What to Know About the Right Sunscreens for High UV Zone Travel

Not all vacation destinations pose the same level of threat to our skin – and sometimes, the riskiest places often catch us by surprise. High altitude and equatorial regions offer some of the most stunning and exotic nature in the world, but both are stressful for our skin. So, we need to come prepared.

When moving towards the equator or climbing higher in elevation, the sun’s rays become more potent. Australia is the country with the highest skin cancer rates, yet neither of these applies. Instead, it’s ozone thinning mixed with a light-skinned population. There are a lot of factors to take into account!

Ultimately, you needn’t work out why a place is dangerous, you simply need to look at its UV index and your planned activities. Sun protection is non-negotiable.

To stay protected, you actually need more than just a bottle of lotion – you need an understanding of the risks, choosing the right product, and how you use it. Ultimately, the best sunscreens for travel will come down to what’s healthiest for you and the environment.

The sunscreen routine for travel

Responsible sun exposure is the most important thing – and it’s a cumulative effort. In high-UV regions like Cancún, the “apply once and forget” mentality is a huge cause of sunburns. 

A daily travel routine should begin with a generous application of broad-spectrum sunscreen around 15 minutes before stepping outdoors – not 15 minutes after. The routine doesn’t end there. You need to reapply more if:

• It’s humid (sweat)
• Physical activity like hiking (sweat)
• Salt water exposure 
• Swimming
• Out all day

The only time an “apply once” approach is okay is if the UV index isn’t too high and you leave the house only a couple of hours before sunset.

Answering travelers’ most asked questions about sunscreen

I’m going somewhere that is frequently cloudy – do I need sunscreen?

Yes, UV rays penetrate clouds. Iceland is a great example as it’s popular, frequently cloudy, and in the Arctic Circle. Yet, it can still have high UV in the summer and no sunset/more daylight hours tht are potentially harmful.

What makes a sunscreen ideal for those traveling to regions with high UV radiation?

Sunscreens create a physical barrier on the skin, reflecting harmful UV rays. Their formulas guarantee protection suitable for all skin types. Unlike chemical filters that absorb UV and convert it into heat, the best sunscreens for travel are often mineral-based, containing Zinc Oxide, and work immediately upon application to bounce radiation away.

How can travelers maintain skin hydration while using sun protection products?

UV exposure causes water loss, which can leave the skin feeling tight and dry. Good sunscreens typically contain moisturizing ingredients that protect the skin from dryness. Ideally, you won’t need your usual moisturizer as you’ll be applying lots of sunscreen – just make sure to choose formulas with emollients, and moisturize at night.

Are sunscreens now safer for the environment than other chemical alternatives when traveling to coastal or marine destinations?

Sunscreens are beginning to reduce their ecological footprint as they avoid certain chemical filters, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have previously harmed marine ecosystems. It’s a scientific innovation, which is often marketed as modern filters, that helps align with safe practices to protect both skin and the planet. This is especially important for travelers who are visiting coral reefs or protected marine sanctuaries to consider.

The science and innovation of “protect and repair”

In vacation destinations with extreme solar radiation, blocking the sun is really only the first step. Advanced travel sunscreens now make use of ingredients that actively work to repair the skin at a cellular level. This helps concede that even with perfect application, some UV exposure is inevitable.

• Zinc Oxide: This mineral filter is the gold standard for high-UV travel, make sure to check it’s in the ingredients. It offers the broadest protection for both UVA and UVB spectrums. It is non-irritating too, so it’s ideal for skin that is already stressed by wind, salt, or changing climates (e.g., surfing destinations).
• DNA Repairsomes®: This is an innovation within photoprotection. These are encapsulated photolyase enzymes that help identify and repair the DNA damage caused by UV rays. When spending eight hours walking around the pyramids or the Alps, these are the enzymes that repair the inevitable damage that is happening.
• Peptide Q10 and Peptide Complex: Constant sun exposure speeds up the breakdown of collagen – this is what causes the “traveler’s skin”. It’s a weathered, leathery appearance that older people who sunbathe a lot get. Peptide Q10 promotes cellular energy and antioxidant defense, and the Peptide Complex is the signal to maintain skin elasticity – both attempt to counter the aging effects of intense solar radiation.
• Vitamin E (Tocopherol): Vitamin E is an antioxidant that works with sun filters to neutralize free radicals. It also provides nourishment, making the skin soft.

Addressing the benzene and oxybenzone concerns

As travelers begin to research the best products for their trip, they may come across social media posts about sunscreen safety. There has been a dangerous moral panic on this topic, encouraging people to go on vacation with no sunscreen.

The benzene concern

In recent years, an independent lab detected benzene in some sunscreen batches. However, benzene is not an ingredient in sunscreen – it was contamination, and it was found mostly in aerosols during the manufacturing process. For travelers who want to be ultra cautious, choose reputable brands, but also prioritize lotion/cream-based formulas instead of aerosols.

The oxybenzone debate

Oxybenzone has been criticized for potential hormone disruption, but these fears are largely considered overblown by the dermatological community. A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD) applied sunscreen to three-quarters of their body, 4 times a day, for four days. Oxybenzone was found to enter the bloodstream, but not its toxic threshold. Furthermore, most modern sunscreens do not use oxybenzone.

Respecting nature

Responsible travel is all about respecting your body, the new climate you’re in, and the planet more broadly. By going with a premium lotion, you can achieve maximum protection, additional benefits for repairing any damage that is done, and minimize the impact on reefs. While SPF is important, this should not be the primary factor in your decision, but the other ingredients used, too!

Hope this has helped your decisions for the right sunscreens for travel.