Sunscreen: we can’t live with it, we can’t live without it. Am I right?
We all know sunscreen is as important to our skin as a flower to a bee. And yet we loathe putting it on.
Why?
Because it stains everything. Every shirt collar. Every silk top. Every bathing suit.
But it doesn’t have to be that way!
Introducing: stain-free sunscreen.
No more delicately applying around singlet straps. No more wrangling children who refuse to stand still! Stain-free sunscreens are quick and easy to use, and won’t leave your clothes desperate for a scrub.
To protect you (and the outfits you’ve saved for that perfect summer’s day) we’ve compiled a list of the top five stain-free sunscreens currently on the market. After careful testing across a range of fabrics, SimplySunSafe recommends EltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen Lotion as the best sunscreen for not staining clothes in this year!
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends wearing sunscreen each and every day, so if you need sunscreen for yourself or sunscreen for your kids, we’ve (literally) got you covered!
For more information on the top five stain-free sunscreens we recommend, check out the detailed buyer’s guide, comparison table and in-depth reviews below.
Best Sunscreen for Not Staining Clothes Comparison
| Name | SPF | Broad spectrum | Active ingredients | Water resistance | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 EltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen | SPF 50 | Broad spectrum | Zinc Oxide (9%) & Octinoxate (7.50%) | 80 Min Water Resistance | Check Price |
 Blue Lizard Super Sensitive | SPF 30+ | Broad spectrum | Titanium Dioxide (12%) | 40 Min Water Resistance | Check Price |
 Vanicream Sunscreen | SPF 30 | Broad spectrum | Zinc Oxide (6%) & Titanium Dioxide (3.4%) | 80 Min Water Resistance | Check Price |
 Badger Baby Sunscreen | SPF 30 | Broad spectrum | Zinc Oxide (18.75%) | 40 Min Water Resistance | Check Price |
 Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch | SPF 30 | Broad spectrum | Zinc Oxide (18.24%) | 80 Min Water Resistance | Check Price |
Buyer’s Guide
If you really want to avoid staining your clothes and still be sufficiently protected, then there are a few must-have features that you should search for in your sunscreen:
Broad spectrum protection
While broad spectrum protection doesn’t have much to do with avoiding stained clothes, it has everything to do with being properly protected against the sun’s UV rays. Broad spectrum means that you are receiving balanced and adequate protection against both UVA and UVB rays from the sun.
Didn’t know there were two different types? No worries, it’s just important to know how each type works so that you understand why protection against both is necessary.
UVB rays are the ones you’re most likely aware of. They cause burning and tanning by damaging the outer layer of your skin. Don’t forget about UVA rays, though. These rays penetrate the deepest layer of your skin (the dermis) and cause premature aging.
Both can be harmful and exposure to either type increases your risk of developing skin cancer. So the first filter you need to use in any sunscreen search is requiring broad spectrum protection!
Best SPF for Not Staining Clothes
Like I mentioned before, UVB rays cause burning and tanning. That’s where the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rating comes into play. SPF protects against UVB rays. That is why it’s an important aspect of the sunscreen you choose.
Understanding how SPF works will simplify your search. The SPF rating tells you which fraction of the sun’s rays will reach your skin if you have properly applied your sunscreen. Got it? So if you’re wearing a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30, then only 1/30th of the sun’s rays will reach your skin.
Yes, it is helpful, but there are a lot of different factors that influence the effectiveness of SPF including time of day, amount of sunscreen properly applied, and even reflections from surfaces like water or sand. So don’t get carried away believing you’re protected no matter what. Wearing a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 doesn’t mean you can stay in the sun 30 times longer than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen!
Here’s an understandable table which shows how much protection you get from different SPF ratings:
| SPF Rating | UVB Protection |
| None | 0% |
| 2 | 50% |
| 15 | 93% |
| 30 | 97% |
| 50 | 98% |
| 100 | 99% |
Minimal variance, right? Now that you know, which SPF rating should you choose? SimplySunSafe reiterates guidelines set out by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which say that you should always choose sunscreens with SPF ratings no lower than 30 and no higher than 50.
The SPF rating is another feature that doesn’t have bearing on whether or not your clothes will be stained, but it’s something you need to think about in terms of protecting your unique skin.
Remember, reapplication at least every two hours is vital no matter what SPF rating you choose!
Physical is better than chemical
The last feature to get squared away in your mind before focusing on avoiding stains, is whether you want to use a physical or chemical sunscreen. The differences between the two types lie in their active ingredients and in the ways they work to protect your skin.
Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays as they reach your skin, whereas physical sunscreens reflect UV rays before they reach your skin. Which method sounds safer to you?
The truth is that there are numerous reasons to choose physical sunscreens over chemical ones. Physical sunscreens:
- Work immediately upon application
- Last longer
- Are less likely to cause irritation
- Have a longer shelf life
Have you been swayed yet? If not, listen to this. Many chemical sunscreens contain ingredients that mess with your hormones. There’s no telling what the effects could be! The worst of these ingredients is called oxybenzone and it’s still legal despite concerns expressed by the FDA.
It would be wise to strongly consider using physical sunscreens instead of chemical ones!
Say no to avobenzone
You’re not alone if you don’t spend time reading through every listed ingredient on a potential sunscreen. It isn’t always common practice. It can help you in avoiding stains on your clothes, however.
There’s an ingredient called avobenzone, which is commonly used in sunscreens, and it can stain your clothes (especially whites) very easily! Stains caused by avobenzone are often orange or brown. Not only are they dark, but they’re really challenging to remove.
Needless to say, the easiest way to avoid these dark stains is to stick to sunscreens that are completely free of avobenzone. Time to start reading the ingredients list!
Consider oil-free sunscreens
What happens if you spill cooking oil on your clothes? It’s not the easiest stain to remove, right? The same principle applies to skincare products. If you’re using a sunscreen that contains oil, then you’re increasing your chances of staining your clothes.
When the oils in sunscreens mix with the other ingredients, there’s no telling what stains might be produced, and how difficult they might be to remove. Sticking to oil-free, non-greasy sunscreen could make your life a little easier when it comes to avoiding and removing stains.
Water resistant and fast drying
If you apply sunscreen and put clothes on right away, there’s a good chance some of the neck sunscreen will make contact with the fabric. It may serve you well to find products that dry quickly after application. This way, you are less likely to stain your clothes because of sunscreen that hasn’t fully absorbed.
Likewise, you want to invest in sunscreens that are water resistant. Think about it. If your sunscreen does not provide water resistance and you start sweating, what will happen? Your sunscreen will start to melt right away. If you’re wearing clothing and your sunscreen melts, it is very likely that your clothes will stain.
So invest in water resistance and try to find sunscreens that dry quickly, or simply adjust your timeline to allow time for you sunscreen to dry properly before wearing clothes! These steps will help in preventing stained clothes.
5 Best Sunscreens for Not Staining Clothes
After extensive research into how to avoid staining clothes which included discussing issues with customers, reviewing customer feedback, examining manufacturer specifications, and participating in skincare forums, SimplySunSafe has compiled a list of the 5 best sunscreens for not staining clothes.
They all provide physical, broad spectrum protection with an SPF rating of 30 or higher. Each product is avobenzone free and provides you with water resistance!
1. EltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
- SPF 50 sport sunscreen protects your skin from outdoor UVA and UVB rays and is specially formulated for active lifestyles and outdoor activities
- This water resistant sunscreen lotion protects you in the water for up to 80 minutes and won’t sting when you sweat or rinse off in the water
- Promote healthy skin while staying active outdoors with EltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide
- EltaMD body sunscreen is made for active lifestyles, easily apply this broad spectrum full body sunscreen on wet or dry skin
- EltaMD UV Sport sunscreen helps protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays with essential ingredients including Zinc Oxide and an antioxidant
Last update on 2023-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
EltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen Lotion is a favorite here at SimplySunSafe, and is a great sunscreen for many situations. It is avobenzene-free, mineral-Based sunscreen lotion. Remember, avobenzone can stain your clothes!
It provides broad-spectrum SPF 50 through the active ingredients of zinc oxide (9%) and octinoxate (7.50%) and is gentle enough to be used on all skin types. It is also water resistance (80 minutes).
This sunscreen has a lightweight formula ideal for daily use. It is not likely to cause any irritation as it is non-comedogenic and free of parabens, oils, dyes, fragrances, hormones, and gluten. It is good for sensitive skin. However, like any cosmetic product, it is suggested to read “safety data sheet” for safety precautions.
But don’t count it out before you try it! It is a great product that may just be the perfect fit for your needs.
- Free of avobenzone
- Mineral-based sunscreen
- Great for family use
- Some consider to be pricey
2. Blue Lizard Super Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30+
Last update on 2023-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
One of the most popular product for avoiding is staining clothing is Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30+. It safeguards your skin with natural mineral active Zinc Oxide, which acts in a manner that deflects the rays of the sun away from your skin but keeps it hydrated. The sunscreen is also designed for sensitive skin. It uses no contains no avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate paraben, and fragrance. This is to ensure that it leaves no irritation and does not clog the skin (non-comedogenic).
Suitable for use by children and adults. You are equipped with 40 minutes of water resistance in order for you to engage in any activity of your choosing. It does leave a white cast on the skin but it does not stain the cloth sand when it does, it washes away easily because the non-nano zinc does not break into the fabric of the clothing or sink into the skin. It is reef safe and coral friendly, ensuring that you can use it at any place.
A welcome addition lies in the bottle of sunscreen. It is designed to turn blue whenever there are dangerously high levels of UV radiation around. As a parent, you have a simple way of knowing that your family is safe and protected. This product is perfect for people who want to be worry-free in the choice of their product. So, as a mother, you can be sure that your family is free from sun damage and that your product won’t give you a laundry nightmare later on!
- Free of avobenzone
- Eco-friendly
- Great for family use
- May leave a slight white cast
3. Vanicream Sunscreen SPF 30
- MINERAL SUNSCREEN: Now reformulated with only one active ingredient, zinc oxide, to provide broad spectrum protection.
- NON-COMEDOGENIC SUNSCREEN: Our mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin is non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) and is suitable for face and body.
- WATER RESISTANT: This fragrance-free sunscreen is water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
- FREE OF COMMON IRRITANTS: All our products are free of dyes, fragrance, masking fragrance, lanolin, parabens and formaldehyde releasers.
- CREATED FOR SENSITIVE SKIN: Our unscented sunscreen formula is lightweight, easy to apply and non-greasy.
Last update on 2023-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The next reliable recommendation is Vanicream Sunscreen SPF 30. With Vanicream, you receive broad spectrum protection through its combination of active ingredients zinc oxide (6%) and titanium dioxide (3.4%).
Vanicream provides the perfect combination of elements for avoiding stained clothes. It is free of avobenzone and oil, dries fairly quickly, and provides 80 minutes of water resistance! It is also free of all dyes, which makes it even less likely to stain your clothes.
Vanicream’s formula is very gentle and designed for use on all skin types, including sensitive skin. The cream is thick and needs to be rubbed in well, but is moisturizing for dry skin and does not leave a white cast. The only thing to consider is that its thickness does not sit well under makeup.
This sunscreen just may check all the boxes on your list!
- Avobenzone and oil free
- 80 minutes of water resistance
- Does not leave white cast on skin
- Does not work well under makeup
4. Badger Baby Sunscreen SPF 30
- SIMPLY THE SAFEST SUNSCREEN FOR BABIES - Badger sets the standard for simple safe baby sunscreens that protect your infants and toddlers. This broad spectrum mineral sunscreen has only 7 simple ingredients: non-nano zinc oxide, organic sunflower oil, organic beeswax, sunflower vitamin E, organic chamomile, organic calendula, and organic seabuckthorn. Pediatrician tested, gluten-free & hypoallergenic this all-natural baby sunscreen is perfect for your babies delicate skin.
- PROTECTS WITH THE MINERAL ZINC OXIDE - Badger’s SPF 30 Baby Sunscreen Cream uses our original non-nano, large particle zinc oxide. This mineral stays on top of your baby's skin, scattering and absorbing UVA & UVB rays, and won’t absorb into their bloodstream. Naturally water and sweat resistant for at least 40 minutes it's perfect for the beach, pool, and light activities. The light chamomile & calendula scent is calming and relaxing.
- REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN - Safe for coral means safe for your baby too! Badger sunscreens are made without oxybenzone or any chemicals shown to harm coral or humans. All Badger sunscreen lotions and creams are top rated for safety and efficacy by the EWG sunscreen guide. This eco-friendly biodegradable mineral sunscreen protects you without endangering marine life.
- 98% ORGANIC INGREDIENTS FOR HEALTHY BABY SKIN - The certified organic sunscreen base ingredients are antioxidant rich, ultra-moisturizing, and great for your babies skin. Non-GMO and contains no dyes, parabens, or other artificial ingredients. Healthy botanical ingredients promote healthy skin for your baby.
- A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST - Badger is a family owned, women run B Corporation (Benefit Corp) making mineral baby sunscreens and other organic skin care products that we use on our own families in rural New Hampshire since 1995. We are the leaders in safe natural sunscreens. Don't just take our word for it, read our ingredients, see what others say about Badger sunscreens, and try them for yourself.
Last update on 2023-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Badger Baby Sunscreen SPF 30 is another product that is trusted amongst mothers for their children and themselves for avoiding stained clothes. Broad spectrum protection is provided with a high concentration of zinc oxide (18.75%).
Badger is a very simple formula, with few, all natural ingredients. It is gentle enough for daily use on the face and body of babies, children, and adults with all skin types. There is a very low chance that you’ll experience irritation with Badger.
The formula is free of avobenzone and dries quickly after being rubbed in well to your skin. The high concentration of zinc oxide means that you’ll be left with a white cast on your skin, but just think of it as a reminder of sufficient sun protection.
The 40 minutes of water resistance contributes to the wall of defense against staining.
- High concentration of zinc oxide
- 40 minutes of water resistance
- Free of avobenzone
- Will be left with white cast on your skin
5. Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 30
- 3-fluid ounces of Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Oxide Dry-Touch Mineral Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 30 for superior protection against aging UVA and burning UVB rays to help prevent sunburn
- Specially formulated water-resistant sunscreen lotion is made with naturally-sourced 100% zinc oxide and contains Purescreen Technology to absorb, reflect & scatter dangerous sunrays
- Our sheer body sunscreen lotion is free of fragrance, parabens, phthalates, dyes & harsh chemicals and features Dry-Touch technology to help ensure this sheer sunscreen dries with a non-greasy finish
- Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and oil-free lightweight sunscreen from the #1 dermatologist-recommended suncare brand, for powerful protection against the sun's harmful rays
- Gentle enough for sensitive skin, this mineral sunscreen lotion has been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and is suitable for daily use. Apply prior to sun exposure to protect during outdoor activities like biking or hiking
Last update on 2023-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The final recommendation from SimplySunSafe for sunscreen to avoid stained clothes is Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 30. This sunscreen provides you with broad spectrum protection with active ingredient zinc oxide (18.24%).
Neutrogena’s formula is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and gentle enough for use on all skin types. It is free of avobenzone and oil, making it a great candidate for avoiding stains!
One of the main reasons that people love this Neutrogena sunscreen is because it dries almost immediately after applying it. This means that there is a very slim chance of it making its way onto your clothes and causing stains.
The 80 minutes of water resistance are just the extra insurance that you’ll want to have peace of mind about staining your clothes. While your skin will be left looking a bit white, your clothes will show no signs of this sunscreen!
- Free of avobenzone and oil
- 80 minutes of water resistance
- Fast drying
- Will leave white cast on your skin
Conclusion
I wrote this guide for people searching for the best sunscreen for not staining clothes. Hopefully, by reading this guide, you learned more about what contributes to stains from sunscreens, and found a product that fits your specific needs.
SimplySunSafe recommends EltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen Lotion, but be sure that all 5 recommended products will provide you with sufficient protection without staining your clothes!
Before you make a final decision, it’s a good idea to run some tests on your skin. You want to see how your skin reacts to different formulas. That way you can make the best decision for your daily life in terms of sunscreen.
I love learning new things and hearing about new products from the people around me. If you use or know of another sunscreen that doesn’t stain clothes, please share it in the comments. I’ll take the time to check it out and maybe even add it to this list!
FAQs
Q: Is there a sunscreen that doesn’t stain clothes?
A: There are sunscreens that don’t stain clothes, there are several brands where you can choose from. The stain that sunscreen causes depends on the ingredients of the product itself and how it is manufactured. Avobenzone is one ingredient you should look out for, this is usually responsible for the rust-colored stains you can find on your clothes. Other ingredients that can discolor your clothes are tinted mineral sunscreen and zinc oxide. These are more prone to discolor light-colored clothes.
Q: How can you protect your clothes from sunscreen stains?
A: Choosing the right sunscreen that doesn’t stain can help you protect your clothes. This is why it’s essential to compare products and check the ingredients. Usually sunscreens with higher SPF use a lot of fillers. They contain products that can possibly stain your clothes. Another way is to let your sunscreen dry before you put on your clothes. Sunscreen usually stains when you are not careful with it while wearing your clothes.
Q: Can you get sunscreen stains out of clothing?
A: Yes. There are cleaning solutions that can get sunscreen stains from your clothing. Start by applying detergent/soap or liquid gel directly on the stained area and wash it at the hottest temperature that is recommended or safe for the fabric of your clothing. Make sure to read the label. Wash it in hot water for around 30 minutes and then check for remnants of the stain For difficult stubborn stains, you can mix water and bi-carb soda, dry it and then wash it as you would usually launder your clothing.
Q: Will vinegar remove sunscreen stains?
A: Vinegar can break down or loosen the stain which will allow you to gently remove it. You can gently put white vinegar on the stained portion using a toothbrush and cold water. Make sure you use cold water to avoid ruining the fabric of your clothing. After soaking the stained portion for several minutes, you can put liquid detergent in the hot wash. Hopefully, teh vinegar loosened the stain already for easy removal.
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