13 best spray sunscreens to use in 2024, recommended by dermatologists

Let’s be real — when it’s sweltering hot outside and there’s a pool or ocean nearby, chances are you want to run into the water and take a dip.

But, it’s surely a good idea to apply a quality sunscreen for both your face and body. While we recommend applying SPF thoroughly (and reapplying, specifically every two hours), a quality spray sunscreen typically offers full-coverage protection in record time — so long as you apply it correctly.

“Spray sunscreen works in the same way as a lotion or applicator sunscreen,” Kristen Miller, MD, board-certified dermatologist and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, told the New York Post. “There is no difference in formulation or ingredients between the different types; the only difference is how it is delivered to the skin. Spray sunscreen is applied through a nozzle in a mist form.”

RELATED: Best moisturizers with SPF we reviewed

Ahead, our team of board-certified dermatologists recommend the best spray sunscreens, along with sharing expertise on how to properly shop for one and apply its formulation to the skin, in our in-depth FAQ section. Not to mention, we added some notes to the ones we reviewed, too.

Best Overall: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Spray SPF 70

“Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Lightweight Sunscreen Spray SPF 70 is a great choice because it is a powerful sunscreen but goes on with a sheer and lightweight feel,” Engleman added. “It’s non-greasy, non-comedogenic and oil free, making it perfect for a hot and sweaty summer day.”

Not to mention, you can grab a three-pack on Amazon for less than $25. “This lightweight, oil-free sunscreen is a great choice for all skin types,” Miller added, also recommending the spray formulation.

Best Drugstore: Banana Boat Sport Ultra Spray Sunscreen SPF 50

With a name like Banana Boat, you know it’s going to be top-tier for the summertime months.

“This broad-spectrum spray sunscreen is a reliable go to product with SPF 15, 30, 50 or 100.” For more Banana Boat, shop its Amazon page.

Best Splurge: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Spray Lotion Sunscreen SPF 60

According to Miller, this broad spectrum, non-comedogenic sunscreen is “suitable for all skin types.” It’s also adored by more than 2,500 reviewers on Amazon for being non-greasy and quite long-lasting (though, you should reapply every two hours).

“The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Lotion Spray SPF 60 is another one of my favorite sprays,” Engleman noted. “It’s fragrance-free, oil-free, paraben-free and formulated with antioxidants, making it a perfect choice for sensitive skin.”

For more options, check out our full La Roche-Posay brand review.

Best for Kids: Supergoop! PLAY Antioxidant Body Mist SPF 50 with Vitamin C

“I often recommend the Supergoop! PLAY Antioxidant Body Mist SPF 50 with Vitamin C because it’s sheer and suitable for all skin types, offering broad spectrum and blue light protection,” Engleman says.

Miller also recommends this lightweight sunscreen, as it’s a great way to incorporate sunscreen into your skincare routine. “It provides UV protection while nourishing the skin with vitamin C.”

Best for Babies: Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray

Yes, picking up a suitable sunscreen for your little one is just as important as spraying one onto your skin.

“I also love the SunBum BabyBum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray Fragrance-Free because it provides broad spectrum protection with a lightweight, non-greasy formula that is safe for all skin types,” Engleman added.

For more options, check out our expert-backed guide to the best baby sunscreens.

Best Fragrance-Free: Alba Botanica Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 50

“This fragrance-free, water-resistant spray sunscreen is great for patients with sensitive skin,” Dr. Miller says. “It provides broad spectrum coverage without irritating the skin.”

More, it’s a spray that uses SPF 50 to shield sensitive skin types. “It has no synthetic fragrances or chemicals, and it is actually made with 100% vegetarian ingredients and botanicals,” Dendy Engleman, MD, board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, told The Post.

Best Water-Resistant: Hawaiian Tropic Weightless Hydration Spray SPF 15

“Hawaiian Tropic has multiple spray sunscreen options, but its best-seller is the Weightless Hydration Clear Spray with more than 7,000 positive ratings on Amazon for being hydrating and easy to apply.

“I love this spray because it looks and feels like you’re wearing nothing, so it’s great in the summer months when you don’t want to feel covered in something in the heat,” Dr. Engleman says.”It also contains botanicals and natural ingredients like papaya, mango, guava and aloe.”

Best Zinc: Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 30

“This non-nano zinc oxide spray sunscreen is hypoallergenic, offers broad spectrum UVA and UVB coverage and also contains soothing ingredients like sunflower seed, avocado and jojoba oils plus organic watercress, all of which work to reduce inflammation,” Rachel Westbay, MD, NYC-based cosmetic dermatologist at Marmur Medical and beauty and skincare expert, told The Post.

This sunscreen spray is also lightweight, ultra-sheer and provides up to 80 minutes of water and sweat-resistant coverage.

Best Sensitive: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+

“Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray is another great choice for sensitive skin,” Engleman highlights. Its sprays come in ‘Kids’ and ‘Sport‘ versions, all of which are gentle on the skin yet protect with an SPF 50+.”

Plus, this spray is water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes and contains antioxidants and botanicals, which help to leave the skin feeling smooth.

“This Australian brand is a broad spectrum mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide to provide full protection from the the broadest spectrum of UV light,” Miller added, also recommending the product.

Best Anti-Aging: Soleil Tojours Clean Conscious Sunscreen Mist SPF 30

“I wear makeup most days, so I need a spray formula that doesn’t require me to rub more product onto my face,” Holly Coley, commerce editor, told The Post. “Because our skin is our largest organ, I try to use clean products as much as possible, which is why I like this option from Soleil Toujours.”

It doesn’t have parabens, sulfates or phthalates, plus is anti-aging because of its vitamin C and E. “I spray it on my face, neck, chest, hands, and any other area that may be exposed to the sun when I leave the house or office,” she added. “It’s not greasy, absorbs fast, and has a very subtle tropical scent that’s a nice pick-me-up.”

While $36 is a bit pricey for a sunscreen, the bottle is large and has lasted Coley for months.

Best Moisturizing: Sun Bum Original Vegan Sunscreen Spray SPF 50

“This cruelty free broad spectrum sunscreen protects you from the sun while enriching the skin with Vitamin E,” Miller notes. For less than $20, you’ll want to pick up this vegan, original formulation that’s adored by a whopping 22,000 Amazon reviewers — and counting — for being hypoallergenic, oil-free and water-resistant.

Best for Dark Skin Tones: Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Glow Spray SPF 30

“This spray sunscreen is best for darker skin tones, as it protects the skin without leaving a white cast,” Miller notes. Not only is it infused with jojoba and avocado to help soothe the skin, but it’s also fragrance-free, making it especially great for sensitive skin.

For more options, check out our expert-backed guide to the best sunscreens for dark skin tones.

Best with Antioxidants: COOLA Classic Fragrance-Free Sunscreen Spray SPF 50

“This fragrance-free, broad-spectrum sunscreen is rich in antioxidants and provides good protection with a lightweight feel,” Miller notes, recommending the COOLA Classic Fragrance-Free Sunscreen Spray SPF 50. It’s ultra-lightweight and hydrating, too.

An FAQ on Spray Sunscreens

Below, our team of board-certified dermatologists answer the golden question — How do I apply spray sunscreen correctly? — along with other FAQs for you to keep in mind as the warm weather rises.

What’s the difference between sunscreen lotions and sprays?

First things first: sunscreen sprays are typically easier to apply than sunscreen lotions. They are less greasy than lotions and can be applied quickly and evenly. However, when you spray sunscreen, some of it inevitably ends up in the air rather than on your skin, which means you have to be extra cautious when applying.

“People also tend not to apply as thick of a layer of spray sunscreen as they would lotions,” Westbay tells The Post. “In contrast, sunscreen lotions may provide better protection than sunscreen sprays because more product ends up on the actual skin, giving an SPF closer to what is actually listed on the label. And, if you’re sweating, the lotion will stay on your skin better than spray.”

What SPF number is best for spray sunscreens?

“I typically recommend at least an SPF 30 for body sunscreen but with spray sunscreen, I tend to opt for a bit of a higher SPF, like 50 or 60,” Engleman explains. “This is because spray sunscreens tend not to coat the skin as thoroughly or evenly as lotion or solid sunscreens do, especially when people do not apply enough of it (which is very common with spray formulas!)”

Westbay also recommends aiming for a 50 or 60 SPF level, mainly for the same reasons. “Spray sunscreens don’t coat the skin as thoroughly or evenly as lotion or solid sunscreens do, and this is especially true considering that people tend not to apply enough of it,” she added.

How to properly apply spray sunscreen to ensure maximum coverage, per experts

Ahead, our team of experts detail exactly how to apply spray sunscreen to ensure you’re covered and protected.

It can be easy to under-apply spray-on SPF, so be very careful about how you apply it and how much you’re using! According to Engelman, spray sunscreen can be tricky to apply well because it’s hard to gauge the amount of product that has come out and how well it’s coating your skin.

“To ensure accurate coverage with spray sunscreen, I recommend holding the nozzle close to your skin and spraying thoroughly, moving slowly around the places that you want to apply the sunscreen,” she added. “Rub the sunscreen in after you spray to make sure that you have covered all areas of the skin. It’s important to note that you will need to apply a lot more product than you think when using a spray-on sunscreen to achieve full coverage.”

To apply spray sunscreen to your face, spray it into your hands first and then rub it on your facial skin. “To ensure maximum protection, I often recommend to my clients to put on a lotion or solid formula first, to ensure that they are protecting all exposed skin before heading outdoors,” she said.

More, The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying sunscreen until the skin glistens. “It is difficult to accurately measure the application of spray sunscreen, but it is a good rule of thumb,” Miller advises. “To ensure proper applications, spray close to your body. You must rub the spray sunscreen evenly throughout the skin to ensure full coverage, but it is important to not completely rub in (leave a sheen).”

Reapplication should be done every two hours while out in the sun, or immediately after swimming or sweating excessively.

How do spray sunscreens work?

It’s important to note that there’s no difference between the formulation of a spray sunscreen and a lotion. The only real difference is the packaging and therefore the way that the sunscreen is applied: spray sunscreen comes out of a nozzle in a fine mist, whereas lotion sunscreen is applied as regular lotion, per Engleman.

What ingredients to look for in a spray sunscreen, according to experts

Because spray sunscreens can easily be distributed by the wind when applied outside, Westbay recommends looking for environmentally-friendly, reef-safe formulas that won’t damage the environment.

“Chemical sunscreens have been shown to have some adverse environmental effects,” she said. “Oxybenzone (a common chemical sunscreen ingredient), in particular, has been shown to produce a variety of toxic reactions in coral and fish, ranging from reef bleaching to mortality. The term ‘reef safe’ refers to sunscreens that contain only mineral (aka physical) UV-blocking ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, as opposed to chemical ingredients, like oxybenzone, avobenzone and PABA, which have been connected to bleaching and deterioration of coral reefs.”

Engleman also recommends mineral sunscreens, especially to her patients. “Mineral sunscreens get to work protecting your skin right away, so you can slather it on and go without waiting for it to sink in,” she explains. “Chemical sunscreens are partially absorbed into the bloodstream, and the possible adverse effects of this have not been fully studied, so this is another reason I prefer mineral spray sunscreens.”

It’s also important, per Miller, to aim for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.”Also look for water resistant sunscreen,” she said.

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