Dermatologists often say that the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually wear — and for many, that’s spray sunscreen. Adults and kids alike often find spraying SPF onto their skin simpler and more convenient than rubbing in a thick, white, creamy variation. The good news? Spray sunscreen is just as effective as its lotion, cream and gel counterparts, says Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified dermatologist who practices in New York City. But in order to protect yourself from UV rays, you have to apply it correctly, which is easier said than done.
I spoke to medical experts about the dos and don’ts of using spray sunscreen, as well as how to shop for it. I also gathered dermatologist-recommended options to purchase, in addition to Select staff favorites.
SKIP AHEAD How to shop for spray sunscreen |Best spray sunscreen to shop | How to apply spray sunscreen
Selected.Our top picks
Best for sensitive skin
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$26.99
Learn moreBest for kids
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$19.99
Learn moreBest smelling
Vertra Coconut Vanilla Body Spray SPF 50
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$20.00
Vertra
Learn more
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When shopping for spray sunscreen, dermatologists recommend thinking about the following factors.
- SPF rating: All the experts I spoke to recommend wearing sunscreen that has a SPF rating of at least 30. That’s in line with the recommendation from the American Academy of Dermatology and Skin Cancer Foundation.
- Broad-spectrum protection: Sunscreens that offer broad-spectrum protection shield skin from UVA and UVB rays, both of which can cause sun damage like sunburns.
- Type: You’ll need to decide between purchasing a chemical or mineral sunscreen, or a hybrid option that contains chemical and mineral active ingredients. I explain more about the difference between the three types below and why you may choose one over the others, but each option adequately protects the skin, so it’s entirely a personal preference, says Green.
- Water-resistance: If you plan to be in water or may sweat while wearing spray sunscreen, be sure to choose a water-resistant option. The sunscreen’s label should tell you how long its formula is water-resistant for.
All the spray sunscreens below offer broad-spectrum protection and a SPF rating of at least 30.
Best overall: Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray
Many NBC Select staff members say this Sun Bum spray sunscreen is their go-to option, and it’s also recommended by Dr. Jaimie DeRosa, a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and the founder of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa. The sunscreen’s unscented, zinc-based formula leaves a matte finish on the skin. It’s made from a gluten-free, vegan and cruelty-free formula, meaning it’s not tested on animals.
SPF rating: 30 | Water-resistant: 80 min. | Type: Mineral
Best sheer: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist (three pack)
Neutrogena’s spray sunscreens are popular among our experts, and Green specifically likes the brand’s unscented Ultra Sheer option. “It seamlessly blends into skin without leaving a white cast and does not feel greasy,” she says. The formula is also oil-free and non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores, and is suitable for those with acne-prone skin.
SPF rating: 30, 45 or 70 | Water-resistant: 80 min. | Type: Chemical
Best sport: Banana Boat Ultra Sport SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray
I always have a bottle of Banana Boat’s Ultra Sport Sunscreen Spray at home and lather it on before doing outdoor activities like running. Its lightweight formula dries quickly and doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy or sticky. The sunscreen’s scent is also not overbearing, which I appreciate as someone who is sensitive to fragrances.
SPF rating: 15, 30, 50 and 100 | Water-resistant: 80 min. | Type: Chemical
Best matte: Coola Organic Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
When you spray Coola’s unscented sunscreen on the skin, it goes on white and dries sheer, leaving behind a matte finish, according to the brand. In addition to zinc oxide, the sunscreen contains antioxidants to help fight free-radical formation that can occur from sun exposure, says DeRosa. It comes in a non-aerosol can.
SPF rating: 30 | Water-resistant: 80 min. | Type: Mineral
Best for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Spray Sunscreen SPF 60
Lindsay Schneider, NBC Select commerce editor, has used La Roche-Posay’s sunscreen lotion, and the brand also offers a spray sunscreen that’s made with an unscented, oil-free, alcohol-free formula. It contains thermal spring water, a soothing antioxidant, and is safe for sensitive skin, according to the brand.
SPF rating: 60 | Water-resistant: 80 min. | Type: Chemical
Best mineral: Supergoop! Play 100% Mineral Body Mist SPF 30
DeRosa recommends Supergoop’s zinc-based spray because it contains ingredients that are rich in vitamin E and vitamin B5, including aloe vera, marigold, sunflower seed and chamomile extracts. In her experience, it sprays on white but blends in sheer on most skin tones. The sunscreen is also safe for sensitive skin, and it comes in a non-aerosol bottle.
SPF rating: 30 | Water-resistant: 80 min. | Type: Mineral
Best for kids: Blue Lizard Kids’ Mineral Sunscreen Spray
Bianca Alvarez, NBC Select associate reporter, has three young siblings, all of whom have sensitive skin like her. She says they like using this Blue Lizard mineral sunscreen spray because its gentle formula is non-irritating and it dries clear. Alvarez also appreciates that the fragrance-free sunscreen is water-resistant and reef-safe: “My siblings used this during a 8-day family cruise, where we did water activities like snorkeling. We had such peace of mind knowing that their sunscreen was protecting their skin and the reefs we were swimming near,” she says.
SPF rating: 50 | Water-resistant: 80 min. | Type: Mineral
Best for babies: Hello Bello SPF 50 Kids Mineral Sunscreen Spray
Becca Delman, NBC photo editor, started using this sunscreen with her son when he was about 1.5 years old and it’s still one of her favorite spray options. She likes its lightweight feel and says it blends into her son’s skin well, so it doesn’t leave behind an oily or gritty residue. The sunscreen’s vegan formula is also hypoallergenic and moisturizing.
SPF rating: 50 | Water-resistant: 80 min. | Type: Mineral
Best for kids with sensitive skin: Coppertone Pure and Simple Kids Sunscreen Spray
Coppertone’s fragrance-free Pure and Simple Spray Sunscreen has a gentle, hypoallergenic formula, so it’s a great option for those with allergies and sensitive skin, says Green. The sunscreen contains zinc oxide as well as plant-derived ingredients like tea leaf extract, sea kelp extract and lotus extract to hydrate skin, according to the brand.
SPF rating: 50 | Water-resistant: 80 min. | Type: Mineral
Best smelling: Vertra Coconut Vanilla Body Spray SPF 50
“Nobody wants a lingering chemical smell on their skin, but sometimes that’s unavoidable with sunscreen,” says Alvarez. “Vertra’s spray does not smell like typical sunscreen — its coconut vanilla scent makes it much more enjoyable to wear and apply, both for me and my siblings,” says Alvarez. The sunscreen also doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue on Alvarez’s skin, and its wide nozzle helps her quickly cover a large area of skin. Vertra’s spray contains hydrating avocado oil and aloe, and it dries clear.
SPF rating: 50 | Water-resistant: 80 min. | Type: Chemical
Best splurge: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Spray SPF 40
If you’re looking for a spray that makes SPF touch ups easy, Alvarez recommends Shiseido’s. “It’s so convenient to have in my bag and is perfect for reapplying sunscreen to my face and spots on my body,” she says. The bottle’s narrow nozzle also makes spraying targeted areas easy, like your scalp. The sunscreen has a hydrating formula that goes on clear and dries quickly, plus it’s non-comedogenic.
SPF rating: 40 | Water-resistant: 80 min. | Type: Chemical
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“The efficacy of sunscreens, no matter the formulation, lies in proper application,” says Green. And one of the biggest disadvantages of spray sunscreen is that it’s easy to apply incorrectly. To make sure you’re applying spray sunscreen the right way, follow the guide below.
A step-by-step guide to applying spray sunscreen- Hold the spray bottle’s nozzle about three to four inches away from your skin.
- Spray multiple passes across each part of your body. Two to three times per arm and three to four times per leg is a good rule of thumb, says Dr. Corey L. Hartman, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama.
- Between each spray, rub the sunscreen into skin until it’s entirely blended in. “If you skip this step, the spray will only protect where it actually hits the skin,” deeming it ineffective for full-body protection, says Hartman.
- Spray sunscreen works best as a body sunscreen, experts told me. But if you want to use it as a face sunscreen, spray it into your hands first and rub it into your skin. Never spray sunscreen directly onto your face as you’ll risk inhaling it and getting it into your eyes, say dermatologists.
“The biggest mistake that people make with spray sunscreen is that they don’t apply enough and spray too quickly, so they’re missing areas of skin during application,” says DeRosa. The solution? Apply a generous amount. A good rule of thumb is if you can’t see it on your skin after spraying, there’s probably not enough. You can (and should) apply multiple coats of spray sunscreen. “I suggest applying the spray, spreading it on the skin, and coming back 10 minutes later to reapply,” says Dr. Eileen Deignan, board-certified dermatologist and the chief of dermatology at Emerson Hospital.
It’s also important to avoid inhaling spray sunscreen or getting it in the eyes, nose or mouth, which can cause irritation. To make sure spray sunscreen actually reaches your body, hold the nozzle close enough to your skin, apply it slowly and don’t use it in windy conditions, says Green. Also don’t forget about your ears, scalp, feet and hands.
When to reapply spray sunscreenYou need to constantly reapply all types of sunscreen regardless of whether you’re exposed to water. Reapply every two hours if you’re spending time outdoors or sitting next to a window, says Hartman. And if you’re swimming or sweating, reapply sunscreen every 80 minutes and after drying off, even if you’re using a water-resistant formula, says DeRosa.
Frequently asked questions
All the dermatologists I spoke to recommend wearing sunscreen that offers an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30. “Going up to SPF 50 can add an additional layer of protection, but once you go above 50, the higher SPF ratings only offer marginal improvements,” says Hartman.
Most importantly, you need to apply enough sunscreen to fully cover your face and body. Otherwise, you’re not getting the maximum sun protection. But “we generally do not apply enough sunscreen to adequately achieve the SPF on the bottle,” says Deignan. And that’s especially the case for spray sunscreen — people tend to miss spots, resulting in patches of skin that go unprotected. Because of this, you might want to choose an SPF above 30 when buying spray sunscreen. “If you apply the same inadequate amount of SPF 30 and SPF 50, you will get better sun protection with the 50,” says Deignan.
Keep in mind applying sunscreen, which should be part of your daily skin care routine, is only one way that you can protect your skin from UV rays. Wearing UPF swimwear and clothing, sunglasses and hats act as physical sun blockers, and it’s important to seek shade when possible, says Deignan.
Buying broad-spectrum sunscreen is non-negotiable, dermatologists told me. When you see “broad-spectrum” printed on a bottle, it means the sunscreen protects skin from UVA and UVB rays, says DeRosa. UVA rays can lead to loss of elasticity and fine lines, while UVB rays can damage the skin's DNA, creating the inflammatory response that leads to sunburns or more severely, skin cancer.
There are three types of sunscreen: chemical, mineral and hybrid. They all provide equal amounts of protection, so choosing one is entirely a matter of personal preference.
- Chemical sunscreen contains ingredients like avobenzone, benzophenone, oxybenzone, and octinoxate. These ingredients are absorbed into the skin and undergo chemical reactions to turn UV rays into heat, says Green. The heat then dissipates from the skin.
- Mineral sunscreen (which is also sometimes referred to as physical sunscreen) contains ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients sit on top of skin and act like a shield against UV rays, says Deignan.
- Hybrid sunscreen contains a blend of mineral and chemical active ingredients.
To decide whether you prefer chemical or mineral sunscreen, weigh the following pros and cons.
- Application: Chemical sunscreens take about 20 to 30 minutes to fully absorb into the skin, so it takes time before you’re fully protected. On the other hand, mineral sunscreen offers immediate protection since it sits on top of the skin.
- Sunscreen visibility: Mineral sunscreen tends to leave behind a white cast. If that’s something you’re hoping to avoid, chemical sunscreens may be a better option for you. However, some mineral spray sunscreens contain “micronized” or “nano-sized” zinc oxide or titanium dioxide — in other words, these ingredients are made up of teeny tiny particles — which helps to prevent the sunscreen from looking chalky or white, says DeRosa.
- Skin type: If you have rosacea, acne-prone skin or sensitive skin, experts recommend opting for mineral sunscreen — it’s less likely to cause irritation since it’s not absorbed into the skin.
“Unfortunately, no sunscreen is truly waterproof,” says Green. That’s why most sunscreens are now labeled “water-resistant.” They contain ingredients like cetyl octanoate that allow the sunscreen to grip the skin and stay on after exposure to water. The sunscreen also becomes insoluble in water, she says.
Water-resistant sunscreen is only water-resistant for a limited period of time, so you have to be diligent about reapplication. Deignan recommends reapplying sunscreen at least every two hours if you’re sweating or exposed to water. If you’re toweling off, reapply more often since you’re literally wiping off the sunscreen.
In 2022, spray sunscreen made news after Johnson & Johnson recalled some of its products, which were found to contain trace amounts of benzene, a chemical byproduct of petroleum and oil production. Chronic exposure to benzene can lead to an increased risk of blood-based cancer, and short-term high exposure can lead to headaches and dizziness, says Deignan. But benzene is not a normal part of sunscreen production, and it ended up in a small batch of Johnson & Johnson’s spray sunscreen due to a manufacturing error, she says. Because of this, there’s no risk of being exposed to benzene through spray sunscreen and it’s a safe product to use, experts told me.
While there’s no standard or regulation behind the terms, “reef-safe” and “reef-friendly” are used to describe sunscreens that do not contain specific ingredients that have been found to potentially harm coral reefs and other marine life. Most reef-safe sunscreens are mineral-based and do not contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate. Reef-safe sunscreens also usually have micro-sized or non-nano particles — nanoparticles can be ingested by coral and negatively impact its health, according to the National Park Service. In 2021, a law went into effect that bans the sale of sunscreen containing these ingredients in Hawaii and Key West, Florida.
Yes, kids can wear spray sunscreen, although they should not apply it themselves, dermatologists told me. It’s usually best for adults to spray sunscreen onto their hands and rub it into kids’ skin — if a child moves around while you’re spraying sunscreen directly onto their body, you’re likely to miss spots. When buying spray sunscreen for kids, look for formulas specifically designed for children, as they tend to have fewer irritants, fragrances and preservatives, says Green. DeRosa also recommends mineral sunscreens over chemical sunscreens for kids since they sit on top of the skin and don’t get absorbed into the bloodstream, she says.
Yes, like all types of sunscreen, spray sunscreen expires. There should be an expiration date printed on the bottle of spray sunscreen you purchase, per regulations set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, unless the manufacturer has done testing to show that the product will remain stable for at least three years. If there’s no expiration date listed on your sunscreen, it should be considered expired three years after purchase, according to the FDA. You should not use expired sunscreen since there’s no guarantee it’s effective.
All types of broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher are eligible for reimbursem*nt with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA) and health reimbursem*nt accounts (HRA). However, sunscreens are not eligible for reimbursem*nt with dependent care flexible spending accounts and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA). To browse eligible products, you can visit the FSA Store or HSA Store.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist based in the Upper East Side of New York City.
- Dr. Corey L. Hartman is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama.
- Dr. Jaimie DeRosa is a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. She’s the founder and lead facial plastic surgeon at DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Boston and Palm Beach.
- Dr. Eileen Deignan is a board-certified dermatologist and the chief of dermatology at Emerson Hospital. She practices medical dermatology at the Dermatology Associates of Concord.
Zoe Malin is an associate updates editor at NBC Select who writes about skin care, including articles on ingrown hair, razor burn, tinted sunscreen and sunscreen for acne-prone skin. For this article, she interviewed four experts about the best spray sunscreen and rounded up their favorite options, plus products NBC Select staff recommend.
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