We’ve had a boat since 2018 and so we spend a lot of time by the sea. Both Amanda and I grew up near the beach, and I still remember my aunt scolding me as a kid for not wearing enough sunscreen.

Over the years, we’ve tried various types and brands of sunscreen. It’s been hard to find the one’s that legit don’t damage the reef, but also really protect your skin. With living on a boat you’re constantly exposed to the sun so when I tell you we have just about tried them all, I mean it.

Here are some our our favorite ones we’re currently using in tropical destinations or on our sailboat. We make sure to have cosmetic sunscreen (for under foundation), active sunscreen, and fragrant body oil that offers maximum protection and hydration. It might sound like a lot but trust me it’s worth it to protect your skin. If you’re not planning to go into the ocean then you don’t need to focus on reef safe sunscreen.

Did you know an hour in the airplane is equivalent to being exposed to a tanning bed for 30 minutes. If you haven’t been wearing sunscreen on the plane it’s important you consider starting now.

Manda Organic Sun Creme and Manda Organic Sun Paste Organic

We’re big fans of MANDA for several reasons. Firstly, the name is catchy! But beyond that, we’re intrigued by its use of an uncommon ingredient called Thanaka. “Thanaka has been used for over 2000 years as a natural sun protectant that preserves and beautifies the skin” according to MANDA. The natural ingredients caught our attention, and we’ve been using it ever since.

It feels luxurious like a high-quality body lotion, gliding on smoothly and silkily. Due to Thanaka, it has a slight yellow tint. The packaging is eco-friendly, made from 100% recyclable materials like cane sugar for the squeeze tube. Plus, the travel size Manda organic sun paste comes with a convenient mirror on the bottom side of the cap.

Native Sunscreen

We first discovered Native Sunscreen at Target, and you can still find it there. It’s convenient to grab at our local Target whenever we’re in the store.

We came across Native as one of our second or third sunscreen options. The Coconut & Pineapple scent is a standout—it’s like the best parts of summer in a bottle, with notes of juicy melon and pineapple mixing with coconut and rose petals for a unique fragrance. Its distinct scent sets it apart from typical sunscreens like Banana Boat, making it a favorite in our collection.

This sunscreen features non-nano zinc oxide (20%), along with vitamin E, avocado oil, coconut oil, and sunflower seed oil, all vegan and cruelty-free, making it ideal for sensitive skin.

Raw Elements Natural Sunscreen

Over the years, we’ve experimented with different sunscreens like Neutrogena, Sun Bum, Hawaiian Tropic, and Alba. These are just a few of the brands we’ve extensively used, often finishing entire bottles or using more than half.

In 2018, we discovered Raw Elements after seeing it promoted by another sailing channel. It’s a reef-safe sunscreen with 90 minutes of water resistance , plus it comes with a tinted toner to match your skin tone. Amanda hates the feel of this sunscreen but if you’re looking for specific elements if may be right for you.

We purchased a face and body tin along with two tinted face stick products from Raw Elements. While we appreciate their ocean-friendly and mineral-based broad spectrum protection, we find the sunscreen has a cake-like feeling and the face stick packaging isn’t biodegradable.

We prioritize sunscreen products in biodegradable packaging for marine safety. Our top pick, Bare Republic, goes on light and smooth, offering effective protection without weighing us down.

If Bare Republic could transition to more sustainable packaging for the face stick, it would easily become our top favorite. Nonetheless, Raw Elements sunscreen is reliable; my face stick has accompanied me to 10 countries without fail.

Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen by Coola

While prepping for our Sea of Cortez adventure, we stumbled upon Bare Republic mineral sunscreen at Walmart in La Paz, Mexico.

We opted for Bare Republic’s 50 SPF face sticks, drawn in by their active ingredients —titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide. Upon trying them, we were delighted. They applied smoothly without feeling cakey, and the pleasant added fragrance was a welcome departure from typical sunscreen scents. 

It’s remarkable how effective Bare Republic sunscreen is. We’ve been using their face sticks for over a year during various outdoor activities and they’ve never disappointed. After running out, we bought more—they’re simply one of the best sunscreens I’ve ever used.

The face stick is incredibly convenient to carry around; it’s so compact that you’ll forget it’s even there. Whether we’re sailing or spending the day in the sun, it fits easily in your pocket. It’s hands down the best travel-size sunscreen we’ve used, offering excellent protection against both UVB and UVA rays.

After a bit of digging, I stumbled upon Chris Birchby’s bio. He’s the brains behind COOLA  and Bare Republic. Chris’ path to entrepreneurship was paved by his parents’ battles with melanoma, which fueled his mission to combat skin cancer. Immersed in the realm of organic skincare and sunscreen formulation, he’s dedicated to crafting products that prioritize health and protection.

Knowing that he is on a journey to provide the best there is, we bought more of his products while visiting the states. 

Coola Mineral Face Sunscreen 

We finally got our hands on some Coola sunscreen, a new sunscreen to our collection. We opted for the Mineral Face Sunscreen with a Sheer Matte finish, packaged in a convenient 1.7 fluid ounces. Its screw top ensures secure closure, ideal for tossing into your toiletry bag on the go.

The Coola brand boasts a 70% organic composition, featuring plant-based ingredients that render the product vegan-friendly. With a formulation containing 10.5 percent zinc oxide, this mineral sunscreen offers robust mineral-based protection, effectively guarding against UV rays without leaving a white cast.

I observed that this sunscreen has an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating of 30, meeting the minimum recommendation set by the American Academy of Dermatology in their latest update since the year 2000. The previous recommendation was SPF 15.

SOL DE JANEIRO RIO Radiance Body Oil 

Amanda purchased this product after seeing one of the latest trends on TikTok, curious to see if it lived up to the hype and rave reviews. The subtle floral scent is a hit among users. However, upon reading the label, we discovered that it’s a chemical sunscreen and should not be used around coral reefs.

This oil-based sunscreen offers a shimmering finish and protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It’s reminiscent of the popular Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil but with a unique scent. Packaged in a convenient 3-fluid ounce pump spray bottle, it’s TSA(Transportation Security Administration)-friendly for hassle-free travel on your next adventure in your carry-on bag. 

The Pastels Shop Invisible Sunscreen 

While in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Amanda was on the hunt for a sunscreen that was invisible, comfortable, and weightless for her face. Most all drug stores in Asia have wonderful sunscreen options. We got to restock our first aid kit with essentials like band-aids and Neosporin too so it was a bonus.

She sought a face sunscreen to protect her sensitive skin without interfering with any makeup product. This travel sunscreen contains prebiotics and succinic acid to combat blemishes, dark spots, and signs of aging. They order the sunscreens by best on the top shelf. Here’s another option similar to it in the USA.

The Ultimate Protection to Protect Your Skin

One of the best ways to combat sunburns and sun damage is by investing in sun-protective clothing. Hats, buffs, long-sleeve and short-sleeve shirts, and shorts are among the best options for shielding your skin from harmful UV rays.

We ensure that all our clothing items for sun protection have a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of 30 or higher. Long-sleeve shirts are our go-to when we prefer not to apply sunscreen or when oil-free sunscreen isn’t available.

If you have sensitive skin or allergies to traditional sunscreen due to your skin type, sun-protective clothing is a great alternative that won’t cause any issues. Sun protective clothing is fantastic because you don’t have to remember to reapply sunscreen lotions throughout the day.