38 Things That’ll Help You Enjoy Your Beach Vacation, Even If You Have A Vampiric Relationship With The Sun
Ulta
This stuff JUST dropped and after trying what feels like every last lip product with SPF on the market, this is probably the first that made me forget I'm wearing sunscreen. It doesn't have that sunscreen-y taste at ALL! (Psst, AAD Guidelines recommend using sunscreen with at least SPF 30, so this meets that recommendation!)
Get it from Ulta or Amazon for $14.
Check out a TikTok of the sunscreen stickers in action.
Promising review: "Just used this product on a recent trip to Florida. I made sure to wash my skin before application and it lasted about two days on my skin without coming off. When out of the sun or behind UV glass, like in a car, the spot turns clear. As soon as you step into the sun it turns purple. If you use a sunblock it starts to become clear or semi clear. After being on the beach and having gone into the water a few times the spot started seeing purple and I applied sunblock again. In a minute the spot was clear again. So this is very effective In alerting me when to reapply." —RGTorque
Get two 16-counts from Amazon for$25.99+ (also available as a 48-count).
Read more aboutlidocaine and pain relief at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "I brought this with me on a cruise, and I’m so glad I did! After a little too much sun on the deck, this spray was a total lifesaver. It provided instant cooling relief and took the sting out of my sunburn right away. The spray made it easy to apply without having to rub it in — perfect for those sensitive areas. The aloe was super soothing, and the lidocaine helped calm the burn fast. It absorbed quickly and didn’t leave any sticky feeling behind. Definitely a must-have for any sunny vacation or cruise — I'll never travel without it again!" —Barbara
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "LOVE this. I no longer forget to put on sunscreen as this is part of my new routine. Love the shimmer (much more than anticipated), especially on my arms and legs. Face might be a bit much, but prevents a burn for the win." —Tawny Stammen
Get it from Amazon for $10.39.
Skylar
What does "boardwalk" smell like? It's a combo of vanilla, cotton candy, and coconut milk. If you wanna get deeper, here's the scent breakdown:
Top notes: Aquatic Accord, Watery Apple, Juicy Raspberry SorbetMiddle notes: Water Lily, Guava Flower, Coconut MilkBase notes: Cotton Candy, Vanilla, Solar Amber, Musk
I'm normally not into super sweet smells, but I'm VERY into this.
Get it from Amazon for $25.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar in action.
Promising review: "NO WHITE CAST! I've been looking for a stick sunscreen and this was just exactly what was needed!! I'm a medium-toned Black woman and looking for something without a white cast is always a challenge. I have applied it on my bare skin and there isn't a white cast at all! It's a 'soft matte' finish, for sure, and looks like natural skin. Like you're not wearing anything at all." —Martina
Get it from Amazon for $17.02.
Promising review: "Used these on a sunburn on my back, and they were very soothing. Also provided padding when leaning back in my seat. I stuck one on my shoulder also to keep my seatbelt from rubbing the sunburn there. I bought them to use on the back of my kids' necks to help prevent heat exhaustion on a very hot day outside but ended up just using them for burn relief." —Joanna
"These saved us on our vacation with our little that is sensitive to sun!" —felicia faith
Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $14.99.
Ponyflo is a small biz specializing in ponytail-friendly hats.
Promising review: "I purchased this hat for the beach to cover my face and ears. It did the job and was way cuter than I thought! If you’re looking for a hat for the pool, beach, or a sports mom, this will be great!" —Matthew & Brittney Odom
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in eight colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Psst, you can find the Attitude Oceanly Lip Balm that reviewer is wearing on Amazon!
Promising review: "Like a lot of women over 50, I prefer to use a tinted sunscreen instead of foundation these days. I have tried a dozen, and this one is the winner, hands down! It has a thin, nongreasy texture, no odor, and is lightweight and buildable if you want a little more coverage in certain areas. Best of all, it does not settle into pores or fine lines at all. So many of the others I've tried, including high-end expensive ones that are pushed heavily on social media, are greasy and settle into every pore and line. I've put this on auto ship and hope it never gets discontinued!" —Chartwell
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in four tinted and non-tinted).
TomboyX
TomboyX is queer-owned and B Corp Certified, meaning it's held to extremely high sustainability standards. (Read more on that here.) I have a pair of now-discontinued pants from the brand and they're EXTREMELY soft to the touch, and have held up to all kinds of washing, and wear and tear. (I'm not easy on my clothes, and send out my laundry where I'm sure they're using dryers that aren't easy on my clothes.)
Get it from TomboyX for $44 (available in sizes XS–6X). Check out the matching rainbow houndstooth collection and the pride collection.
Promising review: "I got this for a week-long beach trip, and it did not disappoint. This thing is super easy to put up and has plenty of space for the littles to play in the shade. I didn’t worry even once about the wind snatching this thing up. It was super sturdy with the sandbags filled. 10/10." —Madison H.
Get it from Amazon for $129.95+ (available in two sizes and four colors).
Promising review: "Got this tent for my husband to use at the beach because he hates having sand all over him and would much rather be in the shade. Easy to set up, unless it’s windy, you will definitely need two people to set it up. Provides the perfect amount of shade and has windows that can be zipped up or down to allow a breeze. It is lightweight and fits inside our beach bag, and is quick and easy to take down. Also, it's easy to fold up if you have two people." —Aspen LeOra Little
Get it from Amazon for $31.99 (available in eight colors).
HDE is a small biz specializing in fashion and accessories.
Promising review: "Loved this swim top. Shorter than most but not too short. Awesome colors, dries quickly, size is accurate. Always excited to wear it." —Julia
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in sizes 1X–3X and 10 patterns/styles).
Amazon
UV SKINZ is a small biz specializing in beach- and sun-wear.
Promising review: "I used these pants for kayaking, at the beach, and just walking around midday. They are cute, comfortable, dry fast, and keep me cool on hot days. I love the teal color that goes with so many of my fitness tops as well as bathing suit tankinis and sunshirts. Was kind of expensive, but I expect them to last through many summers." —GrannyGear
Get them from Amazon for $65.95+ (available in sizes XS–4XL and eight colors/prints).
Amazon
I first bought this for a weeklong Croatian vacation in 2021 years ago when I did carry-on, and as long as you are *thoroughly* reapplying, this stuff stays on pretty well. On a beach club afternoon, I did haphazardly reapply and missed a strip on one arm, but I tend to do that with spray-on or lotion sunscreen, too. Since then, I've packed this for any trip I've been on, including a two-day Disneyland trip where I toted this around in my bag and shared with friends. I sometimes carry it with me in my purse on my everyday adventures because I know it's so easy to apply. Also worth mentioning...I am about the palest lady you've ever seen and swear by daily application of sunscreen. But when on a beach trip, I'm constantly swimming in the water and sweating. So yeah, this stuff works.
And if you're a bit hesitant about jumping on the solid sunscreen bandwagon, you can pack a stick of this, knowing you have enough sun protection to get you through to finding some spray-on or lotion SPF at your destination.
Get it from Amazon for $8.89.
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed
Note that some reviewers gave it fewer than 5 stars bc it has a LOT of glitter in it, and they desired a mere shimmer. This thing will make you sparkle like a Twilight vampire. I kept this in my bag and reapplied it throughout the sunny day as needed. It went on smooth and cool, and didn't feel greasy despite my ~hourly application. It's pricier than my beloved Neutrogena solid SPF but it's extra fun for a music festival or sultry vacation.
Get it from Amazon for $30.
It doesn't contain any parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS.
Promising review: "Whenever someone I know has a sunburn, I become that super annoying product-pusher friend. I tell everyone about the sun soother! Really, Burt’s Bees should pay me. It rubs into skin like lotion so you don’t feel greasy and can immediately put on clothes after application. A little goes a long way! It smells good without being overpowering (and I’m picky about scents!). Most importantly, it works! I’ve had everything from slight burn to looks-like-a-lobster-feels-like-fire and this sun soother has eliminated the pain/itch and drastically reduced the eventual peel. Highly recommend!" —jlgentr3
Get it from Amazon or $13.33.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Beach State is a small business specializing in premium, high-quality beach umbrellas.
Check out aTikTok of the umbrella in action.
Promising review: "This umbrella is exactly what my family was looking for as our everyday beach umbrella — large diameter, high quality, and cute retro design. It is a higher end umbrella but still slightly less expensive than the other big name designer beach gear company that we were considering. It is easy to pop up and stays standing, and we’ve had many compliments from other people at the beach asking where we got it. The customer service from the company was excellent. Would definitely recommend these umbrellas!" —Taryn
Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in seven colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It comes with sandbag anchors and stakes for reinforcement, an adjustable pole that can be tilted, and its own carrying bag.
Promising review: "We live in Maui, Hawaii, and wind gusts on the beach can exceed 50 mph some days. The wind also changes direction constantly and never comes from just one direction. We have spent over $500 trying to find various combinations of anchors, umbrellas, and tie downs, and NOTHING has worked until these bad boys. We bought one initially and tested it out on a VERY windy day and were super impressed. It never once became inverted or blew over. Meanwhile, the other umbrella we were using that day broke. Needless to say, I have since bought two more so we can have ample shade for my husband, my dog, and myself." —Beth
Get it from Amazon for $89.99 (available in blue or orange).
HDE is a small biz specializing in apparel.
Promising review: "This might just be the best suit ever. I hate shopping for suits, and to buy online was pretty risky. The reviews helped! I normally wear a 16, and I followed the advice of ordering a size up. The inside section is a little loose but very comfortable. Highly recommend this suit. Well made, and arrived the next day. Where is my ocean!?" —sarah kahale
Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in sizes 12–22 and four designs).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Honey, this hat was giving me everything I needed it to give! I felt Gone With The Wind fabulous in this hat for my cruise vacation. It provided the adequate shade for my face and shoulders while allowing me to shade myself from people I didn’t want to talk to! Bay-bay! It was EVERYTHING I needed it to be AND the size XL fit over my braids. So my girls with protective styles or just big hair, this is the hat for you! 🎉" —1922blue
Get it from Amazon for $24.69+ (available in sizes M–XL and in eight colors).
Check out a TikTok of the sunscreen stickers in action.
Promising review: "Just used this product on a recent trip to Florida. I made sure to wash my skin before application and it lasted about two days on my skin without coming off. When out of the sun or behind UV glass, like in a car, the spot turns clear. As soon as you step into the sun it turns purple. If you use a sunblock it starts to become clear or semi clear. After being on the beach and having gone into the water a few times the spot started seeing purple and I applied sunblock again. In a minute the spot was clear again. So this is very effective In alerting me when to reapply." —RGTorque
Get two 16-counts from Amazon for$25.99+ (also available as a 48-count).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I bought this bathing suit before I went to Costa Rica. It was very nice for river rafting, zip-lining, and repelling. The zipper makes it easy to get on and off. It was very comfortable. It covered my shoulders. Didn't ride up." —Peter C.
Get it from Amazon for $37.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and 16 designs).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Used for the first time today on my 7-year-old. First time in his life he actually enjoyed having sunscreen applied to his skin! Very easy to use and not messy at all. Extremely pleased with this purchase!" —amyj
Get it from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in six colors and in multipacks).
Target, Target
Black Girl Sunscreen is a Black woman-owned business whose sunscreen is designed not to leave a white cast on melanated skin. It's ultra sheer, water-resistant, and super nourishing thanks to its all-natural ingredients. Plus, it's cruelty free! They also make sunscreen for kids with SPF 50.
Promising review: "I’ve been using this creamy SPF daily and it's a game‐changer. It absorbs easily, zero white cast, even with darker tones, and feels more like a moisturizer than heavy sunscreen. Makeup goes on smoothly and without streaks." —Kiki
Get it from Amazon for $10.96 (cruelty-, fragrance-, oxybenzone-, octinoxate-, silicone- and aluminum-free, and vegan).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I got a ton of compliments. 💖" —Tasha
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in 45 prints).
Amazon
Promising review: "My kids will only use spray-on sunscreen (for their bodies and the stick for face and neck). This spray is easy to use and protects their delicate skin from harmful UVB rays. It's waterproof and sweat-proof, which is a big plus. Would highly recommend!" —S. Pme
Get it from Amazon for $14.41.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, to have enough coverage from spray sunscreens, you need to spray 'em until your skin ✨ glistens✨, then rub it in. *Or* you could use a spray like this one as an extra layer of protection if you already wear your regular facial sunscreen, too!
Promising review: "Waterproof! I bought the sunscreen setting spray for my trip to Cancun. Let me tell you, it was humid in the 90s; I went swimming, I went snorkeling, and my make-up stayed on!! This was the best. I also used a heavy amount of setting powder (E.l.f. and Givenchy) to keep my makeup locked in. I was getting sweaty and the sunscreen mist does leave you a little shiny, but blotting works and leaves you looking like new again. 10/10 setting spray. I've used Revolution, One/Size, E.l.f., and Morphe setting spray, and this one was the best and cheapest." —V
Get it from Amazon for $13.97 (available in a two-pack and in other styles).
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed
That's my hand and VERY pale leg on a beach near Cala Gonome in Sardinia during a boat day last year. If you can't tell already from this story, I'm always on SPF Patrol for myself and others, but also jump in the water any chance I get. So SPF that sticks is *essential*. I reapplied this a few times between dips, and again the next day, and wasn't sunburned after! It also gave me a gorgeous glow in pics from the boat days that could possibly pass as some "color" (at least for me). It also has a delish mango scent that's just the right amount of scent you want in a sunscreen. Lastly, this bottle goes a LONG way. I used it for three days and still have just under half of it left! (If I'm using an aerosol SPF, I go through a bottle in a beach day.)
Get it from Amazon for $36 (vegan and cruelty-free; also available in Amber/SPF 30 and Glow/SPF 50).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This is a great product and gift for a beach lover. Works great and is a decent size for brushing away the sand after an amazing day at the beach! Going to buy it as a gift!! Easy to use and affordable!" —Sue Krauser
Get it from Amazon for$9.99.
Amazon
Promising review: "The color is pretty, really makes my eyes pop, the coverage is nice, not too thin or thick and it doesn’t crease. I was pleasantly surprised." —MeginTexas
Get it from Amazon for $24.
Amazon
I've been using this product for a couple of years now, and it tends to last me quite a long time. I also like to spray it along my hairline where I tend to be a little less vigilant about sunscreen application. It *does* smell like traditional, beachy sunscreen so if you hate that smell, I wouldn't rec. Oh, and it's vegan and reef-safe!
Get it from Amazon for $16.49 (oxybenzone-, octinoxate-, gluten-, cruelty-, and paraben-free).
Promising review: "Perfect for Disney trips where the lines are always longer than the shaded areas! Easily fits in my backpack, doesn’t seem as sturdy as bigger rain umbrellas, but for the compact size and added UV protection (we use it for this the most), it’s definitely worth it." —Nole Momma
Get it from Amazon for$29.57 (available in three colors).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Wallaroo Hat Company is a small biz.
Promising review: "I packed this hat into my suitcase twice and both times I just had to readjust it a bit and then it was the perfect shape again! There is a natural fiber smell when you first open the package for the first few days and then it goes away naturally. It’s super cute on and you can adjust the size inside with a strap as well!" —Jetsetgigi
Get it from Amazon for $55 (available in three colors and two sizes).
Amazon
Promising review: "We use this when we go to Disney World. They sell a big one at Disney, but it’s so expensive. Why spend that? This comes with several and works really well. I usually sweat horribly at the parks and feel very uncomfortable. This has been a game changer for me. I would definitely recommend it." —Angela Long-Prentice
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three combos).
MugGiez is a small biz specializing in this product.
Promising review: "I absolutely have fallen in love with this universal cup handle. The picture I have is with a 40-ounce insulated cup, but it also fits my 32-ounce. It is awesome paracord covered with a very manageable silicone over the paracord. I love it… Buy it. You won’t be disappointed." —Ed Hicks
Get it from Amazon for$21.99 (available in nine designs).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the portable fan in action.
Promising review: "This fan works so well, keeps me cool when I’m on the beach or sitting outside in the sun. The battery life is amazing but it takes a while to charge up." —Amanda Clerk
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
And there are LOTS more uses for this than just a beach day!
Promising review: "This wagon is a must have!!!! I love how compact it is when folded up (it also comes with a nice carrying back making it easy to move around!), this feature is important to me as trunk space is limited when packing the family up for a day trip to the beach or park. We found this wagon to be very easy to set up. Simply pull out of the bag and unclip and fold out! Simple as that, its now ready to use!!! I found the cargo area to be large enough to carry all of our items easily, it holds a lot and a good amount of weight, too. The wheels are great quality, easy to pull on pavement, grass even a dirt path. The front wheels swivel making it easy to maneuver. Overall, we are very impressed with the make, quality, and durability of this wagon. We highly recommend it and would purchase it again!" —Jess & Craig
Get it from Amazon for $89.12.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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