Whether you’re heading to Thailand for a beach vacay or hitting the slopes in Japan, you need to take care of your skin. Hailing from Australia and currently based in Hong Kong, international makeup artist Leticia Bishop is a huge advocate for skin protection. Here, she shares the best sunscreen for travel, each of which she’s personally tried and tested.
Discover the best sunscreen for travel
1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF50+
Country of origin: France
Format: Fluid
SPF: 50+
Best for: Sensitive skin and everyday facial protection
Highlights: One of the strongest options for high UVA protection, with La Roche-Posay’s UVMune 400 technology designed to protect against ultra-long UVA rays. The range is developed for sensitive and sun-sensitive skin and has lightweight, invisible formulations.
Finish: Lightweight and generally invisible
Water resistance: Yes, depending on the specific Anthelios formulation
Current price: Around £16–£22 for 50ml
Why it’s good for travel: Small, lightweight and particularly useful when you’re spending long days sightseeing outdoors.
Why you’ll love it: Body protection that feels like a moisturiser.
When it comes to body protection, La Roche-Posay has done an incredible job of combining high-end design with sustainability. Not only does the streamlined lid reduce plastic usage by an impressive 75%, but it also feels like a luxurious moisturiser that you’ll actually want to use all over your limbs.
The large tube means it’ll last through your holiday, giving you the best of both worlds – luxe quality hydration and eco-friendliness. La Roche-Posay has truly set the bar high for body protection with this one.
Learn more about La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50+
2. Supergoop Glow Stick SPF 50
Country of origin: USA
Format: Solid sunscreen stick
SPF: 50
Best for: Easy SPF reapplication, particularly over makeup
Highlights: A twist-up, dry-oil sunscreen stick designed to leave a dewy, glowing finish. It contains nourishing oils and is designed to be convenient for applying to areas such as the nose, cheekbones, chest and shoulders.
Finish: Glowy/dewy
Water resistance: Up to 80 minutes.
Current price: Around £21.60 in the UK.
Why it’s good for travel: The stick format makes it exceptionally easy to throw into a handbag or daypack and reapply while travelling.
Why you’ll love it: The perfect handbag top-up.
Phone, wallet, room key, sunscreen?
No matter where you go during the course of your day, don’t forget to take this amazing little stick with you. With its fuss-free, glides-over makeup formula, you can rest assured that your skin will be left with a healthy glow – and not a sticky mess.
Not only is the formula completely clear, but it’s also incredibly hydrating, meaning you can look forward to smooth and soft skin every time you apply it. So, no matter where in the world you’re headed, don’t forget to grab this little stick – you won’t regret it!
Find out more about Supergoop Glow Stick SPF 50
3. Kose Suncut UV Perfect Gel Super Water Proof SPF 50+ PA++++
Country of origin: Japan
Format: Gel
SPF: 50+
UVA rating: PA++++
Best for: Beaches, swimming, hot climates and active holidays
Highlights: The standout feature is its Super Waterproof positioning. The Japanese formula is designed for high-performance protection in demanding conditions and is particularly popular for holidays involving swimming, outdoor activities and heat.
Finish: Lightweight gel
Water/sweat resistance: Excellent; this is the product’s major selling point
Current price: Around £10–£20, depending on retailer and size.
Why it’s good for travel: A particularly compelling choice for a beach holiday because you don’t have to sacrifice a lightweight texture for high water resistance.
Why you’ll love it: A strong, hard worker.
Everyone has great things to say about this product. It’s designed to stay on through all kinds of situations, including sweat, water, oil, and rubbing. The texture is a light, cool-feeling gel that rubs in completely clear and leaves a light tack that helps keep makeup on longer without drying out the skin.
It’s not only a great sunscreen, especially for water time, but you can feel a sense of security due to its long-standing reputation as a reliable brand from Japan. It’s also one the whole family can enjoy. Even my significant other loves it and has repurchased it numerous times.
Discover more about Kose Suncut UV Perfect Gel Super Water Proof SPF 50+ PA++++
4. Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50+
Country of origin: Australia
Format: Luminising serum sunscreen
SPF: 50+
Best for: Daily facial SPF and anyone who likes a luminous skincare finish
Highlights: Queen Screen is designed as a skincare/SPF hybrid, with a silky serum texture and luminous finish. The reformulated version includes vitamins C, B5, E and F, alongside ingredients intended to hydrate and brighten the skin.
Finish: Glowy/luminous
Current price: Around £30–£38 in the UK
Why it’s good for travel: It works particularly well for travellers who want their sunscreen to double as part of their morning skincare and makeup routine.
Why you’ll love it: A luxury drop of roses with a glow.
Looking for a more luxurious experience with your daily sun protection? Ultra Violette, an Australian brand now widely available, offers a unique solution. This sunscreen comes in a glass bottle, with a stunning milky serum texture that smells like fresh roses. When applied, it glides onto the skin like a dream with no pilling, making it great for under makeup.
Don’t worry, it’s not just aesthetically pleasing, it’s also SPF 50+, with UVA and UVB protection.
Learn more about Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50
5. Biore UV Athlizm Skin Protect Essence SPF 50+ PA++++
Country of origin: Japan
Format: Essence
SPF: 50+
UVA rating: PA++++
Best for: Hot, humid weather, sports and active holidays
Highlights: Designed for demanding conditions, with strong water/sweat resistance and a lightweight essence texture. It is particularly popular among people looking for a Japanese sunscreen that feels comfortable enough to wear every day.
Finish: Lightweight with a slightly dewy finish
Water/sweat resistance: Designed for sweat and water resistance
Current price: Approximately £15–£22.
Why it’s good for travel: One of the most interesting choices here for hot-weather travel, particularly if you’re walking around a city in high temperatures or spending time outdoors.
Why you’ll love it: The velvet finish.
Biore UV Athlizm Skin Protect Essence is a reliable option for sticky summer months when creating a glowing complexion is not the issue. Its velvety finish helps makeup stay on longer and is an ideal travel sunscreen. The airy gel texture blends in clearly, dries down quickly, and stays in place. Plus, its water-resistant formula is perfect for sports, beach days, or hot places.
Almost all sunscreens have some likeable ingredients for the skin, but it’s worth mentioning that this has Hyaluronic Acid, Royal Jelly extract, and Butylene Glycol, which are all moisturising ingredients. Another great aspect of this product is the generous size of 70g, compared to most that are around 50g.
Learn more about Biore UV Athlizm Skin Protect Essence SPF 50+ PA++++
6. Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture SPF 50+
Country of origin: Germany / Beiersdorf
Format: Body lotion
SPF: 50+
Best for: Affordable everyday body protection
Highlights: A straightforward, budget-friendly option combining high UVA/UVB protection with moisturisation. The current UK formula uses CITRACELL-PROTECT™ with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid and is designed to provide 48-hour moisturisation. It’s also water-resistant and doesn’t leave a white cast.
Finish: Moisturising but designed to absorb quickly without a sticky feel
Water resistance: Yes
Current price: Around £6–£12 for 200ml
Why it’s good for travel: Excellent value when you need a large amount of sunscreen for a whole family or a longer holiday.
Why you’ll love it: For the nostalgic scent.
Scent has an incredibly powerful connection to the brain’s memory, which is why Nivea sunscreens hold a special place in my heart. Whenever I apply this, I’m immediately taken back to moments of slathering it on while in my bikini before heading to the beach. After a few hours of swimming, reapplying the sunscreen to my sandy, sweaty skin has become a core memory, especially with this particular product.
Not only is this body SPF ultra-moisturising and leaves an effortless, subtle shine, but it can also be used on the face in a pinch. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the scent will linger for quite a while, so if you’re looking for something with a more subtle smell, this may not be the product for you.
If you’re a fan of Nivea Sun, you’ll be pleased to know they have a fragrance with this scent. I haven’t gotten my hands on it yet, but it’s likely easier to find in Europe.
Learn more about Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture SPF 50+
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