Banana Boat Ultra Defense Sheer Protect Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 5 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
Anti-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Banana Boat Ultra Defense Lotion with patented AvoTriplex technology provides UVA/UVB sunscreen protection from sunburn, damaging UV rays and the visible effects of skin aging, in a sheer feel lotion that's proven in the sun to be long lasting and effective.”
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
These ingredients in the product might also be helpful for reducing and preventing fine lines, wrinkles, and skin elasticity, even though there is no conclusive evidence for their effectiveness: retinyl palmitate.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 10 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Retinyl palmitate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Stearyl alcohol~5.3–6.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholGlycerin~4.2–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinCaprylyl glycol~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolHydrogenated dimer dilinoleyl/dimethylcarbonate copolymer~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~2–2.4%
- 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 juiceTocopheryl acetate~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acetateTocopherol~1.4–1.8%
- 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~1.2–1.5%
- 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 palmitateTocopherol~1–1.2%
- 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 TocopherolSodium lauroyl sarcosinate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Sodium lauroyl sarcosinateBehenyl alcohol~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateDisodium ethylene dicocamide peg-15 disulfate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Disodium ethylene dicocamide peg-15 disulfateCetyl alcohol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholDimethyl capramide~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients, especially sunscreens
More about Dimethyl capramideCetearyl alcohol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholSodium lauroyl lactylate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium lauroyl lactylateLecithin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinCarbomer~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerXanthan gum~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumMethyldibromo glutaronitrile~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Methylchloroisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Is a frequent allergen in cosmetics
More about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMethylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Phenoxyethanol~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolDisodium edta~0.35–0.65%
Triethanolamine~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineBht~0.35–0.65%
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane1%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not 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
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateOctocrylene0.8%
- 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-34%
- 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-3Water~0.4–0.6%
Stearyl alcohol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholGlycerin~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinCaprylyl glycol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolHydrogenated dimer dilinoleyl/dimethylcarbonate copolymer~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Triethanolamine~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineCetyl alcohol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholCarbomer~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerGlyceryl stearate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateBehenyl alcohol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholXanthan gum~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium lauroyl sarcosinate~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Sodium lauroyl sarcosinateDisodium edta~0.35–0.65%
Dipropylene glycol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolDisodium ethylene dicocamide peg-15 disulfate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Disodium ethylene dicocamide peg-15 disulfateGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateBht~0.3–0.55%
Cetearyl alcohol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholSodium lauroyl lactylate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium lauroyl lactylateRetinyl palmitate~0.25–0.5%
- 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 palmitateTocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acetateLecithin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.15–0.3%
- 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 juicePhenoxyethanol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMethyldibromo glutaronitrile~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Methylchloroisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Is a frequent allergen in cosmetics
More about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMethylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Ingredient list view
Water, Stearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Caprylyl glycol, Hydrogenated dimer dilinoleyl/dimethylcarbonate copolymer, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Retinyl palmitate, Tocopherol, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Behenyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Disodium ethylene dicocamide peg-15 disulfate, Cetyl alcohol, Dimethyl capramide, Cetearyl alcohol, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Lecithin, Carbomer, Xanthan gum, Methyldibromo glutaronitrile, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium edta, Triethanolamine, Bht, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Benzophenone-3, Water, Stearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Caprylyl glycol, Hydrogenated dimer dilinoleyl/dimethylcarbonate copolymer, Triethanolamine, Cetyl alcohol, Carbomer, Glyceryl stearate, Behenyl alcohol, Xanthan gum, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Disodium edta, Dipropylene glycol, Disodium ethylene dicocamide peg-15 disulfate, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Bht, Cetearyl alcohol, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Retinyl palmitate, Tocopheryl acetate, Lecithin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Phenoxyethanol, Methyldibromo glutaronitrile, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
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Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Banana Boat - Ultra Defense Sheer Protect Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
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. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: oxybenzone 4.00% (declared), avobenzone 1.00% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 5.00% (declared) and octocrylene 0.80% (declared).
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of it 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 for 7.61$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 4Methylisothiazolinone contact allergy: a reviewpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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