With warmer weather, budding plants, and school coming to a close, it’s time to start gearing up for summer! I’m sure that after a long winter we are all ready to soak up some sun and have some fun outdoor adventures with our families.
And you moms out there know that one of the most important items to stock up on is sunscreen. After all, doesn’t it feel like we’re constantly applying sunscreen on our kids’ faces, necks, and arms? I, for one, make it a habit to apply sunscreen multiple times a day to protect my kids’ skin. This means that our family goes through an unbelievable amount of sunscreen during the summer!
But like most products, not all sunscreens are created equal. I’ve found that some sunscreens don’t rub in very well while others leave us feeling grimy or oily. Worst of all, certain sunscreens don’t even work that well and we end up with sun burns. Let me save you some trouble and share some of my findings with you.
What To Look for in Sunscreen
Here are a few tips on what to look for when purchasing sunscreen. My hope is that reading through this article makes your shopping experience easier and that you end up with a sunscreen that you love.
- Look for a high SPF. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that children especially use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. But if you ask me, it doesn’t hurt to go higher for extra protection.
- Look for broad spectrum sunscreen. Broad spectrum sunscreens provide protection from UVA and UVB rays, both of which can cause cancer.
- Look for the type of sunscreen that works best for you. While some people prefer the ease and convenience of a spray, others like how thick lotion goes on. Both have advantages: it’s up to you to decide which type you’d like!
- Look for water resistant sunscreen. It is specially designed to stay on even when wet. This is particularly important if you will be sweating or in the water. Do remember that you need to apply sunscreen more often if you are wet though.
- Look for sunscreens that you like! After all, the best sunscreen is one that you’ll actually use. There’s no need to waste your money on a sunscreen that you can’t stand the smell or feel of because it will just go to waste.
With that said, let’s get started on my list of the best waterproof sunscreens! I’ve listed all sorts of useful specifications and provided a brief description of each. Here goes…
Top Waterproof Sunscreens
| Product | Features |
|---|---|
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer  | |
Banana Boat Sport Ultra | |
Neutrogena Beach Defense | |
Coppertone Sport Spray | |
Blue Lizard | |
Sun Bum Original | |
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids | |
EltaMD UV Sport | |
Coppertone Kids | |
Hawaiian Tropic Island Sport |
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch
You can’t go wrong with Neutrogena, a company well-known for top of the line products. This particular lotion is gentle enough for every day use, even on your face. I suspect you’ll like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch so much that you’ll buy it over and over again!
Specifications
- SPF: 100+
- Type: Lotion
- Broad Spectrum: Yes
- Water Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes
- Volume: 3 oz
- Price range: Under $10
Banana Boat Sport Ultra
This Banana Boat Sport Ultra spray is easy to apply and dries quickly. Also, it’s always a good idea to buy a twin pack of sunscreen so that you won’t need to get more for a while and so that you can store one bottle in your house and the other in your car. You can’t go wrong with this waterproof sunscreen! It’s easy to reapply even when your kiddo’s wearing a flotation device!
Specifications
- SPF: 50
- Type: Spray
- Broad Spectrum: Yes
- Water Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes
- Volume: two 6 oz bottles
- Price range: Under $20
Neutrogena Beach Defense
As I mentioned earlier, there is a good reason why Neutrogena is a top seller of sunscreens. After all, they are the #1 dermatologist brand. This product was made with beach days in mind. It will last for hours even in intense heat so you can play in the sand and waves carefree! Trust me, you won’t regret buy this lotion.
Specifications
- SPF: 70
- Type: Lotion
- Broad Spectrum: Yes
- Water Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes
- Volume: 6.7 oz
- Price range: Under $10
Coppertone Sport Spray
Here’s what you need to know about Coppertone: in 2020 American shoppers voted them the most trusted sunscreen brand! This sunscreen has an exceptionally tough formula created just for sports so it will stay on even when you sweat, making it ideal for tennis matches, outdoor runs, or yard work. You’ve got to love this waterproof sunscreen from Coppertone!
Specifications
- SPF: 50
- Type: Spray
- Broad Spectrum: Yes
- Water Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes
- Volume: three 5.5 oz bottles
- Price range: Under $30
Blue Lizard
You can’t help appreciate the fact that Blue Lizard sunscreen is reef friendly, which means it doesn’t contain any ingredients which pollute corral reefs. In addition to being environmentally friendly, this product gets the jobs done. In fact, it’s even perfectly suited for anyone with sensitive skin since is it free from irritating parabens and fragrances. Overall, a great choice to take on an outdoor adventure!
Specifications
- SPF: 50
- Type: Lotion
- Gluten-free
- Broad Spectrum: Yes
- Water Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes
- Volume: 5 oz
- Price range: Under $20
Sun Bum Original
You can’t help but love Sun Bum sunscreen because of how good it smells! Plus, it is vegan and reef friendly which makes me like this sunscreen even more! It’s even made here in the United States. Best of all, Sun Bum sunscreen is suitable for all skin types and is even hypoallergenic. As you can tell, I just can’t say enough good things about this option!
Specifications
- SPF: 50
- Type: Lotion
- Broad Spectrum: Yes
- Water Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes
- Volume: 8 oz
- Gluten-free
- Price range: Under $20
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Spray
This highly rated pack of sunscreen sprays is a best-seller on Amazon! I can absolutely see why: Nutragena advertises it as a product especially for active, wet kids since it will cut through water. This means you can spray it on your kids even if they are soaking wet and trust it to protect them from UVA and UVB rays. Let’s just say that you’ll be grateful you got a two pack because of how quickly you use Nutragena Wet Skin Kids sunscreen! It’s perfect at the pool or on a boating outing.
Specifications
- SPF: 70
- Type: Spray
- Broad Spectrum: Yes
- Water Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes
- Volume: two 5 oz bottles
- Price range: Under $20
EltaMD UV Sport
EltaMD is a high end sunscreen and it shows! This sunscreen absorbs quickly and won’t drip after applied. What I like about it is that it combats skin-aging from the sun with antioxidant protection. In addition to that, it is really gentle on the skin since it doesn’t have any fragrance, oil, or paraben. And everyone appreciates the fact that it doesn’t leave white residue after application. Take my word for it: you won’t regret buying EltaMD!
Specifications
- SPF: 50
- Type: Lotion
- Broad Spectrum: Yes
- Water Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes
- Volume: 3 oz
- Price range: Under $30
Coppertone Kids
Coppertone Kids is perfect for young, active kids because it will stay on as they play. Just keep in mind that this is a thick, creamy sunscreen which appeals to some because of the great coverage it provides, but others prefer a lighter-weight lotion. One thing is for sure: it will protect your skin from the sun! Whether you’re at the lake or the river, this is a great option.
Specifications
- SPF: 70
- Type: Lotion
- Broad Spectrum: Yes
- Water Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes
- Volume: 8 oz
- Price range: Under $10
Hawaiian Tropic Island Sport
Reviewers agree that this is a reasonably priced sunscreen that works well! Men like it since it doesn’t have a strong, feminine smell. People in general like it because it is light-weight and doesn’t feel oily. Try it out and you’ll find that Hawaiian Tropic Island Sport is going to be your new favorite sunscreen!
Specifications
- SPF: 50
- Type: Lotion
- Broad Spectrum: Yes
- Water Resistant: Yes, up to 80 minutes
- Volume: 8 oz
- Price range: Under $20
There you have it! Now you can’t say that you don’t know what sunscreen to buy, right? As you can see, all of these sunscreens are excellent waterproof, broad spectrum sunscreens you can trust. I sure hope that you feel confident in purchasing a high-quality waterproof sunscreen lotion that will serve your family well all summer long and leave you free to enjoy some precious time in the sun safely!
FAQs
How often should sunscreen be applied?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, particularly if you are sweating. This is an important daily practice to develop regardless of the weather since there is still a chance of sun damage on cloudy, overcast days. Always adhere to the instructions on the label as well.
What does SPF mean?
Perhaps you’ve seen SPF on sunscreen bottles all your life and wondered what it means. SPF, which stands for sun protection factor, is a rating that refers to how long it would take the sun to burn your skin when wearing sunscreen. SPF ratings vary with higher SPF ratings providing the longest protection from from harmful UV rays.
What sunscreen SPF should kids use?
Experts urge parents to apply a sunscreen with at least a 30 SPF on their children’s skin when they’ll be outside, regardless of their skin tone. It’s also a good idea to get water-resistant sun screen if your child will be playing in or near the water. Also, a broad spectrum sunscreen is advisable since it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
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