The Best Body Sunscreens, Tested & Reviewed by Our Editors
The best body sunscreen is the one you actually want to wear regularly—not just something you pull out for beach days. You may have already made applying a daily face sunscreen a key step in your skincare routine, but protecting the rest of your body—including your neck, chest, and hands—from the sun's harmful rays is just as important. Many sunscreens can leave your skin feeling greasy, oily, or irritated, but there are plenty of great SPF options on the market that are lightweight, hydrating, and gentle enough to wear everyday, whether you're running, hiking, swimming, or headed on a cross-country road trip (yes, harmful rays can get through your car window).
Our editors put dozens of top-selling body sunscreens to the test to see which ones are actually worth packing this summer. We wore these contenders to the beach, the hotel pool, the park, to work, and everywhere in between, all while keeping texture, dry time, blend, sweat- and water-resistance, packaging, and overall performance in mind. To help guide our search for the best body sunscreens, we asked Dr. Tomassian, a board-certified dermatologist, for his input on what to look for to stay protected from the sun. With his recommendations in mind, our editors have narrowed it down to the 10 best body sunscreens to wear on your next summer day outdoors.
FAQ:
What level of SPF should I wear?
When shopping for you new go-to sunblock, Dr. Tomassian recommends paying attention to the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) in your sunscreen. “This tells you how much sun exposure you can get before your skin will start to burn,” he says. “The American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF 30 for daily use, and I would agree. But, of course you should consider a higher SPF like 50 if you are going to be in constant sun.”
Dr. Tomassian also suggests ensuring your sunscreen has broad-spectrum coverage, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. “UVA rays are responsible for signs of aging and hyperpigmentation, while UVB rays tend to cause burns,” he says.
Are sunscreen lotions better than sprays?
Beach days are often synonymous with a good ol' sunscreen spray that smells like summer, but if you're not careful when applying these, they can lead to some streaky burns or tan lines. “Lotion sunscreens give you more control over how much you are applying to your body,” Dr. Tomassian says, “whereas aerosol sprays may not be as accurate. It’s often hard to determine if the product has gone elsewhere when spraying, especially if outdoors and it's windy.” But that's no reason to swear off sprays altogether if you prefer them—they do offer certain perks, like being easier to apply to your back and shoulders. “If using aerosols, try to apply in a non-windy area and apply six inches away from the skin,” says Dr. Tomassian.
How much sunscreen should I be wearing?
We asked the expert how often we should be wearing sunscreen. “You should be applying (and reapplying) sunscreen daily,” Dr. Tomassian says. “Re-application every two hours is standard, but if you are participating in activities like swimming or sweating, the more often, the better.” As far as how much we should be wearing: “For the whole body, one ounce is usually sufficient and for the face and neck I recommend the two finger-length method,” he says.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Our top picks:
- Best body lotion: Sun Bum original lotion
- Best body spray: Supergoop Play Spray
- Best water-resistant lotion: EltaMD UV Sport
- Best stick: Mustela mineral stick
- Best for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk
All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Sun Bum SPF 50 sunscreen lotion
Tested by: Shannon McMahon, destinations editor
Type of protection: Chemical
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 50
Stand-out features: Ultra-hydrating, hypoallergenic, organic
Why we recommend it: A tried-and-true favorite of destinations editor Shannon McMahon, Sun Bum’s original sunscreen lotion is a solid choice for any type of traveler. “It requires some work to blend in because it's thick, moisturizing, and rich with vitamin E, which my dry and burn-prone skin definitely appreciates,” McMahon says. It’s her go-to for the beach, kayaking, paddleboarding, or any other type of water activity (it’s sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes). She also appreciates that it doesn’t leave any white cast, neither in person nor in photos. Sun Bum’s best-selling lotion is available in multiple sizes, but the travel-friendly three-ounce bottle is ideal for a tote or beach bag. Plus, it smells like summer—in the best way possible.Supergoop! Play Spray
Tested by: Madison Flager, senior commerce editor
Type of protection: Chemical
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 30 and 50
Stand-out features: Easy to apply, dries quickly, and feels weightless
Why we recommend it: Supergoop consistently makes sunscreen that travelers, including our editors, actually want to incorporate into their daily routines. The Play Spray with Vitamin C is a favorite of senior commerce editor Madison Flager. “Last summer, I probably went through two of the larger six-ounce bottles between days at the beach, road trips, and weekend park hangs.” The lightweight spray doesn't leave a white cast, nor does it leave your skin feeling greasy or oily. It does have a slightly citrusy smell, but it's not overpowering and only adds to the list of reasons we love it. “As with any spray, it's important to apply it slowly and deliberately and rub it in to make sure you've fully covered your skin, and be sure to re-apply regularly—Supergoop recommends every 80 minutes with this one. I've found it holds up well and doesn't feel sticky even on long runs or hot beach days,” Flager says.
Elta MD UV Sport body sunscreen
Tested by: Rebecca Misner, senior features editor
Type of protection: Mineral
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 50
Stand-out features: Unscented, no white cast, water-resistant for up to 80 minutes
Why we recommend it: Senior features editor Rebecca Misner swears by EltaMD for sunscreen. The UV Sport mineral sunscreen is a great water-resistant option for active travelers, beachgoers, and swimmers alike. “One of my favorite things about this sunblock is that it doesn’t rinse off and it doesn’t drip into your eyes and sting the moment you dive into the water. With some allegedly water-resistant blocks, you can actually see them rinsing off into the swimming pool—that’s not the case with this,” Misner says. Formulated with vitamin E, this oil-free sunscreen's texture is medium-thick, offering plenty of hydration without leaving a white cast behind. “My skin feels moisturized but not at all greasy or sticky, which I hate, especially when I’m going to be outside in the sun; why start off feeling sweaty before you’ve left your house?” says Misner. She even used it on a hike in 90-degree weather and it held up beautifully. More pros: It is noncomedogenic and gentle enough for all skin types, including sensitive skin.CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Tested by: Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor
Type of protection: Hybrid of chemical and mineral
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 30
Stand-out features: Designed for face and body, minimal white cast, safe for sensitive skin
Why we recommend it: As a long-time wearer of CeraVe body products, including its popular Moisturizing Cream, it's no surprise the brand makes one of my favorite sunscreens. The Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen is a great all-in-one face and body lotion made with a unique hybrid formula of chemical and mineral sun protection. When you pour the product into your hand, it is pretty liquidy, making it easy to blend in and feeling practically weightless on the skin. It leaves a very slight white cast, which is typical for mineral sunscreens, but nothing noticeable enough to keep me from wanting to use it regularly. The best thing about this sunscreen is how gentle it is—it's safe enough for anyone with sensitive or acne-prone skin and never leaves my body feeling irritated, dry, or greasy. Packed with essential ceramides and niacinamide, CeraVe's skincare-forward sunscreen is just as pampering as it is protective. And while it's unscented and lightweight enough for daily wear, it's perfect for your beach bag—offering water-resistant for 80 minutes and being face and body approved.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In-Milk sunscreen
Tested by: Jessica Chapel, editorial assistant
Type of protection: Chemical
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 60
Stand-out features: Suitable for face and body, fragrance-free, water-resistant for up to 80 minutes
Why we recommend it: La Roche-Posay's Anthelios Melt-In Milk sunscreen works well for all skin types, including sensitive and dry skin. It's a great face and body sunscreen for everyday use, whether you're beach-bound or just taking a nice long walk around your neighborhood. Traveler's editorial assistant Jessica Chapel likes that it's non-greasy, leaves no white cast behind, and can be worn on your face, too—even underneath makeup. She tells us the texture is velvety smooth and absorbs pretty quickly after applying it. “The formula feels extremely lightweight and can be worn instead of moisturizer, lasting throughout the day without drying my skin out,” says Chapel. Even after a full day in the sun at the park, Chapel was left sunburn-free. “ I even received some compliments that my skin was glowing and looked so smooth," she says. The three-ounce bottle doesn't leak and is just the right size to toss in your carry-on.Mustela SPF 50 mineral sunscreen stick
Tested by: Hannah Towey, associate editor, transportation and travel news
Type of protection: Mineral
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 50
Stand-out features: Kid-friendly, fragrance-free, suitable for face and body
Why we recommend it: A compact sunscreen stick comes in handy when you’re traveling light. Mustela’s small-but-mighty mineral sunscreen stick fits in your smallest Dopp kit, sling bag, or fanny pack, making it just the right size for hiking or sightseeing. What we love most is that it's gentle enough to use on babies and kids, and can be worn on the face or body, making it one of the most versatile and packable options on our list. “It does leave a faint white cast (hard to avoid when it comes to mineral sunscreens), but is quite easy to blend in,” Traveler editor Hannah Towey says. “It glides on smoothly and is not overly greasy or oily, unlike other natural sunscreen products I’ve tried.” Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, it will be a staple in Towey’s beach bag all summer long.
Banana Boat Sport Ultra sunscreen spray
Tested by: Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor
Type of protection: Chemical
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 50
Stand-out features: Affordable, easy to apply, water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes
Why we recommend it: Growing up, my mom would buy Banana Boat sunscreen in bulk every summer and pack it religiously for every soccer tournament, pool party, or beach day at the Jersey Shore. Now, years later, I do the same—bringing a large bottle of the sporty sunscreen spray with me on every long, active summer day I have. Nostalgia aside, it just works. It's at a great price point, available at almost any local drugstore, and offers great sun protection even when you're sweating and swimming. Since it's a spray bottle, it's easy to re-apply—especially on hard-to-reach places like your back and shoulders. It's great for a family beach trip and has kept me sunburn-free on countless occasions. Simply put, it's an oldie but a goodie.Aveeno Protect + Hydrate body sunscreen
Tested by: Matt Ortile, associate editor
Type of protection: Chemical
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 60
Stand-out features: Made with prebiotic oat, oil-free, and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes
Why we recommend it: Aveeno delivers high-performing products with skincare-friendly ingredients at a fraction of the cost of other sun care brands. The Protect + Hydrate body sunscreen is hydrating and gentle enough for daily use, while offering 80 minutes of sweat- and water-resistance—a must if swimming or surfing is on the itinerary. This was tested by associate editor Matt Ortile—and he let us know he'll be tossing the three-ounce bottle in his carry-on for all of his weekend trips this summer. Made with prebiotic oat, this non-greasy formula leaves the skin feeling nourished and well-protected. “I noticed a touch of a white cast at first,” Ortile says. “But once it dried down (taking no more than a minute), it wasn't as obvious.”
Sol de Janiero Rio Radiance body spray
Tested by: Paris Wilson, commerce producer
Type of protection: Chemical
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 50
Stand-out features: Beachy scent, dries quickly, and water-resistant for up to 40 minutes
Why we recommend it: You might already be familiar with Sol de Janiero's viral Bum Bum Cream (and if you're not, you must!), but the brand's new sunscreen line deserves equal attention. Traveler commerce producer Paris Wilson is a new fan of the Rio Radiance Body Spray for beach outings. “It's a very lightweight spray that blends in well and dries down almost instantly,” Wilson says. “My skin didn’t feel greasy or oily at all.” Its made with the brand's Cheirosa 87 fragrance, offering a subtle beachy scent that dries down nicely. The SPF 50 body spray feels cool on the skin and leaves behind a natural sheen—ideal for hot vacation days. It's the perfect size to toss in your beach bag or backpack and a can will last you the whole summer.Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector lotion
Tested by: Charlie Hobbs, associate editor
Type of protection: Chemical
Strength: Broad spectrum SPF 60
Stand-out features: Blends in completely clear, no white cast, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes
Why we recommend it: Tested by associate editor Charlie Hobbs, Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion is suitable for the face and body and is great for all skin types, especially those with dry skin. It's formulated with algae to hydrate the skin and licorice root extract to help soothe acne-prone skin. “It sort of just disappears on my skin,” Hobbs says. “It's so lightweight and once it is applied, it vanishes.” It blends in completely clear, leaving no white cast behind, and uses SynchroShield technology, meaning its protection is strengthened by heat and water, making it a smart choice for outdoor adventures.
