Banana Boat

Banana Boat Dry Oil Clear Sunscreen Spray

Name: Banana Boat - Dry Oil Clear Sunscreen Spray
Brand: Banana Boat

SPF 4Efficacy0/100IrritancyMedium·3 UV filters

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Works for

0 of 2 advertised claims delivered

Sun protection

SPF 4 · 3 UV filters · Broad spectrum

No real protectionSPF too low

SPF 4Broad spectrumChemical filtersWater-resistantNo white cast

This product does not offer sun protection, or it is very low.

This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.

UV spectrum

UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm

Homosalate

Octocrylene

Avobenzone

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

HomosalateUVB Photo-stable A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation5%

OctocryleneUVB Photo-stable A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen3.5%

AvobenzoneButyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneUVA1Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.1.5%

Reef-safe

No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.

Anti-aging

1 ingredient credited for this claim

Weak support

What the product description says

“Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging.”

Source: Walgreens

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

Ascorbyl palmitateEffect: Low, below effective doseBeing a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.~0.4–0.9%

Moisturizing

Not advertised by the brand · 11 ingredients credited for this claim

Strong support

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: cocos nucifera oil, vitis vinifera seed oil.

Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: paraffinum liquidum

Cocos nucifera oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic~0.4–0.95%

Vitis vinifera seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties~0.15–0.7%

Paraffinum liquidumHero· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighMineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function~3–4.5%

Methyl dihydroabietateKey activeEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.85–1.3%

Olea europaea fruit oilKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation~0.35–0.8%

Diisopropyl adipateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~3.9–5.8%

IsododecaneKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture~4.7–7%

Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~1–1.6%

PanthenolUnder-dosedEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.1–0.35%

Argania spinosa kernel oilUnder-dosedEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties~0.55–1.3%

Aloe barbadensis leaf extractEffect: Low, below effective doseTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin~0.15–0.65%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

2 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Parfum

Medium risk

We flagged 14 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~23–35%est.

Isobutane—High~5.8–8.7%est.

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.5–1.15%est.

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneAvobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.Medium1.5%

HomosalateA weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulationMedium5%

OctocryleneA weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreenMedium3.5%

Lauryl peg-8 dimethiconeA type of silicone that helps water and oil mix togetherMedium~1.9–2.8%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~1–1.6%est.

Argania spinosa kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~0.55–1.3%est.

Ascorbyl palmitateBeing a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.Medium~0.4–0.9%est.

Olea europaea fruit oilAn emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammationMedium~0.35–0.8%est.

Tocopheryl acetateA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.Medium~0.15–0.6%est.

Vitis vinifera seed oilA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~0.15–0.7%est.

Aloe barbadensis leaf extractTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~0.15–0.65%est.

Comedogenic

1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

1 flagged

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Cocos nucifera oilAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic3/5~0.4–0.95%est.

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Equate Kids Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Spray, , SPF 50

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane1.5%

UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Sun protection

Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.

More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane

Homosalate5%

UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Sun protection

A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation

More about Homosalate

Octocrylene3.5%

UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Sun protection

A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen

More about Octocrylene

Alcohol denat.~23–35%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products

More about Alcohol denat.

Isobutane~5.8–8.7%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

More about Isobutane

Isododecane~4.7–7%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture

More about Isododecane

Diisopropyl adipate~3.9–5.8%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Diisopropyl adipate

Paraffinum liquidum~3–4.5%

Hero · Moisturizing

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function

More about Paraffinum liquidum

Lauryl peg-8 dimethicone~1.9–2.8%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together

More about Lauryl peg-8 dimethicone

Phenylisopropyl dimethicone~1.5–2.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Phenylisopropyl dimethicone

Polyglyceryl-3 stearate/isostearate/dimer dilinoleate crosspolymer~1.2–1.8%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Polyglyceryl-3 stearate/isostearate/dimer dilinoleate crosspolymer

Caprylyl glycol~1–1.6%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol

Methyl dihydroabietate~0.85–1.3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Methyl dihydroabietate

Parfum~0.5–1.15%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum

Argania spinosa kernel oil~0.55–1.3%

Under-dosedIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties

More about Argania spinosa kernel oil

Ascorbyl palmitate~0.4–0.9%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidationAnti-aging

Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.

More about Ascorbyl palmitate

Cocos nucifera oil~0.4–0.95%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic

More about Cocos nucifera oil

Olea europaea fruit oil~0.35–0.8%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation

More about Olea europaea fruit oil

Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.6%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidation

A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.

More about Tocopheryl acetate

Vitis vinifera seed oil~0.15–0.7%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties

More about Vitis vinifera seed oil

Panthenol~0.1–0.35%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Reduces rednessMoisturizingReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol

Water~0.1–0.35%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.15–0.65%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extract

Ingredient list view

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Alcohol denat., Isobutane, Isododecane, Diisopropyl adipate, Paraffinum liquidum, Lauryl peg-8 dimethicone, Phenylisopropyl dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 stearate/isostearate/dimer dilinoleate crosspolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Methyl dihydroabietate, Parfum, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Ascorbyl palmitate, Cocos nucifera oil, Olea europaea fruit oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Panthenol, Water, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract

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$12.99

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	Banana BoatDry Oil Clear Sunscreen SprayYOUR PRODUCT	Hawaiian TropicSunscreen Spray SPF 50	EquateKids Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Spray, , SPF 50	WalgreensKids SPF50 Continuous Spray
Match	—	63%	53%	52%
Price	$7.49	$10.49+$3.00	$4.88−$2.61	$8.99+$1.50
Shared key ingredients	—	5 of 8	5 of 8	5 of 8
Key difference	—	Dimethicone	—	—
Irritancy	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
SPF	SPF 4	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 50
Drying alcohol	Contains drying alcohol	Contains drying alcohol	Contains drying alcohol	Contains drying alcohol
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Product summary

"Banana Boat - Dry Oil Clear Sunscreen Spray" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this product does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.

It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.

Sunscreen filters

This is a so-called" chemical "sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 1.50% (declared), homosalate 5.00% (declared) and octocrylene 3.50% (declared).

Irritation risk

There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here

You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.