10 Best Sunscreen for a Beach Vacation in 2023

With temperatures hitting the highest levels in history, the young and old, male and female are looking for the best sunscreen for a beach vacation to protect their face and skin from sunburn. If you intend to go on a beach vacation, expect extreme sun exposure, skin dehydration, cool breezy nights, and harmful rays.

Whether it’s sunscreen or sunblock, you need to carefully choose the best sunscreen for your face and body that will serve its intended purpose without causing side effects. And to protect nature and creatures in the waters, consider buying eco-friendly and water-friendly sunscreen.

Since not every sunscreen will deliver the desired results on your skin, partly because they’re designed to suit a specific skin type and characteristics, extra caution is necessary not to break the bank for the wrong product. For example, while the Sun Bum Original SPF 70 Sunscreen Lotion will work best on your body during the beach vacation, Vacation Classic Lotion SPF 30 will rub very gently and completely sheer in your face.

You don’t need large quantity sunscreen with bulky packaging during the beach vacation. All the sunscreens listed below are travel-sized. The active ingredients, water resistance, and SPF rates are different to give the latitude of choice and meet every skin demand in your family.

The best sunscreens for a beach vacation in 2023 are;

1. EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SFP 46 Facial Sunscreen – Rating 4.7 /5 Stars

EltaMD UV Clear facial sunscreen is formulated to block harmful UV rays from the sun. Besides protecting your skin from sunburns, the antioxidant component in EltaMD calms and promotes healthy skin. Is your skin prone to acne, dark spots, or rosacea? The high-purity Niacinamide will block sun rays and protect your sensitive skin. It’s also a good anti-aging chemical and its combination with hyaluronic acid which is an ingredient makes EltaMD an excellent sunscreen for reducing wrinkles and fine lines.

Other reasons EltaMD features #1 on this list are;

● Being an oil-free sunscreen, you’ll be free from that greasy feeling on your face.

● If you’re sensitive to fragrance or you what to enjoy the freshness of the beach, EltaMD UV Clear is completely unscented.

● The absence of harmful preservatives giving this product the paraben-free label is concrete evidence EltaMD is formulated to protect and make your skin healthier.

2. Alba Botanica Clear Spray Coconut SPF 50 Sunscreen – Rating 4.5/ 5 stars

To keep your face protected against the harsh UVA and UVB rays while at the beach , spray Alba Botanical Clear Spray Coconut SPF 50 Sunscreen on your hands then apply the face. The silky oil combinations from vegetable extracts absorb quickly leaving the face without the greasy feeling. This sunscreen is lightweight, 80% water resistant, paraben-free, and cruelty-free if you’re vegan. While protecting your skin is the first priority, preventing premature aging and using it on your 3-year kids makes it an ideal Sunscreen for the entire family.

Other than containing chemical ingredients harmful to the coral reefs, there’re plenty of goodies in Alba Botanica Coconut Oil Hawaiian Clear. The advantages are;

● You can use Alba Botanical on every family member to nourish the face, body, and hair.

● It completely absorbs leaving a light coconut scent that will keep you feeling fresh during the vacation

● The air-powered mist applicable every morning makes it the best sunscreen for everyday use.

3. Coppertone SPORT Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 – Rating 4.8/5 stars

If you’re looking for the best face sunscreen for a beach vacation Coppertone Sport spray SFP 50 is the sunscreen to choose from. It absorbs fast and you won’t experience the stickiness with most sunblock sprays. Other than being easy to apply, it sprays from all angles. This sunscreen comes in two for you to save more. Coppertone Sports Spray is unscented which allows you to connect with fresh misty sprays caused by the water waves. The sprays don’t clog your skin pores thus retaining the skin’s breathing feel.

Coppertone Sport Sunscreen SPF 50 doesn’t contain Oxybenzone, dyes, Octinoxate, or phthalates which are environmentally unfriendly chemicals. To keep your skin protected even after taking a dive, this sunscreen will resist water and heat for 80 minutes.

4. Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion – Rating 4.8/5 Stars

Summer means more UVA and UVB rays burning your face and body. Sun Bum Original SFP 50 Sunscreen lotion is formulated to prevent 98% of these rays from burning your skin.

Applying this lotion after every 80 minutes of swimming or sweating will guarantee smooth and moisturized skin. All measures are put in place to ensure maximum skin and reef protection – it’s paraben-free, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.

Dermatologists and Sonny have tested and cleared Sun Bum to be safe for skin types. No skin irritation or side effects. Just like the summer, it summer scented and skin-enriching.

5. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Non-Greasy Sunscreen SFP 70– Rating 4.7/5 Stars

No matter the size of your handbag, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen lotion is easily portable and won’t add any weight. No one will notice the sunscreen on your skin nor will you feel it. Its lightweight feel, a high broad spectrum of SFP 70, and fast absorption formula make it an ideal sunscreen choice for a beach vacation. Besides protecting your face and skin from UVB rays, it’s a good anti-aging lotion.

On top of that, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunscreen lotion won’t clog your pores and will give powerful protection for up to 80 minutes while in water.

6. BLU E LIZARD Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Stick – Rating 4.6/5 Stars

Practically, glide Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Stick will initially feel greasy, and whitish will be visible. However, the Zinc Oxide component which takes 20% of the active ingredients will make the greasy feel and the whitish disappear in a few minutes. Whether you’re using it on your kids or hubby, it has no fragrance and gives the best results on sensitive skin.

The Aloe Vera, sunflower, sheer butter, and Seed oil in this sunscreen are meant to keep your skin nourished, as the SFP 50+ broad spectrum takes you through the summer adventures.

7. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen Lotion– Rating 4.6.5 Stars

La Roche-Posay Anthelios sunscreen lotion is formulated to offer powerful UVA and UVB ray filtration, spread easily, absorb fast, and soothe the skin. It’s Oxybenzone and Octinoxate free thus promising non-skin reactions and photoallergies. This formulation is paraben-free, fragrance-free, and non-stick to the skin.

And if you’ve got sensitive skin that requires strong UVA protection, La Roche sunscreen lotion is the sunscreen to

carry over the summer vacation.

8. Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion – Rating 4.7/5 Stars

Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion has a lot to offer – skin nourishment, dehydration, skin aging, and UVB protection. It feels light to the skin, absorbs faster leaving no scents, and provides 80 minutes of sweat and water resistance.

As Supergoop protects your skin, it’s also safe for the beach reef as it doesn’t contain Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. The plant-based ingredients incorporated in the formulation make it safer for skin sensitivity.

9. CETAPHIL Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick – Rating 4.1/5 Stars

Cetaphil Sheer sunscreen stick is 100% mineral and contains inactive ingredients such as beeswax which makes it blend well with almost every skin type. The SFP 50 broad spectrum protects the skin from UV rays that may cause skin cancer, skin burn, and early skin aging. After gliding on your skin, Cetaphil will leave your skin smooth, dehydrated for many hours, and a soothing feel courtesy of vitamin E.

For better results on your screen, you can first apply your favorite body moisturizing lotion and glide this sunscreen on top.

10. Aveeno Positively Sunscreen Lotion – Rating 4.2/5 Stars

There are many alternatives to Aveeno Sunscreen lotion , but the nourishing oat and the Zinc Oxide combination allows no other option especially if you’ve got sensitive skin.

It’s fast-absorbing, sweat and water-resistant, formulated to provide maximum UVA rays and skin aging protection. No matter the number of times you apply it on your skin, no greasy feeling. Apply gently and it’ll matte perfectly well with your skin leaving no white casts.

If there’s a better formula to use when evaluating the best sunscreen for beach vacations, Aveeno would occupy the top slots. Partly because of its compact design, weight, ingredients combination, and effectiveness in protecting sensitive skin against harsh UVA rays

Wrap Up

When searching for the best sunscreen for a beach vacation, it’s important to know the sunscreens’ broad spectrum, whether it’s a chemical or mineral type, and water resistance capabilities. And because you’ll have to always have it in your travel handbag, consider the sunscreens’ total packaging weight, and style.

Would you love to choose a sunscreen stick, lotion, cream, or spray?