10 travel-sized sun creams worth packing on your next beach holiday in 2026
On a recent Caribbean holiday, I ran out of sun cream and had to spend £35 at the gift shop for a brand I didn’t love. To make matters worse, the bottle was too large to pack in my carry-on (security still only allows liquids of 100ml or less in the vast majority of instances, and yes, sun cream counts as a liquid), so it didn’t even make it home with me. After that incident, I was determined to find the best travel-sized sunscreen on the market. Beyond being airport-approved, I looked for formulas that are reef-safe and formulated with skincare in mind (as I age, I pay more and more attention to the ingredients I’m putting on my skin.)As we've all learned by now, sunscreen is always important – even in cooler climates and colder seasons, but especially in key summer destinations like Spain, Morocco, and the Caribbean. According to the WHO, 80 per cent of UV rays penetrate clouds. So, wherever you’re headed this summer, make sure you have some SPF on hand that will protect your skin on long days of fun in the sun.Below, I gathered 10 travel-sized sunscreens worth packing on your next trip, whether you need a water-resistant lotion for the pool or a tinted moisturiser that doubles as your holiday makeup. My favourites are easy to apply and effective at providing sun protection – and they’re totally security approved.Top picks of travel-sized sun cream:What size sun cream is allowed on a plane?Travelers can bring liquids up to 100ml in their carry-on. Liquids must fit in the provided clear resealable bag. Anything larger than 100ml must be tucked away in a checked suitcase. Important to note: Even if you have a full-size bottle of sunscreen with less than 100ml remaining in the tube, you will have to pack it in a checked case – or you risk it being thrown away.Can I bring sunscreen spray on the plane?Yes, aerosol sunscreen is considered a liquid, so as long as it meets the 100ml guideline, it is allowed on the plane. Pack your favourite spray inside a toiletry bag or Ziploc bag to protect your belongings from any accidental spills. It’s also a good idea to tape your sun cream spray to avoid it from accidentally misting in your bag.What should I look for in the best sun cream?Look for SPF 30 or higher, and sunscreens that offer broad-spectrum coverage and water-resistance.How do I know if my SPF is reef-safe?Check the label to see if your sun cream is listed as reef-safe. Travellers wanting a reef-safe sunscreen should also consider mineral formulas that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Try to avoid the ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxat as they are both toxic to marine life.
