Know what can ruin a summer trip just as much as a flight delay? A sunburn! Not only are they painful, but they're also a threat to your wellbeing. As the number one cause of skin cancer, excess ultraviolet rays can wreak havoc on your skin and your health.
Don’t get burnt on the summer vacation you’ve been looking forward to all year. Be sun smart and protect yourself this season with the following items to help you enjoy your time outside safely. Because nobody’s idea of a fun holiday is sitting up in a hotel room re-applying aloe with the AC on blast.
Travel Essentials to Keep You Safe in the Sun
Here are seven must-pack essentials every traveler should take along for a sunny summer getaway.
Goddess Garden SPF 50 Reef Safe Sunscreen
The top tool in any arsenal for fighting the sun’s harmful rays is a robust and reliable sunscreen. Goddess Garden’s SPF 50 Sunscreen should be your go-to choice when it comes to slapping on cream to avoid a brutal burn at the end of the beach day. With destinations like Key West and Hawaii banning chemically saturated sunscreens, you’ll be happy to know that Goddess Garden’s formula is free from harsh toxins and reef safe protecting not only your skin but the environment too. Available in Baby, Kids, and Sport styles, the 3.4 oz tube is the best choice for travelers as it falls in line with the TSA’s carry-on regulations.
Amazon User Review: “My daughter has super sensitive skin, this is the only sunscreen I’ve found so far that has been super gentle yet protects. I also love that it doesn’t feel like she has sunscreen on. Not greasy.”
Price: Starting at $14.99 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4.5
SUNGAIT Vintage Round Sunglasses
With nearly 3,000 five-star reviews, not many customers can throw shade at these sleek sunglasses from SUNGAIT. As Amazon’s #1 bestseller, SUNGAIT's UV400 protective lens block out 100% of UVA/UVB rays and are available in both polarized and non-polarized options for year-round usage. With 13 different color and lens combos, the most glare these glasses will give you is from staring at your screen trying to figure out which style to add to your cart.
Amazon User Review: “So far these sunglasses are perfect. They really block out the sun. They are a good size and fit my head nicely. They do not hurt when I wear them for long periods of time as some sunglasses do. They also came in a nice little soft case, came with a cleaning fabric, and a little screw thing to tighten or loosen the glasses as needed. I’m very impressed with these sunglasses!”
Price: Starting at $14.99 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4.7
Lanzom Women’s Wide Brim Panama Hat UPF50+
Who doesn't like toppings? Just pop a hat on, and you've got one of the simplest yet stylish ways to stay safe in the sun this season. Lanzom’s Wide Brim Panama Hat fits the bill as a sleek way to protect yourself from the summer rays. Available in over 30 different styles, so you shouldn't have any issues finding a fit that works with your wardrobe. It’s sturdy yet foldable design makes it perfect for taking along on trips, whether it be to the beach or just sightseeing on sunny days.
Amazon User Review: “loved this hat for traveling because it folds up and pops out to the perfect size! not too big - like floppy hat big - but wide enough to protect your face from the sun on a hot day of exploring.”
Price: Starting at $15.99 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4.5
O’Neill Men’s Hybrid UPF50+ Sun Shirt
The days when swimming in a shirt was a fashion faux pas are over. Know what’s less fashionable than wearing a shirt in the pool? A bright red sunburn with a hand mark of where you missed rubbing in the sunscreen on your back. With O'Neill's UPF50+ Hybrid Longsleeve Surf Tee your worries are over. Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, this sun shirt is a perfect choice to shield you from harmful UV rays if you're out at the beach, fishing, surfing, or swimming. HyperDry fabric dries three times faster than cotton so you won’t feel soggy after an afternoon of splashing around.
Amazon User Review: “I got this for a trip to the Caribbean and was out in the sun and in the water a good chunk of the day. Didn't get sunburnt. And even in water it was comfortable and not "weighty" like a cotton shirt would be.”
Price: Starting at $27.28 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 3.8
EltaMD UV Lip Balm SPF 31
Kiss those chapped dry lips goodbye with EltaMD’s UV Lip Balm. Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation this balm is also the top choice by dermatologists for protecting your smoochers. Suitable for all skin types and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Your lips will be safe from cracking, chapping, and harmful UV rays with an SPF of 31. The only other feature they could add to this best selling balm is to protect your lips from taking duckface selfies.
Amazon User Review: “Worked well for our 10 day vacation to the Caribbean. All chemical sunscreen make my lips very sensitive. This mineral sunscreen was completely different. I will continue to use it for any upcoming outdoor activities!”
Price: $11.00 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4.2
Sport-Brella Versa-Brella SPF50+ Adjustable Umbrella
I’ll refrain from the obvious Rihanna joke and let you know that the Sport-Brella Versa-Brella just work, work, works. This travel-friendly umbrella is a solid choice for outdoor adventurers looking to shield themselves from the sun's scorching rays. Lightweight and sturdy, the Versa-Brella swivels 360 degrees to cover you from any angle. Its universal clamp connects to chairs, strollers, and even golf bags. Weighing only 1.8 pounds, it easily folds into a compact carrying case. You'll have no problems toting it along with you on your next trip.
Amazon User Review: “This is the second Cancun trip with this item. It is great! My wife likes no sun so this allows us to pull a beach chairs together and I can set it up and "boom" no sun for her. The clamp holds up in wind and the adjustable angles that the umbrella has allows you to sort of aim the shade. Great product and it fits into a suitcase!!”
Price: Starting at $17.99 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4.0
Buff UV Multifunctional Headwear
Form and function. With 12 different ways to wear Buff UV's multifunctional headwear, you're sure to be covered in any situation. A new spin on the already popular piece, Buff added extra UV protection to this version of company’s best-selling multifunctional headpiece to up the ante. Constructed of quick-drying breathable polyester with 95% UV protection built-in, protecting your neck has never been easier. A favorite for fishermen, Buffs are perfect for reducing the impact of harmful UV rays reflecting off the water.
Amazon User Review: “This works perfectly to protect my neck and other parts of my head and face from bright sun in Florida waters. This was my first Buff UV item and I use it when I am out on the Gulf, in the Atlantic, or even just in local streams and lakes while I work on a nationally syndicated TV fishing show. Almost every professional boat captain I've been with has one on when we go out and they all swear by it's protection and as a quality item.”
Price: Starting at $18.80 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4.5
Featured image by Africa Studio / shutterstock.com - Product images courtesy of Amazon.com
