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Dive into your beach vacation with reef safe sunscreen that protects your skin and the ocean.

Person holding a bottle of espieve non-tinted sunscreen SPF 40 on a beach

Credit:Travel + Leisure

My vacation doesnt start until my toes hit the ocean.

And the first thing I reach for when Im heading out is reef safe sunscreen.

Yet, it can be hard to find the right one.

Thrive Reef Safe Sunscreen SPF 50

Credit: Amazon

You should also avoid ingredients including homosalate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, parabens, triclosan, and para-aminobenzoic acid.

It leaves a light white cast for about one minute after applying.

The creamy formula went on smoothly and left our skin feeling protected and moisturized.

A person applies Thrive Natural Care Body Mineral Sunscreen to their hand

Credit: Travel + Leisure

The sunscreen did not transfer onto any fabrics or swimsuits either.

It needs to be reapplied after 40 minutes in the water.

This is one of my favorite reef safe sunscreens for daily use.

A person applies Thrive Natural Care Body Mineral Sunscreen to the back of their hand

Because the stick applicator is so small, this is best used only on the face.

I love a stick sunscreen for quick and easy tool while Im on the go.

It leaves a white cast for about 15 minutes after utility.

A person after applying Thrive Natural Care Body Mineral Sunscreen to their hand

It actually helps me wear sunscreen more often if I stumble upon it while Im out.

The smooth-but-not-watery consistency comes out of the tube easily and allows for control of placement and quantity.

The lotion sunscreen only goes up to SPF 30, which may not be enough coverage for all.

A person holds up a bottle of Thrive Natural Care Body Mineral Sunscreen

This All Good Sunscreen is light and nongreasy, so you hardly notice youre wearing anything at all.

This sunscreen is easy to rub onto the skin, and skin looks and feels hydrated after software.

Plus, it does not leave any white cast behind and doesnt transfer residue onto towels or swimsuits.

A bottle of Thrive Natural Care Body Mineral Sunscreen on a table

It has no added fragrance, but it does have a light citrus smell.

This does leave a bit of a white cast, but it faded completely after about 30 minutes.

It doesnt leave any sticky or greasy residue and didnt transfer to any clothing or towels throughout our uses.

A person applies Thrive Natural Care Body Mineral Sunscreen to their hand

This sunscreen has no added fragrances, but it does have a natural light citrus scent.

For the cost, we do wish it came in a larger size.

It goes on sheer and dries almost instantly, so you dont have to worry about drips or running.

A person applies Thrive Natural Care Body Mineral Sunscreen to the back of their hand

The sunscreen is also easy to control and apply to specific areas because its so easy to spread.

We also loved that despite the sheer effect on skin, this sunscreen doesnt stain.

We spilled some on a fanny pack, and it didnt show any spots or discoloration.

A person after applying Thrive Natural Care Body Mineral Sunscreen to their hand

While it did leave a light white cast, that disappeared after rubbing it in.

It has a peachy color that may be difficult to blend in.

After applying, the sunscreen stays set, and we didnt notice any running or dripping.

A person holds up a bottle of Thrive Natural Care Body Mineral Sunscreen

Its also quite effective despite its lightweight consistency.

In our lab, we evaluated each sunscreens consistency, texture, and system process.

We also noted the smell and moisturizing capabilities.

A bottle of Thrive Natural Care Body Mineral Sunscreen on a table

After our lab tests, we sent each product out to travelers heading on beach vacations.

We each used our sunscreen five times per week throughout four weeks of testing.

Throughout our tests, we noted if the sunscreen transferred onto clothing, towels, or other surfaces.

Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40

Credit: Espieve

To test reef safe sunscreens, we also went into the water after waiting the recommended time for drying.

SPF 30 is generally recommended for daily use whether youre going to the beach or not.

Anyone going into direct sun for long periods of time should look for SPF 50.

A person applying Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 to their face at the beach

Credit: Travel + Leisure

Look fortravel-sized bottles(3.4 ounces or less) that fit easily into bag and pant pockets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reef safe sunscreens are mineral-based, using nontoxic ingredients.

Look for non-nano zinc or titanium for a safer, more sustainable product.

Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 on a person’s cheek outside

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Taylor Foxis the outdoor gear editor forTravel + Leisure.

A person dispensing the Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 into their hands

A person applying Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 to their arm outside

A person holding the Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 at the beach

A person holding the Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 outside at the beach

Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 in sand

A person holding the Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40

Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40

A person applying Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 to their face at the beach

Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 on a person’s cheek outside

A person dispensing the Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 into their hands

A person applying Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 to their arm outside

A person holding the Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 at the beach

A person holding the Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 outside at the beach

Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 in sand

A person holding the Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40

Espieve Non-tinted Sunscreen SPF 40

Sea & Summit SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion

Credit: Sea & Summit

A person applies Sea & Summit SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion to their arm

Credit: Travel + Leisure

A person applies Sea & Summit SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion to the back of their hand

A person’s arm after applying Sea & Summit SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion

A person holds up a bottle of Sea & Summit SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion

A person applies Sea & Summit SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion to their arm

A person applies Sea & Summit SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion to the back of their hand

A person’s arm after applying Sea & Summit SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion

A person holds up a bottle of Sea & Summit SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion

Vertra Invisible Sunscreen Face Stick

Credit: Vertra

A person holds up the Vertra Invisible Sunscreen Face Stick

Credit: Travel + Leisure

The Vertra Invisible Sunscreen Face Stick in sand

A person applies the Vertra Invisible Sunscreen Face Stick

A person applies Vertra Invisible Sunscreen Face Stick to their hand

A person removes the cap on the Vertra Invisible Sunscreen Face Stick

A person holds up the Vertra Invisible Sunscreen Face Stick

The Vertra Invisible Sunscreen Face Stick in sand

A person applies the Vertra Invisible Sunscreen Face Stick

A person applies Vertra Invisible Sunscreen Face Stick to their hand

A person removes the cap on the Vertra Invisible Sunscreen Face Stick

Maui Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen

Credit: Amazon

A bottle of Maui Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen displayed in sand next to a red seashell

Credit: Travel + Leisure

A bottle of Maui Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen displayed in sand next to a red seashell and driftwood

A finger covered in Maui Surfer Honey All-Natural Sunscreen from a purple spoon full of it

A hand applying Maui Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen to the opposite arm against a black background

A hand spreading Maui Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen across an arm against a dark background

A finger pressed against an arm covered in water displayed against a dark background

A person resting their arm displayed on a black tabletop next to a bottle of Maui Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen

Two hands holding a bottle of Maui Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen displayed against a dark background

A bottle of Maui Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen displayed in sand next to a red seashell

A bottle of Maui Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen displayed in sand next to a red seashell and driftwood

A finger covered in Maui Surfer Honey All-Natural Sunscreen from a purple spoon full of it

A hand applying Maui Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen to the opposite arm against a black background

A hand spreading Maui Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen across an arm against a dark background

A finger pressed against an arm covered in water displayed against a dark background

A person resting their arm displayed on a black tabletop next to a bottle of Maui Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen

Two hands holding a bottle of Maui Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen displayed against a dark background

All Good Makes Everything Better Sport Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion

Credit: Amazon

A person dispensing the All Good Sport Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion onto their finger

Credit: Travel + Leisure

A person applying All Good Sport Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion to their arm

A person rubbing in the All Good Sport Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion on their arm

A dot of All Good Sport Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion on the back of a person’s hand

A person applying the All Good Sport Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion to their arm

All Good Sport Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion outside near a cactus

A person dispensing the All Good Sport Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion onto their finger

A person applying All Good Sport Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion to their arm

A person rubbing in the All Good Sport Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion on their arm

A dot of All Good Sport Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion on the back of a person’s hand

A person applying the All Good Sport Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion to their arm

All Good Sport Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion outside near a cactus

California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Lotion

Credit: Amazon

Person’s hand smears California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Lotion across an arm

Credit: Travel + Leisure

Black towel gently wipes off California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Lotion from the arm

Person’s hand holding a black towel covered in California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Lotion

Person’s hand smears California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Lotion across an arm

Black towel gently wipes off California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Lotion from the arm

Person’s hand holding a black towel covered in California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Lotion

Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen

Credit: Amazon

A person holds up a bottle of Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen

Credit: Travel + Leisure

A person after applying Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen

A person applies Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen to the back of their hand

A person shows their hand after applying Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen

A bottle of Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen with the cap off

A person holds up a bottle of Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen

A person after applying Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen

A person applies Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen to the back of their hand

A person shows their hand after applying Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen

A bottle of Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen with the cap off

Badger Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Credit: Badger

The Badger Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 in pebbles

Credit: Travel + Leisure

The Badger Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 tube with the cap open

A dollop of Badger Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 on the back of a person’s hand

The back of a person’s hand after applying Badger Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

The information on the back of the Badger Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 tube

The Badger Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 in pebbles

The Badger Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 tube with the cap open

A dollop of Badger Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 on the back of a person’s hand

The back of a person’s hand after applying Badger Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

The information on the back of the Badger Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 tube

Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen

Credit: Sephora

A person applies Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen to the back of their hand

Credit: Travel + Leisure

A person after applying Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen to their hand

A bottle of Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen in sand

A person applies Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen to their hand

A person’s hand after applying Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen

A person applies Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen to the back of their hand

A person after applying Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen to their hand

A bottle of Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen in sand

A person applies Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen to their hand

A person’s hand after applying Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen

A person squeezes a tube of Thinksport SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen

Travel + Leisure

A person applying the Brush On Block SPF 30 to their face

Travel + Leisure