The Best Sunscreen for Mexico Travelers (Including Biodegradable & Reef Safe Options)

Not sure what sunscreen to use in Mexico?

You’ve come to the right place because I live in Mexico; one of the sunniest and hottest parts of the country, in fact.

As a fair-skinned person living in the tropics, sunscreen in Mexico is an absolute must.

After years of living in Mexico (I’ve been in Mexico since 2018), you might say I know a thing or two about the best sunscreen for Mexico — and I’m about to share all my knowledge with you!

Don’t have time to read the whole article? Our pick for the Best Mexico Sunscreen is this Sun Bum Natural Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 50, Vegan and Reef-Safe).

When it comes to how to pick the best sunscreen for Mexico, there are a few things to consider, like SPF (sun protection factor), if it’s waterproof sunscreen, how much zinc it has, whether it’s biodegradable and reef safe, and more.

But don’t worry — I’m going to break that all down for you in this article.

I’ll also offer my recommendations for the Top 15 Best Sunscreens for Mexico, with links to where you can buy them on Amazon, and some information about each one.

Ready to get to the list of the best Mexico sunscreen brands?! Let’s dive in!

We’ll start with the best sunscreen for going to Mexico, and followed by a Sunscreen FAQ, so you understand everything you need to know about selecting an eco friendly sunscreen for Mexico.

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

Mexico Sunscreens for the City & the Beach

The main thing to consider when you’re buying the best sunscreen for Mexico is Are you swimming, or not?

While most visitors only think they need sunscreen for Mexico beaches, this isn’t true — you will want to use it in cities as well.

On a personal note, I have pale skin and I’m from South Florida, so I do have some tolerance to the sun, despite my skin color.

I definitely burn without sunscreen, but I burn much faster in Mexico vs Miami, because Mexico’s closer to the Equator and the sun is stronger.

Best Sunscreen for Mexico Beaches

For Mexico beaches, you’ll want water resistant or sport sunscreen.

These types stay on longer because they are designed to resist sweat and water — which both remove sunscreen.

Use these links to find the best water resistant sunscreen, and best sport sunscreen for Mexico.

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

Best Sunscreen for Mexico Cities

For cities in Mexico, where you won’t be swimming or sweating heavily, opt for light sunscreens that don’t have oils.

You may see these labeled as mineral sunscreens, dry sunscreens, light sunscreens, or tinted sunscreens.

Use this link to find the best Mexico sunscreens for cities.

💡 Mexico Travel Tips: Buy Before You Go

The sale of sunscreens is common throughout the country, but Mexico doesn’t have as many natural products as other countries.

If protecting the planet is important to you, pack a sunscreen that doesn’t contain harmful things instead of buying sunscreen in Mexico.

Best Biodegradable Sunscreen for Mexico

Biodegradable sunscreen and reef-friendly sunscreen products are about the same.

Biodegradable sunscreens for Mexico are ideal for swimming in the ocean, rivers and lakes, but reef-safe sunscreen is better for places with a lot of coral reefs (like Cancun, Cozumel, Huatulco and Cabo San Lucas).

🏆 Best Reef Safe Sunscreen for Mexico

If you’re not sure which to pick, opt for reef safe sunscreen just in case you end up swimming near coral reefs or a lot of marine life.

As the top vacation destination in Mexico, many want to know the best sunscreen for Cancun Mexico — and it’s definitely reef safe sunscreen.

Here are the Top 3 best reef safe sunscreens for Mexico:

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

1. Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Lotion (SPF 50)

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

2. Australian Gold Botanical Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 50)

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

3. Reef Repair Reef Safe Sunscreen (SPF 50)

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

Best Sport Sunscreen for Mexico

For adventure travelers in Mexico, you’ll want sport sunscreen. This is the recommended sunscreen for Mexico for those who plan to surf, go mountain biking or hiking in Mexico, ride ATVs, and climb the Mayan Ruins in Mexico. 

Sport sunscreens will stay on longer than non-biodegradable sunscreens, but aren’t as heavy or oily as a water resistant sunscreen.

They are made to resist sweat, and will be more comfortable to wear during outdoor activities that don’t involve swimming or being in the water.

Do note that even these types of sunscreens only have 40 minutes of water resistance. After about 40 minute, you’ll need to towel off and reapply some more sunscreen.

Here are the Top 4 best sport sunscreens for Mexico:

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

1. Badger Clear Zinc Sport Sunscreen (SPF 35)

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

2. All Good Sport Face & Body Sunscreen (SPF 30)

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

3. ThinkSport Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 50)

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

Bullfrog Mosquito Coast Bug Spray Insect Repellent + Sunscreen (SPF 50)

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

Best Light Sunscreen for Mexico Cities

Mexico is closer to the Equator than where most Mexico visitors live.

If you check the Mexico weather reports before visiting, you might see 87°F (30°C) temperatures, but know the sun is still stronger in Mexico than you’re used to — even if you are used to those temperatures.

Why am I telling you that?

Because even if you’re not visiting any of the best beaches in Mexico, you still need to use sunscreen for Mexico.

Regardless of where you’re traveling, you’ll still be exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Years ago, there was just one type of sunscreen.

Nowadays, there are different sunscreens for different activities, because more and more people wear sunscreen daily.

If you’re traveling to one of these best and safest cities in Mexico, a light sunscreen works best. 

Below, you’ll find the Top 3 best light sunscreens for Mexico. For everyday use, many people like mineral sunscreens because they feel lighter on the skin, and aren’t oily.

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

1. EltaMD Clear Facial Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin (SPF 46)

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

2. CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 30, Tinted)

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

3. La Roche-Posay Dry Touch Sunscreen for Oily Skin (SPF 60, Tinted)

Best Sunscreen for Pale Skin in Mexico

If you have fair skin, you’ll want a higher SPF sunscreen for Mexico.

Note: Even people with darker skin tones will benefit from higher sunscreen SPF products because the sun’s UV rays harm us all the same.

Nowadays, even normal sunscreens (AKA non-biodegradable sunscreens) go up to SPF 100, though some sources say that’s excessive.

For a high protection sunscreen, anything above SPF 50 is the number you want to aim for to get the best protection from the blazing Mexico sun.

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

1. Neutrogena Dry Touch Sunscreen (SPF 70)

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

2. Sun Bum Original Sunscreen (SPF 70)

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

3. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Sunscreen (SPF 60)

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

Best Mexico Sunscreen for Kids

Traveling to Mexico with kids?

Badger is one of the best biodegradable sunscreen brands out there with all natural ingredients and raw elements that won’t irritate their sensitive skin.

The Badger Kids Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 40) and Badger Kids Sunscreen Face Stick (SPF 35) are made with natural ingredients and perfect for the kiddos.

💡 Note: You must rub it in thoroughly so it doesn’t leave a white cast on their skin.

What else can I use for sun protection in Mexico?

1. Wide-Brim Sun Hat

Besides sunscreen, you can complement your sun protection with a hat.

Any hat will do, of course, but a wide-brim hat will provide you with the most protection, and a sun hat will also keep the back of your neck shaded.

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

4. Pop-Up Beach Tent

If you know you’re going to have a few long beach days, this pop-up beach tent folds down pretty small so it won’t take up too much space in your luggage when packing for Mexico.

The fabric is SPF 50, the tent seats 2-3 adults comfortably, and it weighs just 3.8 pounds (1.7 kg). 

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

5. Best Sunscreen for Lips

Lips are often the most neglected part of your face, because most people won’t apply it on their lips when they will apply it to the rest of their face

This makes sense because sunscreen tastes gross — but that doesn’t mean your lips won’t sunburn. 

Sun Bum is one of my personal favorite sunscreen brands because they use 100% natural ingredients, are eco-conscious, and have a female CEO.

As much as I love their sunscreen, I think I love their Sun Bum Lip Balm (SPF 30 with Vitamin E) even more💋

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

6. After Sun Gel

If you do end up with a sunburn, or just want to hydrate your dry skin after a long day in the sun, don’t forget to bring this Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Gel or this Sun Bum Cool Down Cocoa Butter Lotion.

Their aloe vera is my favorite after sun care gel, but you can find similar products from all the popular sunscreen brands as well.

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

For those who have never heard the word cenote (pronounced sen-no-tay, or sen-no-tays in plural), these are beautiful, natural jungle pools located in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Many cenotes have showers you must use before entering the cenotes, so even if you do apply any, much of the sunscreen will rinse off before you enter.

The reason for this is the oils in sunscreen are very harmful to the cenotes and entire Yucatan ecosystem.

📝 Mexico Cenotes Blogs

Want to learn more about the cenotes, and find all the best cenotes in Mexico? Check out these best blogs about Mexico cenotes:

• 35 Best Tulum Cenotes + Free Cenotes in Tulum Map
• 20 Best Cenotes in Cancun You Won’t Want to Miss
• Cenote Suytun: 20 Things to Know Before You Go
• 30 Best Merida Cenotes You Must Visit in Yucatan

Many of the best rash guards even have an amount of SPF because of the fabric.

For protection on your face from the sun, you’ll want to wear a sun hat with a wide brim.

There are waterproof sun hats you can use so they can safely get wet, or just any hat that won’t get ruined being in the cenote water.

💡 Note: Cenotes have freshwater, not saltwater.

Xel Ha Park and Xcaret Park Sunscreen

The popular Xcaret Water Park and Xel-Ha Water Park near Cancun are leading a charge to protect the natural environment of Mexico by banning non eco-friendly sunscreen.

According to the company’s website, “Visitors can only use sunscreen with titanium oxide and zinc oxide.”

Planning to visit Xcaret and/or Xel Ha in Mexico? Then you’ll need to use Xel-Ha and Xcaret approved sunscreen, like the ones listed below:

Banana Boat Light As Air (SPF 50) and ThinkSport SPF 50 Sunscreen are both compliant with the sunscreen policy at Xcaret and Xel Ha Marine Park.

These safe sunscreen brands won’t leave an oil slick or white residue in the water, not contribute to sunscreen pollution 💚

Best Sunscreen for Mexico

Best Sunscreen for Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions

However, there’s no source that can claim to know this answer with 100% certainty.

As sunscreens are some of the biggest causes of damage to the marine environment, you may not wear sunscreen of any kind in the Mexico cenotes, and the Xel-Ha and Xcaret parks have restrictions.

What chemicals should I avoid in sunscreen?

We now know that sunscreen has contributed to harming the world’s coral reefs through coral bleaching, which disrupts the entire marine ecosystem.

As a result, the modern and best reef-safe sunscreens of today are more natural than old school, regular sunscreen. 

Nowadays, many sunscreens are made without chemicals and nanoparticles, or with significantly lower levels of both.

Using these types of non chemical sunscreens means you’re practicing responsible tourism in Mexico.

These chemicals break down to a size small enough they become what’s considered a “nanoparticle.”

🤔 Wondering, What are nanoparticles? Undetectable by the human eye at less than 100 nanometers in size, nanoparticles can seep into coral and ultimately kill it.

The ADA says that SPF 15 blocks 93% of the sun’s UVB rays, but SPF 30 blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays — so there’s a big jump in efficacy from SPF 15 to 30.

If you’re visiting a city in Mexico, this EltaMD Clear Facial Sunscreen is great for daily use as it’s not heavy or oily, and feels light on your skin.

In short: SPF measures how well a sunscreen protects you from sunburn.

Though some think SPF relates to an amount of time of solar exposure, but that’s not correct.

For example, many think that if they normally burn in one hour, then an SPF 15 sunscreen will allow them to stay in the sun 15 times longer — 15 hours — without getting a sunburn (source).

Rather, “SPF is a measure of how much solar energy (UV radiation) is required to produce sunburn on protected skin (i.e. in the presence of sunscreen) relative to the amount of solar energy required to produce sunburn on unprotected skin,” according to the FDA.

As the SPF value increases, sunburn protection also increases.

However, the SPF number doesn’t take things like skin type, time of day you’re in the sun, how much sunscreen you apply, if you have sun tolerance (base tan), etc., into account, so the numbers aren’t proportional.

Even if it’s a high SPF sunscreen, if it’s not broad spectrum, you won’t be protected from the sun’s harmful UVA rays.

To make things easier for your buying decision, all sunscreens for Mexico featured in this article are broad spectrum and free of harmful ingredients ♻️

Should I get a rub on lotion or spray?

While aerosol sunscreens have an easy application, you do waste a lot by using them because only a percentage of what you spray lands on your skin.

With a rub-on lotion, you know how much you’re using, and you know how much of it is going directly onto your skin, unlike with a spray sunscreen.

Also, keep in mind you can only take small bottles of aerosol on planes, according to FAA Regulations. For this reason, a rub on sunscreen is the best sunscreen for carry on luggage.

According to EclipseRX, a sun monitoring device that’s connected to a mobile app, you only need to apply (approx.) a shot glass-sized amount of sunscreen to your entire body.

Any good biodegradable sunblock for sale today will use zinc instead of chemical ingredients, and it will be at the top of the ingredient list.

If the sunscreen doesn’t list zinc as a main ingredient, it likely includes some of these harmful chemicals — so look for non-nano zinc oxide on the label or ingredients list.

To be a fully reef friendly sunscreen, make sure it says non-nano zinc, as opposed to just zinc.

The sun’s rays will break down the sunscreen, others can clump up and lose some effectiveness, and sweat and pool or ocean water will wash some away.

In 2011 a new federal regulation from the FDA banned sunscreen labeled as waterproof, and you’ll now see only it called “water resistant.”

Final Thoughts on the Best Sunscreen for Mexico

Whether you’re visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, Playa del Carmen, or any other parts of Mexico, the use of sunscreens is the best way to protect your skin.

The only type of sunscreen you can use to practice sustainable tourism in Mexico is biodegradable sunscreen.

Some years ago, there was only one sunscreen available. Nowadays, there are different sunscreens for different activities, and many people even wear sunscreen daily.

In Mexico, you will absolutely want to do so, even if you’re used to an amount of sun exposure.

The fact remains that Mexico is quite close to the Equator — closer than where many people live.

Even if you’re used to higher temperatures, you still need adequate UVA protection and UVB protection on your Mexico vacation.

Make sure you’re protected with at least SPF 30, and that you’re reapplying your sunscreen about every two hours through the day.

I hope this article helped you make the best decision for you when it comes to buying sunscreen for Mexico.