We Tested 60+ Water-Resistant Sunscreens — These Are the Best for Swimming and Sweat

Sensitive skin requires some extra consideration when it comes to sun protection. Heavily fragranced, chemical-forward formulas and no dermatologist oversight can make for a disaster. Whether your eyes burn the second you start sweating or your skin gets flushed red due to harsh ingredients, you know instantly if a sunscreen is too hard on your skin. Play by Supergoop offers a gentle yet effective formula, which is why it’s our top pick for the best water-resistant sunscreen for sensitive skin.

Alexandra Klausner, an Everyday Health writer who slathered on Play sunscreen during a monthlong testing period, immediately noticed how gentle it was. “It’s sensitive and also sweat-resistant, so it’s less likely to get into my eyes. It does not make my rosacea flare,” she says. She also liked that the formula has staying power and passed the sweat test with flying colors — no teary eyes at all.

Plus, this formula checks off plenty of boxes, thanks to its nonirritating vegan formula that’s reef-friendly and dermatologist-tested. In the midst of singing this product’s praises, Klausner did note that this formula can feel greasy and does leave some shine behind. But we consider that a small price to pay for its exceptional formula and delivery of nonirritating skin protection.

One of the worst feelings for babies and adults alike is getting sunscreen in the eyes. It makes you tear up, stings, and only gets worse in the water. That’s why we were thoughtful in selecting a tear-free formula that won’t sting sensitive eyes while providing strong protection. Banana Boat’s Baby Mineral Sunscreen does just that. This gentle yet effective pediatrician-tested powerhouse offers SPF 50, water resistance, and National Eczema Association approval.

Writer Riley Blanton used this sunscreen on her baby for two weeks and had fantastic results. She says it “did its job keeping baby safe,” which is exactly what the product promises to do. The only thing to look out for is its consistency, which she found a bit runny. “[It was] very easy to apply, but took some time to rub in … [It] left some greasy residue, but not as much as I’ve seen other brands do,” she says. However, these are small notes compared to the benefits it provides. 

I’m a Black woman, and I struggle to find a sunscreen that doesn’t compete with my brown skin. Thicker formulas leave behind a greasy white cast, while thinner formulas aren’t moisturizing and don’t sit well under makeup. I’m not the only one who struggles with this conundrum, which is why a product called Black Girl Sunscreen was created. The unique formula is celebrated for its sheer finish, ensuring that melanin-rich skin can shine through, no matter how much is applied. Its impressive results make it our pick as the best water-resistant sunscreen for people of color.

After testing this product for 10 days, we liked how light the sunscreen felt on the face immediately after application. We did notice an extremely light smell when using the sunscreen, but it was extremely mild and didn’t linger on the skin, so it likely won’t be bothersome to most. We also found this product to be very moisturizing, and it lent some vibrance after application.

We often think of applying sunscreen to our faces, shoulders, and even feet. Yet we often overlook applying sunscreen to our scalp. Though many of us may have full heads of hair and might assume our tresses provide enough sunblock as it is, a scorched scalp is quick to remind you otherwise.

The Rida Hair Research Institute Scalp and Hair Mineral Sunscreen Spray provides sun protection you might not otherwise get on the scalp, plus it can help prevent color fading and dryness. This makes it our top pick for the best scalp sunscreen.

Ashley Ziegler, our Everyday Health editor who tried this product out, appreciated how lightweight it is, as well as its handy spray application. “It comes in a spray bottle that makes it easy to apply without making your hair look overly greasy and dirty the way a typical sunscreen does,” she says.

While the product absorbed into her scalp quickly, she did note that she has fine, thin hair, which was mildly oily after application. However, she took her hair type into consideration and notes that even with the light residue left, it was significantly less greasy than other sunscreen sprays. She also appreciated its water-resistant qualities because she didn’t have to worry about it becoming ineffective while sweating.

Brendan Camp, MD, a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City, recommends mineral sunscreen for those with sensitive skin. “Mineral sunscreens are thought to be potentially less irritating for those with sensitive skin,” he says. Badger’s easy four-ingredient sunscreen is an excellent option for anyone who wants plenty of sun protection with minimal additives. That’s why it wins our vote for the best water-resistant mineral sunscreen.

Health writer Brittany Vargas tried out this sunscreen for two weeks. As someone with combination skin, she was particularly attuned to the product’s texture, watching out for any excess residue or oily sheen left on her face after application. “Compared to many other mineral sunscreens, it absorbs quickly,” she notes. Once it was absorbed, her skin was left feeling soft and moisturized. “It offers great protection without leaving a white cast,” she says. But those with darker skin tones may still experience a light cast after application.

“I wouldn’t use it on my face, as it would probably be a bit too greasy for that,” says Vargas, highlighting another drawback to be aware of. Despite these facts, this four-ingredient heavy hitter is hard to beat.

A major drawback of many sunscreens is the oily sheen they can leave behind. An oily sunscreen can not only leave an unpleasant feeling on your face but also make applying makeup over it nearly impossible. This matte mineral sunscreen from Supergoop is a lightly tinted sunscreen that can serve as a base layer under makeup or as a tinted moisturizer that minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines.

“I liked that it did not sink into fine lines and wrinkles,” says writer Olivia Campbell. She notes that this sets it apart from many other tinted sunscreens, which tend to highlight every line and wrinkle on the face.

It’s oil-absorbing, so it’s perfect for those with oilier skin or who will be layering a moisturizing foundation on top. That said, it can be a bit drying for other skin types. Despite this, no other tinted sunscreen comes close to this one. 

A spray sunscreen is the ultimate product of convenience. Rather than contorting yourself to reach the middle of your back or risking missing a spot only to leave the beach toasted, you can simply spray yourself down and enjoy the sunshine, knowing you’re protected.

But some sprays rely on harsh chemicals, both for sun protection and to propel the product from the bottle. This Bask product is a clean mineral sunscreen spray that’s sensitive skin–friendly, making it our pick for the best water-resistant spray sunscreen.

We like that there’s finally a solid spray sunscreen for those who prefer mineral sunscreens, since mineral-based products tend to come in thick lotions or even powders. This lightly hydrating spray is thin and fast-absorbing. Ziegler even tested it out on her five-year-old, who has sensitive, dry, eczema-prone skin, and was pleased to note that it didn’t cause any irritation.

The only issues we want to flag are regarding using it on the face. “The spray packaging isn’t ideal for the face. I had to spray it into my hands and then apply it to my face,” Ziegler says. This leads to a bit of a mess either way. However, this product is extremely handy for the body, so just toss a small facial sunscreen in your bag before you head out of the house.

Sun protection doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, it could be as simple as tossing a sunscreen stick in your bag, swiping the product directly onto your face, and enjoying the sun. Easy application is a great way to ensure that you’ll actually reapply your sunscreen throughout the day. Sun Bum’s FaceStick makes this easier than ever. That’s why we’ve named it the best water-resistant sunscreen for easy application.

A big draw of a sunscreen stick is that its application doesn’t involve getting the product on your hands. For some, having to handle the sunscreens directly can become a sensory issue. “I’m a little weird about how things feel on my hands, palms, and fingers, so I loved that I didn’t have to rub this one in,” says writer Mary Sauer. She noted that the product does have the brand’s signature scent, which is a bright coconut fragrance. This could be an issue for those with sensitive skin. If that’s you, consider trying the brand’s gentler formulas, like its mineral or baby mineral sunscreen sticks.

Having a tried-and-true drugstore sunscreen you like is key. That way, if you get caught on the go without sunscreen, you know there’s a formula you trust that you can purchase easily.

This sensitive skin–friendly mineral formula from Blue Lizard is affordable, soothing, easy to apply, and safe for acne-prone skin. Writer Raki Swanson appreciated that this formula wasn’t greasy, provided excellent sun coverage, and didn’t irritate her skin. Considering this rave review and the fact that it’s available at most drugstores, it easily won our vote for best drugstore buy.

A cool feature of this product is that the cap will change color when exposed to harmful UV light. “If you don’t know when you should use sunscreen, being reminded you should wear it is one less thing to worry about,” Swanson explains. 

This sunscreen also uses something called SynchroShieldRepair Technology, which the company claims creates a thin veil that’s only strengthened by heat, water, and salt. We love this high-end and unique approach to blending skin care with sun protection, making it our top pick for the best luxury buy.

Editor Katie Tuttle is no novice to skin care treatments. “My skin is dry from tretinoin use, and I burn easily,” she explains while detailing her skin type, noting that hyperpigmentation is also a concern. Due to this, a moisturizing yet effective product is key, and anything that evens out her skin tone is a major plus.

This product was fast-absorbing and sat well under Tuttle’s makeup. She emphasizes that it didn’t even feel like she was wearing sunscreen. However, the added moisture could be problematic for those with oily skin. Tuttle also notes that the container has the potential to waste product. “You’ll probably want to cut open the bottle when you think it is empty so you don’t waste a drop,” she says.

All that said, Tuttle enthusiastically shares that she’d use this sunscreen every day.