Travel Products Style Beauty The 11 Best Reef-safe Sunscreens of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Our favorite sunscreens keep the oceans safe and are protective, nourishing, and fast-absorbing. By Anna Popp Anna Popp Anna Popp is a New York-based commerce writer at Travel + Leisure covering all of the best travel products, from luggage to outdoor gear. She has been a travel writer and product tester for over five years. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 16, 2024 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist and editor who has traveled across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and spent more than a decade reviewing hotel room. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Others We Liked Our Testing Process Other Beach Gear You May Need Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao As more and more tropical destinations ban harmful chemicals often found in traditional sunscreen, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, one of the best ways to help preserve aquatic wildlife is to wear reef-safe sunscreen. These products don't contribute to coral bleaching, and they're just as protective and nourishing as regular sunscreen, too. When you aren’t headed to the beach, using reef-safe sunscreen lessens the chance that you're sending damaging chemicals to water sources through your sink and shower drains. There are a variety of reef-friendly sunscreens out there, so we thoroughly researched options that exclude chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate and found 26 options from trusted skincare brands. We tested them in our New York City lab, in everyday settings, and during sun-soaked getaways. Whether you’re surfing, snorkeling, or swimming in the ocean waves, our wide-ranging list has something to suit your needs. Plus, we have tips and tricks for buying reef-safe sunscreen to give you the best possible protection from the sun without environmental consequences. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Maui Naturals Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 at Amazon ($39) Jump to Review Best Scent: Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sun Milk Body Lotion SPF 50 at Amazon ($14) Jump to Review Best for Water Sports: Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen at Amazon ($15) Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Lotion at Amazon ($27) Jump to Review Best Non-greasy: Suntegrity Skincare Natural Mineral Body Sunscreen at Amazon ($26) Jump to Review Best for Face: Summer Fridays ShadeDrops SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen at Sephora ($36) Jump to Review Best Fragrance-free: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 at Amazon ($15) Jump to Review Best Water-resistant: Kokua Sun Care Sunscreen at Amazon ($35) Jump to Review Best Sheer: Pipette Mineral Sunscreen at Pipettebaby.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best for Families: Reef Repair Reef Safe Sunscreen SPF 30+ at Amazon ($18) Jump to Review Best Overall Maui Naturals Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 Amazon View On Amazon $39 Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Transfer 4.5/5 Opacity 4.8/5 Water Resistance 5/5 Why We Love It The nutrient-rich and lightweight formula rubs in easily and leaves skin feeling hydrated but not greasy. What to Consider It has a slight white cast that goes away after a few minutes. While Hawaii officially banned non-reef-safe sunscreens in 2021, Maui Naturals has been making our top-scoring Maui Surfer Honey sunscreen since 2009. The formula is creamy and hydrating and reminds us of a daily moisturizer thanks to its lightweight texture. It's easy to apply and feels gentle even on sensitive skin. Made in Hawaii, the reef-friendly formula is free of harmful chemicals like oxybenzone, petrochemicals, and nanoparticles and includes natural ingredients like aloe vera, jojoba oil, and honey. We’re big fans of the hint-of-marshmallow aroma that comes from the sunscreen, as we found it to be subtle and sweet. The sunscreen is an off-white shade and left a little white cast that went away after the lotion had a few minutes to set into the skin. Compared to many of the reef-safe sunscreens we tested, the Maui Surfer Honey absorbed incredibly well. We also appreciated that the sunscreen didn’t transfer or come off after a sweaty workout, and we think the formula sets in perfectly for a variety of outdoor activities. The Details: 30 SPF | 3 ounces | Up to 80 minutes of water resistance Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Best Scent Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sun Milk Body Lotion SPF 50 Target View On Amazon $14 View On Target $15 View On Walmart $14 Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Transfer 5/5 Opacity 5/5 Water Resistance 4/5 Why We Love It The texture of the sunscreen is milky and smooth, and it smells like a tropical breeze. What to Consider The bottle is prone to leaking, which may be messy for travel. This Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen will instantly transport you to the beach thanks to its subtle but deliciously tropical scents. The milky texture applies like silk on the skin and, although it’s a little watery, it absorbs quickly without leaving a pesky residue behind. Plus, it didn't transfer at all when we rubbed our arms with a black T-shirt after application. While working out and swimming in the pool, none of the sunscreen came off or felt slimy, which led us to believe that this sun lotion lives up to its 80-minute water resistance. We love the button applicator for applying the sunscreen, but we wish the bottle was more durable to avoid any possibility of spills occurring in a suitcase. That being said, we still think this is one of the best sunscreens we tried thanks to the silky texture, moisturizing effect, and sweet island aroma. The Details: 50 SPF | 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces | Up to 80 minutes of water resistance Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Best for Water Sports Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen Thinksport Clear Zinc SPF 50 Sunscreen. REI View On Amazon $15 View On REI $16 View On Gothink.com Our Ratings Feel 4/5 Transfer 4.5/5 Opacity 5/5 Water Resistance 5/5 Why We Love It It stays on while in the water without dripping or rubbing off. What to Consider The white cast never fully went away after it was rubbed in. This sunscreen has a thick, creamy texture that came out of the tube very smoothly. It felt quite similar to lotion, though the white cast remained after 15 minutes, despite the fact that it felt dry to the touch. Still, it doesn't feel greasy and didn't run on sweaty or wet faces, making this a great option for surfers, body boarders, and even divers. It has a very faint scent of citrus that we found to be pleasing, yet subtle. This vegan and dermatologist recommended formula is also approved for those with sensitive skin. And with an 80-minute water-resistance window, active adults and families with little ones can all happily add this sunscreen to their daily summer routines. The Details: 50 SPF | 3 ounces | 80 minutes of water resistance Best for Sensitive Skin California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Lotion Amazon View On Amazon $27 View On Californiababy.com View On Swimoutlet.com $22 Our Ratings Feel 4.5/5 Transfer 3.8/5 Opacity 4.5/5 Water Resistance 4/5 Why We Love It The creamy, gentle formula is both reef- and baby-safe. What to Consider There is a white cast leftover that takes about 30 minutes to go away. The California Baby Super Sensitive Lotion formula is free of harsh chemicals like oxybenzone and homosalate, and it’s allergy-tested so it’s safe for gluten, soy, tree nuts, peanut, and sesame allergies. We love the creamy and thick texture of the sunscreen, and even though it takes some elbow grease to rub in, it’s worth it for the non-greasy and hydrating effect it leaves on the skin. After wearing the sun lotion in the ocean, it didn’t run off or get into our eyes and cause stinging, so we think this sunscreen is an excellent option if you’re going on a tropical family vacation and need sun protection for a variety of ages and skin types. The Details: 30 SPF | 2.9 ounces | Up to 80 minutes of water resistance Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Best Non-greasy Suntegrity Skincare Natural Mineral Body Sunscreen Amazon View On Amazon $26 View On Nordstrom $28 View On Smallflower.com Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Transfer 4.8/5 Opacity 4/5 Water Resistance 4.5/5 Why We Love It The sunscreen rubs in seamlessly and feels nearly weightless without a trace of oily residue. What to Consider It has a mild orange scent our tester didn’t love. Whether you’re swimming, hiking, running, or hitting the courts, we think Suntegrity’s mineral body sunscreen is ideal for all types of adventures thanks to the non-greasy feel of the lotion — perfect to stash in a beach tote or tennis bag. We love that it applies like a regular lotion with a little bit going a long way, and it feels super hydrating on the skin. You barely feel like you're wearing sunscreen thanks to the lightweight texture and refreshing ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber extract, and jojoba oil. Although the formula includes a variety of oil-based ingredients, the application and result don’t feel slick or greasy at all. There is a very minimal white cast after applying the sunscreen to larger parts of the body like legs and arms, but for a mineral-based sunscreen, the white cast isn’t nearly as bad as others we tried. Plus, if you’re a fan of citrus scents, you’ll like the sunblock's subtle orange aroma, too. The Details: 30 SPF | 3 ounces Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao The 11 Best Travel-size Sunscreens of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best for Face Summer Fridays ShadeDrops SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen Sephora View On Sephora $36 View On Summerfridays.com $36 View On Kohls.com $36 Our Ratings Feel 4.8/5 Transfer 5/5 Opacity 5/5 Water Resistance 5/5 Removal 5/5 Why We Love It The sunscreen is super lightweight and absorbs quickly, especially on oily skin types. What to Consider It leaves a sheen on the face after it’s applied. We think this face sunscreen from Summer Fridays is the perfect addition to your everyday skincare routine thanks to its protective and non-irritating formula. We were thoroughly impressed by the lightweight feel of the sunscreen that absorbed quickly and didn’t leave an oily residue. A little bit of the liquidy texture goes a long way, and while the lotion leaves a slight sheen after it’s absorbed, we like that it provides more of a glowy rather than greasy look. Best of all, the mineral formula is free of nanoparticles, oxybenzone, octinoxate, and other chemicals that can harm the ocean. The Details: 30 SPF | 1.7 ounces Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Best Fragrance-free Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Amazon View On Amazon $15 View On Target $15 View On Target $15 Our Ratings Feel 4.5/5 Transfer 4.8/5 Opacity 5/5 Water Resistance 5/5 Why We Love It The watery formula is super hydrating and free of any scents. What to Consider It doesn’t absorb easily and leaves a bit of a residue, which isn’t great for oily skin combinations. For travelers looking for sunscreen that doesn’t have any added scent, this tube of Blue Lizard lotion is your best option. We’re big fans of the hydrating liquid texture that comes out of the bottle seamlessly and easily spreads around the body. Blue Lizard uses smart-cap technology that makes the cap of this tube change from translucent to blue if there is a harmful level of UV rays outside, so all you have to do is take the bottle out of your bag to see if applying is urgently needed. Because the formula is very watery, it might take some extra rubbing in to get the sunscreen to absorb, so we think the formula is best designed for dry skin rather than oily skin combinations. The sunscreen has a slight white cast and a residual greasiness, but it still feels hydrating and lightweight. The Details: 50 SPF | 5 ounces | Up to 80 minutes of water resistance Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao The Ultimate Costa Rica Packing List Best Water-resistant Kokua Sun Care Sunscreen Amazon View On Amazon $35 View On Kokuasuncare.com $30 Why We Love It The sunscreen doesn’t transfer or run after getting wet, so it’s ideal for outdoor activities. What to Consider It takes some effort to fully rub it in. Designed with outdoor activities top of mind, this sunscreen from Kokua has a plant-based formula and water resistance for up to 80 minutes. We found that the sheer formula is super gentle, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t come off in the water. The ingredients include spirulina, kukui nut oil, macadamia nut oil, noni, and plumeria — all of which are sourced from Hawaii to support local agriculture. The sunscreen ingredients are all approved in destinations with the strictest bans on harmful sunscreen including Palau, Maui, and the Big Island. The consistency of the sunscreen is slightly watery, and a little goes a long way, so the 3-ounce tube could easily last for a weeklong tropical vacation. The Details: 50 SPF | 3 ounces | Up to 80 minutes of water resistance Best Sheer Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Amazon View On Pipettebaby.com Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Transfer 4.8/5 Opacity 5/5 Water Resistance 5/5 Why We Love It The mineral formula is thick but rubs in sheerer than other sunscreens we tried. What to Consider Some of the sunscreen ran off in the water and transferred onto a T-shirt during testing. Mineral sunscreen has a bad rap for being overly thick and pasty, but the Pipette Mineral Sunscreen defies expectations by absorbing quickly without leaving any white cast or greasy residue behind. The non-nano zinc oxide formula provides broad-spectrum protection from harmful UV rays without damaging coral reefs, so you can feel good whether you’re swimming or snorkeling in the ocean. Other natural ingredients include sugarcane-derived squalene to help make the texture extra spreadable and red gooseberry extract for sun protection to create a formula that is designed to be gentle enough for babies, toddlers, and children. We did notice that after getting out of the water, some of the sunscreen ran off and transferred to a shirt, but it didn’t cause any skin irritation or stinging in the eyes. The Details: 50 SPF | 4 ounces Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Best for Families Reef Repair Reef Safe Sunscreen SPF 30+ Amazon View On Amazon $18 View On Reefrepair.com Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Transfer 4.8/5 Opacity 5/5 Water Resistance 3/5 Why We Love It The sunscreen is easy to rub in and comes with two 1.7-ounce bottles to travel with. What to Consider It feels a little chalky once it dries on the skin. We think the gentle and natural ingredients in Reef Repair’s Suncream make it an excellent choice for the entire family. The purchase includes two 1.7-ounce tubes of sunscreen so you can easily pack it in a carry-on or personal item without having to worry about stocking up when you arrive at your destination. We loved that a little bit of the thicker-consistency sunscreen provides plenty of coverage, and it blends in quickly. It did feel a little sticky during application and slightly chalky when it dried, but the sunscreen stayed put when the skin came into contact with water, so it will work well for water activities. In addition, the formula is kid- and reef-friendly. It doesn’t include oxybenzone or octinoxate, so you can relax on vacation knowing you’re protecting reefs and wildlife as well as your family, too. The Details: 50 SPF | 1.7 ounces | Up to 60 minutes of water resistance Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao The 10 Best Scalp Sunscreens of 2024 Best Splurge MDSolarSciences Mineral Creme Amazon View On Amazon $32 View On Walmart $26 View On Mdsolarsciences.com Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Transfer 5/5 Opacity 5/5 Water Resistance 5/5 Why We Love It The 1.7-ounce tube and all-in-one formula make it easy to toss in your carry-on or personal item. What to Consider It has a slight white cast if it’s not rubbed in well. We love that this TSA-approved MDSolarSciences sunscreen uses ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc that are designed for sensitivities like acne- or rosacea-prone skin but are still reef-friendly. For extra transparency, you can click on the name of every ingredient included in the sunscreen to learn more about its purpose on the MDSolarSciences site. When it comes to mineral sun lotions, this one was a bit thick, but after rubbing it in thoroughly, the white cast went away, and it absorbed into the body and face evenly. When on vacation, many people bring sunscreen for the face and another tube for the rest of the body, but this product does it all so you can pack less. Since the formula is gentle on the body and face, we think this is an excellent all-in-one sunscreen that is easy to travel with, too. The Details: 50 SPF | 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces | 80 minutes of water resistance Travel + Leisure / Stella Yu Travel + Leisure / Stella Yu Travel + Leisure / Stella Yu Other Reef-safe Sunscreens We Liked The reef-safe sunscreens highlighted below are still tester-approved, but due to some minor issues during testing, they didn’t quite surpass our top performers when it came to slight issues with texture, opacity, and water resistance. All Good Face & Body Sport Sunscreen Lotion: We love that the formula was non-irritating for our tester with sensitive skin and that it absorbs into the skin within seconds. However, similar-performing sunscreens had higher scores in both our lab and real-world tests. Raw Love All Natural Mineral Sunscreen: Since the sunscreen is made with beeswax, the consistency is super thick, so we think it’s best as a once-in-a-while face sunscreen rather than a full body lotion. Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Our Testing Process We began by thoroughly researching sunscreens made with reef-friendly ingredients, which don’t leave behind harmful chemicals, like oxybenzone or octinoxate, that cause damage to coral reefs. We tested 26 tubes of reef-safe sunscreen in our New York City lab and then sent the bottles out for testing in the real world with the help of T+L’s expert product testers, including our editors and writers. In both of the testing scenarios, we paid close attention to the texture, opacity, transfer, and water resistance of the sun lotion to compare and contrast a variety of reef-friendly sunscreens on the market. In the lab, we spritzed our arms with water and rubbed them with black T-shirts to test water resistance and product transfer. Whether our testers were working up a sweat at the gym, swimming in the ocean, or lounging poolside, the best sunscreens we tried had hydrating formulas that absorbed quickly, didn’t leave any sticky or oily residue behind, and proved to be water and sweat resistant without irritating the skin or stinging the eyes. Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao Other Beach Gear You May Need When you're heading out for a full day in the sun, be sure to protect more than just your skin with some of these stylish products to keep you comfortable — so you can enjoy even longer days in the sand. Maui Jim Women's Capri Polarized Cat Eye Sunglasses: These stylish sunglasses feature PolarizedPlus2 lenses to provide the ultimate protection from UV rays while enhancing colors, so you'll want to wear them all day long. Lightspeed Outdoors Quick Cabana Beach Tent: This spacious, easy-to-assemble pop-up tent will make any trip to the beach feel like a high-end, all-inclusive experience. It's wide enough to fit two or three adults, features an extended porch to keep sand out, and offers 50+ UPF sun protection, so you can lounge all day in comfort. Tommy Bahama Backpack Cooler Chair: This compact chair weighs less than eight pounds and can be worn comfortably as a backpack, so you can transport it to your beach set-up hands-free. The chair feels durable and comfortable to sit in, and even reclines all the way flat so you can enjoy a nap on the beach without getting down in the sand. Tips for Buying Reef-safe Sunscreen Carefully read the ingredients Some destinations have stricter ingredient bans for sunscreen than others, so the first thing you should do is look up the regulations before you start shopping. Tropical destinations like Palau, Hawaii, and Aruba have bans on chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, homosalate, parabens, and more, so you’ll want to research the specific prohibited ingredients ahead of time. Similarly, if you’re looking for organic or all-natural sunscreen, find certifications on the label to ensure you’re getting the sunscreen you need. Look at the sunscreen's active ingredients When you’re buying reef-safe sunscreen, it’s essential to look at the active ingredients. Reef-friendly sunscreen will only have non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as the active ingredients, which are the two ingredients that will protect you from harmful UV rays without affecting coral reefs. Inactive ingredients include water, oils, or extracts, so you look for those to find out which ones are natural or organic if that’s important to your sunscreen shopping. Prioritize water resistance and SPF levels Depending on how you’ll be spending your vacation, you’ll want to buy sunscreen that will protect your skin for a range of activities. If you’re planning on spending most of your time in the water, consider getting a lightweight sunscreen with higher SPF and water resistance of up to 80 minutes. For those looking for an everyday sunscreen, a sheer and more watery sunscreen will be easy to apply and not super noticeable on the skin. Frequently Asked Questions What makes sunscreen reef-safe? Reef-friendly sunscreens don’t use any chemicals that can cause harm to ocean wildlife by bleaching coral reefs; oxybenzone or octinoxate, for example. There are several tropical destinations like Palau and Hawaii that enforce bans on sunscreens that contain certain chemicals known to cause damage. A lot of sunscreen brands will be advertised as reef-friendly or reef-safe, but you’ll want to read the ingredients list to make sure the sunscreen doesn’t include harmful chemicals or nanoparticles and microplastics like exfoliating beads. Which sunscreen ingredients are not reef-safe? Generally, the ingredients that can cause harm to coral reefs include oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are two common chemicals found in sunscreen. In addition, octocrylene, homosalate, 4-methyl benzylidene camphor, Triclosan, parabens, nanoparticles, and microplastics are all harmful ingredients you don’t want in your sunscreen if you want to protect aquatic life. Where is not reef-safe sunscreen banned? Currently, non-reef-safe sunscreens are banned in Hawaii, Palau, the U.S. Virgin Islands, parts of Mexico, Key West, Aruba, and Bonaire. However, if you’re planning on snorkeling or scuba diving near coral reefs elsewhere, you may be advised to bring reef-safe sunscreen. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Anna Popp is a commerce writer at Travel + Leisure, where she writes about and reviews travel products. She has been travel writing since 2018 and product testing since 2021. Anna tested reef-safe sunscreen herself and worked with travel editors to determine the results for the best reef-safe sunscreens on the market. The 11 Best Reef-safe Sunscreens of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Updated by Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is a Commerce Updates Writer at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over seven years. learn more Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit