Keep These On Hand For Summer Travels: Our Favorite Sunscreens and Sun Hats to Keep You Protected
You know the drill: Wash, moisturize, sunscreen, makeup. In that order. At 7 AM, of course. By 10 AM, when the sun is high in the sky, are you still protected? Probably not. To keep your sunscreen handy, pop a tube into your handbag or beach tote. That way, you’ll have it handy when you need it.
We also recommend keeping a hat in the car for those moments when the sun is simply too hot or you need a little extra protection.
After using most of these products, here is what I personally recommend. You’ll even see many of the photos are my own, taken in my kitchen, of products I own (pardon some of the wear marks on a few of them!). The others are next on my shopping list. Here’s how to stay in the sun but out of harm’s way this summer, and beyond.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
First, Don’t Keep Sunscreen In Your Car!
The glovebox seems like a wise, natural spot to keep a tube of your favorite sunscreen because it helps reduce the risk of forgetting it in the first place. As of 2022, though, Sutter Health advises that parents don’t leave sunscreen in the car because high temperatures can denature what makes sunscreen effective against UVA and UVB rays.
“Bottles of sunscreen should not be left in cars,” Dermatologist Joseph Chao, M.D., explained to Vitals. Oxybenzone and Avobenzone, two common active ingredients in sunscreens, start degrading in high-temperature environments. And since cars parked outside during the summer can get as hot as 120 degrees (even in the shade in some states), those two filters start to break down. And when those ingredients break down, sunscreen becomes much less effective.
“This can lead to inadequate protection from harmful UV light and subsequent sunburns, which is a risk factor for skin cancer development,” he said.
Therefore, the best place to keep a backup tube of sunscreen is in your purse, beach tote, backpack, or diaper bag, where it’s kept cool.
Also, don’t forget to reapply. Dr. Chao explained that sunscreen reflects UVA and UVB rays, and after about two hours, especially when mixing with sweat or water, it gradually loses effectiveness to do so. Forgetting can result in, you guessed it, burns. And make sure you apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before sun exposure for maximum potency. Don’t be shy, reapply!
The Best Sunscreen, Hands Down, Period: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen
This serum-like sunscreen floats over your skin, plays well with makeup and leaves no feeling on your skin at all. You might just think it’s not there, but it is, doing its thing. I pack this in my travel bag, my beach bag and my makeup bag, and I have a huge tube of it in my bathroom for daily use.
When left in the car, it heats up but doesn’t melt; it’s still goes on light than air. Priced from $38. Buy Super Goop Unseen Sunscreen here.
The All-Around Best Sunscreen For Everyone: Supergoop Play
This moisturizing, water and sweat-proof sunscreen is easy to use, lasts for nearly two hours and is great for everyone in the family. We love this go-anywhere bottle that even the littlest, or recently sun-screened hands can grasp. Leave it in your beach bag or for quick touchups on the go.
Priced from $24. Buy Super Goop Play
Supergoop Dupe: Trader Joe’s Daily
Love the look and feel of Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen, but recoil at the high price? Trader Joe’s created a similar formula, a sunscreen gel that is lightweight, invisible and fragrance-free. It’s $8 at Trader Joe’s, but for those who can’t get to a TJ’s location, you can get it on Amazon for $18. Yes, it’s a bump in price, but still a lot less than its inspo product. Buy Trader Joe’s Daily Sunscreen.
Touchups without Makeup Messup: Supergoop Re-Setting Mist
This is another favorite product: Supergoop Re-Setting Mist. During the day, you can spray this SPF 40 mist on your face, neck and chest for a quick veil of sunscreen that also preserves your makeup. I use this when out and about on hot days and heading into meetings, video shoots or travel, any time when stopping to apply sunscreen and then makeup is not practical.
Its small size fits nicely in my makeup bag and passes through airport security easily, and I only use it occasionally, so the $38 price tag is a bit easier to stomach. Buy Super Goop Re-Setting Mist
Best Sunscreen for Sports: Neutrogena
Neutrogena has been the go-to for clean cosmetics for decades, and it’s still our go-to for outdoor sports. Yes, it’s waterproof and sweatproof but it’s also non-comedogenic which means it won’t clog your pores. Buy it here for $10
Best Bargain Sunscreen: Banana Boat
I’ve bought gallons of this stuff over the years for vacations, pool time, playground time and daily wear for the kids, the hubby, friends and even myself. I love the light tropical fragrance and the easy-on formula.
It comes in a large pump bottle, take-along tubes or spray on, which is my least favorite because the furniture ends up with more UV protection than my kids do. Priced from $10; the 12 oz bottle is $11. Buy Banana Boat suncreen here.
Best Packable Straw Sun Hat: Furtalk
I learned long ago that ball caps are great for just that—playing ball. When it comes to true sun protection, you need a sun hat. I also opt for one that is packable. This one can roll up, be flat packed or ideally, fill it with clothes and nest it in your carryon. Wrinkles can be removed with a steamer. Buy this hat for $25 here.
My Personal Favorite Sun Hat: Lanzom Panama Hat
I bought this last year and have stuffed it in my carryon, sweated in it, swam in it, greased it up with makeup and sunscreen and generally abused it and it still looks brand new. I chose this particular one for its monotone look—the band matches the straw— but that’s just me. It’s available in 22 color combinations. By the Lanzom Panama hat for $32.
We Love The Pineapple and Star Visor Sun Hats For Adjustable Sizing
These are great for preventing hat hair, and they are more packable than a full-fledged hat but still give you nearly full sun coverage. Adjust the size with the ribbon tie, and untie it to roll it up for packing. Buy the Pineapple and Star Sun Visor for $32 here.
Best Water-Friendly Sun Hat: East Water Safari Hats
This waterproof sun hat wins our vote for its versatility and clever design. A rear vent allows you to pull a pony tail through; side snaps allow you to clip the visor out of the way if you need to. It’s vented to keep air flowing, it’s water proof and it comes in 10 different colors. And at $13 you can keep one in the car, one in the beach bag and one in your suitcase and never worry about not having a hat. Buy the East Water Safari Hat here for $13.
Now, go out and play!
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