Sun Bum SPF 15 Sunscreen Tanning Oil
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 4 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.
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.
Moisturizing18 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Sun Bum Broad-Spectrum SPF 15 Tanning Oil uses a blend of Argan, Coconut, and Avocado oils, enriched with Aloe and Green Tea butter, to make sure skin stays hydrated and smooth.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: cocos nucifera oil, helianthus annuus 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
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic6 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale6 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate10%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene10%
- 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 OctocryleneParaffinum liquidum~26–32%
- 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 liquidumAloe barbadensis leaf extract~5–6.1%
- 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 extractPrunus armeniaca kernel oil~5.5–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oilSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~4.8–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilPrunus amygdalus dulcis seed~3.4–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis seedHelianthus annuus seed oil~2.9–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilCocos nucifera oil~2.3–2.8%
- 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 oilLinum usitatissimum seed oil~1.8–2.2%
Persea gratissima oil~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilArgania spinosa kernel oil~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
More about Argania spinosa kernel oilMacadamia ternifolia seed oil~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients
More about Macadamia ternifolia seed oilOlea europaea fruit oil~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 oilPassiflora edulis seed oil~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A good emollient helping to soften the skin. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Adds a fragrance to the product
More about Passiflora edulis seed oilRosa canina fruit oil~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating
More about Rosa canina fruit oilCamellia oleifera seed oil~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that does not leave a greasy finish
More about Camellia oleifera seed oilTheobroma cacao seed butter~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Theobroma cacao seed butterCamellia sinensis leaf powder~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sclerocarya birrea seed oil~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps to soften the skin. It has a high contetn of oleic acid that might weaken the skin barrier. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be somewhat helpful against hyperpigmentation.
More about Sclerocarya birrea seed oilHydrogenated vegetable oil~0.8–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated vegetable oilParfum~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumParaffinum liquidum~0.75–1.1%
- 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 liquidumAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.75–1.15%
- 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 extractPrunus armeniaca kernel oil~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oilSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilPrunus amygdalus dulcis seed~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis seedHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilCocos nucifera oil~0.65–1%
- 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 oilLinum usitatissimum seed oil~0.6–0.9%
Persea gratissima oil~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilArgania spinosa kernel oil~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
More about Argania spinosa kernel oilMacadamia ternifolia seed oil~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients
More about Macadamia ternifolia seed oilOlea europaea fruit oil~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 oilPassiflora edulis seed oil~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A good emollient helping to soften the skin. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Adds a fragrance to the product
More about Passiflora edulis seed oilRosa canina fruit oil~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating
More about Rosa canina fruit oilCamellia oleifera seed oil~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that does not leave a greasy finish
More about Camellia oleifera seed oilTheobroma cacao seed butter~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Theobroma cacao seed butterCamellia sinensis leaf powder~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sclerocarya birrea seed oil~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps to soften the skin. It has a high contetn of oleic acid that might weaken the skin barrier. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be somewhat helpful against hyperpigmentation.
More about Sclerocarya birrea seed oilHydrogenated vegetable oil~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated vegetable oilParfum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Paraffinum liquidum, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Cocos nucifera oil, Linum usitatissimum seed oil, Persea gratissima oil, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Olea europaea fruit oil, Passiflora edulis seed oil, Rosa canina fruit oil, Camellia oleifera seed oil, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Camellia sinensis leaf powder, Sclerocarya birrea seed oil, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Parfum, Paraffinum liquidum, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Cocos nucifera oil, Linum usitatissimum seed oil, Persea gratissima oil, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Olea europaea fruit oil, Passiflora edulis seed oil, Rosa canina fruit oil, Camellia oleifera seed oil, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Camellia sinensis leaf powder, Sclerocarya birrea seed oil, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, 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.
| Sun BumSPF 15 Sunscreen Tanning OilYOUR PRODUCT | Banana BoatKids Free Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 | Hawaiian TropicDry Oil Clear Spray Sunscreen SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 54% | 52% |
| Price | $14.34 | $7.97−$6.37 | $13.77−$0.57 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 15 | 6 of 15 |
| Key difference | — | — | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Sun Bum - SPF 15 Sunscreen Tanning Oil" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this moisturizer is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 10.00% (declared) and octocrylene 10.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 18.56CA$ up to 35.36CA$ in Canada and from 13.94$ up to 20.49$ 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2A review on the extensive skin benefits of mineral oilncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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