Sunscreen is an essential item that you should be using more often than not. Whether you put sunscreen on before heading out to the beach, or if you include sunscreen into your daily skincare routine, it is so important for healthy, youthful-looking skin.
You do have to put some thought into the sunscreen that you use, as you do not want it to cause any irritation to your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.
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, and luckily, we’ve covered that all 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 need to have a look at the ingredients list to make sure that the sunscreen is not only free from alcohol but any other ingredients that might be irritating to your skin.
There are quite a few alcohol-free sensitive sunscreens to use, 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, then SPF 50 or higher is best. If you are wanting to try to tan, but use sunscreen to avoid burning, then 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 just keep in mind that some aerosol sunscreens might contain alcohol, so keep an eye out for this.
The type of application you prefer with sunscreen will be a personal choice, but it is something to consider before choosing one.
Reef-Friendly
With so many reef-friendly sunscreens available, you should not have to use one which contains chemicals that could lead to coral bleaching.
Make sure to check that the sunscreen you are going to choose is free from the chemicals that harm coral reefs and that they are 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, then it will likely wash off when you swim or sweat, and it will not be able to offer the same protection to your skin, and your skin could land up burning.
Broad-Spectrum
It is so important to make sure that the sunscreen is a broad-spectrum sunscreen. This means that it offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays, both of which can do damage to your 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Spray | Suitable for sensitive skin, tear-free, fast-absorbing, water-resistant |
| 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 |
| 5. | Kinesys Fragrance-Free Clear Spray Sunscreen | Oil-free, clear spray, water-resistant, hypoallergenic |
| 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 |
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, and 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, giving you lasting comfort and protection outdoors.
Being broad-spectrum, the sunscreen will offer protection from both UVA and UVB rays, and it has SPF 60 strength to fully protect your skin from any 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 keep skin nourished while under 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 it protects 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, and it has an ultra-low global warming potential rating, so not only is it good for your skin, but it is good for the environment too!
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, and it dries quickly to a matte finish, and it 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 to be used on sensitive skin, and it will help to deliver moisture to the skin too.
Licorice root powder included in the formula helps to 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?
The best type of sunscreen is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers SPF 30 or more, and it should be used almost daily.
Is zinc oxide good sunscreen?
Zinc oxide is an effective sunscreen as it blocks various types of UV rays and this makes it effective at preventing sun damage.
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