I am a redhead and I love these sunscreens

As a redhead, I take sun protection very seriously. I’m the type of person who applies sunscreen before going out at night. (Is that excessive? Yes, but my foundation has SPF built in… and when you’re as pale as I am, you can never be too careful!)

For my recent vacation to St. Lucia, I made sure to pack enough sunscreen to protect my skin in the tropics. The following five formulas helped me stave off any signs of sunburn during my three-day trip. Remember, the key is to keep carefully reapplying the cream, but this will be easier if you have reliable sunscreens—the following five have become my holy grails for braving the Caribbean sun!

Say goodbye to the sticky, hard-to-rub-in sunscreens that ruled your childhood. SunBum has completely revamped its facial care offerings, and this SPF 50 selection is a godsend for anyone with normal to dry skin. Enriched with vitamin E and antioxidants, this lightweight liquid facial sunscreen melts into the skin while also doubling as a moisturizer. I’ve been able to pare down my skincare routine to this formula during the day while I’m away, and it’s managed to keep my skin supple, soft, and most importantly, protected.

Only $20!

I loved having this sprayer on hand for touch-ups throughout the day—and it came in really handy during my balmy bamboo raft excursion in the middle of the day. While it’s not the kind of sunscreen you can spray directly onto your face, the liquid formula is weightless and melts into your skin upon contact. A hit of hyaluronic acid also boosted my complexion’s moisture retention, so it retained its elasticity.

Only $14!

Don’t let the tiny bottle fool you – this SPF packs a punch! Small enough to fit in your shoulder bag or fanny pack for both hiking and beach days, this mineral sunscreen is a dream to use. I never had to rub excessively to get it to blend into my skin and give a comfortable, invisible finish.

Only $15!

Facial sunscreen is easy to pack, as most products come in TSA-friendly tubes. Body sunscreen, on the other hand, is rarely available in small containers. Luckily, my hotel provided us with this wonderful spray. Not only does this sunscreen produce the finest, most consistent mist, but it also sets a tropical mood with its invigorating coconut-mango scent. Each time I reapplied, I was greeted by an invigorating aroma that only made my vacation even better. It really is the little things!

Only $20!

Although I chose not to wear makeup for most of the trip, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to dress up for a sunset boat ride. Instead of applying a layer of sunscreen before foundation, I simply opted for this hybrid product. The tinted formula evens out imperfections and gives skin a fresh glow that rivals the glow of golden hour… not to mention the SPF 50 gave me a sense of peace as we sailed toward the sunset.

Only $42!

Looking for the Glow Recipe range? Check out the brand’s newer version of SPF here!