12 Beach Bag Must-Haves

The criteria for the perfect beach tote: Sturdy, roomy, and super cute. We think this beaded, cobalt blue, woven carryall fits the bill.

This sunscreen not only protects skin against both UVA and UVB rays, but also cools overheated skin on contact, dropping its temperature by 4 degrees.

You’re good at coating your face and body with sunscreen (right?), but what about your lips? The thin-skinned, often-neglected area is especially vulnerable to sunburn. With SPF 30, aloe, and vitamin E, these balms pack serious protection and hydration. Plus, they come in fun, beachy flavors like Mango and Coconut.

UV filters in hair products usually work strictly on your strands -- good news for your hair color, but bad news for your scalp. This leave-in conditioner has real SPF 15, made up of sunscreen ingredients typically found in skin products, and works on both your hair and delicate scalp skin. Apply it after every dip in the ocean.

Your favorite flip-flops have been streamlined. This season, the must-have sandal has a thinner foot bed and slimmer, shorter straps.

In theory, spray sunscreens are great for seaside touch-ups, but catch an ocean breeze and the fine mist usually ends up everywhere but your skin. Enter Accuspray technology. The nozzle on this new spritz was designed to give you more control so the SPF goes exactly where you want it, not out to sea.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the hard-to-reach back is the number one spot for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Fortunately, a new gadget has your back -- literally. Pop in a can of aerosol sunscreen (it holds most standard-size spray cans) and use the trigger on the handle to start spraying at any angle.

It’s a headband...it’s a visor...and if you play beach volleyball, it’s your new best friend. The stretchy, jersey material keeps your hair off your face, while the brim keeps the sun out of your eyes.

We all love the perfectly imperfect hair waves we get from the ocean, but all that salt water and wind can also make for some gnarly tangles. To prevent knots, stash a wide-tooth comb in your bag and have a post-swim detangling session.

Shield your eyes in style with a pair of brightly colored, retro-inspired sunglasses.

This towel doesn’t just soak up sweat; it cools to 30 degrees below your body temperature in a minute -- and the effect lasts up to two hours. So cool!

No beach bag is complete without a hat, preferably one with an all-around brim to shade your scalp, face, and neck. This beachy-chic fedora does all that and has a UPF (the fabric equivalent of SPF) of 30.