Best water-resistant sunscreens in India whether you're swimming in the Maldives or sweating in Mumbai

Practice safe SPF

Maybe the stars finally align and your closest friends all manage to get time off in the same week. Your Bali Pinterest board springs to life — beachside villa with infinity pool, floating breakfast, enthusiastic tour guides choreographing your Instagram photos.

In direct contrast to your regular life immersed in deadlines and traffic, you plan to spend so much time floating in clear blue waters that your body might decide to grow a set of gills.

After hunting down the best swimsuits for every day of your vacation (check out our selection for curvy hips here), there’s only one piece left to complete this postcard-perfect puzzle: the best water resistant sunscreens that won’t drip off your face like ice cream left out of the refrigerator.

You know the drill: two fingers-worth of trusted SPF smeared over your face and neck, then reapplied every two hours especially if you’re swimming in the Maldives or sweating in Mumbai.

But opting for water resistant sunscreens in India is going to ensure your skin stays extra protected thanks to “ingredients with adhesive behaviour — sticking to the skin and preventing water and sweat from wiping them off,” Dr. Anna Chacon tells The Strategist, recommending you look for perlite and silica on the back of the pack.

The best part about these water resistant sunscreens in India is that they can pull double-duty once you’re back home and nursing a holiday hangover in our hot, tropical climate.

After all, sweating is our national sport.

Water resistant sunscreens in India that live up to their name

Nivea Sun SPF 50+

There’s a reason this old-school name remains popular — it’s no-fuss but gets the job done. A word to the wise: be prepared for a slight white cast, though it’s a small trade-off for a budget-friendly option amidst water resistant sunscreens available in India.

Buy the Nivea Sun SPF here, ₹495

Re’equil Ultra Matte Dry Touch Sunscreen gel

If you’re fussy about the texture of your sunscreen and hate that sticky, goopy feeling, this matte finish product with SPF 50+ has been winning fans for its formulation. Other than being water-resistant and suited to an active lifestyle, it also works as a base for women who wear a full face of makeup every day, according to the many gushing reviews online.

Buy the Re’equil Ultra Matte sunscreen here, ₹390 – ₹780

Suncros Matte Finish Soft Gel sunscreen

Recommended by dermatologist Rupali Pavaskar on our Instagram, the water resistant formula with zinc oxide provides protection for up to 8 hours. According to Pavaskar, a “test for water proofing is that water will glide off sunscreen-covered skin without actually wetting the skin”.

Buy the Suncros Matte Finish Soft Gel sunscreen here, ₹670

Sun Scoop Invisible Sunscreen

With ingredients like octocrylene and avobenzone, Sun Scoop’s gel sunscreen promises SPF 40+ protection and doubles up as a primer. It’s been enriched with hydrating vitamin E, and anti-inflammatory argan oil and monoi oil. If you have sensitive skin, this one’s a safe bet.

Buy the Sun Scoop Invisible sunscreen here, ₹675

Neutrogena Sport Face

Armed with the brand’s patented helioplex technology, this was designed for athletes so you know it’s no dark horse in the SPF races. It’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes and offers SPF 70+, though we still recommend a do-over once you’ve emerged from the pool. Relegate this to outdoor duty if the oily post-application sheen doesn’t suit your skin type and stick to a matte option for regular use.

Buy the Neutrogena Sport Face here, ₹1,018

Shiseido Perfect UV Protector

If water resistant sunscreens had a kitty party, this would be the South Delhi heiress who wears 10-carat tennis bracelets to go sabji shopping. Its watery texture feels sophisticated compared to most options on the market, and it really does disappear into your skin without a trace, while still working hard under the surface. As one reviewer said, this chemical sunscreen is a “delight (to wear) under makeup”. It’s also reef-safe, thanks to the exclusion of oxybenzone.

Buy Shiseido Perfect UV Protector, ₹3,150