Your spray tan is bronze and beautiful, and you are ready to show it off, but before you head out into the sun in your new swimwear, you need to remember the most important step – applying sunscreen to your skin.
Spray tans do not offer any protection to your skin against UV rays, and you will need to apply sunscreen to your spray tan to prevent your skin from burning, and your spray tan from drying out.
However, you want to choose a sunscreen that helps extend the life of your spray tan, not one that might cause it to fade.
What are the best sunscreens for spray tans? The best sunscreens for spray tans are oil-free and alcohol-free and should be broad-spectrum and offer good protection from UV rays. There are sunscreens that will protect both your skin and your spray tan, and these are the ones you would want to use.
Read on to find out how to pick the best sunscreens for your spray tan, as well as our top recommendation at the moment.
How To Choose The Best Sunscreen For Spray Tans
You need to be careful when choosing which sunscreen to use over a spray tan, as the wrong sunscreen could end up causing your spray tan to develop streaks and patches, and it could even cause it to fade quickly.
Here is what to look for in a sunscreen that is safe to use over a spray tan:
Choose Oil-Free And Alcohol-Free
It is important to use sunscreen that is oil-free and alcohol-free. Sunscreens that contain oil or alcohol can negatively affect the spray tan on your skin, causing it to streak and fade, and look very uneven.
There are great sunscreens that are oil-free and alcohol-free, which will help preserve and protect your spray tan, and care for your skin too.
Avoid Aerosol Sunscreens
Aerosol and spray-on sunscreens do not apply to the skin very evenly, so it could leave you with a patchy tan. They also contain ingredients such as alcohol which can land up drying out your skin and making your spray tan fade unevenly.
Broad-Spectrum
It is vital to choose a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection. Broad-spectrum sunscreens will offer protection from both UVA and UVB rays, helping your skin resist against burning and premature aging from the sun.
SPF Level
The SPF level you choose will depend on your skin type and how long you are planning on spending in the sun.
For those with fair skin, an SPF 50-70 is the best option. This offers the highest level of protection from burning. For those with medium skin tones, an SPF 30 can be fine to use, but it is always best to choose a higher level SPF where possible.
Reef-Friendly Sunscreens
Reef-friendly sunscreens are those that do not contain the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. These two chemicals are used as UV-blockers, but they have been known to cause coral bleaching.
There are more than enough good reef-friendly sunscreen options to choose from, so there is no need to pick one that contains these two reef-damaging chemicals.
Hydrating
Spray tans need to be kept hydrated and nourished to look great and to last longer. Look for a sunscreen that contains hydrating ingredients that will help keep your spray tan and skin hydrated while in the sun and well after, to keep your spray tan looking healthy.
Best Sunscreens For Spray Tans
Here are our recommendations for the best sunscreens to use for a spray tan, to ensure your skin and your fresh tan are protected and healthy!
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Sunscreen | Non-greasy, oil-free, lightweight, and hydrating |
| 2. | Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion | Reef-friendly, oil-free, hypoallergenic, broad-spectrum |
| 3. | Bondi Sands Fragrance-Free Daily Sunscreen | Fragrance-free, 72 hours of hydration, gentle formula |
| 4. | Coola Organic Mineral Sunscreen | Mineral sunscreen, hydrating, suitable for sensitive skin |
| 5. | Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion | Oil-free, non-greasy, includes vitamin C and vitamin E |
| 6. | Coppertone Face Oil-Free SPF 30 Lotion | Oil-free, hypoallergenic, broad-spectrum, fragrance-free |
| 7. | Dermalogica Oil-Free Matte SPF30 | Matte-finish, oil-absorbing, face and body |
1. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Sunscreen
The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Sunscreen is a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30.
It is water-resistant and ultra-hydrating to your skin, keeping it nourished while you are out in the sun.
The lightweight formula provides superior sun protection, and it doesn’t leave behind that greasy feeling that many sunscreens do.
You can also use the sunscreen under your makeup, and easily apply it over a spray tan for the best protection.
Other than being oil-free, the sunscreen is also non-comedogenic, so it will not clog pores or cause any breakouts.
The invisible finish and non-greasy feel of this sunscreen, along with the hydrating formula, make it a great option to use over a spray tan.
2. Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion
Enjoy the ultimate protection when in the sun showing off your new spray tan with the Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion.
It is a non-comedogenic formula that offers broad-spectrum protection. It is oil-free, water-resistant, and reef-friendly, ticking all the boxes you could want. The SPF 30 is perfect for those with medium skin tones.
Packed with vitamin E, the sunscreen will keep your skin hydrated and nourished when in the sun, ensuring both your skin and your spray tan are protected against drying.
As the sunscreen is water-resistant, you can go for a swim in the ocean or the pool and not worry about the protection washing away.
Being hypoallergenic, the sunscreen is suitable for sensitive skin and all other skin types, and it will not cause any irritation.
3. Bondi Sands Fragrance-Free Daily Sunscreen
The Bondi Sands Fragrance-Free Daily Sunscreen is a great option for when you need sunscreen to apply each morning before you leave the house, to give your spray tan protection throughout the day.
The broad-spectrum sunscreen protects skin against UVA and UVB rays and being fragrance-free, it is gentle and suitable for sensitive skin.
As it is fast-absorbing, the lotion dries with an invisible, non-greasy finish, and you will not even know it is there.
Offering up to 72 hours of hydration, with aloe vera and vitamin E, your spray tan and your skin will stay nourished and radiant. The sunscreen is also water-resistant, so it will not wash away when wet.
4. Coola Organic Mineral Sunscreen
Coola Organic Mineral Sunscreen provides hydrating protection to your skin, with a chemical-active free formula that is suitable for even the most sensitive of skin.
Enjoy the benefits of mineral sunscreen without looking like a ghost at the beach.
The mineral sunscreen is safe to use on your body and your face, so it is an all-in-one solution to protect your spray tan and your skin.
The lotion is broad-spectrum with SPF 50, and it is water-resistant too.
5. Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion
The Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion is a reef-safe sunscreen that is perfect to use when on the beach, being free from oxybenzone and octinoxate.
It is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers complete protection with an SPF 30.
It is made with an oil-free formula and has a non-greasy feel, making it ideal to wear when you want to show off your spray tan.
With skin-nourishing ingredients such as vitamin E and vitamin C, your skin will be nourished and hydrated, and your spray tan left radiant.
6. Coppertone Face Oil-Free SPF 30 Lotion
The oil-free formula of the Coppertone Lotion is hypoallergenic and it delivers broad-spectrum protection without clogging pores or causing any breakouts.
This sunscreen stops up to 97% of damaging UV rays, helping protect your skin and your spray tan from any damage, keeping your spray tan looking vibrant and healthy.
Being fragrance-free, the sunscreen is suitable to be used on sensitive skin, and as it is water-resistant, it will not wash away if you decide to go for a swim!
7. Dermalogica Oil-Free Matte SPF30
This broad-spectrum sunscreen helps to prevent shine and premature aging and is ideal for skin that is prone to breakouts and excess oil.
Oil-absorbers in the formula work to give the skin a matte finish, without leaving a powdery residue behind.
The oil-free, lightweight formula shields against UV rays, protecting your spray tan from fading and damage.
Suitable for the face and the body, you can use this sunscreen daily, and apply it along with your favorite makeup too.
Can You Put Sunscreen Over Self Tanner?
Sunscreen can be used over self-tanner and spray tans, and it is advised that you use sunscreen over any fake tan product, as they do not offer any protection from the sun, so added sunscreen will help protect both the appearance of the tan and the health of your skin.
Related Questions
Will sunscreen ruin a spray tan?
An oil-based sunscreen can cause your spray tan to fade quicker, but oil-free sunscreens can help protect your sunscreen instead of ruining it.
Should I moisturize a spray tan?
You should use an oil-free moisturizer at least twice daily to keep your skin hydrated following a spray tan, to keep it more radiant for longer.
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