We're Jet-Setting Beauty Editors—Of Course We Have a List of Our Favorite Travel-Size Sunscreens
I'm officially crowning myself the Mary Poppins of my friend group. No, I don't randomly burst into song and dance (wouldn't that be something?), but I do have a seemingly endless bag of beauty goodies to share with my loved ones. At group dinners, I'm your girl for a swipe of lip oil. At weddings, I'm armed to the teeth with blotting papers, tissues, and waterproof mascara because, you know, happy tears. On beach getaways, you can bet your bottom dollar I have more than a few sunscreens to offer.
Carrying around multiple bottles of sunscreen can get clunky, though, which is why I often snag adorable travel-size minis before jetting off. Many of my favorite SPF brands create TSA-friendly versions of their cult favorites, too, so it really doesn't feel like I'm sacrificing quality for the sake of avoiding a crowded baggage claim. Plus, they make great gifts. Find my favorite picks below—the majority of which are beloved by the entire WWW beauty team—and packing for your next sunny destination will be an absolute breeze.
Best Travel-Size Sunscreens, Listed
- Best Spray: Coola Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
- Best Lotion: Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
- Best Facial Spray: E.l.f. Suntouchable All Set for Sun SPF 45
- Best Face Lotion: Paula's Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
- Best for Glowy Skin: Supergoop! Glowscreen Body SPF 40
- Best Scent: Vacation Classic Lotion SPF 30
- Best Under Makeup: MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50
- Best Serum: Caudalie Vinosun ProtectDaily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Lotion
- Best Sheer: Sun Bum Premium Moisturizing Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
- Best Water-Resistant: Bask SPF 30 Lotion
- Best Hydrating: UnSun Cosmetics Full Coverage Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
- Best Splurge: Dr. Loretta Urban Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 40
Best Spray: Coola Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
Pros: Applies sheer and easy to blend
Cons: Nozzle can clog after use
Size: 2 ounces
Nongreasy, fast-absorbing, and fragrance-free—what more could you ask for in a travel-size spray? Coola makes some of the best sunscreens in the game (its Water Plumping Gel Serum is also a dream), so I make sure to snag a mini spray or two every time I have a trip coming up. If you do the same, everyone in your travel party will be begging to borrow the stellar formula.
Customer review: "Love the convenience of the spray, the scent, and protection! Very easy to throw in your bag and use throughout the day at the beach, pool, lake, etc."
Best Lotion: Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Pros: A+ consistency, easy to blend, and doesn't pill or leave a white cast
Cons: Can make sensitive eyes sting
Size: 3 ounces
Generously sized at three ounces, this sunscreen formula is a wonderful everyday option to use on both the face and body. It absorbs like a dream, instantly disappearing into the skin with no greasy or ghostly residue, and it actually feels hydrating, whereas many sunscreens tend to strip my skin dry. If you have sensitive eyes, you might want to bring another option in your carry-on for your face, but overall, this is a winner.
Customer review: "It's just a wonderful product. … Doesn't make me look ashy, smells good, feels good, and I take it on all of my vacays!"
Best Facial Spray: E.l.f. Suntouchable All Set for Sun SPF 45
Pros: Easily portable, great for reapplication
Cons: Can feel a bit wet
Size: 2 ounces
This cute little spray resides in my tote all summer. It's my number one pick for a refresh. Friendly reminder: You should reapply sunscreen every two hours, and this teeny spray makes reapplication an absolute breeze. Not to mention, it doubles as a setting spray to lock in your makeup. Win-win! I only wish it had a finer mist—it can make my face feel a bit wet—but on no-makeup beach days that isn't an issue at all. In fact, it feels quite refreshing!
Customer review: "I have always wanted something to refresh my SPF over my makeup throughout the day. This is PERFECT. It's the perfect size to throw in my diaper bag (mom life) to protect my skin throughout the day!"
Best Face Lotion: Paula's Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Pros: Neutralizes redness and calms skin, so hydrating it could be a moisturizer
Cons: People with oily skin might find it too dewy
Size: 2 ounces
During the summer months when I want to melt into a puddle of sweat, I will often use SPF in place of a moisturizer—many sunscreen formulas come infused with impressive skin hydrators like shea butter and hyaluronic acid anyways. I typically will reach for a Paula's Choice number, and the new mineral option from its Calm line is just divine. It's as if a color corrector and sunscreen had a baby. With allantoin and centella asiatica, it immediately calms my complexion and makes my skin so dang soft.
Customer review: "As somebody with sensitive skin who often finds sunscreen irritating, I appreciated that the sunscreen was not irritating at all. It is a mineral formula, and I did find it to leave a white castle on my skin. It didn't sit that well in my skin, and it didn't play that well and make up. I think this would also be a great body sunscreen."
Best for Glowy Skin: Supergoop! Glowscreen Body SPF 40
Pros: Like a shimmery highlighter and SPF in one, blends easily with no white cast
Cons: Not the best for oily skin
Size: 3.4 ounces
Huge Glowscreen girl over here! I remember the first time I tried the cult-favorite facial sunscreen. I thought, "Wow, I want to slather this all over for a full-body glow," and pretty soon the brand answered my prayers. (I'm sure I wasn't alone in begging for a body-sized version.) Now, there's more than enough of the shimmery formula to go around, but it's still TSA-approved at 3.4 ounces. I plan on tossing a few in my carry-on to shine from head to toe.
Customer review: "I love the Glowscreen for my face and use it daily. This is now my go-to for my body, especially on vacation. I love it."
Best Scent: Vacation Classic Lotion SPF 30
Pros: Smells amazing without being too overpowering, feels hydrating on the skin
Cons: Not ideal if you're sensitive to fragrance
Size: 3.4 ounces
When it comes to scent, it doesn't get better than Vacation. In fact, people loved the sunscreen's fragrance—a blend of coconut, banana, and fresh pool water—so much that the brand bottled it into a perfume. What's more, the lotion has a creamy, gel-like consistency that disappears upon application.
Customer review: "I'm so glad I came across yall on Instagram!! The smell, omgggg it's like I went back in time to my childhood!! It smells amazing and I'm instantly transported back to the beach even if I'm in my backyard. Also my husband, who is quite fair-skinned, hasn't burned since using it which is why I'll keep coming back! Please continue with the great products!!"
Best Under Makeup: MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50
Pros: Has a smooth, matte finish that resembles makeup primer
Cons: Expensive
Size: 3.4 ounces, 1.7 ounces
I know what you're thinking. A mineral sunscreen under makeup? Mineral formulas are notorious for being less than stellar in the spreadable department, making them not the best choice to layer underneath foundation or concealer. Trust me when I say that this creamy formula feels like silk on the skin—absolutely no pilling or chalky cast. A bonus? It comes in a tinted version, too, for a primer-like effect.
Customer review: "This is the best mineral sunscreen. Goes on silky smooth and blends right in. It is sheer (no white cast) yet provides great protection. I have been using this for years and shared with friends and family who also love it!"
Best Serum: Caudalie Vinosun Protect Daily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Lotion
Pros: Provides a glowy base for makeup, lightweight and great for warmer months
Cons: Very small size
Size: 1.7 ounces
It's called a lotion, but I find this sunscreen to have more of a milky, serum-like consistency. Of course, it features viniferine, the brand's signature grapevine sap, to brighten dark spots as it protects against harsh UV rays, which is one of the biggest culprits for said dark spots. It also has a slight tint that balances zinc oxide in the mineral formula. Caudalie sunscreens are beloved in Europe, but this is the first formula to make its way stateside. It's exceptional, so no surprise there.
Customer review: "I tried this product for the first time in Paris, and when I ran out, I had no other way but to order another one. I think this is the best sunscreen on the market right now that Doesn't make my skin breakout."
Best Sheer: Sun Bum Premium Moisturizing Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
Pros: Fine mist, feels lightweight, easy to apply
Cons: Strong sunscreen scent
Size: 1.75 ounces
Sun Bum sunscreens are known for a fine, lightweight mist that makes you feel like you're wearing nothing at all. No greasy residue here! It does have a classic sunscreen scent, which is something to note if you prefer fragrance-free formulas. It's a great staple to pick up before your next vacay, and at $9 a pop, it feels like a steal.
Customer review: "I'm not a huge fan of spray sunscreen but this one smells great and is super nice, it doesn't leave that sticky nasty feel like other ones can!"
Best Water-Resistant: Bask SPF 30 Lotion
Pros: Fabulous subtle scent, great for active lifestyles
Cons: Takes a minute to rub in
Size: 3.4 ounces
This water-based formula was specifically designed not to stain your clothing or sting your eyes when exposed to sweat, the ocean, the pool, etc., so it's great to slather on your face and body. It also features a light vanilla-and-coconut aroma that smells nostalgic yet not too dominating. Even if you have a sensitive nose (like me!), I'd wager you'll enjoy the subtle scent. My only callout is that it takes a bit to rub in—it does eventually turn sheer, but it does appear very opaque right out of the tube. That said, the extra few seconds will ensure you never miss a spot.
Customer review: "I love this sunscreen. It smells fantastic and works even better. I am a triathlete and spend a lot of time outside swimming, biking, and running. It never runs in my eyes and does not sweat off. I am a HUGE fan and have ordered multiple items for everyone in my family."
Best Hydrating: Unsun Cosmetics Full Coverage Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Pros: Great for face and body, doubles as moisturizer
Cons: Takes a bit to rub in
Size: 3 ounces
The best sunscreens make you feel like you aren't wearing sunscreen at all, and this one totally fits the bill. In fact, it feels just like an ultra-moisturizing body lotion that just so happens to contain SPF. It contains prickly pear, bitter orange, and cucumber extracts for hydration and brightening, antioxidant power along with baobab oil to further drench the skin in moisture and leave behind a subtle sheen. Trust me—it packs a punch in its three ounces.
Customer review: "This full-body sunscreen is just as great as the facial sunscreen I tried and bought two summers ago. I've been anxiously awaiting this body product, since first falling in love with the tinted facial sunscreen. It absorbs well, protects extremely well, and washes off with just one shower—something that can not be said for most commercial mineral sunscreens. I love how quickly I can put it on before being in the sun, and how much I can rely on coverage throughout the day. It's reassuring to know that I'm fully protected from harmful invisible UVA/UVB rays while being active outdoors."
Best Splurge: Dr. Loretta Urban Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 40
Pros: Great texture, contains targeted ingredients for aging concerns
Cons: Expensive for a smaller size
Size: 1.7 ounces
Leave it to a derm to create one of the best mineral sunscreens I've tried! I adore Loretta Ciraldo, MD, and her skincare line is truly top-notch. It's a bit spendy, but it includes high-quality ingredients like peptides to plump fine lines and Lipochroman, a special antioxidant that defends against pollution. Consider it your most elegant face cream spiked with SPF.
Customer review: "This sunscreen is amazing. It's the first formulation I have tried that protects but is not greasy. It has a radiant pink hue that disappears on the skin on application. Highly recommend."
FAQ
Can I put sunscreen in a travel container?
Technically, you could, but most experts would advise against it. Every time you open up a sunscreen bottle, you're exposing it to light and air—both of which can accelerate the product's shelf life by breaking down the ingredients. Your sunscreen is in its packaging for a reason, and every time you rehome the goop, you risk losing its efficacy. Any dirt, dust, or bacteria in your DIY jar can also mess with the ingredients and their potency. Not to mention, things can get messy!
If you're in an absolute pinch, go ahead and transfer your favorite formula. Wearing potentially less effective sunscreen is better than not wearing it at all! If you are able, try to cop a travel-size bottle instead of playing chemist.
What is the max sunscreen size for travel?
According to the TSA website, you can pack sunscreen in a bottle less than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters), be it a lotion or aerosol spray, in your carry-on baggage. For checked baggage, feel free to exceed that limit and bring full-sized bottles.
Does TSA consider stick sunscreen a liquid?
Nope! Stick sunscreens are considered solids, so they don't have the same size restrictions as liquids. Sunscreen sticks tend to be quite small anyways, which makes them great for travel purposes. Here, find our favorite editor-approved sticks to glide on.
Jamie Schneider is Who What Wear’s senior beauty editor based in New York City. She has a penchant for trend forecasting, covering everything from innovative skincare launches to celebrity profiles, and her work has appeared in mindbodygreen, Coveteur, and more. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English before moving to NYC, and she's been there ever since. When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty finds, Jamie loves exploring vintage boutiques, reading mystery books (bonus points for an unexpected twist), and she’s always down for a park picnic in Brooklyn.
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