The Best Sunscreens for Runners Who Hate Greasy Skin and Stinging Eyes
Protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays mile after mile.
Expert consulted: Jeff DengateRunner-in-Chief
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We all have different essentials when it comes to running in the summer, from shorts to breathable socks to tank tops. One thing you can’t forget about when hitting the road or trail for a run while the sun is bright is a high-quality, waterproof sunscreen.
It’s especially important in the summer, when the sun’s UVB rays are strong and increase your risk of sunburn. “You need to apply sunscreen before your run, but you also need to be diligent about reapplication while you’re outdoors,” says avid runner Jeanine B. Downie, M.D., director of Image Dermatology in Montclair, New Jersey.
While standard protection protocol calls for reapplication every two hours, Downie suggests runners reapply on any run that extends beyond an hour. That means you should bring sunscreen with you on your long runs. We tested out some compact options that will easily fit in a running pack, like the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 50 Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick.
If the feeling of greasy skin or stinging eyes from sunscreen mixed with sweat lead you to avoid sunscreen, these pro tips can help: “Look for oil-free, water-resistant, or fragrance-free formulas to prevent stinging, and apply it one hour before heading outside to allow it to fully absorb,” says Dendy Engelman, M.D., a dermatologic surgeon at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Centers in New York City. Both Downie and Engelman suggest SPF 30 or higher.
The Best Sunscreens for Running
- For Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Sunscreen Milk SPF 60
- For Top Performance: Skinnies Sungel SPF 30
- For Environmental Friendliness: Thinksport SPF 50+ Sunscreen
- For The Whole Family: Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50
- For Easily Portable Coverage: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 50 Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick
What to Consider
Mineral vs. Chemical
Mineral sunscreen and chemical sunscreen differ mainly in their active ingredients and how they protect the skin. Mineral sunscreen uses physical blockers like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to sit on the skin’s surface, reflecting UV rays. It provides immediate protection and is often recommended for sensitive skin.
Chemical sunscreen, on the other hand, contains active ingredients like oxybenzone or avobenzone that absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat, which is then released from the skin. Chemical sunscreens tend to be lighter and more sheer but may irritate some skin types, especially those with sensitivities.
Spray, lotion, or stick?
Most of the sunscreens we tested are lotions, but we also took a look at some sprays and roll-on sticks. There’s no research that suggests a lotion sunscreen provides more protection than a spray or stick, but it’s generally easier to ensure full body coverage and sufficient application with a lotion than with other styles. If you’re using a spray or stick, be sure to be diligent with your application and rub it in if you have to!
Whitecast
One problem some sunscreens can bring is that even when they’re fully rubbed in, they can still leave a whitecast behind on the skin, especially on the face. Our Associate Health & Fitness Editor Kristine Kearns shared that searching for products with minimal whitecast is the biggest challenge of finding a quality sunscreen for runs.
“I like something that is easy to rub in and doesn’t leave behind that pasty whitecast,” Kearns says. “All of the sport sunscreens I’ve tried, I’ll put them on and it feels like I can’t spread them, it just feels like a white-ish paint.”
To eliminate this problem, Kearns has found success with the Blue Lizard SPF 50 Baby Mineral Sunscreen. (Yes, baby formulas work well for adults, too!). We made sure that every formula we tested did not leave behind the dreaded whitecast.
How We Tested
More than a dozen Runner’s World editors evaluated and tested the majority of the sweat-resistant sunscreens on this list. I researched the market, spoke with an expert (my dermatologist aunt is a great resource to have in my back pocket), and consulted other runners in my life on what they recommend.
The RW team of experienced testers spent many hours and miles using them on hot, sunny days, as well as overcast afternoons, and applied them with enough time to dry, as well as slathering some on right before heading out the door for a lunch run. I evaluated these formulas on performance, price, protection, smell, value, and ease of application to come up with this list of sunscreens that will keep you covered when you’re pounding the pavement.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Sunscreen Milk SPF 60
This sunscreen from popular skincare brand La Roche-Posay has been a game-changer for me amid this summer heatwave. It lives up to its name; it really does melt into the skin and feel smooth as butter. Once I start running or swimming, it doesn’t feel slimy or greasy like I’ve noticed some lotions do. I use it on trail days and pool days and feel like I have a light-as-air moisturizer on.
According to La Roche-Posay, this non-comedogenic sunscreen can be used for both face and body and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin like mine.
Key Specs
| SPF | 60 |
| Type | Lotion |
| Notable Ingredients | Senna alata leaf extract, Vitamin E |
We all know we should apply sunscreen long before heading outside, but how often does that happen? Thankfully, Skinnies dries in just two minutes and forms a thin, barely there layer of protection.
Unlike most sunscreens, it isn’t water-based; it’s more concentrated, so you need less. In our test, we found it won’t sweat off, and leaves only a slightly waxy feeling on your fingers afterward. If SPF 30 isn’t enough protection, Skinnies Conquer SPF 50 gives you protection for up to four hours.
Key Specs
| SPF | 30 |
| Type | Lotion |
| Notable Ingredients | Vitamin E |
Thinksport SPF 50+ Sunscreen
A number of common sunscreen chemicals can harm the environment, destroying coral reefs and hurting wildlife. You won’t find any of those ingredients in this Thinksport sunscreen, though.
What you will get is a thick, protective barrier of zinc oxide that takes some elbow grease to rub in—but if you’re like us, you won’t mind a visible sunscreen streak during your jog.
Key Specs
| SPF | 50 |
| Type | Lotion |
| Notable Ingredients | Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E |
Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50
This thin, easy-to-spread lotion won’t leave you feeling sticky if you smear it on just before you dash out the door. We reach for Supergoop! for just about any outing—not just when we’re running—and even slather it on our kids.
Keep an 18-ounce pump-jug at home, and you’ll seemingly never need to buy more. For on-the-go touchups, we prefer the flat, 2.4-ounce tube that travels easily in our gym bag. This classic is even reef-friendly now that it doesn’t contain octinoxate.
Key Specs
| SPF | 50 |
| Type | Lotion |
| Notable Ingredients | Sunflower and rosemary leaf extracts |
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 50 Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Stick
This sunscreen stick provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection using zinc oxide. The stick format allows for precise application without mess, ideal for targeting areas prone to sun exposure.
I keep this in my pack during trail runs and use it for frequent reapplications on my shoulders, which are extremely prone to burns when I have a tank top on. Application is easy and it feels clean on the skin, plus it doesn't have much of a scent and it's devoid of white residue.
Key Specs
| SPF | 50 |
| Type | Stick |
| Notable Ingredients | Vitamin E, zinc oxide |
Kinesys Performance Sunscreen Kinesys Fragrance Free Clear Spray Sunscreen
With its fine-mist pump, Kinesys sprays on as a thin layer you can rub in, and a bottle seems to last forever. It’s been a favorite of ours for many years because it dries quickly and is completely unnoticeable when you’re on a run. It comes in an SPF 30 version, too.
Key Specs
| SPF | 50 |
| Type | Mist |
| Notable Ingredients | Vitamin E |
Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray
The Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection with a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula designed for active use.
The spray format offers even, quick coverage for both the face and body. Free from oxybenzone, it minimizes the potential for skin irritation, making it suitable for sensitive skin. It’s a classic when it comes to water protection, but be aware that it does have a strong, overly sweet smell.
Key Specs
| SPF | 30 |
| Type | Spray |
| Notable Ingredients | Vitamin E |
We love the fresh tropical scents of this SPF 30 lotion, plus the fact that it rubs in easily without feeling greasy and won’t run into your eyes. Don’t dig smelling like coconut or piña colada? It comes in an unscented SPF 50 version, with all the same benefits and extended protection.
Key Specs
| SPF | 30 |
| Type | Lotion |
| Notable Ingredients | Red raspberry seed oil, buriti oil, meadowfoam seed oil, prickly pear extract |
Coppertone Sport Sunscreen SPF 50 Lotion
This product is a classic. I remember being a kid at the beach, eagerly waiting for my mom to finish slathering this all over my back before I could jump in the water. It gets the job done with a high SPF, sufficient water resistance, and minimal whitecast. It’s a no-frills option, perfect for families or runners who aren’t looking for any special features.
Key Specs
| SPF | 50 |
| Type | Lotion |
| Notable Ingredients | Beeswax |
Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Made by women of color, for people of color, this sunscreen dries totally clear and leaves behind a light finish that isn’t sticky or oily. But it does hydrate as well as protect from UV, thanks to inactive ingredients like avocado and jojoba. Black Girl Sunscreen also makes a kid’s SPF 50 lotion if you’re looking for extra sun protection for your little ones.
Key Specs
| SPF | 50 |
| Type | Lotion |
| Notable Ingredients | Avocado oil, jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil |
Coola Organic SPF 30 Scalp & Hair Mist
Sure, a running cap can protect your scalp, but not all fabrics are UV-proof. For extra protection, spray on this mist. Part sunscreen, part styler, it delivers water-resistant sun protection while also adding strength and shine to your hair.
Key Specs
| SPF | 30 |
| Type | Mist |
| Notable Ingredients | Gotu kola extract, panthenol, monoi oil |
Sarah Connor is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics. She also contributes to Runner’s World, Bicycling, Best Products, and Biography.com. Before joining the Hearst Magazines team, Sarah was a National Content Editor for Hearst Television. She holds a master's in Journalism from Syracuse University and a dual bachelor's in English and Communications from the University of Pittsburgh. When she isn’t writing up a review of the newest gadgets, you can find her heading to the nearest rink for a figure skating session or enjoying the outdoors with her beloved Australian Shepherd, Rosie.
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner’s World and the director of product testing. He has tested and reviewed running shoes, GPS watches, headphones, apparel, and more for nearly two decades. He regularly tests more than 100 pairs of shoes each year, and once had a 257-day streak running in different models. Jeff can usually be found on the roads, racing anything from the mile to a marathon, but he also enjoys racing up mountains and on snowshoes. When he’s not running, you’ll probably find him hanging from a ladder making repairs and renovations to his house (he’s also director of product testing for Popular Mechanics).
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