This Summer, My Beach Bag Is Filled to the Brim With Spray Sunscreens

Next-gen drops smell delicious and are never, ever sticky.

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Two women laying on the beach on bath towels in bikinis. They are flanked by two spray sunscreens.
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I could write a dissertation about the best sunscreen formulas in my sleep. SPF is my holy grail, my can’t-live-without, my must-have. I’ve tried dozens upon dozens of formulas—hi, tinted SPFs, Korean sunscreens, body sunscreens—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. 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 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 Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., and Hadley King, M.D., 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.

The Best Spray Sunscreens

Kopari sunscreen before and after image

Siena Gagliano applies the Kopari Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen SPF 42 to her arm.

(Image credit: Kopari)

arms before and after using coola sunscreen spray

Siena Gagliano applies the COOLA Clear Sunscreen Spray in Guava Mango SPF 50 to her arm.

(Image credit: Siena Gagliano)

arms before and after using the sol de janiero rio radiance spray

Siena Gagliano applies the Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance SPF 50 to her arm.

(Image credit: Siena Gagliano)

How Do I Apply Spray 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,” says 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.

Is Spray Sunscreen Safe?

A few years ago, Johnson & Johnson recalled some of its sunscreens after detecting low amounts of benzene, a known carcinogen, in certain aerosol formulas. According to board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., "We still don't know how effectively benzene penetrates through the skin, or how the benzene behaves after skin penetration," because most research has looked at what happens when it's inhaled or ingested, not applied to the skin.

Inhaling benzene can be harmful to the lungs, says Dr. King. And research suggests contamination may stem from isobutane, a propellant used in aerosol sprays, she adds. If you prefer sprays, she suggests looking for non-aerosol options, applying them outside or in a well-ventilated space, and holding your breath for a few seconds while spraying. At the end of the day, "avoiding an effective preventative measure such as sunscreen could prove more harmful than exposure to trace amounts of benzene," Dr. King says.

What's The Difference Between Chemical and Mineral Sunscreens?

If you prefer spray sunscreens over other formulas, you'll have to decide whether to use chemical or mineral sunscreens, with each having its own pros and cons. Here, Dr. King breaks down the difference between the UV filters and gives her recommendations for each.

  • Chemical sunscreens

Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, which is then released from the skin, says Dr. King. These formulas typically contain UV filters like oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and avobenzone. Chemical formulas tend to be sheerer and lighter than mineral options, making them a great choice for deeper skin tones, since they're less likely to leave a white cast.

  • Mineral or physical sunscreens

Mineral sunscreens (also known as physical sunscreens) use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide to create a barrier on the skin that reflects UV rays. Dr. King recommends these formulas for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin, since they're less likely to cause irritation. They're also photostable, meaning they don't break down when exposed to sunlight.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

How We Tested

Marie Claire is an authority on sunscreen, having written countless stories about must-have SPF formulas, such as the best sunscreens overall and the best body sunscreens, among others. The products on this list have all been tried and tested by one of our editors or hand-picked by beauty writers after testing the product over a few weeks.

While the best spray sunscreen for you will vary based on personal preference, you truly can't go wrong with one of the items on this list.

Meet the Experts

Headshot of Lindsey Zubritsky, MD
Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D.

Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at Premier Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in Mississippi, where she specializes in general, surgical, cosmetic, and pediatric dermatology. A Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and one of its official social media ambassadors, Dr. Zubritsky is passionate about debunking skincare myths and educating the public through her digital platforms.

Dr. Hadley King, dermatologist, headshot
Dr. Hadley King, M.D.

Hadley King, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology. She is also a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

After residency, Dr. King worked as an attending physician at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, during which time she specialized in cutaneous oncology and photodynamic therapy. She also has a background in immunology, and her research has been published in a variety of medical journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Siena Gagliano
Siena Gagliano
Beauty Editor

Siena Gagliano is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she writes and edits reported features, trend stories, and expert-backed shopping roundups. Before joining the team full-time, she was an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she specialized in SEO-first beauty content and commerce strategy. Her bylines have also appeared in Allure, ELLE, Bustle, Well+Good, Popsugar, and Women's Health, covering everything from the best products for brighter, glowier skin to the science behind face mapping. Curious about the behind-the-scenes magazine life and her go-to beauty picks? Follow her on Instagram at @sienagagliano.

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