The 12 Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

Best Overall

Pipette Mineral Sunscreen

$14 at Amazon View on Pipettebaby.com $12 at Target

The Pipette Mineral Sunscreen outperformed the competition with its ultra-gentle, fragrance-free formula that quickly sinks into skin, doesn’t leave a white cast, and doesn’t transfer onto clothes. “This sunscreen applies very smoothly because of the consistency, and it’s easy to blend into the skin,” our tester shares. “It feels very lightweight on my skin, and there’s absolutely no white cast upon application, nor any pilling.” In addition to sinking seamlessly into skin, we found that this reef-safe sunscreen left skin looking semi-matte without making it feel dry. 

While the SPF isn’t marketed as being water resistant, we found that when splashed with water, it doesn’t run. Still, per the American Academy of Dermatology’s sunscreen guidelines, it’s best to reapply after taking a dip to ensure you’re fully protected for hours to come. Just be aware that it isn’t noncomedogenic, so there is a small possibility that it can clog pores even though it feels nearly weightless.

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 50 | Water-Resistant: Yes | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, squalane, glycerin | Size: 4 oz 

Best Budget

Hello Bello Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion

$19 at Amazon View on Hellobello.com $12 at CVS

Hello Bello Mineral SPF 50+ Sunscreen is another product formulated for children that adults can most definitely benefit from. In addition to being dermatologist tested, clinically tested, and hypoallergenic, this sunscreen has a fabulous consistency that sinks quickly and fully into skin. “It doesn’t feel greasy or overly thick and doesn't leave a white cast on my skin,” shares our tester. While it initially glides onto skin, we found that it does become a bit sticky when wet, but that feeling subsides pretty quickly.

One thing to keep in mind: This SPF is formulated without synthetic fragrances but it definitely has a scent. “This sunscreen has a strong, lemony scent. It's not terribly overwhelming, but it is fairly strong,” our tester admits. “It would be nice if the manufacturer forewarned shoppers on the tube that it’s scented.”

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 50 | Water-Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, oat oil | Size: 3 oz 

Best Splurge

Biossance Sheer Mineral Sunscreen

$32 at Sephora $34 at Kohls.com View on Biossance.com

Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen has a very thin texture—so much so that it’s quite runny and takes pretty much zero effort to squeeze out of the tube. The consistency, while a potential leaking/mess hazard, is what makes this sunscreen absorb so well into skin. Even when our tester used a tablespoon of the SPF (instead of the recommended teaspoon), she found that there was no white cast. “I’m very impressed with its ability to absorb into my skin,” she admits.

The absorbability and lack of white cast aren’t the only reasons this sunscreen stands out: Made with water lily and sugarcane-derived squalane, it also deeply hydrates skin and provides a cooling effect, so it can double as post-sun care if you spend too much time soaking up the rays or forget to reapply.

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 30 | Water-Resistant: No | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, ecotin, butterfly ginger extract | Size: 1.7 oz 

Best for Body

Suntegrity Skincare Natural Mineral Body Sunscreen

$26 at Amazon $38 at Dermstore View on Credo Beauty

In our testing, we found Suntegrity Skincare Natural Mineral Body Sunscreen to work best for full-body protection because of its mineral-based formula that spreads like a dream, and the convenient, travel-friendly packaging. “This sunscreen blends nicely into my skin—it’s not dry, nor oily—it feels so smooth that I can’t even tell I'm wearing sunscreen,” our tester shares.

In addition to being super comfortable, we found that this SPF, while not marketed as water-resistant, does maintain its coverage in the presence of water. “This sunscreen seems to repel the water, making it roll off of my skin,” our tester adds, noting that spritzing her SPF-covered skin didn’t cause the product to run or drip.

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 30 | Water-Resistant: No | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, aloe leaf juice | Size: 3 oz 

Best for Dry Skin

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

$15 at Amazon $19 at Ulta $19 at Walgreens

The Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide 50+ is beloved for its fast-absorbing formula that leaves skin feeling hydrated and smooth. “It absorbs very quickly with minimal rubbing on my end,” our tester says. “It honestly took less time than some of my regular lotions.”

In addition to absorbing quickly, this sunscreen, which is infused with castor oil and vitamin E, doesn’t leave a white cast behind. Instead, it makes skin look (and feel) dewy and hydrated. “It was almost like a body oil feel and effect, but not in a bad way,” our tester explains. What’s more, we found that the lightweight lotion stands its ground against water. The only thing that could make this SPF better, according to our tester, is if it had a more delightful scent.

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 50+ | Water-Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes | Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, vitamin E | Size: 5 oz

Best for Sensitive Skin

California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Lotion

$19 at Amazon View on Californiababy.com

California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Lotion is a fan favorite for children and adults alike. According to our tester, the formula, which is infused with organic and sustainably grown ingredients, blends in easily despite feeling a bit sticky fresh out of the tube. While it doesn’t dry down for an unnoticeable feel, she says that the creamy paste feels similar to applying a heavy moisturizer, so it’s not distracting or uncomfortable. Instead, it makes skin feel shielded. 

That said, the formula doesn’t fully hold its ground in the presence of water. While it doesn’t drip and run, our tester found that, once wet, it does feel more slippery and transfer more.

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 30 | Water-Resistant: No | Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, coconut oil, squalane | Size: 1.8 oz

Best for Dark Skin

Reef Repair Reef Safe Sunscreen SPF 50

View on Reefrepair.com

Reef Repair Reef Safe Sunscreen SPF 30+ might not look like the highest quality SPF, but inside the tube you’ll find a lighter-weight reef-safe sunscreen that feels considerably better than most of its competitors. “The consistency is really smooth—it spreads easily compared to other reef-safe sunscreens I've tried and absorbs almost immediately without a white cast,” our tester says.

On the downside, this SPF smells…different. “It smells a little like a plastic beach ball—but only if you get really close to the skin,” our tester clarifies. “I imagine if I really lathered my whole body the scent might be slightly stronger and could potentially be unpleasant, but that's just a conjecture.”

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 30+ | Water-Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes  | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, raspberry seed and coconut oils | Size: 1.7 oz

Best Water-Resistant

Maui Naturals Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

View on Mauirain.com

Maui Naturals Surfer Honey All Natural Sunscreen first caught our attention due to its retro packaging, but it retained interest when we realized just how well it works. “This sunscreen applies really smoothly, and the texture is pleasant to rub across my skin,” our tester says—though she points out that it feels a bit chalky and looks grayish-purple out of the tube. “I’m impressed with how easily this sunscreen spreads,” she adds. “This absorbs quite quickly and doesn’t require much rubbing to get it to lose its white cast.”

Best of all, this water-resistant, reef-safe sunscreen, which smells like an orange creamsicle, lives up to its claims. “I was impressed with how water-resistant it is,” our tester marvels. “When I rubbed the water around on my arm, it did not seem to dissolve the sunscreen and rather just made the water bead on top of it.”

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 30+ | Water-Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes  | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, aloe leave juice | Size: 3 oz

Best Scented

Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sun Milk Body Lotion SPF 50

$13 at Amazon $12 at Target $18 at Walgreens

If you actually prefer a scented sunscreen, you’ll swoon over Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Skin Nourishing Milk SPF 50. Beyond its refreshing coconut scent, which our tester says smells like a pina colada, this SPF has a very thin consistency, which makes it easy to apply. 

“It quickly absorbs into my skin without need for frequent rubbing,” our tester says. Though, she notes that it seems to get darker as it fully dries down, so while it doesn’t initially have a white cast, after 15 minutes, she noticed a slight residue.

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 50 | Water-Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes  | Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, papaya fruit extract | Size: 3 oz

Best Stick

MDSolarSciences Tinted Solar Stick SPF 40

$24 at Amazon $22 at Dermstore View on Mdsolarsciences.com

Not trying to toss a bottle of reef-safe SPF into your bag only for it to leak all over the place? Opt for a stick. Namely, MDSolarSciences Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 40. Formulated to be lightweight and creamy, the stick SPF applies beautifully, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t leave a white cast—not even on darker skin tones. 

“When first applying the product, I was worried because it looked like it would leave a white cast, but once I rubbed it in, it absorbed completely and actually left my skin with a nice glowy look,” our tester reveals, noting that most mineral SPFs, in contrast, give off a ghostly look on her darker skin. While the small format makes it easy to toss in any purse for touch-ups, we find that if you apply it regularly, it probably won’t last you more than a month or two.

Type: Mineral | SPF Level: 50 | Water-Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes  | Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | Size: 0.6 oz