OOH! I have to tell you about Banana Boat Ultra Defense Continuous Spray Sunblock ($9.99).
It’s probably the best waterproof aerosol sunblock I’ve ever used and has only a couple little downsides.
What I like
First, the good stuff — it’s a broad-spectrum sun protectant offering both UVA/UVB protection and comes in three potencies, SPF 30, 50 and the uber-powerful 85.
SPF is all well and good, but why I really love it is because it works like a lotion and not a flighty spray. Most of the spray sunscreens I’ve used before are too light and watery, requiring hella frequent reapplication, almost like they evaporate away even when I’m not playing around in the water, but Banana Boat didn’t just stamp “waterproof” on the bottle and call it good; this stuff is WATERPROOF INCARNATE and lasts for hours and hours.
I like spraying it on, too, because it feels cool on the skin, kinda like one of those water misters at the mall, and it’s enriched with Aloe Vera, which means a lot to me. I’m a firm believer in Aloe’s ability to help heal mild sunburns.
Even though it’s rub-free and all you have to do is quickly spray it everywhere you want it, I still like to spray some into a cupped hand, rub my palms together and apply the product to my face with my fingertips. It’s easier for me to get it up into my hairline that way and around the back of my ears without spritzing any onto my lips (it doesn’t taste great, but I like the light floral fragrance) or into the corners of my eyes.
Unlike every other aerosol sunblock I’ve used before, a little really DOES go a long way, which may explain its main downside…
What I don’t like
Did I mention that it’s waterproof? Nay, not just waterproof; it hates water like Tabs hates the vet, and perhaps consequently it feels slightly greasy.
But if you’re looking for a good all-purpose waterproof sunscreen you can apply in a hot second, Banana Boat Ultra Defense SPF 30-85 gets a BIG gold star.
Banana Boat Ultra Defense Continuous Spray Sunblock
Price: $9.99 (juuuust under $10), 6 fl. oz.
Use: A waterproof continuous spray sunblock with Aloe
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Maybe I should recommend this stuff to my sister. She works outside all day and gets a real obvious farmer’s tan, ’cause she’s too lazy to reapply during her lunch break. About how long does a can of it last?
I’ve never tried a spray on sunblock before. We don’t have this one here I think. The only spray ones I’ve seen is by Neutrogena. I’m always on the lookout for new sunblocks to try. Thanks for the review!
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“it hates water like Tabs hates the vet” :snorts: I love that sentence. Zena is never too thrilled going to the vet either. She whines the entire way there along with roaming around the back seat wondering why she can’t be in the front and then sleeps all the way back home. We finally had enough of her roaming in the backseat and got her a harness that attaches to a seatbelt so she can’t move!
I’ve finally (after months and months and months of positive reinforcement training) gotten her to the point that the vet can clip her toenails with just a vet assistant holding her. She doesn’t wage WWIII anymore but that doesn’t mean you can’t see it in her eyes. She just stares at me saying, “I dun like this, sissy. I DON’T LIKE IT! Tell them to get away from my paws!!!!!!!!” She’s particular about her paws. She’s fine with anything else but those darned paws.
It looks like the next time we go to the vet to get her toenails trimmed, we’re going to have to pick up another 2 bags of C.E.T. Chews. It appears we’re running low on them. Absolutely vile smell but good for her teeth.
I love the Bananaboat oil sun products because of the wondefull exotic fragrances! I have never tried this one, but I think I will try it this year!
Sounds like heaven. Most sunblocks I’ve tried were enormously greasy after swimming anyways…
Hey there Karen — thanks for this find! I realize I have to be more conscientious in using sunblock since I love the sun and am always out in it. I will give this a try! 🙂 Enjoy!
Hi Karen! I haven’t been here in over a year – love the changes you’ve made! I just noticed Ultra Defense the other day and now I think I’ll go ahead and try it. My worry about sunblock sprays were similar to yours, i.e., too thin/watery. Hi to the fam!
I used this sunblock while vacationing in Hawaii and LOVED it! (I actually liked how it left a little bit of gleam on my gams.)
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Hi Karen,
I’m looking for a good cheap sunblock for both face and body since packing light is very important. I don’t plan on being in the water but I’m going to a part of India with both really high temp and humidity. Do you think this would be good? Thanks for the help!
I totally swear by Aloe Vera too. When we were kids my mom had an Aloe Vera plant in the garden (she may still have it now that I think about it) and she used to actually cut pieces off and rub the Aloe in its natural state on our skin when we would get sunburns. It was slimy but very cooling and soothing. It was the 80s. Mom didn’t know better than to prevent sunburns in the first place. Heck, we used to use tanning oil back then. SPF 8 was considered sunscreen. How times change. Now I’m religious about Protecting against the sun. I think I’m going to try this one since I’ll be in the sun a lot this summer. 🙂
You said it feels slightly greasy but does it give you a greasy shine too? I love spray sunblocks! It makes my routine so easy. I cup my hands and apply it to my face too! I just dont like greasy ones for the face as I already have oily/combo skin.