TL;DR – Spray mineral sunscreens protect immediately, resist sweat, and are gentle on skin, making them ideal for hikers. Always apply carefully to the face and never hit the trail without protection.
If you’re a regular hiker, you know that your skin goes through a lot. With all the sun reflecting off the snow, wind and rain, it can test the health of your complexion. However, among those threats, it’s the sun that can damage your skin the most – which is why the best spray sunscreen is a must.
While there are lots of different types of sunscreen on the market, sprays are often the go-to for outdoor enthusiasts because they dry quickly and are less prone to being impacted by sweat. That makes them great for trekking through the Appalachian mountains or something a little tamer.
What Makes Mineral The Best Spray Sunscreen?
Ask most hikers and they’ll tell you that mineral products offer the best protection when you’re outside for hours on end, but why? Why is the best spray sunscreen the one that typically has zinc oxide or titanium dioxide inside, rather than chemical filters like octinoxate?
There must be something special about it. Here’s how it breaks down.
- Zinc Oxide is Super Gentle – Compared to chemical filters, zinc oxide represents the pinnacle when it comes to skin kindness. It’s why people use mineral products when they have sensitive skin. Chemical brands? They’re not so kind.
- Zinc Oxide Offers Broad Spectrum Coverage Naturally – This means you’re protected against both UVA and UVB rays. Not all chemical products do and many people put sunscreen on, not knowing they’re only safe against one type.
- It Doesn’t Need to Be Absorbed – Chemical products have to be absorbed into the skin to work, which can mean having to wait in the shade for 15-20 minutes. Not ideal if you’re keen to get going. It’s why mineral products work from the moment they’re applied.
- Spray Sunscreen Is Even Easier to Apply – Another reason why spray sunscreens of all types are popular is because they’re easy to use. Unlike a lotion that’s often messy and not at all compact and tidy, a spray can be applied in seconds, with just a touch of rubbing into the skin required.
Mineral spray sunscreens give a bit of everything. It’s easy to use, gentle on the skin and compact enough to stash away in your backpack. It’s no accident that it’s become the favorite of outdoor people across the United States.
Is There a Trick to How It’s Applied?
Not really – over and above the differences between how mineral and chemical sunscreens go on. However, there is a right and a wrong way to use it. What you shouldn’t do is spray it directly onto your face – particularly when it’s windy outside. That’s just going to ensure it also goes into your mouth and eyes.
It’s best to spray it into your hand first and then rub it into your face. You can spray directly onto other parts of your body. You still need to be careful about the wind – just not so much.
Don’t Hit the Trail Without the Best Spray Sunscreen
Walking around the great outdoors can be a real pleasure, so the last thing you want is for sunburn to ruin the experience. On top of that, the more you allow your skin to be exposed in the sun, the more you risk not only painful sunburn, but also premature aging and even melanoma.
Prepared hikers enjoy their time on every trail, confident that your skin is protected. Spray sunscreen is an essential part of any hiker’s pack, so make sure you never hit the trail without it.
