9 Best Sunscreen for Tattoos: [Tested And Reviewed]

Part of getting tattooed is accepting that your skin is now more vulnerable than before. Especially to the sun. Getting sunburned is not a fun experience, but getting sunburned on your tattooed skin is a nightmare. Your tattoo will get marred, lose color, or shape, or even become infected.

Things have not been getting any easier with climate change either. We’re dealing with harsher UV exposure and heat, causing skin conditions to run rampant. There are no two ways about it, and if you have tattoos, you have to use sunscreen.

 To help you pick out exactly what you need, I’ve made a list of the 9 best sunscreens for tattoos. Let’s have a brief look at what categories they were selected on and then jump right into the list.

Top 9 Best Sunscreen for Tattoos Reviewed

I’ve chosen the 9 sunscreens for tattoos based on these criteria.

• SPF rating.
• Ingredients.
• Specialty.
• Brand image.
• Cost.
• Value.

I’ve also made a verdict section at the end of each review. You can skip everything and read these conclusions to get the gist if you don’t have time.

1. Mad Rabbit Defend Tattoo Sunscreen

When it comes to tattoos, Mad Rabbit Defend Tattoo Sunscreen is unquestionably the best. The brand manufactures its sunscreen for tattoos for both protection and recovery.

SPF Rating

Mad Rabbit Defend Tattoo Sunscreen has an SPF rating of 30. SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays in laboratory conditions, which doesn’t always translate to the real world. However, Mad Rabbit Defend Tattoo Sunscreen does work as advertised, keeping your skin protected from UVB with great effectiveness.

Ingredients

Mad Rabbit Defend Tattoo Sunscreen contains these active ingredients.

• 14% Zinc Oxide.
• Vitamin C
• Rosehip Oil.
• Carrot Extract.

Zinc Oxide is the key ingredient that keeps your skin protected from the sun. It also helps heal your skin and recover from sun damage slightly.

Vitamin C encourages the skin to produce collagen. Collagen is a protein that provides structural support for tissues. It’s also known to support tissue repair, the immune system, cellular communication, and cellular migration.

Rosehip Oil contains Vitamins A, C, and E with other essential fatty acids that provide protection and healing. Along with collagen production, these also help reduce aging, prevent pigmentation, and moisturize your skin.

Carrot Extract contains Beta Carotene, which can speed up cellular regeneration when topically applied. It also protects you from the sun’s harmful rays and many other factors that can cause cell damage.

Specialty

Mad Rabbit Defend Tattoo Sunscreen excels at protecting tattooed skin. The sunscreen contains natural ingredients along with Zinc Oxide to protect your skin and tattoo pigments from reacting to the sun. The sunscreen prevents any coloration and pigmentation of your tattooed skin, keeping the tattoo pristine. Also, it’s one of the only sunscreens that have mild restorative properties, helping soothe and heal slightly sunburned tattoos.

Brand Image

In the body art industry, there are many boutique sunscreens available, creating an oversaturated market. Yet this sunscreen is still recommended without hesitation by many experts. Those who’ve used Mad Rabbit Defend Tattoo Sunscreen sing its praises, saying that it isn’t just another pretentious brand with exploitative marketing. Users appreciate its as-advertised performance, citing that it has helped protect and recover their sunburned tattoos.

Cost

You can get a 100 ml tube of Mad Rabbit Defend Tattoo Sunscreen for around $27. The cost per ml for this sunscreen comes to $0.27.

Value

Mad Rabbit Defend Tattoo Sunscreen isn’t a generic sunscreen. The product is designed to protect tattooed skin, which has issues with skin coloration, ink pigments reacting to sunlight, and more. The sunscreen is also aimed to heal damages caused by these issues to a certain extent.

It’s also a good value product in terms of price-to-product ratio. You don’t need to slather it on to make it work, and the per ml cost is low enough for daily use.

Pros

• Made for tattooed skin.
• Repairs mildly damaged skin.
• Natural ingredients.
• Powerful protection.
• Good value.
• Viable for daily use.
• Low per ml cost.

Cons

• SPF Rating is 30.

Verdict

To be fair, a 30 SPF rating shouldn’t be held against Mad Rabbit Defend Tattoo Sunscreen. The sunscreen shows great benefits during real-world use, and it does heal as promised. If you ever needed sunscreen for tattoos, this is it.

2. Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen Stick

Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen Stick is an excellent on-the-go solution. Because of its stick-style application, you can put it on in seconds without worry and live your life. But its best quality is its ability to care for sensitive skin, making it an excellent choice for tattooed skin.

SPF Rating

The sunscreen is rated as SPF 50. SPF 50 is meant to block 98% of UVB rays. Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen gets very close to its lab test performance in the real world.

Ingredients

Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen contains the following ingredients.

• 100% Zinc Oxide.
• Oat.

Zinc Oxide is the main ingredient for this sunscreen, but it’s a bit more active than in most other competitors. The concentration of Zinc Oxide is much higher, and it’s a mineral in nature. This increases the protection and healing factor of the sunscreen significantly.

Oat has cleansing properties when it’s ground up and used topically. It’s an exfoliant that naturally and gently removes dead skin, oil, and dirt from your skin. It can also soothe irritated skin well and hydrate dry skin in wet mixes.

Specialty

Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen is hypoallergenic. It specializes in catering to sensitive skin that cannot handle harsh chemicals. For tattooed skin, it’s a great sunscreen that’ll protect your skin without causing any side effects.

Brand Image

Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen is considered a top sunscreen brand to use in general. It’s not just a concession made for sensitive skin. The sunscreen is reviewed as a gentle product without losing any of its potency.

Cost

42-gram of Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen Stick will cost you around $15. The cost per gram of sunscreen comes to $0.36.

Value

Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen isn’t just meant for sensitive skin. It’s a very powerful sunscreen that can cover all types of skin. You get your value from knowing that you get excellent protection for your tattoos and that there will be no side effects. The stick version is even more convenient, allowing you to use it whenever you need it.

From the cost-to-volume perspective, it costs a tad bit more and comes with a little less than ideal. The stick version should be small, but 42 grams can run out a bit too fast. But overall, it’s still within acceptable ranges.

Pros

• Hypoallergenic.
• Higher concentration of Zinc Oxide.
• Cleanses and soothes.
• Comes in an on-the-go format.
• Low per gram cost.
• Good value.

Cons

• Insufficient amounts for daily use.

Verdict

Aveeno Positively Mineral Sunscreen Stick is an excellent sunscreen in a convenient format. It’s not just the safest choice out there, it’s also one of the best. Whether you want to avoid unforeseen complications or want the best protection for your tattooed skin, you should use this.

3. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen is loved by those who suffer from acne. It’s a great sunscreen that completely blends in with your skin and stays active for a long time.

SPF Rating

The SPF rating for Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen is 70. This doesn’t mean that its protective ability increases exponentially. You’ll need SPF 100 for 99% UVB protection, while SPF 50 will give you 98% protection. However, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen does provide excellent protection and lives up to its rating.

Ingredients

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen contains these ingredients.

• 6% Oxybenzone
• 3% Avobenzone
• 5% Octisalate
• 15% Homosalate
• 2.8% Octocrylene

Oxybenzone is an organic UVB and short-wave UVA ray absorber. While it is one of the most used ingredients in sunscreen, it is also the most detected allergen found in sunscreen. It’s now considered a problematic ingredient that you want to stay clear of.

Avobenzone is a widely used ingredient in sunscreens. It can prevent UVB rays and UVA I and UVA II rays. It stays active for only 30 minutes before breaking down, and you have to reapply it.

Ocitsalate acts as a stabilizing ingredient for Avobenzone. It keeps the Avobenzone working on the skin for longer and makes your sunscreen more efficient.

Homosalate is a Salicylate that absorbs UV rays with great efficiency. It’s great for absorbing short-wave UVB rays.

Octocrylene is another ingredient that is commonly used in sunscreens. It can enter your skin and neutralize solar radiation through electron exchange. Unfortunately, it is considered an allergen and not recommended for sensitive skin.

Specialty

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen is a great sunscreen when you don’t want others to know you’ve got sunscreen on. It’s a powerful sunscreen that lasts for hours and leaves no residue when applied. It isn’t recommended for sensitive skin, but it works on acne-riddled skin without triggering any effects.

Brand Image

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen is known as a great sunscreen to use. Its ability to be undetectable is appreciated for important and discrete situations. Some users with tattoos did not fully commit to using the sunscreen, reserving it only for urgent situations. On rare occasions, it has been known to trigger allergies and other mild skin conditions.

Cost

An 88 ml tube of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen would cost around $9. The cost per ml comes to $0.10.

Value

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen works great for people who don’t want any residue left on their skin. You want to show off your tattoos, and this won’t hinder your desire. Also, it holds up for a long, so you don’t have to discretely apply it every so often.

The cost per ml is very low, and you get enough in each tube for daily use. It’s a great product for daily use due to the cost-to-volume value it has.

Pros

• Invisible once applied.
• Powerful effect.
• Works on acne-riddled skin.
• Long-lasting.
• Very low product cost.
• Very low per ml cost.
• Good for daily use.

Cons

• Contains allergens.

Verdict

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen is a good option for typical tattooed skin. You can show your tattoos off without anything covering them up. It is a long-lasting, powerful sunscreen that lets you play in the sun without worry. But if you have sensitive skin, then do a spot test and confirm if you can use it.

4. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt In Milk Sunscreen

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt In Milk Sunscreen is another brand that is meant for on-the-go use. The sunscreen blends into your skin fast, leaving no trace or stickiness behind.

SPF Rating

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt In Milk Sunscreen is rated as SPF 60. This SPF rating does provide more protection under lab testing conditions, but only marginal. In the real world, SPF 50 and 60 provide the same amount of sun protection, and La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt In Milk Sunscreen is no different.

Ingredients

This sunscreen contains these ingredients.

• 3% Avobenzone.
• 5% Octisalate.
• 10 %Homosalate.
• 7% Octrocrylene.

 Avobenzone is a powerful sun blocker, preventing UVB rays and UVA I and UVA II rays from affecting your skin. Its effective time is only 30 minutes, after which it breaks down. Octisalate works as a stabilizer for it, prolonging the effect drastically.

Homosalate is great at absorbing short UVB rays. And Octocrylene prevents solar radiation from damaging your skin through electron exchange. Unfortunately, Octocrylene is also considered an allergen, though it rarely affects users.

Specialty

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt In Milk Sunscreen won’t leave a sticky or shiny feeling on your skin when you use it. It’s also fully transparent after use, leaving no trace that hides or tars your tattooed skin. The protective effects of the sunscreen last for hours, letting you focus on life.

Brand Image

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt In Milk Sunscreen is recommended by users who lead active lives. The company survey claimed that over 90% of customers stated that the sunscreen absorbed quickly, gave a soothing feel, and moisturized their skin.

Cost

The cost of a 150 ml tube of La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt In Milk Sunscreen comes to approximately $36. The cost per ml comes to $0.24.

Value

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt In Milk Sunscreen shows its worth in rapid absorption and no residue on the skin. The sunscreen also excludes potent and common allergens like Oxybenzone, though this makes the sunscreen a little less effective.

In terms of price-to-product volume, you do get a good deal of sunscreen for the price. The per ml cost is low enough for daily use, and you get a good amount that you can use without running out quickly.

Pros

• Rapid absorption.
• Leaves no residue.
• Potent effect.
• Viable for daily use.
• Good value.
• Low per ml cost.

Cons

• Contains allergen.
• High product cost.

Verdict

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt In Milk Sunscreen is a great option for on-the-go use. It dries fast and leaves no marks, so you can use it on your tattoos. It also only contains a rare allergen, which rarely triggers a user’s allergies. It’s daily usable too, but make sure to do a spot test beforehand.

5. CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen

If you’re looking for a good sunscreen for sensitive skin, CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen promises to be your ideal pick. It promises to heal and care for your skin, preventing damage and restoring your skin at the same time.

SPF Rating

CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen is rated SPF 30. It’s supposed to block UVB rays with 97% effectiveness. In real-world applications, the performance of the sunscreen is consistent with its lab results.

Ingredients

CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen contains the following ingredients.

• Zinc Oxide.
• Titanium Dioxide.
• Ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II.

Zinc Oxide is the key ingredient, preventing solar rays from affecting your skin. It provides mild healing benefits along with its protective attributes.

Titanium Dioxide creates a reflective surface that scatters the UVA and UVB rays from the sun.

Ceramides are lipids that can be found on the epidermis layer of your skin. They help in sealing moisture in your skin and are part of the skin barrier.

Specialty

CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen provides protection and healing for those with sensitive skin. It’s made to create a barrier on top of your skin instead of seeping into it and causing reactions. It contains no allergens that can cause your skin to flare up and helps your skin stay moisturized by introducing Ceramides.

Brand Image

CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen is loved by people with sensitive skin conditions. It doesn’t leave a residue that is too greasy and works great on tattoos. Another positive stated by its users is that you don’t need a lot to coat your skin.

Cost

You can get a 150 ml tube of CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen for about $13. The cost per ml comes to $0.09.

Value

CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen is a great option if you have skin conditions and have a tattoo. The natural ingredients in the sunscreen do an ample job of protecting your skin but don’t cause reactions. This sunscreen contains Ceramides, which is a rare find in sunscreens. It does go a long way in keeping your skin unaffected by any pollutants.

It’s a very cheap sunscreen based on the per ml cost. You also get 150 ml per tube, which is plenty for consistent use. It’s ideal for daily use, as you don’t need much.

Pros

• Natural ingredients.
• Contains Ceramides.
• Restores the skin barrier.
• Potent protection.
• Suitable for daily use.
• Very low per ml cost.
• Low product cost.
• Good value.

Cons

• Leaves a residue layer.

Verdict

This is an ideal sunscreen for those who have skin conditions on top of tattooed skin, especially dry skin. It may leave a residue, but it isn’t oily or sticky and won’t change how your tattoo will look. The cost of CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen is also very low. With low per ml cost and little needed per application, it is a great daily-use option.

6. Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick is an easy product to fit in your bag and easy to reach for. It’s easy to apply, and it stays on your skin for 80 minutes before losing its effects.

SPF Rating

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick is rated as SPF 50. Like its lab-tested results, the sunscreen blocks up to 98% of the solar UVB rays.

Ingredients

The sunscreen only features 13.5% Zinc Oxide as its key ingredient. Zinc Oxide is a natural mineral compound that can protect you from the sun’s rays. The other ingredients are not highlighted on the label, but here they are.

• Plant-based Squalane.
• Bisabolol.
• Lipochroman.
• Jojoba Esters.
• Physavie.

Plant-based Squalane is a poly-unsaturated, hydrocarbon-based liquid that is found in human sebum. Your body naturally creates it to moisturize and protect your skin.

Bisabolol serves as the base for many essential oils. It’s a colorless viscous oil that helps soothe and condition the skin.

Lipochroman behaves similarly to Vitamin E. It protects from free radicals called RNS, ROS, and RCS. Additionally, it has a skin detox effect that helps slow down skin aging and works on skin tone.

Jojoba Esters is a skin-softening agent that can provide moisture and protect the skin barrier. It’s a better variant of Jojoba Oil, as it is oxidation resistant and mimics the natural oils secreted by human skin.

Physavie is a soothing, cooling, and anti-aging fluid. It causes an increase in the extracellular matrix and repairs the skin barrier.

Specialty

Apart from the mobility, Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick also boasts all-natural ingredients, which are hypoallergenic and do not clog your pores. It leaves a white trail on your skin when you apply it for visibility but completely fades when you blend it in.

Brand Image

Most users have a high opinion of the brand, agreeing with most claims that the sunscreen makes. They are happy with its on-the-go nature and exceptional performance. However, for those with darker complexions, the white trail does not fade, and this has caused dissatisfaction among these users.

Cost

For only 18 grams of Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick, you’ll have to pay around $35. Each gram of sunscreen costs $2.

Value

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick is premium sunscreen. It offers premium natural and mineral ingredients and presents a hypoallergenic, anti-clog sunscreen. It has a white trail that the company markets as a guideline, and it fades when blended in. However, the product isn’t consistent on all skin types in this case.

Also, these premium ingredients come at an exorbitant cost. This sunscreen has the highest per-gram cost on the list so far, with a product price to match. And while it is a pocket sunscreen stick, it carries so little amount that it is impossible to use it as a daily sunscreen.

Pros

• Hypoallergenic.
• Powerful protection.
• Long-lasting.
• All natural ingredients.
• Doesn’t clog skin pores.
• Heals the skin barrier.
• Provides moisturization.

Cons

• Very high product and per ml cost.
• Leaves visible residue on dark complexions.

Verdict

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick is meant to be a premium sunscreen at a premium price. Unfortunately, there are cheaper solutions that carry similar benefits. Its performance on darker skin complexions is abysmal, especially if you have to pay a high price. If you have a light complexion and have no issue spending money on a good product, this is a good pick.

7. EltaMD UV Sport Broad Spectrum

EltaMD UV Sport Broad Spectrum is a sunscreen made for the active. It’s made to hold up against heavy sweat, dust, and grime. It’s marketed as 80-minute-long protection, whether you’re sweating or cooling off the sweat in water.

SPF Rating

EltaMD UV Sport Broad Spectrum is rated as SPF 50. The sunscreen is capable of blocking 98% of UVB rays in lab tests. In advertised conditions, the sunscreen’s performance hovers between SPF 30 and SPF 50.

Ingredients

These are the key ingredients in EltaMD UV Sport Broad Spectrum.

• 9.0% Zinc Oxide.
• 5.0% Octisalate
• 7.50% Octinoxate.
• Tocopheryl Acetate

Zinc Oxide in the sunscreen is of the mineral variant, being more active and aggressive in protecting against the sun.

Octisalate can block the sun’s UVB rays, but its main purpose is to be a stabilizer. It’s the ingredient that grants EltaMD UV Sport Broad Spectrum its high water and sweat resistance.

Octinoxate is a UV blocker that’s used to be commonly used in sunscreens. But it’s a compound that is rapidly absorbed into the skin, and it messes with the estrogen glands. This will increase women’s chances of increasing breast cancer minimally.

Tocopheryl Acetate is a form of Vitamin E that helps block free radicals from damaging your skin. Free radicals come from solar radiation and break down the Collagen in your skin. Vitamin E can act as an antioxidant and prevent this.

Specialty

EltaMD UV Sport Broad Spectrum is a strong, long-lasting sunscreen that holds onto your skin no matter what. The sunscreen can withstand sweat, dirt, grime, and water with ease and provide over 80 minutes of protection. It’s for the more active people, who are always exposed to the sun.

Brand Image

EltaMD UV Sport Broad Spectrum’s marketing is corroborated by its customer base. The brand’s sport tag is considered accurate by many users, as they find it perfect to use while exercising, hiking, jogging, swimming, and many other physical outdoor activities. Many like that it’s non-greasy and doesn’t burn their eyes when it drips combined with their sweat.

Cost

A tube of 85 grams of EltaMD UV Sport Broad Spectrum sunscreen will cost you approximately $28. The cost per gram comes to $0.38.

Value

While being quite expensive, EltaMD UV Sport Broad Spectrum is worth the price. It is a stubborn sunscreen that’s perfect for the outdoors. It provides excellent protection and contains no allergens. The only issue is that it can increase the chances of breast cancer, however unlikely that may be.

The product cost and the per ml cost are quite high if the quality of the product is not considered. This makes the sunscreen purpose-built for a specific clientele and not advisable to the general public.

Pros

• Long-lasting protection.
• Potent sunblock.
• Hypoallergenic.
• Anti-clog.
• Resists outside conditions.
• Made for an active lifestyle.

Cons

• High product and per ml cost.
• Contains a candidate for causing breast cancer.

Verdict

EltaMD UV Sport Broad Spectrum is a solution for those who lead an active life and love the outdoors. While it’s expensive, it’s worth every penny. It stays on your skin no matter how much you sweat or how much you get wet. The only issue, but the severe issue, is that it may cause breast cancer, and you should check with your doctor before using it.

8. CannaSmack Ink Guard

CannaSmack Ink Guard is another custom sunblock solution for tattooed skin. It promises UV protection, brightening, and fading protection for tattoos, but at a high cost.

SPF Rating

CannaSmack Ink Guard is rated for SPF 30. It fails to fully translate its 97% UVB-blocking lab results to the real world. It shows mixed results on different skin complexions, working more effectively on darker complexions thanks to the higher melanin percentage.

Ingredients

CannaSmack Ink Guard contains these ingredients.

• Beeswax. 
• Coconut Oil. 
• Aloe Vera Leaf Extract. 
• Hemp Seed Oil.
• Sunflower Oil.
• Vitamin E. 
• Vitamin E Acetate. 
• 5% Oxybenzone.
• 5% Octisalate.
• 7.5% Octinoxate. 
• 5% Meradimate.

Beeswax keeps the pores on the skin clog-free, letting the skin breathe. It also increases skin elasticity and softens the skin.

Coconut oil is mildly antimicrobial and keeps your skin germ-free. It moisturizes the skin, reduces inflammation, and soothes the skin.

Aloe Vera Extract is great for sunburns. It heals and soothes the affected area. Additionally, it keeps dry skin moisturized and prevents acne outbreaks.

Hemp Seed Oil is the perfect moisturizer for your skin. It keeps your skin moist without clogging your pores. This helps prevent acne outbreaks.

Sunflower Oil, Vitamin E, and Vitamin E Acetate are all sources of antioxidants. These prevent the free radicals from damaging the Collagen in your skin. Sunflower Oil is another source of moisturizing for your skin.

Oxybenzone is UVA and UVB blocker. It’s very effective, but it’s also a very common source of allergens.

Octisalate is a stabilizing ingredient that’s commonly found in sunscreen. It makes the sunscreen more resistant to sweat and water.

Octinoxate is a great UVB blocker. However, it can cause acne and dermatitis.

Meradimate is a broad-spectrum UV blocker that’s commonly found in sunscreens. It has been known to cause burns on sensitive skin.

Specialty

CannaSmack Ink Guard claims that it is the perfect sunscreen for tattoos. It contains several moisturizing elements that can keep your tattoo moist and healthy. It can repair mild sun damage and block broad-spectrum UV rays.

Brand Image

Most tattooed users loved CannaSmack Ink Guard, claiming that it was truly made for their tattoos. They found no issues with stickiness, shiny or sticky residue on their tattoos. However, there have been complaints confirming that those with sensitive skin and tattoos have experienced burns, discomfort, or acne outbreaks. Additionally, users with pale complexions have sometimes found the product to be less effective.

Cost

You can only get an approximately 14-gram can of CannaSmack Ink Guard for around $10. The price per gram comes to $1.4.

Value

CannaSmack Ink Guard fails to perform consistently. When it works, it’s one of the best sunscreens for tattoos. Unfortunately, the inconsistency with lighter skin completions and causing burns on sensitive skin makes it an unreliable product.

The price of sunscreen makes it even less viable. The cost is the second highest on the list, and the amount you get is the lowest. It does not deliver enough to use, let alone daily use.

Pros

• Contains many UV blockers.
• Natural healing and soothing for burns.
• Moisturizes the skin.
• Keeps your pores clog-free.

Cons

• Very high product and per gram cost.
• Inconsistent and can cause burns or acne.

Verdict

On paper and for many users, CannaSmack Ink Guard is the perfect tattoo sunscreen. Unfortunately, it is inconsistent and contains ingredients that both induce and heal burns and acne. You get so little it’ll barely last and cost you a pretty penny. Overall, less is more is a valuable lesson that this product missed.

9. Banana Boat SunComfort Ultra Mist Broad Spectrum Sun Care

If you’re looking for a quick, dry sunscreen to apply before going out, then Banana Boat SunComfort Ultra Mist Broad Spectrum Sun Care can be your perfect sunscreen. It’s made to enjoy a day at the beach without dealing with all the sand and grease ruining your fun.

SPF Rating

Banana Boat SunComfort Ultra Mist Broad Spectrum Sun Care is rated as SPF 30. Its performance may vary in the real world. It doesn’t provide consistent performance through all 80 minutes of promised protection.

Ingredients

These are the key ingredients in this sunscreen.

• Homosalate.
• Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane.
• Octocrylene.
• Benzophenone-3.
• Ethylhexyl Salicylate.

Homosalate is not a powerful UV filter, blocking UVB only within 295-315 nm. It offers peak protection against 306 nm.

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane is another name for Avobenzone. It is a much stronger UV filter, protecting the entire UVA spectrum. But it rapidly dissolves after being exposed to sunlight, lasting only 30 minutes on its own.

Octocrylene is a slight UV filtering agent, but it’s not very effective at it. It’s mostly used to keep the Avobenzone stable for longer durations.

Benzophenone-3 blocks UVB and short UVA rays effectively. Its main purpose is to be used as a photo stabilizer for other chemicals. It’s also known as Oxybenzone, and it’s the most common cause triggering allergies from sunscreen.

Ethylhexyl Salicylate is a UVB blocker that peaks at 306 nm. It’s mostly used to make solid UV filters soluble.

Specialty

Banana Boat SunComfort Ultra Mist Broad Spectrum Sun Care is a spray-on sunscreen that’s non-greasy and made for the beach. You can spray it on and not worry about sand sticking to your skin or water washing it away too easily. However, you can’t use it on your face.

Brand Image

Although the brand markets itself as a sunscreen for the beach, its customer base often uses it for other purposes. People love it as a general sunscreen to use because it feels dry when applied. Unfortunately, small bumps and rashes seem to be expected reactions from the user base.

Cost

A 170-gram can of Banana Boat SunComfort Ultra Mist Broad Spectrum Sun Care costs you around $13. Per gram of sunscreen will cost you $0.08.

Value

Banana Boat SunComfort Ultra Mist Broad Spectrum Sun Care has a unique advantage in its dryness. The sunscreen is convenient because it doesn’t come with the wet, sticky feeling that is inherent in most sunscreens. However, it can easily cause rashes and bumps on your skin, and that is a cause for concern.

You get enough sunscreen per dollar to call the sunscreen affordable. You also get enough per can for daily use with no fear of running out too soon.

Pros

• Dry feel.
• No stickiness.
• Water and sand-resistant.
• Low product cost.
• Low per ml cost.

Cons

• Prone to causing rashes.

Verdict

Banana Boat SunComfort Ultra Mist Broad Spectrum Sun Care suffers from having Oxybenzone in it. Other brands also have Oxybenzone in their sunscreens, but the allergen rarely causes issues. If this doesn’t affect you, then it’s an amazing sunscreen that gives you no sticky feeling. As advertised, it’s the perfect sunscreen for a fun day at the beach and more.

How do I Pick Out the Best Sunscreen for Tattoos?

Picking out the best sunscreen for tattoos can depend on your skin condition, tattoo size, expectations, and more. I’ll be providing you with some general guidelines that you should consider when looking for the best sunscreen for tattoos.

Natural Ingredients

It’s a good idea to pick sunscreens that have natural ingredients. You’re looking for Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide as the featured ingredients. Tattooed skin can be too sensitive to chemicals, causing skin burns, itches, rashes, inflammation, and the like. For the best possible performance, choose mineral ingredients.

Avoid Allergens and Malevolent Chemicals

Allergens and malevolent chemicals are shockingly common within sunscreens. You’ll find ingredients such as Oxybenzone or Benzophenone-3, Meradimate, Octinoxate and more being casually listed on many sunscreens. Your tattooed skin has lost some of its integrity and resilience because of the process, and it can have a greater reaction to these chemicals than usual.

Natural Moisturizers

Pick sunscreens that contain natural sources for moisturizing. You can look for various natural oils like Jojoba, Coconut, or Rosehip Oils, Aloe Vera Extract, and other natural sources of Vitamin E. You can also look for Ceramides and other natural lipids. These will keep your pores clog-free, soothe, disinfect and moisturize your skin, and restore the skin barrier.

SPF Rating

Going for a higher SPF sounds like a good idea, but it really isn’t. Anything over 50 SPF doesn’t truly yield any real improvement in sun protection. You will get 97% UVB blocking from SPF 30 and 98% UVB blocking from SPF 50. Only SPF 100 will give you 99% UVB protection after that, and this is only under lab testing conditions.

Amount

Look at how much each bottle, jar, tube, or can of sunscreen contains. You’ll want sunscreens that have over 100 ml or grams in each container. Otherwise, you’ll run out of sunscreen frequently and have to waste time replacing it.

Lifestyle

Your lifestyle will also affect what sunscreen you need. For those who want sunscreen to wear in a formal or professional setting, you need one that blends into your skin more than water and sweat resistance. Those who lead an outdoor, physically active life need more sweat, grime, and water resistance than having no visible traces.

Typically, cost and budget would be major factors that you would have to consider. However, most sunscreens are very cheap, and the best ones are actually in the lower middle price bracket. So, if you see overpriced sunscreen, there’s probably a better, cheaper solution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Verdict

If you feel like reading through an article or looking at sunscreens is too much hassle, then I’ve got some suggestions for you. If you’re okay with blind picks for the best sunscreens for tattoos, then you should carry these 2 sunscreens with you.

Before you take my 2 best choices and run with them, consider at least glancing through some bestselling sunscreen online or just looking at the listed sunscreens in articles. Your tattooed skin can be more sensitive than you think. Otherwise, if an allergen or any other problematic compound causes a serious reaction, it’ll be a hard and painful issue to fix.