7 Best Alcohol-Free Sunscreens
I burn fast, and for years I assumed the sting was just what sunscreen felt like on skin like mine. It wasn’t. Most of that came from alcohol in the formula drying everything out before the sun got a chance to.
The seven below are the alcohol-free ones I keep going back to. Every one is broad-spectrum, a few are mineral-only, and two of them sit well enough under makeup that I stopped buying a separate face SPF.
For sensitive skin, which are the best alcohol-free sunscreens?
The best alcohol-free sunscreen would not only be free from alcohol but also any other ingredients that might irritate your skin. It should also offer adequate protection that stops your skin from becoming damaged from UV rays.
There are some great alcohol-free sunscreens on the market. You just have to know which are the better options and how to choose them. Luckily, we’ve covered all that for you below!
How To Choose Alcohol-Free Sunscreen
Here are the different factors to consider when picking out the best alcohol-free sunscreen to use:
Ingredients
You should look at the ingredients list to ensure that the sunscreen is free from alcohol and any other ingredients that might be irritating to your skin.
There are quite a few alcohol-free sunscreens available. You just need to know what to look for to ensure that you are giving your skin the best care possible.
SPF
The SPF of the sunscreen is one of the most important factors to look for, but the strength you choose will depend on your skin type and what you are using the sunscreen for.
If you need complete protection from the sun, SPF 50 or higher is best. If you want to try to tan but use sunscreen to avoid burning, SPF 30 or SPF 15 should be fine.
Application
There are different types of sunscreen to choose from.
You might prefer a lotion, a spray, or a gel, but keep in mind that some aerosol sunscreens might contain alcohol, so look for this.
The type of sunscreen application you prefer is a personal choice, but it is something to consider before making a decision.
Reef-Friendly
With so many reef-friendly sunscreens available, you should not have to use one that contains chemicals that could lead to coral bleaching.
Make sure to check that the sunscreen you choose is free from chemicals that harm coral reefs and labeled as reef-friendly.
Water-Resistant
You might want to choose a water-resistant sunscreen if you are planning to spend time at the beach or at the pool.
If the sunscreen is not water-resistant, it will likely wash off when you swim or sweat, not offer the same protection to your skin, and your skin could burn.
Broad-Spectrum
It is so important to make sure that the sunscreen is broad-spectrum. This means that it offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays, both of which can damage skin.
Face And Body
It helps to choose a sunscreen that can be used on both the face and the body so that you do not need too many products.
Ideally, the sunscreen should be non-comedogenic, which means that it will not clog pores or cause breakouts.
A sensitive sunscreen will be good to use on both your face and your body, and it will be suitable to use for children too.
The Best Alcohol-Free Sunscreens
Keeping in mind all the things you need to look for when choosing an alcohol-free sunscreen, here are the best ones on the market right now:
| Rank | Product | Key Features | Where To Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Spray | Suitable for sensitive skin, tear-free, fast-absorbing, water-resistant | Check it on Amazon |
| 2. | La Roche-Posay Ultra-Light Body And Face Sunscreen | Ultra-lightweight, non-greasy, broad-spectrum, added antioxidants | |
| 3. | Coppertone Pure And Simple SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion | Hypoallergenic, water-resistant, 100% naturally sourced zinc | |
| 4. | Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen Sensitive | Zinc only protection, broad-spectrum, water-resistant, reef-friendly | Check it on Amazon |
| 5. | Kinesys Fragrance-Free Clear Spray Sunscreen | Oil-free, clear spray, water-resistant, hypoallergenic | Check it on Amazon |
| 6. | Coral Safe Natural SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen | All-natural, water-resistant, broad-spectrum | |
| 7. | Rain Or Shine Anti Aging Face Sunscreen | Face sunscreen, moisturizing ingredients | Check it on Amazon |
1. Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Spray
The Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen spray is alcohol-free, sting-free, and tear-free, ticking all the right boxes!
While it is a kids’ sunscreen, it is perfectly suited for the whole family to use, and it offers SPF 50 broad-spectrum protection.
Made with Powerstay technology, the sunscreen is long-lasting on the skin, but it is still suitable for sensitive skin.
As it is alcohol-free, it won’t cause irritation or dryness to the skin.
The lightweight, quick-absorbing formula makes it easy to apply to the skin.
Once applied, it remains water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so the family can enjoy some time in the water.
To top it all off, the Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Spray is reef-friendly, so you can use it happily knowing you are doing your bit for the environment, while still offering your skin the best alcohol-free protection when out in the sun!
2. La Roche-Posay Ultra-Light Body And Face Sunscreen
The La Roche-Posay Ultra-Light Body and Face Sunscreen is an alcohol-free sunscreen lotion spray that is lightweight and non-greasy.
It provides lasting comfort and protection outdoors.
Being broad-spectrum, the sunscreen offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
It has SPF 60 strength to fully protect your skin from sun damage.
It also contains antioxidants that protect the skin from free radicals.
Suitable for sensitive skin and offering great protection, this is an ideal sunscreen to use whenever you are spending time outdoors.
3. Coppertone Pure And Simple SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
Coppertone has the Pure And Simple Sunscreen on offer, which is hypoallergenic and free from all ingredients that might cause irritation, such as dyes, fragrances, parabens, alcohol, and PABA. It is perfectly suited for sensitive skin.
Made with 100% naturally sourced zinc oxide, it is friendly on delicate skin while still offering the ultimate broad-spectrum protection.
The sunscreen is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Added ingredients such as tea leaf, sea kelp, and lotus extract help to nourish skin while it is exposed to the sun.
4. Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen Sensitive
The Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen is a sensitive sunscreen that offers gentle yet effective protection from the sun.
The convenient spray-on protection offers broad-spectrum defense, and as it is made from zinc oxide, it is free from any harmful active ingredients.
Enriched with antioxidants, nourishing botanicals will soften and moisturize the skin as they protect it.
Free from phthalates, alcohol, parabens, and gluten, it is perfectly suitable for sensitive skin.
The sunscreen will remain water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you can stay protected for longer.
It is also a reef-friendly sunscreen with an ultra-low global warming potential rating, so it is good for your skin and the environment!
5. Kinesys Fragrance-Free Clear Spray Sunscreen
Enjoy daily sun protection with the Kinesys Clear Spray Sunscreen.
It is free from alcohol, oil, preservatives, parabens, colorants, and all other ingredients that might harm your skin.
It is instead hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, so you can use it on your face and your body.
The pump and clear spray are easy and quick to apply. The product dries quickly to a matte finish and is so lightweight that you won’t even feel it on your skin.
It will remain water-resistant on the skin for up to 80 minutes, and you will get many, many days of SPF 50 protection using just this one bottle of sunscreen!
6. Coral Safe Natural SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Spray
The Coral Safe Sunscreen offers SPF30 broad-spectrum protection for sensitive skin types, and it is coral-safe too.
Being chemical-free, all-natural, and effective, it is suitable for all skin types and offers a reliable level of protection that remains water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
There are no chemical fragrances or preservatives in the formula that could cause irritation.
It is a sunscreen that the whole family can use comfortably and safely.
7. Rain Or Shine Anti-Aging Face Sunscreen
If you are looking for a nourishing, alcohol-free sunscreen to use on your face, this is a great option.
It is a non-greasy formula that will not clog pores or leave behind a white film.
It doubles up as an SPF 50 sunscreen and a light moisturizer, caring for your skin throughout the day.
As it is free from alcohol and other toxic irritants, it is suitable for use on sensitive skin and will help deliver moisture to the skin, too.
The formula’s licorice root powder helps reduce hyperpigmentation and gives the skin an even tone, even after spending time in the sun.
Related Questions
What Type Of Sunscreen Is Best To Keep?
A broad-spectrum sunscreen offering SPF 30 or more, used almost daily. Broad-spectrum means it covers both UVA and UVB rays, and both of those damage skin.
Is Zinc Oxide A Good Sunscreen?
Zinc oxide is an effective sunscreen because it blocks various types of UV ray, which makes it good at preventing sun damage. It is also the only active in a zinc-only mineral formula like Blue Lizard Sensitive.
What SPF Should An Alcohol-Free Sunscreen Have?
It depends what you want from it. For complete protection from the sun, SPF 50 or higher is best. If you are trying to tan and only want to avoid burning, SPF 30 or SPF 15 is usually fine.
Do I Still Need A Water-Resistant Formula?
If you are heading to the beach or the pool, yes. A sunscreen that is not water-resistant will mostly wash off when you swim or sweat, so it stops protecting your skin and you can still burn.
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