In line with our goal of supporting you in your search for products that, we’re rounding up the best sunscreen for Jamaica products on this list. After days of testing during our trip to the Caribbean, we’ve found that those products worked great for sun protection, tropical locations, and summer vacations. We believe these are the best sunscreen for Jamaica products to support your beauty.
Everyone needs a good vacation every now and then. Unfortunately, the possibility of getting sunburnt comes hand in hand with those trips to the beach, hikes up the mountain, and walks around the city.
To keep your skin healthy and lower the risk of skin cancer, you should always use a sunscreen.
Sunscreens are an essential part of any trip. In fact, it should be one of the first things you pack in your luggage.
Even though there is no exception when it comes to the need for sunscreens, the tropical country of Jamaica will constantly remind you about using one, through its harsh and hot climate.
To help you out with which one you should lug along for the ride, here are our top five picks for the best sunscreen for Jamaica.
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Quick Overview: Top Five Best Sunscreen for Jamaica
OUR TOP #1 PICK - Our number one choice is Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF30. This sunscreen contains Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, both of which are physical sunscreens. The safe ingredients in this product make it highly recommended by dermatologists.
OUR TOP #2 PICK - A close runner-up at number two is Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF30. Water-resistant and lightweight, this sunscreen offers broad spectrum sun protection. It also has a tropical fragrance that is ideal for your trips to the beach.
OUR TOP #3 PICK - Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF70 is our third pick on this list. For those with sensitive skin, finding an effective, soothing sunscreen is no walk in the park. Our third choice is suitable for people with skin conditions such as Eczema.
OUR TOP #4 PICK - The second to the last product is Zealios Sun Barrier SPF45. Technically, this one is tailored for endurance athletes, which gives you an idea of how high-performance this sunscreen is. If you want to swim for hours in Doctor’s Cave Beach or climb to the top of Blue Mountain Peak, but fear the consequences your skin will suffer, our fourth choice is made for you.
OUR TOP #5 PICK - Lastly, we present Banana Boat Sport Performance Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF50. The travel-friendly packaging of our final choice makes this ideal for those who don’t wish to carry around a huge bottle of sunscreen.
But before we look at each product up close, we have to discuss common questions asked about sunscreens.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sunscreens
If you have been using sunscreens your entire life, then you probably know all the answers to the questions we are about to tackle. But if you have never used sunscreens, then maybe our FAQs about these UV-repellent lotions will enlighten you.
1. When do I need to use sunscreen?
The most common misconception about sunscreens is that you only need it when there is “sun” for your lotion to “screen.” When in fact, you should always use sunscreens.
Always? Always. Harry Potter references aside, the harmful ultraviolet or UV rays that the sun emits choose no weather, location, or season.
There is literally no exception when it comes to sunscreen use. In fact, up to 80 percent of UV rays are still present even on cloudy days.
How about the winter season, do I still need it then? The answer is a resounding yes. Snow actually reflects the sun’s rays which raise the need for sunscreens. The same goes for trips to the beach; both water and sand reflect UV rays too.
2. Where do I need to use sunscreen?
If you are wondering whether you only need to use the best sunscreen for Jamaica or other tropical countries and not cold countries such as Canada, then look at our answer to the previous question.
Ultraviolet rays have unlimited access to your skin if unprotected. So it means that wherever you go, whatever the climate and temperature, you need to use sunscreen.
If you are wondering which parts of your body are more vulnerable, your face and neck (especially the nape of your neck) are most prone to sunburn. Although, we suggest that you cover every inch of your body that is exposed to the sun, including your ears, back of your knees, etc.
3. Why do we need to wear sunscreens?
Using sunscreens is one of the most effective ways for us to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.
Just how serious is skin cancer? Every 54 minutes, one person dies of melanoma.
Melanoma only accounts for one percent of overall skin cancer cases, but roughly 72 percent of deaths from all kinds of skin cancer is due to melanoma.
Skin cancer is no joke, but aside from that, wearing sunscreen also prevents our skin from getting sunburnt.
4. Who should wear sunscreens?
Again, there is no exception. While babies have a lower risk of skin cancer because they have less accumulated exposure to ultraviolet rays, the lack of sunscreen use in their early years will prove to be damaging in the long run.
The older we get, the higher the risk of developing skin cancer. Again, this is because of accumulated UV exposure.
While everyone should use one, there are certain people who need sunscreens the most, such as people with pale skin, freckles, blonde or red hair, etc.
5. How do you apply sunscreen lotions?
Sunscreens typically come with instructions since they sometimes vary. Generally, the rule is to apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes prior to exposing your skin to sunlight.
This time is necessary for your skin to fully absorb the sunscreen. If you head out too quick, the sunscreen is essentially rendered useless.
After applying and heading out to the beach or pool, you need to re-apply after every 120 minutes (or two hours).
This second part of the instructions varies between sunscreens. For best results, check the instructions on the bottle. Some sunscreens advise people to apply another layer of sunscreen every 80 minutes.
Sometimes, you need to apply layers sooner than 80-120 minutes. It depends on your activity and sweat. If you are going for a swim or are sweating, you need to apply another layer sooner.
6. What sunscreen should I look for?
This depends on a lot of factors. Namely, skin type, skin condition, sensitivity, potential activity, and preferences for ingredients (including fragrances).
The first factor is skin type. If you are oily, you should go for sunscreens that are oil-free to prevent excess grease and non-comedogenic sunscreens to avoid acne breakouts.
If you have dry skin, go for deeply moisturizing sunscreens.Next factor is your skin condition. If you are Acne-prone or have Eczema and Rosacea, then search for sunscreens that are non-comedogenic and recommended for sensitive skin.
The third factor is sensitivity. If you have allergies to certain ingredients, then you might be more inclined to try sunscreens that are free of chemicals, sulfates, and parabens.
Potential activity is the fourth factor. If you are heading to the beach for a swim or doing any activity which may cause you to sweat a lot, there are many sunscreens that are water and sweat-resistant.
Lastly, if you have a preference for physical sunscreens over chemical ones, then search for sunscreens that have Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Those two ingredients are safe and natural.
If you also have a sensitive nose, you may prefer sunscreens that are fragrance-free.
Nonetheless, we do have our own recommendations. Without further ado, read on for a breakdown of our top five picks for the best sunscreen for Jamaica.
Product Reviews: Our Top Picks for the Best Sunscreen for Jamaica
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Our ultimate choice is Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen. This sunscreen has SPF30 which is ideally the minimum amount of SPF you need.
Despite being one of the two products in our list with the lowest SPF, we chose this product as the best sunscreen for your Jamaican vacation for many reasons.
It provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection through its efficient ingredients, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. These two are mineral sunscreens, ime and again and they provide physical sun protection which is considerably safer than their chemical counterparts.
For those with sensitive skin or certain skin conditions, this sunscreen is dermatologist-recommended.
Before we forget, the bottle changes color depending on the presence of ultraviolet rays. Yes, the bluer the bottle, the more UV rays are present in your surroundings.
So, when this bottle lights up, it’s your cue to put on some sunscreen.
Of course, as we mentioned, ultraviolet rays are everywhere, and there is no exception, so you should apply some with or without the blue color lighting up the bottle.
We loved how long-lasting and clear the formula was once our skin absorbed it. It is also water-resistant, so we had no worries when we went for a swim.
One downside is that it may be a little oily. So if your face tends to get oily, this may not be the sunscreen for you.
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This tropical-scented sunscreen takes you straight to the beach before you even get there.
It makes use of a unique technology to formulate their Sun-Sure formula; this one of a kind formula ensures that this sunscreen lasts longer than others.
Another plus is its hydrating ribbons which are infused with Silk. Its other ingredients, such as Shea Butter, Mango Seed Butter, Aloe Vera Juice, and Papaya Extract also provide up to 12 hours of moisture.
Shea Butter also reduces inflammation, and the Mango Seed Butter fights free radicals and soothes sunburnt skin. Both of which contain tons of vitamins, such as Vitamin A, C, and E.
Another ingredient that is rich in Vitamin C and A is Papaya Extract. It also brightens the skin and aids in clearing blemishes. Another acne-clearing ingredient is Aloe Vera Juice.
As for the UV-protecting properties of this sunscreen, its active ingredients are Avobenzone, Oxybenzone, and Octocrylene. These are powerful chemical sunscreens which may just keep you free from sunburns.
The moisturizing power of this sunscreen made us fall in love. More importantly, we were well protected from the sun. After hiking for hours, we were not burnt at all.
We also noticed that while it entered our eyes when we sweat, it did not sting.
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If you have sensitive skin, we know that finding the right sunscreen is no vacation. Which is why our third choice is Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF70.
The ingredients included in this sunscreen are Homosalate, Oxybenzone, Octisalate, Avobenzone, and Octocrylene. When these chemical sunscreens are fused together, they provide maximum protection.
But unlike other sunscreens with the same ingredients, this sunscreen makes use of Helioplex Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Technology.
This patented technology makes sure that the ingredients are more photostable for them to last longer and perform better.
It is also water-resistant and oil-free. We had no problem after a full day spent on the sunny beaches of Jamaica.
Since it is also made to provide relief for skin conditions such as Eczema, rashes, minor irritation, and itching, we had someone with sensitive skin test it out.
She has tried many sunscreens before, so she had high hopes for this one. At the end of the day, this sunscreen exceeded her ‘sensitive’ expectations.
We loved the lightweight formula, and it also absorbs fast. Of course, we had to wait 15 minutes before heading out.
Although, one thing we noticed was the strong scent. If you are looking for a fragrance-free sunscreen, this product may not be to your liking.
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Our fourth choice is Zealios Sun Barrier SPF45. This sunscreen is made for endurance athletes.
It achieves this level of sun protection through its ingredients. Zinc Oxide, Octinoxate, and Octisalate are all efficient shields against UV rays.
Zinc Oxide is a mineral ingredient that is commonly seen in sunscreens. Since it’s natural and safe to use, it is one of the most popular ingredients in the industry.
If you have sensitive skin, this ingredient also has the ability to reduce inflammation.
Aside from the high-quality sun protection we got from this sunscreen, it is also unscented which was refreshing considering we have tested a lot of fragrant ones.
Of course, we had to prove if it was really made for athletes. After hours of swimming in the Seven Mile Beach and cliff diving in Rick’s Cafe, it did not feel sticky and did not sting our eyes.
We frequently applied new layers since we were sweating a lot, but overall, we felt comfortable even after being exposed to the sun all day. Although, one of us has oily skin and she felt greasy afterward.
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Last item on our list for the best sunscreen for Jamaica is Banana Boat Sport Performance Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF50.
The first thing we noticed about this sunscreen was its ingredients. It contains Homosalate, Octocrylene, Octisalate, Avobenzone, and Oxybenzone. When combined, these ingredients are powerful shields against ultraviolet rays.
According to the instructions, we had to apply it half an hour before exposing our skin to sunlight. But surprisingly, our skin absorbed the formula pretty fast.
Of course, to be safe, we still followed their instructions. We were surprised how it left no greasy residue, and it also left no shine on our faces. Talk about looking great for the pictures.
One thing we did have to do to keep ourselves from being toasted was to reapply often throughout the day. So if you are not into the hassle of constantly applying layer after layer of sunscreen, this one may tire you out.
Although, since the packaging is small and travel-friendly, we had no problem carrying it around with us.
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The Bottom Line
Jamaica is a lovely, tropical country in the Caribbean and everyone should visit it at least once in their life.
When you decide to go on vacation there and swim in their stunning beaches, you should not forget to bring a sunscreen with you. Of course, don’t forget to reapply after roughly two hours to maximize the power of the sunscreen.
If you wonder which product we loved the most during our exciting trip to Jamaica, we declare Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF30 to be the clear winner.
Its physical ingredients were enough for us to like it, but of course, we had to test it out. After a full day’s worth of testing, it was long-lasting and water-resistant which was ideal for our trip to the beach.
The handy color-changing bottle also won us over since it reminded us time and again to put on another layer. That reminder may have saved us from being sunburnt, or even from potential skin cancer.
It may have taken some time for our skin to fully absorb the thick formula, but overall, it was worth the wait.
