Sun-Safe Vacationing: The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Perfect Sunscreen

Sun-Safe Vacationing: The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Perfect Sunscreen

After months of planning, my dream beach trip was finally happening.

I had my swimsuit, a good book, and cute sandals—but what about sun protection?

The last thing I wanted was to spend my vacation looking like a lobster and feeling awful.

We've all been there: that painful shower after a day in the sun, the bad vacation photos where you're bright red, or worse, trying to look nice at dinner with peeling skin.

That's when I knew the bottle of sunscreen might be the most important thing in my suitcase.

But not just any sunscreen would work.

I needed something that wouldn't feel sticky, wouldn't cause breakouts, and could be put on again without messing up my makeup.

After lots of testing, I made this guide to help fellow travelers enjoy their vacation without getting burned.

Whether you're going to beaches, walking through sunny cities, or even skiing (yes, you need sunscreen there, too!), there's a perfect product waiting for you.

Lightweight Gel Formulas: Sunscreen That Doesn't Feel Like Sunscreen

If you usually think sunscreen is too greasy, gel formulas will change your mind.

These water-based options soak in fast and don't leave sticky marks—great for hot places or if you have oily skin.

1. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel SPF 50 - This cool gel feels more like a light face cream than sunscreen. It has hyaluronic acid to keep your skin moist while protecting it. It's perfect for days when you're walking between hot streets and cool museums.

2. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 - Many travelers love this clear gel that goes on with no color at all and works like a makeup primer, too. It feels velvety, not slick, giving your skin a smooth, matte look that holds up in humid weather.

3. Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50 - This Japanese product feels like water on your skin. It vanishes right after you put it on and works great in humid places. I've worn this while hiking through steamy forests and forgot I even had it on.

Mineral Options with Zinc: Gentle Protection for Sensitive Skin

If your skin reacts badly to chemical sunscreens or you want reef-safe options, mineral sunscreens are much better now than the thick, white pastes from the past.

1. EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 - Skin doctors suggest this zinc formula for touchy or acne-prone skin. It's fairly light for a mineral product and has niacinamide to soothe red skin—great after a long flight makes your skin act up.

2. Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ - This Australian-made option works well for very sensitive skin. The bottle turns blue in UV light to remind you to put it on—handy when you're busy looking at pretty beach views. I use this on days when I'll be in and out of water.

3. Coola Mineral Face Matte Tint SPF 30—This lightly tinted zinc option adds a bit of color that evens skin tone while protecting. It's great for sightseeing days when you want just a little makeup but still want to look good in vacation photos.

On-the-Go Reapplication: Sunscreen Powders and Setting Sprays

The hard part of sun protection isn't putting it on in the morning—it's putting it on again during the day without messing up your makeup or stopping your fun.

1. Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50 - This powder sunscreen comes in a brush that makes putting it on again as easy as touching up your makeup. It comes in many tints and also stops shine—perfect for those midday vacation selfies.

2. Supergoop! (Re)setting Refreshing Mist SPF 40 - This fine spray sets makeup while adding more sun protection. It feels like a fancy face mist, not sunscreen, making you want to use it again on hot afternoons.

3. COOLA Organic SPF 30 Makeup Setting Spray - With aloe and cucumber, this setting spray cools skin while protecting it—just what you need after a morning walking through sunny ruins or markets. The travel size fits easily in a small bag.

Non-Comedogenic Options: Sun Protection That Won't Cause Breakouts

Nothing ruins vacation vibes faster than getting pimples. These options protect without clogging pores, so you can keep that vacation glow.

1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60 - This oil-free formula has silica and perlite to soak up extra oil all day. It's very good for hot, humid places where your skin might break out more.

2. Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen SPF 55 - Made just for acne-prone skin, this light option won't cause breakouts even during sweaty activities. I've worn this hiking through hot hills without any skin problems.

3. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30—For those who want to pack light, this moisturizer-sunscreen combo uses soy to help skin tone while providing sun protection. It's great for morning use under makeup.

Stick Formulas: Precision Protection That Stays Put

Stick formulas are handy and clean for use around sensitive eyes or quick touch-ups during active days.

1. Neutrogena Beach Defense Water-Resistant Stick Sunscreen SPF 50+ - This water-proof stick is perfect for ears, nose, and shoulders—spots that burn first but are often missed. I always keep this in my beach bag for quick use after swimming.

2. Shiseido Clear Stick UV Protector SPF 50+ - This clear stick works even better when it gets wet or sweaty, making it great for active trips. It never runs into eyes, even during water sports or sweaty city tours.

3. Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Stick—With vitamin E, this stick is perfect for the soft skin around your eyes and lips. Its small size fits in even tiny evening bags for sunset protection.

The Vacation Sunscreen Strategy

The key to truly enjoying your vacation sun-safe is having a plan. Here's mine:

1. Morning: Put a good formula for your skin type before getting dressed.

2. Before going out: Add a stick formula to high-risk areas like the nose, ears, and shoulders.

3. Every two hours: Put on powder or spray over makeup when sightseeing.

4. After swimming: Right away, put on a water-proof option after drying off.

Remember that no sunscreen, no matter how perfect it is for your skin, works if it stays in the bottle.

The best sunscreen is the one you'll actually use on your trip.

With the right sun protection plan, you can focus on making great memories instead of dealing with painful burns.

After all, the souvenir you want to bring home is photos of your adventures—not damaged skin.

Here's to sunny days and happy skin on your next trip!

Where to Find These Sunscreens

The good news is that most of these sunscreens are easy to find:

Drugstores:

• CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid carry Neutrogena, Aveeno, La Roche-Posay, and Sun Bum.

• Most now have other brands like Supergoop! and EltaMD.

Beauty Stores:

• Sephora and Ulta have fancy options like Supergoop!, Coola, and Shiseido.

• They often have travel sizes perfect for vacation packing.

Big Box Stores:

• Target and Walmart sell Neutrogena, Blue Lizard, and Aveeno at good prices.

• Their beauty areas often have more sunscreen options during summer.

Online:

• Amazon has almost all these brands, often cheaper.

• Dermstore.com focuses on doctor-backed options like EltaMD and Colorescience.

• Brand websites sometimes have special deals or sets.

If You're Traveling Abroad:

• Japanese sunscreens like Biore can be found on YesStyle.com or Amazon.

• European pharmacies often have La Roche-Posay cheaper than in the US.

Pro Tip: If you forget sunscreen, most tourist spots have stores or hotel shops with basic options.

Many resorts also give out free sunscreen by the pool.

But choices may be limited, and prices higher, so it's best to bring your favorite products with you.

TSA-Friendly Sunscreen Options for Air Travel

Nothing is worse than having to throw away your expensive sunscreen at airport security!

To avoid this vacation disaster, remember these simple rules:

Airport Security Rules:

• For carry-on bags, all liquids must be in 3.4 oz (100ml) bottles or smaller

• All bottles must fit in one quart-sized clear plastic bag

• Each person gets just one quart-sized bag of liquids

Smart Packing Tips:

1. Travel Sizes: Many brands sell small versions (Supergoop!, Coola, and Neutrogena all have good small sizes)

2. Solid Sticks: Stick sunscreens don't count as liquids, making them perfect for carry-ons

3. Powder Options: Sunscreen powders like Colorescience brush-ons are TSA-friendly and don't count as liquids

4. Small Bottles: Put your favorite sunscreen in travel-sized bottles (just be sure to label them)

5. Special Containers: Companies like Cadence sell small, leak-proof containers perfect for short trips

Flying Tips:

• Pack at least one use in your carry-on so you can apply right when you land

• Put sticks or powders in your carry-on and liquid formulas in checked bags

• Remember that planes can dry your skin, so use moisturizing sunscreen before and during long flights

By planning ahead with TSA-friendly sizes, you'll protect both your skin and your money.

Your future self will thank you when you step off the plane, ready to enjoy the sun safely!