We're Jet-Setting Beauty Editors—Of Course We Have a List of Our Favorite Travel-Size Sunscreens

Imani Randolph laying on the beach.

(Image credit: @champagnemani)

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

  1. Best Spray: Coola Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
  2. Best Lotion: Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
  3. Best Facial Spray: E.l.f. Suntouchable All Set for Sun SPF 45
  4. Best Face Lotion: Paula's Choice Calm Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
  5. Best for Glowy Skin: Supergoop! Glowscreen Body SPF 40
  6. Best Scent: Vacation Classic Lotion SPF 30
  7. Best Under Makeup: MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50
  8. Best Serum: Caudalie Vinosun ProtectDaily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Lotion
  9. Best Sheer: Sun Bum Premium Moisturizing Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
  10. Best Water-Resistant: Bask SPF 30 Lotion
  11. Best Hydrating: UnSun Cosmetics Full Coverage Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
  12. Best Splurge: Dr. Loretta Urban Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 40

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 Protect Daily 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

Best Splurge: Dr. Loretta Urban Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 40

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.

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Jamie Schneider
Senior Beauty Editor

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.