Wearing sunscreen is mandatory to protect your skin against UV rays. While the sun might seem harmless, it harbors ultraviolet rays, which can be hugely damaging to your skin, leading to severe issues like sunburn, premature aging, and even cancer. But wearing sunscreen isn’t always comfortable or feasible; the majority of sunscreens have overpowering fragrances that make them unsuitable for everyday use. You certainly can’t go to work smelling like a tropical fruit! Investing in high-quality, unscented sunscreen is essential. These protective creams shield your skin from damage while maintaining your natural scent. To help you choose the right unscented sunscreen, we’ve reviewed the top options and provided some useful buying tips too. Read on to find your perfect unscented sunscreen in 2025!
The Badger Clear Sport Sunscreen is the ideal solution for all skin types. Made up of just five simple ingredients – including clear zinc oxide, beeswax, sunflower oil, sunflower vitamin E, and jojoba oil – this sunscreen is a win-win. Plus, its 98% organic composition makes it safe and healthy to use.
What’s more, this USDA-certified organic sunscreen has a thick consistency, which might make rubbing it in a little difficult, but it’s sure to offer extensive sun protection. Once applied, it creates a water and sweat-resistant barrier for up to 80 minutes so you can indulge in water sports activities without worry. Thanks to these superior features and straightforward ingredients, we’ve chosen this sunscreen as our best overall choice.
If you don’t have sensitive skin, then the BLUE LIZARD Active Mineral Sunscreen is an amazing choice. Thanks to its mineral-based composition and powerful SPF 30+ formula, this broad-spectrum sunscreen blocks 97% of harmful UV rays. So, you can wear this cream to the beach or apply it poolside without worrying about getting burned.
What’s more, this sunscreen is free from irritating parabens and toxic chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate. You can rest assured that this cream won’t trigger any reaction. It also features water resistance of up to 80 minutes, so whether you’re swimming or working out, you can relax knowing your skin is protected. As an added bonus, this bottle features smart bottle technology; when exposed to harmful UV rays, the bottle turns blue as a reminder to reapply your sunscreen.
Are you someone who prefers to stay in the cool air conditioning, but you still want some protection when you do go outdoors? If so, the MyChelle Sun Shield sunscreen is the perfect option. This soothing sunscreen contains vitamin E and aloe vera to calm irritated skin. At SPF 28, this unscented sunscreen is ideal for short trips outside, such as walking your dog around the block. Thanks to its broad-spectrum formula, this sunscreen offers ample skin protection against UVA and UVB rays. Plus, there are no harmful chemicals, such as PABA or oxybenzone, in this sunscreen’s composition so you can use it stress-free.
The Solbar Unscented Sunscreen is a high-quality formula endorsed by many dermatologists, and it works wonders for all skin types. This chemical sunscreen, made from user-safe ingredients, exhibits no reaction on any skin type. Plus, the sunscreen is non-comedogenic, which means it will not block your pores. You can rest assured that you won’t get any pimples, acne, or blackheads from wearing this unscented sunscreen.
What’s more, this fragrance-free sunscreen is also water-resistant and long-lasting, so you won’t have to apply it again and again. Thanks to its generous SPF 50 rating, this sunscreen lotion offers you powerful protection against the sun’s harmful rays.
The unique design of the Babo Botanicals Stick Sunscreen features a small lip balm-sized package. While it might not be ideal for regular body use, it’s an outstandingly convenient option for the face and for use on the go. Just roll the sunscreen on and rub it into your skin for instant protection. Plus, the non-greasy sunscreen absorbs quickly and leaves no marks behind.
Thanks to its high SPF 50 rating, this unscented sunscreen will protect you even on the hottest of days. What’s more, the sunscreen uses organic ingredients that include jojoba oil, avocado, and shea butter, making it perfect for those who have sensitive or dry skin. This product is incredibly natural, it’s even safe for children and babies to use.
Sunscreen refers to a topical skin product that absorbs or reflects harmful UV rays. It helps prevent sunburns, cracks, dry patches, and premature aging signs like wrinkles. Most importantly, sunscreen protects you from the risk of skin cancer.
Many sunscreens feature overwhelming fragrances of tropical fruits and flowers, which can be difficult to wear every day, particularly if you plan to wear sunscreen to work or to meet up with friends. These scents are often so strong that they can replace your natural body scent.
Although this might be fine at the beach or a pool party, you can’t wear these strong scents to work or school. Unscented sunscreens are a great solution. These creams blend into your natural odor so perfectly that nobody will know you’re wearing sunscreen.
There are hundreds of different types of unscented sunscreens available on the market. These differ in terms of form, size, brand, features, and formula. To make things simpler, we’ve categorized all of these varieties into two broad types based on general composition.
Typically referred to as natural or mineral sunscreens, these sunscreens contain two active natural minerals: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These ingredients create a thicker, whitish cream that is often visible on the skin after it’s applied.
This type of sunscreen forms a physical barrier on the skin. When sun rays come in contact with this barrier, the sunscreen deflects and scatters them into tiny rays away from the body. In general, these sunscreens do not require absorption and are effective immediately after application.
Chemical unscented sunscreens do not contain natural or organic ingredients. Instead, these use a unique combination of chemical substances that may be harmful to sensitive skin. In composition, these creams are thinner and often invisible.
Because chemical sunscreens need to be absorbed into your skin, you need to wait at least 20 minutes for the sunscreen to become effective. Once absorbed, the sunscreen reacts when it comes in contact with UV rays, which turns the UV rays into harmless energy.
Ideally, you should choose an unscented sunscreen labeled as broad-spectrum. These sunscreens shield your skin against damage from both types of ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB). But, there is much more to high-quality unscented sunscreen than being broad-spectrum. Here are the important features to consider:
Sunscreens come in various forms, such as lotion, creams, gels, sticks, and sprays. Choosing between them is a matter of personal preference. Most people prefer to use creams or lotions since they are easy to apply. Generally, you should apply only one ounce of sunscreen to your entire body, using only a small dollop for your face. For sprays, apply it first on your hands, then massage with your fingers onto your face.
The sun protection factor refers to the measure of sunscreen’s effectiveness against UVB rays. These are the types of ultraviolet rays that cause sunburn and cancer. You should always choose the highest SPF rating possible. Dermatologists claim that SPF 15 sunscreen can block 93% of UVB rays, and SPF 30 sunscreen blocks 98% of those rays. It’s recommended that you wear sunscreen that is SPF 30+ if you’re outdoors a lot.
Each sunscreen uses a different formula, so it’s important to read through the ingredients to ensure none of them are harmful to your skin. For example, avoid the harmful toxin oxybenzone at all costs. This particular chemical is responsible for allergic skin reactions and hormonal disruptions. Although many states have banned it, many chemical unscented sunscreens still contain it. Some other dangerous ingredients to avoid include homosalate and octinoxate.
Don’t forget to consider your skin type when choosing an unscented sunscreen. Those who have dry, flaky skin may want to choose moisturizing sunscreens for a refreshed look. Meanwhile, individuals with oily skin or acne should opt for a non-comedogenic option, which does not block pores and prevents acne. For sensitive skin types, it’s best to select natural, unscented sunscreens, which contain natural minerals that won’t irritate the skin.
A sunscreen’s quantity is usually measured in ounces. Most sunscreens are about 2 to 3 ounces. If you plan to wear sunscreen often, you should choose one that comes in a larger bottle. Remember that the price will increase with the bottle size. On average, a high-quality unscented sunscreen will cost around $30. Sunscreens range from as low as $5 to as much as $50.
Still unsure of which sunscreen to go with? Consider these additional tips when choosing your sunscreen:
While the sun is capable of damaging your skin, it also causes your body to heat up and produce sweat. This particular response to the rising temperature can wash away your sunscreen layer, leaving your skin unprotected.
The same applies to those who swim in the pool orthe ocean. The protective sunscreen layer vanishes with the slightest contact with water. Because of this, you should always choose a water-resistant sunscreen.
Several unethical manufacturers turn to animal testing and unsustainable modes of production. Purchasing sunscreens from them makes you an indirect participant and encourages them to continue these methods. To avoid this, always check if the brand is ethical in its production. You can do so by looking for certifications from authoritative organizations. For example, Badger Clear Sports Sunscreen proudly displays its USDA organic certification on the product page. Many other sunscreens also market their product as cruelty-free.
Never rely only on the manufacturer-provided details for judging a product’s worth. Instead, read the customer reviews to gain a better understanding of how the sunscreen performs. These reviews are where you’ll find unbiased opinions and experiences.
Sunblock is a specific type of sunscreen that prevents damage by forming a physical shield on the skin. On the other hand, sunscreen is any topical product that’s absorbed into the skin to protect it from harmful sun rays.
There are plenty of chemical substances that should not be present in your sunscreen’s composition. These include oxybenzone, avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, and octisalate. Avoid any sunscreen with these substances as they can cause serious health issues.
You should apply a small amount of sunscreen thoroughly before going out in the sun. Begin applying on your feet and move upwards. Make sure all your exposed skin has a thin coverage. Keep in mind that even the highest SPF sunscreen cannot provide complete protection against the sun; you may still need to wear protective clothing, gloves, and hats.
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