The Best Non-Greasy Spray Sunscreens for Body and Scalp

I spent the last 2 months testing non-greasy spray sunscreens. I was looking for the best sunscreens that work well on the body and also on the scalp. I specifically avoided brands marketed as "sport" or "kids" because these products are texturally unsuitable for scalp use. Instead, I looked for brands marketed as "dry," "lightweight," "non-sticky," etc.

Are you looking for spray sunscreen to use on ur big bald head? If you just want to jump straight to my #1 pick, click here. Otherwise keep reading, baldy.

Table Of Contents

Why Spray Sunscreens?
Use An Applicator!
On Fragrance
Scalp Use
How I Tested
Results and Recommendations

 

Why Spray Sunscreens?

Let's clear something up right away. Spray sunscreens have a bad reputation. Here are some of the biggest problems with spray sunscreens.

1. Nobody knows whether it's safe to inhale aerosolized sunscreen ingredients.
2. Studies show people often don't use enough sunscreen when it's in spray form.
3. You still have to rub it in! Everybody skips this step.
4. About 25% of the spray sunscreen is wasted due to overspray. All that overspray is expensive. Also, somebody gotta clean that shit up.

But even with all those drawbacks, spray sunscreen can be effective and convenient especially for men and for some of you hairier ladies. Also, for you balding ladies and gentlemen. Perhaps I should say US balding ladies and gentlemen :( Or is it we balding ladies...  nevermind.

When I first announced I was testing spray sunscreens, quite a few people - women mostly - told me I shouldn't use a spray sunscreen because it's bad for my health, and it's bad for the environment, and just use lotion like a normal person, and why would anyone use spray sunscreen anyway? Well, I can answer that question with three words:

Hairy. Ball. Sack.

Bear with me here. As I see it, the problem is that women inevitably imagine applying the sunscreen to a smooth surface. "Oh look at me effortlessly rubbing this lotion into my taut, hairless arm. Why would anybody use anything other than lotion?" But that image is only relevant if your entire body is as smooth and featureless as that taut, hairless arm. So don't picture a taut, hairless arm. Picture a Hairy Ball Sack instead.

Go ahead and imagine it. A big hairy ball sack right in front of you. All wrinkled. Big, full bush. You get the picture.

Classy, huh?

Next, imagine you need to apply SPF to that HBS. Would you rather squirt a bunch of lotion on it and then rub that lotion all around with your hands? Until it foams up and starts to get sticky? So you keep rubbing it, but now you've created some ominous froth and pubes are beginning to stick to your fingers? IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?

Or would you rather spray a little sunscreen on those low hangers, give 'em two quick rubs, and then get the fuck out as fast as you can?  I think we'd all take option #2.  Also, I firmly believe that if you're going to rub something once, it's usually worth the effort to rub it two times (but three times would be inappropriate).

Now you see, men don't need to perform this imaginatory exercise. We don't need to IMAGINE hairy ball sacks because we HAVE hairy ball sacks. And hairy scalps. And hairy backs (you know who you are). And hairy ears (seriously, trim that shit already).

Bottom line is spray sunscreen is easier to apply to hairy body parts.   

Use an Applicator!

The most important thing I learned while conducting this project was that no matter what kind of sunscreen you use, you should absolutely buy an applicator mitt. Or three. This thing is great for all kinds of sunscreens, moisturizers, self-tanners, and medicated ointments. It makes streak-free application a breeze, plus it prevents your hands from getting covered in sunscreen. Buy this now. Thank me later.

Also get one for your back.

On Fragrance

When you apply a spray sunscreen, the first thing you'll smell is the added fragrance. Almost all spray sunscreens contain added fragrance because spray sunscreen apparently smells like wet turd. But you shouldn't be smelling the fragrance anyway because you're not supposed to inhale the sunscreen mist. Remember that? It's not safe. In any case, the fragrance only lasts a few minutes, so you can basically just ignore it.

Now here's the important part.

After the sunscreen dries down, you're inevitably stuck with a slightly medicinal, petroleum-like odor that lingers interminably.  You're going to be stuck with this secondary odor until you wash it off, so it's WAY more important than any added fragrance which fades quickly.

Scalp Use

Here's some good news. Except for one, all the spray sunscreens I tested were suitable for use on the scalp. It seems any products with the words "dry," "non-sticky," or "lightweight" on the label are likely to be ok for scalp use. YMMV.

How I Tested

Basically, I just went to a few local stores and bought every kind of spray sunscreen I could find that claimed to be dry or non-greasy.

I applied each sunscreen on body and scalp for at least three days. I reapplied at least once per day, and I just went about my normal beeswax. My friend Creepy also tried all the sunscreens at least once, and she provided her 2 cents. 

 

Results and Recommendations

 

   

 

ArtNaturals SOLEIL Unscented Mineral SPF 30

This one is ridiculous. It sprays out a silly-string like stream of continuous white jizz that's IMPOSSIBLE to rub into your skin. It's greasy, and it leaves a noticeable white cast. This is the only mineral sunscreen I tested and also the only unscented sunscreen in this batch. And boy, does it suck. It's also the only spray I tested that is completely inappropriate for scalp use. Avoid at all costs.

 

   

Australian Gold Botanicals SPF 50

I like the Australian Gold tinted face sunscreen a lot, so I had high hopes for this botanical spray. I did enjoy the very lightweight, slightly dry finish on this spray which also gives your skin a pleasant, diffuse sheen without looking greasy. The fragrance is called Citrus Oasis (I'm not making that up - I read it on their web site), but it smells like some kind of mutant orchid. After the drydown, the odor is weird but faint.

I bought it for $2/oz, making it by far the most expensive sunscreen in the bunch. IMHO, this stuff is overpriced, but it would definitely look nice on a pair of freshly shaven lady legs

 

 

 

Australian Gold Sport SPF 30 & Kids SPF 50

Wait. I already said I didn't test "sport" or "kids" sunscreen, so why are these here? Good question. I did NOT, in fact, test these products. But they somehow ended up in that photo at the top of the page :/ So OOPS.

 

 

 

 

Banana Boat SunComfort SPF 50

This one has a VERY dry finish, so I would only recommend it if you have very oily skin. It'd also be great if you're sweating a lot - like at a sporting event or outdoor concert. But it's too drying for me to use on a normal basis, and I have pretty oily skin.

If you have an oily scalp, you might give this one a try.

Like most of the Banana Boat products, this product smells like radioactive pineapples. After the drydown, the odor is mildly unpleasant but mercifully slight.

 

 

 

 

 RECOMMENDED 
 Banana Boat Ultra Mist for Men SPF 30
 the surprise favorite 

This one is both a HUGE surprise and also a HUGE disappointment. It's a surprise because Creepy and I both ranked this sunscreen #1. It smells AWFUL at first (imagine if Axe Body Spray had a baby with Deep Woods Off). But after a few seconds, the fragrance vanishes, and the only thing left is a barely perceptible, not unpleasant, slightly soapy odor that vaguely reminds me of Zest or Irish Spring. This is definitely one of the best smelling sunscreens we tested.

This spray also has an incredibly natural finish. It's not sticky or dewy or powdery. It's not oily, and it's not dry. Neither shiny nor matte. The stuff is almost undetectable. Which makes it perfect for the scalp too.

And that brings me to the huge disappointment... WHY THE FUCK IS THIS MARKETED TO MEN? This was Creepy's #1 choice, but she would never have bought it because it says FOR MEN right on the label. So stupid.

At $1.50/oz, this one is priced right in the middle of the drugstore price range, but it performs like a champ. We both love this product and will continue to purchase.

 

 

 

 

 RECOMMENDED 
Banana Boat Dry Balance SPF 30
 best value 

One of the most surprising things I learned during this project is that Banana Boat makes some really amazing products at a very affordable price. Creepy and I both like this one a lot. The fragrance isn't overwhelming, and the dry finish feels and looks nice without being too dry. Works great on the scalp too. We don't love this one QUITE as much as we love the Banana Boat Ultra Mist for Men, but this Dry Balance is also less expensive at just $1.25/oz. That's cheap. Two thumbs up!

 

 

 

 

Equate Ultra Light SPF 70

Equate Ultra Light has a basic dry oil finish that isn't sticky but looks a little too shiny for my taste. The fragrance is straight-up FDS so if you enjoy smelling your Grandma's panty drawer, you will really enjoy this sunscreen. After the dry down, it smells faintly of psoriasis ointment and I still do not mean that as a compliment.

The texture is a bit too oily for scalp use.

This stuff is certainly cheap at only $1.19/oz, but I still can't recommend it. Spend a few extra pennies and spring for the Banana Boat Dry Balance at $1.25/oz. It's worth the extra 6 cents per oz.

 

 

 

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration SPF 30

I had a hard time finding products by Hawaiian Tropic that seemed like they might be good for everyday use. The label says it contains 12-hour moisturization - whatever the fuck that means. But this product also claims to be weightless, and that's what we're going for, isn't it?

This is the only product I tested that legitimately smells good. On the other hand, it smells like a delicious Pina Colada, so that might be less than ideal for, say, a work environment. After the dry down, you're still left with a pretty strong fruity-beachy smell. And again, this is definitely the best smelling sunscreen in the bunch, but I don't always want to smell fruity-beachy.

If you can get past the fragrance (which smells great, but it's A LOT), this is a fantastic sunscreen. It has a barely-there, dry oil finish that isn't sticky or shiny. It's not quite as undetectable as our favorite Banana Boat Ultra Mist for Men, but that's A‑OK because this stuff feels great on your skin.

At $1.49/oz, it's a mid-priced brand, similar to our #1 Ultra Mist. And it performed almost as well as the Ultra Mist, too. We really loved the feel of this sunscreen. But you're going to smell like a pineapple all damn day. And that's a high bar to hurdle for normal daytime use. That's why I'm not recommending this one, even though it's a great sunscreen.

 

 

 

 

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist SPF 100

Wow, what a letdown. At $1.80/oz, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist is one of the more expensive brands we tested. And it's okay. It's not great. Not even good, really. It's just okay. And it's expensive.

The dry oil finish feels a bit too basic for the price. I also object to the way it smells. This is one of the few sunscreens that actually smells WORSE the longer you wear it. Several times throughout the day, I would catch myself saying, "OMG WHAT IS THAT AWFUL SMELL?"

That awful smell is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist.

The stupid spray cap lever thingy doesn't work either. What a rip.

 

 

 

 

 RECOMMENDED 
Banana Boat Qwik Dri Scalp SPF 30
 best for applying indoors 

This is the only non-aerosol pump I tested and also the only product specifically marketed for use on the scalp. This sunscreen is one I'm going to continue purchasing. The pump spray mechanism is much less messy than an aerosol sprayer, so I'm keeping a bottle of this scalp sunscreen right next to my face sunscreen. That way, every time I reapply sunscreen to my face, I remember to spray my scalp at the same time. And at $1.07/oz, the price is right.