Vacation Classic Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 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.
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.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Butyrospermum parkii butter + 2 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
This product can also 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.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl palmitate + 11 moreWorks well
“Aloe Vera - An antioxidant-rich ingredient that soothes and hydrates sun-kissed skin”
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:
sodium hyaluronate.
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: cocos nucifera oil, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · NiacinamideWorks well
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic5 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale5 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane2.8%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate9.8%
- 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 salicylate4.9%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene9.5%
- 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 OctocryleneWater~45–55%
Ethylhexyl palmitate~6.8–8.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitatePropanediol~5.4–6.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolButyloctyl salicylate~4.4–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateTrimethylpentanediol/adipic acid/glycerin crosspolymer~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tapioca starch~2.3–2.8%
Coconut alkanes~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Coconut alkanesHydroxypropyl starch phosphate~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and used to stabilize product formulations
More about Hydroxypropyl starch phosphateCetearyl alcohol~1.4–1.7%
- 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 alcoholNiacinamide~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideDimethicone~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeSilica~1–1.2%
Sodium stearoyl glutamate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.5–0.8%
- 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 juiceButyrospermum parkii butter~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterCocos nucifera oil~0.55–0.8%
- 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 oilTocopherol~0.5–0.75%
- 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 TocopherolMusa paradisiaca fruit extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateGlyceryl 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 stearateCoco-caprylate/caprate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateSodium polyacrylate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylatePhenoxyethanol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolymethylsilsesquioxane~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneEthylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.4%
Sodium phytate~0.15–0.3%
Parfum~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Propanediol, Butyloctyl salicylate, Trimethylpentanediol/adipic acid/glycerin crosspolymer, Tapioca starch, Coconut alkanes, Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, Cetearyl alcohol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Silica, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Cocos nucifera oil, Tocopherol, Musa paradisiaca fruit extract, Xanthan gum, Sodium hyaluronate, Glyceryl stearate, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Sodium polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium phytate, Parfum
Compare prices
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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.
| VacationClassic Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50YOUR PRODUCT | La Roche-PosayAnthelios Gentle Lotion Kids Sunscreen SPF 50 | Beauty of JoseonDay Dew Sunscreen Lightweight Water-Resistant SPF 50 | Sun BumDaily Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 99% | 94% | 93% |
| Price | $9.00 | $33.97+$24.97 | $18.00+$9.00 | $7.98−$1.02 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 8 of 12 | 7 of 12 | 7 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Panthenol | Glycerin |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Face Reality Skincare Daily SPF 30 PlusGarnier Green Labs Canna-B Pore Perfecting Serum Cream, Fragrance Free, with SPF 30 and Niacinamide Vitamin B3 + Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Product summary
We believe that "Vacation - Classic Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because 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 moisturizer should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
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. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 0.00% (declared), butyloctyl salicylate 5.70% - 8.60%, octisalate 0.00% (declared), homosalate 0.00% (declared) and octocrylene 0.00% (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 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Vacation" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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