Banana Boat Protective Spray Oil , SPF 15
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 3 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Paraffinum liquidum, Cocos nucifera oil + 6 moreWorks well
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
Anti-agingSide benefit · Retinyl palmitate, TocopherolMay help
This product contains retinyl palmitate. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Retinyl palmitateMay help
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: retinyl palmitate.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Sd alcohol 40 + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneOctocrylene5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 OctocryleneBenzophenone-33%
- Irritation risk
- High
Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption
More about Benzophenone-3Sd alcohol 40~26–38%
- Irritation risk
- High
A drying alcohol. Mainly used to dissolve other ingredients. Can increase the irritation potential of the formula
More about Sd alcohol 40Paraffinum liquidum~6.5–9.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 liquidumC12-15 alkyl lactate~5.1–7.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Trimethylolpropane tricaprylate/tricaprate~4.4–6.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexyl benzoate~3.4–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cocos nucifera oil~2.8–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera oilVitis vinifera seed oil~2.3–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oilCetearyl ethylhexanoate~2–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Cetearyl ethylhexanoateDicaprylyl carbonate~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateAcrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caprylyl glycol~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolDimethyl capramide~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients, especially sunscreens
More about Dimethyl capramideTocopherol~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolRetinyl palmitate~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 extractParfum~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Benzophenone-3, Sd alcohol 40, Paraffinum liquidum, C12-15 alkyl lactate, Trimethylolpropane tricaprylate/tricaprate, Ethylhexyl benzoate, Cocos nucifera oil, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Cetearyl ethylhexanoate, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Dimethyl capramide, Tocopherol, Retinyl palmitate, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Parfum
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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.
| Banana BoatProtective Spray Oil , SPF 15YOUR PRODUCT | Hawaiian TropicDry Oil Clear Spray Sunscreen SPF 30 | EquateUltra Protection Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 50 | CoppertoneUltraGuard Continuous Sunscreen Spray SPF 30, Twin Pack , 2 ea | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 63% | 63% | 60% |
| Price | $34.81 | $18.29−$16.52 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Homosalate | Homosalate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | High |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Walgreens Kids SPF50 Continuous SprayNivea Kids Protect & Care Sun Lotion SPF 50+
Product summary
"Banana Boat - Protective Spray Oil, SPF 15" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, it does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called" chemical "sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: oxybenzone 3.00% (declared), avobenzone 3.00% (declared) and octocrylene 5.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
It contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 22.32$ up to 31.04$ in the United States and for 22.83£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 4A review on the extensive skin benefits of mineral oilncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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