The 11 Best Reef-safe Sunscreens of 2024, Tested and Reviewed - Travel + Leisure

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.

Best Overall

Amazon

Our Ratings

• Feel

  5/5

• Transfer

  4.5/5

• Opacity

  4.8/5

• Water Resistance

  5/5

Why We Love It

What to Consider

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

Best Scent

Target

Our Ratings

• Feel

  5/5

• Transfer

  5/5

• Opacity

  5/5

• Water Resistance

  4/5

Why We Love It

What to Consider

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

How Our Editors Test Sunscreen

Best for Water Sports

Thinksport Clear Zinc SPF 50 Sunscreen.

REI

Our Ratings

• Feel

  4/5

• Transfer

  4.5/5

• Opacity

  5/5

• Water Resistance

  5/5

Why We Love It

What to Consider

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

Amazon

Our Ratings

• Feel

  4.5/5

• Transfer

  3.8/5

• Opacity

  4.5/5

• Water Resistance

  4/5

Why We Love It

What to Consider

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

Best Non-greasy

Amazon

Our Ratings

• Feel

  5/5

• Transfer

  4.8/5

• Opacity

  4/5

• Water Resistance

  4.5/5

Why We Love It

What to Consider

Whether you're swimming, hiking, or running, we think Suntegrity's mineral body sunscreen is ideal for all types of adventures thanks to the non-greasy feel of the lotion. 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

Best for Face

Sephora

Our Ratings

• Feel

  4.8/5

• Transfer

  5/5

• Opacity

  5/5

• Water Resistance

  5/5

• Removal

  5/5

Why We Love It

What to Consider

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

Best Fragrance-free

Amazon

Our Ratings

• Feel

  4.5/5

• Transfer

  4.8/5

• Opacity

  5/5

• Water Resistance

  5/5

Why We Love It

What to Consider

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

Best Water-resistant

Amazon

Why We Love It

What to Consider

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

Amazon

Our Ratings

• Feel

  5/5

• Transfer

  4.8/5

• Opacity

  5/5

• Water Resistance

  5/5

Why We Love It

What to Consider

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

Best for Families