11 Best Smelling Sunscreens Of 2023 For Women
Exude a fresh and fruity scent while shielding yourself from the sun's harmful rays.

Image: StyleCraze Design Team
With summer comes a lot of sunscreen and body mist. However, masking them both won’t be a good idea. Rather, you must start using the best-smelling sunscreens. Such sunscreens are tropically scented, and they protect the skin from the scorching heat of the Sun and replace the sweat odor with a fresh, fruity fragrance. Sunscreens smelling deliciously irresistible seems like a good deal, doesn’t it? So, we have got you the 11 best-smelling sunscreens for you to go out in the Sun shining, smelling great without having the fear to tan. Have a look!
In This Article
11 Best Smelling Sunscreens Of 2023 For Women
1. Best Non-Greasy:Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion
This Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion smells like the sun and is great for daily use, be it a day at the beach or your daily commute under the sun. This dermatologist-approved and non-comedogenic sunscreen delivers UVA/UVB protection and is packed with vitamin E. It is an oil-free, water-resistant, and reef-friendly lotion perfect for all skin types.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Gluten-free
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Non-greasy
Cons
- Not long-lasting

2. Best Sweat-Resistant:Australian Gold Extreme Sport Continuous Spray Sunscreen
This sports sunscreen spray is an SPF 50 formula with the Ultra Chill technology derived from menthol. It provides an instant cooling sensation and neutralizes odors to keep you smelling fresh for an outdoor life of sport and adventure. This sunscreen smells like the light and refreshing scent of the coastal breeze. It contains a rich blend of Kakadu plum extract rich in vitamin C and tea tree oil that fight free radicals and leave skin fresh. Dr. Patricia Gaile Espinosa, MD, Philippine Dermatological Society, says, “Vitamin C is a good ingredient to use in combination with sunscreen. While sunscreen either absorbs or deflect UV light, Vitamin C helps prevent the damaging effects of UV rays that has penetrated the skin.”
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, tea tree oil
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Water-resistant
- Sweat-resistant
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Uneven consistency

3. Best Reef-Safe:Hint Pineapple Sunscreen Spray
The Hint Spray Sunscreen combines the flavors of fruit with delicious waters and adds it to an SPF 30 formula. It provides your skin with a mist of sun protection that is water-resistant and easy to apply. This sunscreen carries a hint of pineapple, grapefruit, or pear that elevates your day at the beach or an afternoon of sunbathing. It has an extra-fast drying mechanism and leaves no greasy residue.
Key Ingredients: Pineapple
Pros
- Reef-safe formula
- Paraben-free
- Vegan
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Water-resistant
Cons
- May stain clothing
4. Best Fast-Absorbing:Supergoop! Everyday Play SPF 50 Lotion
The Supergoop! Original SPF 50 lotion is a water-resistant formula perfect for everyday use for the face and the body. It is a fast-absorbing and ultra-moisturizing product made with natural extracts of citrus, basil, and Boise de rose. It contains a unique beta-glucan that replenishes skin moisture. This sunscreen is non-comedogenic. Watch this video to find out the benefits of the Supergoop! Everyday Play SPF 50 Lotion.
Key Ingredients: Extracts of citrus, basil, and Boise de rose
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-sticky
- Fast-absorbing
- Water-resistant
- Sweat-resistant
- Ideal for sensitive skin
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- May stain clothes

5. Best Lightweight:Pacifica Beauty Sun + Skincare Mineral Bronzing Sunscreen Spray
This SPF 30 Mineral Bronzing Sunscreen Spray is perfect to create a sun-kissed glow in an instant while also protecting your skin. This unique formula is designed to apply evenly and add a beautiful glow while delivering hydration. It is a water-resistant formula that is free of chemicals. It is suitable for all skin types.
Key Ingredient: Coconut
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Paraben-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Silicone-free
- Phthalate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Suits all skin types
Cons
- Does not absorb into the skin easily
6. Best For Sensitive Skin:Neutrogena Beach Defense Water Resistant Sunscreen
This water-resistant sunscreen helps give your skin superior sun protection from harsh outdoor elements with its broad spectrum SPF 70. This sunscreen is ideal for active individuals as it is clinically proven to help defend against sun damage. This lotion is formulated with Helioplex Technology that offers superior broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays.
Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone
Pros
- Lightweight
- Fast-absorbing
- Suits sensitive skin
- Non-greasy
- Oil-free
- PABA-free
Cons
- Leaves white residue
7. Best Dermatologist-Tested:Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion Sunscreen
The Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion Sunscreen has an oil-free and non-greasy formula that nourishes and protects the skin from the sun. It contains mango fruit extract, shea butter, and vitamin E that protect and soften the skin and leave it radiant. This reliable water-resistant SPF 30 sunscreen stays on for up to 80 minutes. It is dermatologist-tested.
Key Ingredients: Mango fruit extract, shea butter, and vitamin E
Pros
- Fast-absorbing
- Non-greasy
- Lightweight
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- Difficult to spread
8. Best Water-Resistant:Ocean Potion Sunscreen Lotion
The Ocean Potion SPF 50 Sunscreen is a moisture-rich lotion. This product offers broad-spectrum UVA /UVB protection to the skin against aging and sunburns. This sunscreen is enriched with antioxidants, vitamins B, C, and E, deep sea minerals, and seaweed and algae extracts that protect the skin and keep it moisturized, nourished, and healthy. This sunscreen is water-resistant.
Key Ingredients: Vitamins B, C, and E, deep sea minerals, seaweed, and algae extracts
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Non-greasy
- Long-lasting
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not ideal for sensitive skin
9. Best Anti-Aging:Alba Botanica Aloe Vera Hawaiian SPF 30 Sunscreen
This Aloe Vera SPF 30 sunscreen is made with nourishing botanical extracts that provide broad-spectrum protection against sunburns and premature signs of aging. It may also reduce the risk of skin cancer. This lotion is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. It is also recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera and pineapple fruit extract
Pros
- Reef-friendly
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Leaves white residue
10. Best Hypoallergenic:COOLA Organic Sunscreen Spray
The COOLA Organic Sunscreen Spray comes in a bottle that keeps misting even when upside down, making it easy to cover your entire body. This sunscreen is a sheer, water- and sweat-resistant organic formula packed with antioxidants and skin-nourishing ingredients. It contains red raspberry seed oil, buriti oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and prickly pear extract that fight free radicals and nourish the skin. This sunscreen is fast-absorbing and leaves no greasy feel. Click on the video to know why one should purchase the COOLA Organic Sunscreen Spray.
Key Ingredients: Safflower oleosomes, red raspberry seed oil, buriti oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and prickly pear extract
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Lightweight
- Fast-absorbing
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Sticky consistency
11. Best Bronzing Effect:SurfDurt Natural SunScreen
The SurfDurt Natural Sunscreen contains 11 food-grade ingredients and non-nano zinc oxide. This product replaces harmful toxins for a natural sunscreen that protects the skin. This mineral base of non-nano zinc oxide includes nourishing antioxidants and food-derived ingredients such as coconut, avocado, and jojoba oil that offer sun protection. This premium, surf-resistant sunscreen offers UVA and UVB broad-spectrum and SPF 30 protection that is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Key Ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide, coconut, avocado, and jojoba oil
Pros
- Reef-safe
- Cruelty-free
- Sweat-proof
- Surf-resistant
- Water-resistant
- Creates a bronzing effect
Cons
- Stains clothes
When it comes to sunscreens, scent is often an afterthought – but it shouldn’t be! The right sunscreen should not only protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, but also leave you feeling refreshed and smelling great. However, there are a few things that are important to consider when purchasing these heavenly smelling sunscreens.
Things To Look For In A Best-Smelling Sunscreen For Women
Ingredients: Pay attention to the ingredients list on the sunscreen bottle. You would want to look for natural ingredients that are known for their pleasant smells. Avoid sunscreens with synthetic fragrances, as these can often be quite strong and overwhelming.
Preferences: Consider what type of scent you prefer, crisp, clean scents, floral, fruity scents, or earthy scents. Pay attention to how long the fragrance lasts. You don’t want sunscreen that smells great at first but fades away quickly – especially if you are spending a long day in the sun! Look for sunscreens with light, refreshing scents that will last all day long.
Formula: When it comes to sunscreen, there are several different types of formulas available on the market. Some sunscreens are oil-based, while others are water-based. There are also spray sunscreens, lotions, creams, and powders. The type of formula you choose should be based on your personal preferences and needs. For example, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid oil-based sunscreens.
SPF: Sunscreen is available in a variety of SPF levels, from as low as SPF 15 to as high as SPF 50+. The level of SPF you need will depend on your skin type and how much time you plan on spending in the sun. If you have fair skin or if you want to spend a lot of time outdoors, you will need a higher SPF sunscreen. However, if you’ll only be in the sun for a short period of time, a lower SPF will suffice. You need to make sure that it is broad-spectrum and will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.
Infographic: Things To Keep In Mind About Best Smelling Sunscreens
Sunscreens are essential for protecting your skin, and they are irreplaceable. However, using poor-quality sunscreens that contain toxic chemicals can do more harm than good. They leave your skin dull and dry and develop aging signs. The below infographic lists ingredients to avoid while buying sunscreen and the right way and time to apply it to reap its maximum benefits. Check it out! Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Wearing sunscreen is recommended daily. Especially if you live in a particularly sunny location. The rays of the sun can be quite harmful to our skin, hence it needs to be protected daily, not just during the summer. Many people prefer pleasantly scented sunscreens, as it tends to not only protect the skin but also saves you from any embarrassment caused by bad body odor caused by sweat. Check out the list above to find a scented sunscreen that best suits your requirements.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Oyendrila Kanjilal, the author of this article, is a certified skin care coach. After thorough research and review of multiple products and user reviews, she has curated a list of the best-smelling sunscreens to assist her readers in finding suitable products. These products are tropically scented, and they protect the skin from the scorching heat of the Sun, replacing the sweaty odor with a fresh, fruity fragrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some sunscreens smell weird?
The smell of sunscreen has more to with the ingredients used. A sunscreen that smells funny or weird is more likely to be contaminated with bacteria. On the other hand, the complete absence of any artificial fragrances in sunscreen may also make it smell not as good as expected.
Does sunscreen smell good?
Yes, most sunscreen smells good, although it might not suit everyone. Products with artificial fragrances or overwhelming scents can irritate sensitive skin, causing breakouts, irritation, or redness.
Does all sunscreen smell?
No, some sunscreens do not smell at all. Also, it is more beneficial to apply sunscreens without artificial fragrance.
Does sunscreen cause acne?
Some sunscreens do not allow the skin to breathe by clogging the pores, leading to breakouts and acne.
Is it okay to have fragrance in sunscreen?
Yes. You can choose a tropically scented sunscreen that helps replace the sweaty odor with a fresh, fruity fragrance. However, it is best to opt for sunscreens without artificial fragrances and harsh chemicals that irritate the skin.
Recommended Articles
- Best Sunscreens For Acne-Prone Skin
- Best Non-greasy Sunscreens
- Best Matte Sunscreens To Keep Tanning At Bay
- Best Sunscreen Sticks