These Spray Sunscreens to Keep Sunburns at Bay and Start at Just $11 (2024)

Our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, loves all things La Roche-Posay, including this spray sunscreen.

"Users must flip the bottle upside down and press down the spray 360-degree spray nozzle that ensures even application. With a weightless, non-greasy texture that leaves behind a silky finish to the skin, rest assured this water-resistant SPF will help guard the skin from the sun," notes Saunders.

Like all La Roche-Posay sunscreens, this one contains the brand's signature Cell-Ox Shield technology, which is a combo of 100% mineral UVA (aging) and UVB (burn) sun protection and antioxidants.

Some skin types are more resilient to heavier ingredients such as coconut oil and questionable additives like synthetic fragrances, but sensitive and acne-prone skin types should opt for a non-comedogenic, gentle formula.

Enter: Alba Botanica's all-natural, reef-safe formula from Alba Botanica. It has broad-spectrum SPF 50 that's tag-teamed with skin-calming ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile to nurture tired, irritated, and sensitive skin. The fragrance-free formula is also water-resistant for a full 80 minutes and won't leave the skin feeling greasy or congested.

With a 4.4-star average rating from nearly 4,100 Amazon reviews, it's safe to say this popular sunscreen is worth owning, especially since it costs less than a Chipotle burrito. Reviewers agree that the faint scent fades quickly, and it is totally clear spray that's ideal for all skin tones.

This sunscreen spray from COOLA is a fan-favorite for its high SPF count (broad-spectrum SPF 70) and light, cooling mist that will keep your loved ones covered head-to-toe. Plus, it has a delicate peach scent that'll make them want to apply it over and over again.

Classic Body is formulated with three types of mineral blockers and a plant-based complex that’s rich in antioxidants to help nourish skin and prevent free radical damage. This sunscreen also contains a few oils, but reviewers note it doesn’t congest their pores.

You also won’t have to worry about environmental damage when swimming with this water-resistant sunblock because it is reef safe, meaning Coola’s SPF is mineral-based and won’t damage coral reefs or marine life.

Online reviewers appreciate that it’s equipped with a twist-lock to prevent the sunscreen from accidentally spraying out of the bottle and into their bags.

More: Best Mineral Sunscreens

Looking for a budget-friendly option? This under-$20 pick from Sun Bum has your loved one covered — literally. We love that it's available in four grades of SPF protection, although it's safest to use SPF 30 and up, as the AAD advises.

Regardless of which level you purchase, the hypoallergenic sunscreen has broad-spectrum coverage to block intense UV rays from the skin. Plus, it's infused with antioxidant vitamin E for a clearer and healthier look to your loved one's complexion.

Hundreds of Amazon reviewers and celebrity esthetician Taylor Worden are obsessed with its tropical coconut scent. Sun Bum claims it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and Warden can confirm that it actually lasts for 80 minutes. It’s her go-to for beach days for that very reason

If your loved one is all about purely green and clean ingredients, they’re in luck: This spray sunscreen leaves out all of the red-flag additives and only uses botanical ingredients.

Australian Gold's physical sunscreen keeps the skin guarded from intense sun rays, while Kakadu plum, eucalyptus, and red algae give your pores a quick refresh.

It boasts more than 30,600 rave reviews from Amazon shoppers, including one swim instructor who spends up to 35 hours a week in a pool. They say it has a thick consistency that doesn’t run down their face easily like other sunscreens. “Since this is tinted, it doesn’t leave the white cast and actually helps keep my skin tone even in the pool where I don’t have the option of wearing concealer or something to cover my breakouts,” they add.

Saunders notes that several derms she's interviewed are keen on MDSolarSciences sunscreens, so naturally, she was intrigued by their KidSpray SPF40. The brand is also a reader-favorite, earning spots in our pregnancy-safe and kids sunscreens guides.

KidSpray is lightweight and gentle enough for babies 6 months and older, but bigger kids and adults can also safely use it. Many online reviewers note they buy a bottle for their little ones, but always mist some onto their bodies too.

Like the La Roche-Posay SPF, this option features a 360-degree nozzle, but users won't have to flip it upside down when spraying. "The continuous mist spray makes application a breeze for my kids! This is the only sunscreen I can get them to wear," adds one 5-star Amazon review.

With a lightweight, fast-drying formula, users can expect easy, breezy applications from the neck down.

By now, most people understand the importance of applying and reapplying sunscreen. But what's a beauty lover to do when they need to touchup their SPF without disturbing their makeup? Mist on this spray sunscreen from Supergoop!

"Most spray sunscreens aren't designed for the face, but Supergoop! created a solid solution for those who prefer misting their face with sunscreen. It's infused with silica silylate to help soak up oil and minimize shine. I use it without makeup and find my complexion looks luminous, but never shiny like a disco ball," notes Saunders.

She adds the nozzle sprays a little heavier than she'd like for her oily skin, so her summer beauty hack is misting her makeup brush and applying it over her face.

More: Best Sunscreens for Your Face

Saunders and senior editor Eunice Lucerio-Lee are both fans of Vacation products because everything smells like a trip to a tropical island. And let's be real: who wouldn't love to smell like a far-flung beach trip?

Don't worry, this spray sunscreen isn't all fluff. It's chock-full of some of our favorite nourishing ingredients, such as coconut oil, aloe vera, shea oil, vitamin E, and banana extract.

It's so fantastic that one online reviewer called it their "holy grail sunscreen" because it offers everything they're looking for in a sunscreen. From higher than recommended SPF 50 protection and being Hawaii reef safe to being water-resistant for their aquatic adventures, it's a fantastic and well-priced spray sunscreen option.

For our guide to the best sunscreens for dark skin tones, Saunders chatted with several high-profile Black beauty experts, including editors and influencers. Black Girl Sunscreen was one of the most name-checked brands on our list because everyone she spoke with vouched that it doesn't leave behind an ashy white cast.

Speaking of names, don't let the brand name fool you: the line is designed with deeper complexions in mind, but anyone, no matter how fair their skin tone is, can also benefit from using this spray sunscreen. So confidently order a bottle for yourself and your lucky loved ones before the summer season kicks off.

Make It Glow is the brand's take on spray sunscreen. Thanks to a blend of jojoba oil, shea butter, glycerin, and avocado oil, users can expect their skin to feel more hydrated. There's also aloe vera to help soothe and nourish the skin.

Whether you are playing an intense game of beach volleyball or going on a quick hike, you're going to need an SPF that can keep up with your sporty lifestyle.

This one from Pacifica is exactly what we're talking about: It's completely water-resistant for 80 minutes, and its breathable formula will guard the skin with SPF 50 while someone works up a sweat.

Despite the relatively low price, hundreds of reviewers say it checks all the boxes they look for in a spray sunscreen. “To no surprise at all, Pacifica has made a product that is my family's new obsession. It hydrates your skin, smells incredible without being pungent, no white residue to scrub off, and the spray was as good as the lotion. Being a redhead, this is my new best friend,” says one 5-star Ulta review.

More: Best Sports Sunscreens

Whether someone has a 10-step makeup routine or likes to keep it minimal, they don't want to sweat away their makeup the minute they step outside.

That’s why Nordstrom reviewers love this sunscreen-infused setting spray: It has SPF 50 to guard the skin from the sun’s rays while having a no-budge hold on your foundation, eyeshadow, and more. “I love being able to reapply through the day without putting lotion on my face and messing up my makeup. It also gives a really nice glow to my skin, and I’ve bought three and recommend it to everyone,” says one 5-star review.

This fine mist is infused with hyaluronic acid and is a great way to lock in makeup while getting your daily dose of sun protection. It also contains silicone powder to diffuse light and blur imperfections.

This convenient spray bottle lets you reach the tiny spaces you tend to ignore, plus the formula is water-resistant to keep you guarded with broad-spectrum SPF 50 for 2 hours. It's so light and airy that you can use this on your body, face, and hair without any stickiness or grease.