refreshing Water Mist Sunscreen
Key Specs
- SPF: 18
- Type: Chemical
This cooling facial mist is the grown-up version of that water-spritzing fan you used to beat the heat at sleepaway camp as a kid. Besides being a refreshing way to regulate your body temperature, this water mist is super hydrating and packs SPF 18.
This sunscreen's formula is 70 percent certified organic, as well as being synthetic fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and vegan—and its cooling effect is sure to have you reapplying over and over.
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
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