We assess that "Banana Boat - Ultra Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. 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).

This sunscreen should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.

Sunscreen filters

This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 0.35% - 0.85%, octisalate 3.60% - 5.40%, homosalate 8.00% (declared) and octocrylene 0.00% - 0.00%.

Irritation risk

This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen 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.

Price

The product retails for 14.89CA$ in Canada and from 0.97$ up to 9.49$ in the United States.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Sun protection

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.

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.

octocrylene 0% - %

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

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

butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane 22% - 34%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

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.

homosalate 8%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

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

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

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

Source: Walgreens

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.

sodium ascorbyl phosphate 0.1% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C

aloe barbadensis leaf juice 0.2% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

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

Evens skin tone

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).

Moisturizing

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. 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. The following ingredients in this product do the job: glycerin, caprylyl glycol.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: cetyl dimethicone, cetearyl alcohol.

cetyl dimethicone 1.3% - 2%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A type of silicone. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice, light product texture

glycerin 0.2% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

cetyl alcohol 1.5% - 2.3%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

Anti-oxidation

This product contains antioxidants (sodium ascorbyl phosphate) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.

sodium ascorbyl phosphate 0.1% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

tocopheryl acetate 0.4% - 0.9%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

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.

Honesty check

Buy now

Can it cause trouble?

User reviews (0)

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane 22% - 34%

Irritation risk:

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.

cetyl dimethicone 1.3% - 2%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

A type of silicone. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice, light product texture

Search top rated products by actives

Potential irritants

propylene glycol 1.1% - 1.6%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

parfum 0.35% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

Comodogenic ingredients

cetearyl alcohol 0.35% - 0.8%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium

Works for: Cleansing, Moisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

All ingredients

butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane 22% - 34%

Irritation risk:

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.

ethylhexyl salicylate 3.6% - 5.4%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Sun protection

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

water 4.1% - 6.1%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

Ingredient list view

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Water, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Cetyl alcohol, Cetyl dimethicone, Propylene glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Vp/eicosene copolymer, Acrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer, Behenyl alcohol, Sodium polyacrylate, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Parfum, Tocopheryl acetate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Water, Cetearyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Acrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Cetyl alcohol, Carbomer, Ceteth-10 phosphate, Dicetyl phosphate, Coco-glucoside, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Hydrogenated methyl abietate, Lauryl peg-8 dimethicone, Phenylisopropyl dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 stearate/isostearate/dimer dilinoleate copolymer, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Tocopheryl acetate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

	Banana Boat - Ultra Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30	Up&Up - Year Round Sport Sunscreen Lotion	Equate - Baby Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50	Hawaiian Tropic - Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50	Coppertone - Sport Sunscreen Lotion	Walgreens - Sport Lotion SPF50	Bayer - Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30, 7 Fluid Ounces	Soltan - Kids Once 8hr Play Lotion SPF50+	REVOLUTION SKINCARE - SPF 50 Dewy Protect Sunscreen	Hampton Sun - SPF30 Lotion	EVY Sunscreen - EVY Daily Defense Face Mousse SPF 50
Price
WIMJ similarity score		58%	58%	54%	52%	52%	52%	48%	47%	47%	46%
SPF	SPF 30	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 70	SPF 50	SPF 30	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 30	SPF 50
Key ingredients	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane +5 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +2 more Other:	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +1 more Other:	Common: glycerin butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane +2 more Other: panthenol dimethicone +1 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +2 more Other: beeswax beeswax +1 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +2 more Other: beeswax tocopherol	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +3 more Other: beeswax beeswax +2 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +1 more Other: bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine diethylhexyl butamido triazone +4 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +1 more Other: bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane homosalate +1 more Other: caprylic/capric triglyceride	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +1 more Other: bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate +2 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW
Potential Irritants	coco-glucoside Has skin benefit? parfum Has skin benefit? +17 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? coco-glucoside Has skin benefit? +10 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? coco-glucoside Has skin benefit? +9 more	psidium guajava fruit extract Has skin benefit? carica papaya fruit extract Has skin benefit? +13 more	parfum Has skin benefit? alcohol Has skin benefit? +9 more	parfum Has skin benefit? sodium ascorbyl phosphate Has skin benefit? +8 more	parfum Has skin benefit? parfum Has skin benefit? +15 more	panax ginseng root extract Has skin benefit? propylene glycol Has skin benefit? +20 more	sodium ascorbyl phosphate Has skin benefit? disodium edta Has skin benefit? +9 more	parfum Has skin benefit? benzyl alcohol Has skin benefit? +11 more	isobutane Has skin benefit? propylene glycol Has skin benefit? +9 more
All ingredients	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? ethylhexyl salicylate Has skin benefit? +44 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +24 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +23 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +30 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +29 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +24 more	water Has skin benefit? aluminum starch octenylsuccinate Has skin benefit? +46 more	water Has skin benefit? c12-15 alkyl benzoate Has skin benefit? +32 more	water Has skin benefit? octocrylene Has skin benefit? +21 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +18 more	water Has skin benefit? octocrylene Has skin benefit? +29 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Banana Boat Ultra Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30

Works for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Sunscreen filters

Irritation risk

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Sun protection

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Evens skin tone

Moisturizing

Anti-oxidation

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

US Retailers

CA Retailers

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (0)

Similar products & dupes

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources