From kid-friendly mists to SPF-packed setting sprays.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
I could write a dissertation about the best sunscreen products in my sleep. SPF is my holy grail, my can’t-live-without, my must-have. I’ve tried dozens upon dozens of formulas through the years, and I’m confident that there’s nothing as quick, easy, and convenient to apply as one of the best spray sunscreens. Because whether I need to reapply sunscreen over makeup or want a non-sticky full body mist to use on the beach, a super-fine SPF spray is always going to be my MVP.
The convenience can’t be beat, and while a spray can be just as effective as a cream sunscreen formula, it’s important to take a little extra caution during application to avoid bizarre tanning patterns (been there, done that, not cute) or sunburn. The recipe for success? Hold the bottle no more than six inches away from your body and thoroughly rub everything into the skin. As for the face? Start off with a cream formula (mineral or chemical will do) and reach for a facial-friendly spray SPF for reapplication.
To get a crash course in all things spray sunscreen, I strongly encourage you to keep reading. Not only have I rounded up some of my personal favorite products, but I also tapped board-certified dermatologists Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky and Dr. Hadley King to get their top application and safety tips. From fine mists with a barely-there feel to makeup setting sprays loaded with SPF, here’s a definitive guide to the best spray sunscreens.
You may remember back in 2022 when Johnson & Johnson recalled some of its sunscreens after finding low amounts of benzene in some samples. What is benzene, you may ask? According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, benzene is a known carcinogen found in a number of aerosol sunscreens. Now, before you ditch spray sunscreens for good, Dr. King says that investigations have often focused on the effects of benzene after it's been ingested or inhaled, not through our skin. "We still don't know how effectively benzene penetrates through the skin, or how the benzene behaves after skin penetration," she explains. Dr. King does say that inhaling benzene can be harmful to the lungs, adding, "It has been hypothesized that benzene contamination may come from isobutane, a spray propellant used in aerosol mechanisms." So, if you want to reduce the risk of benzene contamination and still want a spray sunscreen, Dr. King recommends using options that are non-aerosol and to be sure you don't inhale any product.
Additionally, the EWG profiled more than the formulas and performance of 1,700 sunscreens and found just one in four met their standards. The study searched for chemical ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and avobenzone. While these ingredients do provide UV protection, they may cause adverse effects such as skin allergies or hormone disruptions. Take into account, though, that all sunscreens are regulated by the FDA and must pass certain tests, and any sunscreen is better than going without—and Dr. King would agree. She explains: "Avoiding an effective preventive measure such as sunscreen could prove more harmful than exposure to trace amounts of benzene, ultimately to be determined by the FDA. The same can be said of theoretical risks of some chemical sunscreen ingredients." Of course, if you have any allergies and particular concerns, consult with your doctor before using a new sunscreen.
“When using sunscreen, I recommend applying at least one ounce of sunscreen to the entire body—this is the equivalent of a shot glass,” explains Dr. Zubritsky. “This can be hard to determine using a spray-on sunscreen, so a good rule of thumb is to apply the spray until the skin glistens.” You’ll want to keep the bottle close to the skin (no more than a six inch distance) and rub the product in.
For reference, a standard size bottle of spray sunscreen should last *only* six body applications. Let that sink in: one bottle is worth only six body applications.
The Best Body Sunscreen Spray Overall
