7 Best Travel Sunscreens for 2024
Many sun-chasing explorers spend much of the year basking under the sun’s rays. Sunscreen is one of the necessary items we’ll always include in our overstuffed cosmetic cases, and ensuring we find one that’s both good for us and keeps us looking like bronzed goddesses is an important task.
As mindful travelers who prioritize both our well-being and the well-being of our planet, we also understand the importance of reef-safe formulations that protect delicate marine ecosystems. Many of the sunscreens we mention in this article are reef-safe, non-toxic, and free from harmful chemicals. They also come in convenient carry-on travel sizes, making them ideal for jet-setters and eco-conscious explorers. As you embark on your next sun-kissed adventure, grab one of these trusted sunscreens to keep you glowing and protected from the inside out.
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7 best travel sunscreens: our top picks
1. Best overall travel sunscreen: MD Solar Sciences
This mineral sunscreen is like a refreshing breeze, offering top-notch sun protection with a touch of glam. It's all about that weightless feel and smooth matte finish that makes your skin feel velvety. No white cast here - it goes on sheer and blends seamlessly. Packed with goodies like zinc oxide, it shields you from the sun's rays while guarding against photoaging and skin cancer. Antioxidants like Vitamin C, Green Tea, Cranberry Fruit, and Pomegranate Extracts team up against sun damage and free radicals. Are you a sensitive-skinned girlie? No problem! This sunscreen is made with gentle ingredients and is clinically proven, reef-safe, and doubles as a makeup primer that blurs imperfections. Use it from head to toe and everywhere in between.
Price: starting at $32
2. Best reef-safe spray travel sunscreen: Bask
Bask is a sunscreen that feels like pure sunshine and goes on like a breeze with the vacation scent you've been craving, all bottled up. What makes it even better? Bask doesn’t include any of those pesky chemical propellants that haunt most commercial sprays. With its non-aerosol, zero white cast formula, and rigorous testing for benzene contamination, Bask is gentle enough for sensitive skin and is formulated to leave no trace. And the cherry on top? Its Hawaii Reef-Friendly, so you can enjoy the sparkling waters guilt-free. Plus it looks really cute in your beach pictures.
Price: starting at $24
3. Best travel stick sunscreen: Beautycounter
Picture a sunscreen that's not just your skin's best friend but also a planet-friendly companion in a convenient stick form. This superstar travel sunscreen offers SPF 30 protection using non-nano zinc and the natural goodness of California Poppy to shield you from both UVA and UVB rays while maintaining an eco-friendly stance. It's been given the green light as a top choice for clean sunscreens by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), as the Beautycounter brand bans over 2,800 questionable ingredients with their The Never List™ ensuring your skin stays safe and happy. And for those always on the go, this solid stick means no more worries about liquid restrictions in your luggage. Plus, it's reef-friendly and cruelty-free, because protecting your skin and the environment can go hand in hand.
Price: starting at $23
4. Best natural travel sunscreen: Babo Botanicals
Infused with 24 plant-based ingredients like sunflower oil and shea butter, this sunscreen from Babo Botanicals not only protects but also hydrates and soothes your skin. Plus, it's a trailblazer in sun safety, being one of the first-ever sunscreens to earn the EWG Verified™ seal, ensuring the highest level of safety and quality. It's fragrance-free and suitable for all ages, making it a trusted choice for the whole family. As an added bonus, it's featured in the EWG Sunscreen Guide for "Best Recreational Sunscreens," and you won't find any chemical filters, silicones, mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, fragrance, synthetic colorants, soy, dairy, or high-allergy nuts anywhere near this sunscreen.
Price: starting at $17
5. Best travel sunscreen for hydration: Beauty By Earth
This sunscreen from Beauty by Earth isn't just your everyday sun protection; it's a refreshing burst of hydration for your skin. Imagine a harmonious blend enriched with nature's finest, such as Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, and more. With a firm "no" to silicones and harsh additives, this formula is all about indulging your skin without any compromises. What truly sets it apart is it’s clear non-nano zinc oxide, ensuring there's no trace of that pesky white cast. This sunblock champions the clean beauty movement, proudly free from parabens, oxybenzone, nano-particles, chemical fragrances, phthalates, retinyl palmitate, paba, or any other undesirable ingredients. Instead, it delivers a delightful tropical scent and a nourishing concoction that'll leave your skin feeling pampered and protected.
Price: starting at $24
6. Best travel sunscreen for inclusive skin tones: Black Girl Sunscreen
Black Girl Sunscreen is a product that speaks to inclusivity, designed by women of color, for people of color because we all deserve the protection we need under the sun. This sunscreen isn't just about shielding your skin; it's a daily essential infused with key ingredients that not only safeguard your skin but also double as a moisturizing lotion. It dries completely clear, making it the perfect companion for any outdoor activity or as a base under your favorite makeup products. But what sets it apart is the thoughtful blend of ingredients chosen with care, from avocado to jojoba to cacao. The brand aims to tackle the #1 reason why some Black women weren't wearing sunscreen - a lack of products designed with them in mind. Their commitment to the community goes beyond beauty, recognizing the importance of melanoma prevention, especially when it comes to late diagnoses in Black individuals.
Price: starting at $18
7. Best travel sunscreen with a tint: Ilia
Ilia is the viral sensation that lives up to every ounce of its hype. This clean skin tint sunscreen is a revelation, combining light coverage, potent skincare, and mineral SPF, all while leaving your skin with a radiant, dewy finish that breathes life into your complexion. This award-winning gem has earned its stripes and then some. It's clinically proven to work its magic over time, addressing dryness, blemishes, redness, wrinkles, and uneven tone. And the best part? It is a clean beauty champion, vegan, non-comedogenic, and safe even for the most sensitive skin, formulated without fragrance, gluten, or silicone. With powerful ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Plant-Based Squalane, and Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, it is your skincare, foundation, and sunscreen rolled into one.
Price: starting at $48