The Right Way to Apply Spray Sunscreen (2024)

In the world of skin care, there are very few products as controversial as spray sunscreen. Sunscreen, in general, has quite a bit of baggage. Between the SPF count and reef-safe formulas, there's a lot of different things to keep in mind when shopping for your sunscreen. This is especially true for spray-on formulas.

Even the most outspoken "wear sunscreen every day" fanatics tend to shy away from endorsing spray-on sunscreens. Some watchdog nonprofit organizations even go as far as saying people should avoid them at all costs. But with all that being said, dermatologists continue to reiterate that these options should never be dismissed.

"I never discourage sunscreen use," says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at the Shafer Clinic in New York City. And Sandy Skotnicki, MD, another board-certified dermatologist in Toronto, agrees, noting that "any sunscreen is better than none." So if you like sprays, or if it happens to be the only option you have, then, by all means, use it.

Sunscreen sprays may be convenient, but they're a bit complicated, too. That's why we spoke to a few experts to get their take on spray sunscreens and how to use them to ensure proper UV protection.

Meet the experts:

• Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at the Shafer Clinic in New York City.
• Sandy Skotnicki, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Toronto and author of Beyond Soap.
• Autumn Blum, a cosmetic chemist, formulator, and CEO of sunscreen brand Stream2Sea.

What is spray sunscreen?

Unlike the lotion formulas, spray sunscreens deliver the formula through a nozzle that disperses the lotion in a mist. This delivery system is really the only real difference between the two. "Spray sunscreen comes out of a nozzle in a fine mist," Dr. Engelman says. "Whereas lotion sunscreen is applied as regular lotion."

But this is important — as Dr. Engelman confirms, "there is no difference between the formulation of a spray sunscreen and a lotion."

Are spray sunscreens safe?

As mentioned above, some organizations do not recommend that consumers use spray sunscreens for multiple reasons. The logic goes that consumers should avoid these formulations "because of difficulty with proper application, potential ingredient toxicity, and inhalation concerns."

Cosmetic chemist Autumn Blum agrees with these concerns, especially when it comes to proper application. "It's difficult to get a proper application on a windy day or moving boat because it can easily miss your skin – leaving exposed areas," she says. "It's difficult to discern how much sunscreen is getting on you and how much is being carried away by the wind."

Then there was the whole Johnson & Johnson Neutrogena and Aveeno aerosol sunscreens recall back in July 2021, after tests by the company detected the carcinogenic chemical benzene in multiple samples. Though this is a specific case, it does flag concerns over the monitoring safety in cosmetics products. "Most aerosol and 'bag in valve' spray sunscreens are manufactured by a small handful of facilities where cross contamination may occur, as evidenced by the recent recall due to benzene contamination," Blum explains.

That example is an outlier, though aerosol sunscreens formulated with chemicals that are safe to use on skin still have the potential to irritate your lungs when sprayed. "This is why the instructions will tell you to apply to your hands then rub onto your face, avoiding your eyes and mouth," Blum explains. That's why Dr. Engelman recommends that those with lung sensitivities should just steer clear of spray sunscreens in general.

How do I apply spray sunscreen?

Spray sunscreen is simply not an option for some people. But for others, it can be too convenient and handy to give up. If you're one of the latter, there are a few things you can do to make sure you get SPF coverage you need.

One way to ensure you're staying protected is to spray close to the skin. "To ensure accurate coverage with spray sunscreen, I recommend holding the nozzle close to your skin and spraying thoroughly, moving slowly around the places that you want to apply the sunscreen," Dr. Engelman says. "It's important to note that you will need to apply a lot more product than you think when using a spray-on sunscreen to achieve full coverage."

After all, the most common concern is the difficulty guaranteeing that enough product has been applied to the skin for proper protection. "Spray sunscreen can be tricky to apply well, because it is hard to gauge the amount of product that has come out and how well it's coating your skin," Dr. Engelman says.

Blum agrees, noting that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommend that adults apply at least one full ounce of sunscreen to cover your body. "But it's not easy to quantify the amount you are applying with a spray sunscreen even without taking into consideration how much you missed your body," she explains. "Misapplication is often cited for lower SPF protection than advertised."

The next tip is to avoid applying a spray formula into the wind. "Apply it outdoors and not in the wind," Dr. Skotnicki says. This can be tricky. You want to apply it outdoors to avoid the possibility of inhaling any sunscreen particles, but if it's too windy, the formula can get carried away and even less product will make it onto the skin. "Due to ventilation issues, though, I would never recommend that you apply a spray sunscreen indoors," Blum says.

If you'd like to use a spray SPF on your face, all three experts recommend spraying the formula into your hands and then rubbing it onto the face, avoiding the mouth and eyes. In fact, even when you apply it to the rest of your body, dermatologists recommend rubbing it in to make sure all areas of the skin are evenly covered. "I suggest spraying on more sunscreen than you think you need and rubbing it in after," Dr. Engelman says. "Regardless of the formula or applicator you have, to ensure sufficient coverage."

With all of this in mind, the best possible way to use a spray sunscreen is as a layer of reapplication. "For maximum protection, I tell my clients to put on a lotion or solid formula first, to ensure that they are protecting all exposed skin before heading outdoors," Dr. Engelman says. "I usually recommend using spray sunscreen as an extra layer of protection or for reapplying after putting on a base of lotion or solid sunscreen."

What are the best spray sunscreens?

Although there are many effective spray sunscreen formulas out there, there are a few things to keep in mind before filling your shopping cart. Dr. Engelman says an SPF of 30 is an absolute must, but if you want that extra protection with a spray formula, opt for an SPF 50. "This is because spray sunscreens tend not to coat the skin as thoroughly or evenly as lotion or solid sunscreens do," she explains. "Especially when people do not apply enough of it."

Dr. Engelman also points out the importance of finding an environmentally-friendly, reef-safe formula that won't damage the environment. "Spray sunscreen can easily be distributed by the wind when it's applied outside," she explains.

In a continuous spray, the fragrance-free physical Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Spray Fragrance delivers UVA and UVB protection, thanks to non-nano zinc oxide. Not only is it convenient and effective, but it’s also formulated with aloe vera and sunflower oil to soothe and moisturize the skin for a comfortable wear you'll want to reapply often.

All Good SPF 30 Sport Mineral Sunscreen Spray is free of oxybenzone and instead uses reef-friendly non–nano zinc oxide and botanical ingredients to deliver SPF protection. The sunscreen is housed within a bag inside the can, which is then dispersed using chemical-free, pressurized air for easy spray application.

It can be tricky to wrangle up the kids every hour and ask them to stand still while re-applying sunscreen. Hence the necessity of a spray sunscreen like ThinkSport Kids SPF 50 All Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Spray, a kid-friendly must-have. The non-aerosol product features non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect against the UVA and UVB rays.

Applying a spray sunscreen can sometimes feel like nailing a bird of paradise yoga position — you've got to be flexible to make sure those hard-to-reach spots get covered. But Eucerin's new Sun Spray SPF 50 helps a bit since it's the rare pick you can apply with an upside-down bottle. That means a little less straining, sure, but it's also packed with moisturizing hyaluronic acid and is free of fragrance, oil, dyes, parabens, PABA, phthalates, oxybenzone, and octinoxate.

Read more about sun protection:

• 15 Sunscreens for Your Body That Will Provide SPF Protection Without Breakouts
• The 15 Best Korean Sunscreens That Leave a Transparent, Glassy Finish
• Skin Checks Save Lives. Here's What They Look Out For

And now, watch 100 years of sun care:

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