The Best Spray Sunscreens That Apply In Seconds

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Following Jun 1, 2023, 05:55pm EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin We’re just going to come out and say it: Sunscreens may be the most underrated products, maybe ever. A good SPF not only helps keep you looking younger—as exposure to sunlight (which emits UV and IRA rays) is responsible for 90% of visible changes to the skin, including wrinkles, fine lines and pigmentation—but it also keeps you healthy. The sun, as much as we love it, produces UVB rays, which can be dangerous, so proper sun protection when stepping outside is a must.

The best spray sunscreens offer a convenient way to cover large areas of the body (just be diligent in not missing any spots) and are also a great option for touchups, as experts recommend reapplying every 2 hours. The best spray sunscreens should offer broad-spectrum protection and SPF 30 or higher. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers Even if it were possible, we’re not saying to avoid the sun completely by any means—just practice safe sun with the right sunscreens (broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher) and protective gear.

So before you go swearing off beach days forever, scroll through for the best spray sunscreens that protect your skin and your good looks. We must warn you, though, they all go on so quickly and easily that you won’t have an excuse for never wearing sunscreen again. (And don’t miss our favorite face sunscreens and SPFs for babies .

) Best Spray Sunscreen Overall: Vacation Classic Spray SPF 50 Best Drugstore Sunscreen Spray: Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray Best Luxury Spray Sunscreen: Chantecaille SeaScreen SPF 30 Sunscreen Best Spray Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin: Alba Botanica Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 50 Best Spray Sunscreen For Face: Coola Classic Face Sunscreen Mist SPF 50 Best Waterproof Spray Sunscreen: Supergoop Play Antioxidant Mist SPF 50 Best Spray Sunscreen For Hair And Scalp: Sun Bum SPF 30 Scalp & Hair Mist Best Non-Aerosol Spray Sunscreen: Bask Invisible Mist Sunscreen SPF 50 Best Spray Sunscreen For Kids: Hello Bello SPF 50 Kid’s Mineral Sunscreen Spray Best Spray Sunscreen Overall A Cult Favorite That Smells Like Summer In The ’80s Ulta Beauty Vacation Classic Spray SPF 50 Since relaunching in 2019, sunscreen brand Vacation has quickly risen to cult status thanks to its Insta-worthy retro-inspired branding paired with innovative formulations. This vegan non-aerosol product provides water-resistant SPF 30 in an even, continuous spray that makes it so easy to cover your entire face and body in seconds. And the brand’s signature scent of coconut, banana, “pool water, pool toy and swimsuit lycra” is nostalgia at its best.

Best Drugstore Sunscreen Spray An Affordable SPF 70 Neutrogena Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray If you’re headed to the beach, there aren’t many other sunscreens that will protect you quite as well as this SPF 70, and there’s certainly not another that will do so for under $11. It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, oxybenzone-free and the fact that you can pick it up at your corner drugstore before heading out to a day in the sun makes it a no-brainer for summer. Best Luxury Spray Sunscreen An SPF That’s Well Worth The Splurge Nordstrom Chantecaille SeaScreen SPF 30 Sunscreen It may take some convincing to get anyone to invest in a $72 sunscreen, but this particular spray-on formula isn’t just good for you, it’s good for the planet.

This non-aerosol spray is free of the ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are suggested to be toxic to coral. Chantecaille also donates to WildAid Marine to protect coral reef in Tanzania with each purchase. As far as application, the fine mist and vegan formula absorb quickly, without a sticky residue, and is packed with antioxidant-rich ingredients like jojoba seed oil and coconut oil to soothe and moisturize the skin with each application.

Best Spray Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin A Fragrance-Free SPF That’s As Gentle As It Gets Amazon Alba Botanica Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 50 (2-Pack) Buy From Amazon It’s important that those with sensitive skin avoid products with synthetic fragrances and chemicals, which can feel impossible when it comes to spray-on sunscreens. Luckily, this fragrance-free option is made with 100% vegetarian ingredients and botanicals, making it gentle enough even on those most prone to reactions. Plus it provides SPF 50, which protects your sensitive skin from painful sunburns.

Best Spray Sunscreen For Face A Spritz-On Formula You Can Apply (And Reapply) Over Makeup Ulta Beauty Coola Classic Face Sunscreen Mist SPF 50 Sunscreen is an extension of your skincare and it should be treated as such. This SPF 50 face mist makes it easy to incorporate sun protection into your routine and, as an added bonus, also feeds your skin with antioxidant-rich ingredients like buriti oil, prickly pear extract and green tea extract. We especially love the non-greasy finish that works well under and over makeup, and makes reapplication a summer breeze.

Best Waterproof Spray Sunscreen A Spray-On Pick That Can Be Applied To Wet Skin Ulta Beauty Supergoop Play Antioxidant Mist SPF 50 Since there’s nothing worse than having to pause the fun to reapply sunscreen, this spray-on SPF 50 makes sun protection a no-brainer with a formula that can be applied on wet skin. And speaking of skin, this vegan sunscreen includes vitamin C, green tea extract and acai extract to protect from free radicals and leave you soft and hydrated from head to toe. Best Spray Sunscreen For Hair And Scalp A Sulfate-Free Sunscreen For Your ‘Do Sun Bum Sun Bum SPF 30 Scalp & Hair Mist Your skin isn’t the only part of your body that needs and deserves sun protection; your hair and scalp also receive their fair share of negative effects from the sun, including sunburn, dry and brittle strands, faded color, split ends, thinning and frizziness.

This Sun Bum SPF 30 is one of the few products specifically targeted to protect you north of your forehead, including your strands and along your hairline and part. The added softness you’ll see in your hair (thanks to vitamin E and sunflower seed oil) is just an added bonus. Best Non-Aerosol Spray Sunscreen An Easy-To-Apply Spray That’s Better For The Planet Bask Suncare Bask Invisible Mist Sunscreen SPF 50 For reference, the term “aerosol” refers to the delivery system of spray-on products packaged in containers using compressed gas, like traditional hairsprays.

We stray away from them as often as possible because they can include potentially harmful preservatives like formaldehyde and carcinogens and when used en masse, they contribute to climate change. This SPF 50 by Bask gives you the convenience of a continuous spray that makes it easy to target hard-to-reach spots, but with packaging that uses a vacuum technology, you can feel good that the formula isn’t mixed with aerosol agents. Best Spray Sunscreen For Kids An Easy-To-Apply Child-Friendly Sunscreen Rite Aid Hello Bello Mineral Sunscreen Kids Spray Kids need sun protection too, and this reef-friendly, water-resistant SPF 50 sunscreen spray makes the perfect application method for squirmy little ones.

The organic mineral formula protects against UVB, UVA2 and UVA1 without the need for chemicals, which means you’ll feel good about slathering your tots from head to toe. You’ll also appreciate that it dries non-greasy, which means you won’t be left with tiny fingerprints on all your surfaces. MORE FROM FORBES VETTED Everything You Need To Make Barista-Quality Coffee At Home By Margaret Eby Contributor The Best Dry Shampoos To Give Your Hair An Instant Refresh By Kari Molvar Forbes Staff Stephanie Montes Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.