The 13 Best Sunscreens for Tattoos to Keep Your Ink Looking Fresh at All Times
Unless you want your very expensive (and painful) tattoo art to fade prematurely, both you and your tattoo artist will appreciate it if you add one of the best sunscreens for tattoos into your routine. Like it or not, you need to be using sunscreen on a daily basis (and reapplying!) to protect yourself from the harmful effects of UV rays — like early signs of skin aging or skin cancer — and that especially applies to your ink.
Tattooed fans of tanning, beware. According to San Diego-based dermatologist Melanie Palm, MD, UV and light exposure can cause changes in our skin's immune cells, which can lead them on a "seek-and-destroy" mission on tattoo ink, considering the fact that it is a foreign substance to your body. "Alteration of the skin's immune response and surveillance, along with a direct effect of UV on the tattoo pigment itself, leads to fading of color and pigment breakdown," she says.
Does that mean there's a type of sunscreen that works best on tattoos? As far as the level of SPF and the amount of sunscreen required goes, tattooed folks should ultimately be taking the exact same precautions as everyone else. "The recommendations are the same as for normal skin," says New York City-based dermatologist Elyse Love, MD. “Apply at least an SPF 30 15 minutes before sun exposure; it should be reapplied with every two hours of prolonged sun exposure.”
But if you've got tattoos, you definitely want to be looking for mineral or physical sunscreens rather than chemical ones — they protect you from the sun as well as blue light, Connecticut-based dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD points out.
Just remember that none of this advice matters if you don't actually wear the sunscreen — that's why it's best to stick to ones that don't leave a cast and that you can apply quickly. Because, as Dr. Love says: "After a tattoo has healed, the best sunscreen is the sunscreen that will be used consistently."
With all this expert advice in mind, we've rounded up every derm-approved sunscreen to slather on your old and new tattoos alike, all available at your favorite online shops like Amazon, Sephora, and Ulta Beauty. Take a look at these ink-guarding SPF products, below.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Aveeno Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin Daily Sunscreen SPF 50
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Aveeno Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist James Wang, MD, says Aveeno's Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin Daily Sunscreen is one of the best picks for protecting tattoos against UVA and UVB rays. Its zinc oxide-based formula is free of fragrances, parabens, and phthalates, so it's very gentle on all skin types. In case you're not a fan of lotions, this mild sunscreen also comes in a stick format to try.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 70
2/13Neutrogena
Neutrogena UltraSheer Drytouch Sunscreen SPF 70
The SPF 55 version of this sunscreen is a beloved Allure Readers' Choice Award-winning option, but Dr. Wang loves Neutrogena's popular Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 70's non-greasy formula just as much. This lightweight sunscreen protects bare and tattooed skin alike without leaving behind an unflattering white residue. Not only is this chemical sunscreen transparent, but it's also fast-drying and won't clog pores, so it's a great pick for acne-prone skin types.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50
3/13La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50
La Roche-Posay's Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Sunscreen Fluid provides tattoo protection against sun damage without leaving behind a white cast, which is why Dr. Wang gives this lotion his seal of approval. This body sunscreen is fragrance-free and blocks UVB and UVA rays with its mix of two well-known mineral sunblock bases, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Skinbetter Science Sunbetter SPF 70 Sunscreen Lotion
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Skinbetter Science Sunbetter Sheer SPF 70 Sunscreen Lotion
New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD says the Skinbetter Science Sunbetter Sunscreen Lotion is one of the best sunscreens on the market for preventing sunburns. "It's mineral-based with no nano-actives and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes," she says. Dr. King also notes that this particular sunscreen deserves a spot in your tattoo-care routine for its rich, creamy texture and oil-free formula that works well on its own, as well as under makeup as a primer.
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen
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Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen
As its name suggests, the Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen is as gentle as sunscreen formulas come, which is why Dr. King says it's ideal for tattoo aftercare. It's non-comedogenic and doesn't contain additives like parabens, octinoxate, oxybenzone, or fragrances, "making it a good fit for sensitive skin," says Dr. King.
This sunscreen leaves a lot of red flags out of its formula, but your tattooed skin will thank you for what it does contain, including soothing aloe vera, moisturizing shea butter, and antioxidant vitamin E for promoting skin healing and guarding against free radicals.
Coola Mineral Body Organic Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
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Coola Mineral Body Organic Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
Yes, sunscreen sticks and lotions are nice, but trying to apply them on your back is nearly impossible (unless you have really flexible arms). That's when Coola's Mineral Body Organic Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 steps in. This Dr. King-approved spray provides UVA and UVB protection via its non-greasy, fragrance-free formula. "This sunscreen goes on white and dries quickly to a sheer, dry-touch matte finish on all skin tones, and it's rich in antioxidants," adds Dr. King.
CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 30
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CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 30
You can't go wrong with a simple formula like CeraVe's effective and dermatologist-approved skincare picks, which Dr. Wang is a major fan of. The brand's Hydrating Sunscreen Body Lotion, containing hyaluronic acid and ceramides, is no exception — and it's fragrance-free, making it perfect for sensitive skin.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick SPF 50
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Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick SPF 50
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick glides on visibly white, but that's just so you can tell you're applying enough of it. This squalane-infused sunscreen moisturizes skin and transforms into a transparent shield once you rub it in with your fingers.
Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
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Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen is just as great for the face as it is for the body — just be sure to rub in the silky white formula until it goes completely clear. From there, this water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 50 does all the work for you.
EltaMD UV Active Broad-Spectrum SPF 50
Shiseido Clear Stick UV Protector WetForce Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50
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Shiseido Clear Stick UV Protector WetForce Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50
Another perfect pick for athletes or anyone else who needs a little sweat protection, Shiseido Clear Stick UV Protector WetForce Broad Spectrum Sunscreen glides on totally clear and is water-resistant. In its compact tube, you can bring it to the beach, office, or anywhere else you'll need it (which is everywhere). Not to mention, this sunscreen won the Allure Best of Beauty award for the best chemical sunscreen, so if our editors love it, you definitely will, too.
Supergoop Body Butter SPF 40 Sunscreen
Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF 30
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Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF 30
Dermalogica's Invisible Physical Defense SPF 30 has an extra-thin fluid-like texture, so it feels lightweight and blends into the skin — tattooed or not — seamlessly. Plus, antioxidant-rich green tea extract serves as a protectant against other environmental factors.
