The Best Body Sunscreen for Every Skin Type
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 formulas and compact SPF sticks to kid-friendly options.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Additional reporting by Shauna Beni.
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.
The best sunscreen for acne-prone skin
As someone with sensitive skin, I trust just about everything from CeraVe—this sunscreen included. This 100 percent mineral sunscreen is unscented, oil-free, noncomedogenic, and contains essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help restore and maintain the skin barrier. It's hydrating without feeling greasy and provides SPF 50 protection.
SPF: 50
Sizes available: 5 oz.
The best hydrating sunscreen
EltaMD has received plenty of hype over the last several years for its skincare-first approach to sunscreen. This hydrating lotion is formulated with hyaluronic acid to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. If you suffer from dry skin year-round, this lotion acts as a moisturizer and is a great addition to your daily regimen.
SPF: 30
Sizes available: 7 oz.
The best family-friendly sunscreen
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, it's also available in a few travel-friendly sizes.
SPF: 50
Sizes available: 1 oz., 2.4 oz., 5.5 oz., 18 oz.
The best sport sunscreen
There's something nostalgic about Banana Boat sunscreen—it's been a trusted brand for decades and it continues to be a great option for the whole family. The Sport Ultra bundle comes with two 6 oz. spray bottles that are water- and sweat-resistant for up to eighty minutes. Whether you're headed surfing or on a bike trail, this sunscreen spray is ideal for active travelers.
SPF: 50
Sizes available: 6 oz.
The best sunscreen for oily skin
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.)
SPF: 60
Sizes available: 3 oz., 5 oz.
The best roll-on sunscreen
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.
SPF: 50
Sizes available: 0.7 oz.
The best sunscreen lotion
I always go back to the 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, shielding you 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).
SPF: 30
Sizes available: 1 oz, 3 oz., 6 oz.
The best eco-friendly 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.
SPF: 30
Sizes available: 4.2 oz.
The best sunscreen spray
For travelers who prefer a body spray over a lotion, the Play Antioxidant Body Mist with Vitamin C from Supergoop is a great choice. It makes re-applying sunscreen throughout the day a breeze and is ideal for solo travelers who don't want to leave the beach with a sunburn on their back. This non-aerosol spray is sweat- and water-resistant and feels so lightweight on the skin. Plus, it can be sprayed rightside-up or upside-down to get those hard to reach places protected.
SPF: 50
Sizes available: 3 oz., 6 oz.
The best sunscreen for sensitive skin
This three-ounce, TSA-friendly SPF 50 sunscreen is 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 better, 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.
SPF: 50
Sizes available: 3 oz.
The best sunscreen gel
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 US. We also love this sunscreen because it’s unlike any other we've tried due to 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. Plus, it's TSA-approved at exactly 3.4 ounces.
SPF: 50
Sizes available: 3.4 oz.
The best mineral sunscreen
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 feels like a lotion, 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. If you're planning to bring a carry-on, add some of this Coola sunscreen into a reusable toiletry bottle.
SPF: 50
Sizes available: 5 oz.
The best glowy 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 without looking oily or too shimmery. (We equally love Glowscreen for your face.)
SPF: 40
Sizes available: 3.4 oz.
The best sunscreens for kids
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.
SPF: 50
Sizes available: 6 oz.
The best sunscreen stick for babies
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.
SPF: 50
Sizes available: 0.47 oz.
The best sunscreen lotion for babies
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.
SPF: 50
Sizes available: 3 oz.
