- By Bornika Das
- Tue, 27 May 2025 10:03 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Spray vs Stick vs Liquid Sunscreen: With the sun shining brighter than ever, National Sunscreen Day 2025, also known as World Sunscreen Day, is observed on May 27 to serve as an important reminder of how important sunscreen is for skin health. Sunscreen protects the skin from harmful UV rays of the sun, reducing the risks of premature ageing, sun damage, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. It is to be noted that sunscreen is not just a seasonal summer product but must be used throughout the year, regardless of the weather or season. With the wide range of sunscreen options available in the market, including spray, stick and liquid sunscreen, it has become a daunting task to choose the right sunscreen as per lifestyle, skin types and situations in the summer season.
What Is Spray Sunscreen?
Spray sunscreen often comes in a mist or aerosol format and is generally lightweight and fast-drying. The texture and consistency vary from fine mist to watery, which needs to be rubbed in. Spray sunscreen tends to be non-greasy and can be used not only on the face but also on the body. Spray the sunscreen on the skin until it glistens and then rub the product to ensure that it gets fully absorbed into the skin. Spray sunscreen is perfect for outdoor and on-the-go use. It is useful for the areas which are hard to reach, such as the back or for a quick reapplication during outdoor activities.
What Is Stick Sunscreen?
Stick sunscreen comes in a solid, balm-like consistency which looks similar to lip balm or deodorant. It often feels waxy or creamy, gliding onto the skin with a thick layer that stays intact for a long. This can make stick sunscreen more difficult to rub into the skin. However, it is not always required to rub the stick sunscreen onto the skin like spray or liquid sunscreen. As stick formats tend to go on clear or semi-clear, it can be easy to underapply.. While people can roll the stick sunscreen once, firmly and evenly cover the entire surface of the skin, it is a liberal approach to roll over the same area four to five times to build up an even protective layer. Stick sunscreen is good for face use, especially for those who want a mess-free, water-resistant option. Besides, they are great for touch-ups and on-the-go protection.
Sunscreen Is A Summer Skincare Essential (Image Credits: Canva)
What Is Liquid Sunscreen?
Liquid sunscreen, as the name suggests, is nothing but sunscreen in a fluid form. There are various categories of liquid sunscreens:
Creamy Sunscreen: They are thicker and more moisturising, making them ideal for dry or mature skin.
Gel Sunscreen: They have a more gelatinous consistency that glides across the skin and often feels more silicone-like than traditional liquid SPFs.
Serum Sunscreen: They are lightweight on the skin, get quickly absorbed and are packed with skin-friendly ingredients. This category of liquid sunscreen works great for combination or oily skin types and under makeup.
Liquid sunscreen has watery fluids and is super thin and runny. This sunscreen feels weightless on the skin and is ideal for layering. Only a nickel-to-quarter-sized amount is required for the face. Liquid sunscreen is one of the most commonly used formats of sunscreen.
Spray vs Stick vs Liquid Sunscreen: Which One To Choose For Summer?
Sunscreen depends on the type of skin, lifestyle and how likely it needs to be reapplied. If people spend hours outdoors, opt for water-resistant stick sunscreen or spray sunscreen. However, for skincare-focused or makeup-based usage, serum sunscreen and lightweight liquid sunscreen are go-to options. However, if the skin is dry or reactive, opt for creamy formulas for added moisture.
Moreover, if you do not like the thick or greasy feeling of the sunscreen, avoid heavy liquid formulas. Consider the skin type and opt for the sunscreen accordingly. For instance, for acne-prone skin, opt for water-resistant formulas. It is important to remember that you can apply one type of sunscreen initially and use a different one to reapply and touch up throughout the day. You don’t have to limit to just one sunscreen type.
This summer, no matter what format you use, choose the sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and make sure you’re using enough of it.
ALSO READ: Why Sunscreen Is A Summer Must-Have? Tips To Pick The Right Sunscreen For Your Skin