Sun protection is essential year-round – not just in the summertime. And when those rays hit, you’ll want some SPF protection to keep your skin healthy. Sun Bum sunscreen has a large range of sun care products for hair, skin, lips, and more in several formats to keep you protected from those UVA/UVB rays. Sun Bum is a family-friendly line for all kinds of skin types. Find out everything you need to know about the sun protection brand Sun Bum.
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Performance
Sun Bum sells its original line of sunscreen and its Sun Bum mineral sunscreen line, which is fragrance-free with Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide. Within their sun care line, their best-selling products are the Original Glow SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Lotion and the Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Oil. The sunscreen oil has the unique benefit of enhancing natural tanning effects while protecting against harmful UV rays. They also sell sunscreen in the form of sprays if that’s what you prefer. If you’re seeking something strong, they also just released a new Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Roll-On Lotion for easy application. Their Signature Sunscreen comes in Sun Bum’s most stylish packaging and can withstand the most rugged adventures.
Unlike the greasy feel that lower-quality sunscreens can have, this one dries down quickly and doesn’t leave that annoying sheen that can attract sand and make you feel sticky all day.
They have everything from tinted face lotions to lip balm, with plenty of options for sensitive skin. They even have a hair care line that includes their popular Sun Bum hair lightener, which is made with Costa Rican pineapples and Meyer lemons to help lighten strands. They carry a Blonde line, a Curly line, a Texturizing line, and a Protecting line. They also sell a Baby Bum line with products like bubble baths, detanglers, and soothing cream.
If you have your sun protection under control but are looking for a product to help you tan better, consider the Sun Bum Browning Lotion, which can be a secret weapon for accelerated tanning without requiring you to spend hours in the sun. All of these targeted products have high ratings, with one reviewer calling the Browning Lotion a “miracle worker.”
Design
Their bottles aren’t bright and tacky, unlike some sunscreen. Instead, their original line mimics wood grain and has the SPF number clearly labeled on it. The Mineral line is more minimalistic, with a simple brown font on white bottles and tubes. The tanning oils have a browning goal, so it makes sense that their bottles have a browned hue. Many of their bottles are designed to be leak-proof and avoid goopy spills.
The most attractive bottles belong to their fragrance-free Signature Sunscreen line, which contains a hybrid mineral and non-mineral formula that’s meant to withstand the most rugged conditions. These come in rounded, black silicone bottles with an expensive look.
Features
Easy application is one of the best features of The SPF levels start at 15 and go up to 70. It’s helpful that they offer options beyond messy lotion with plenty of roll-ons and spray options.
The smell is another feature beyond the performance that people can’t get enough of. Many people agree that it “smells like summer.” Others have likened it to a Pina colada, which is way better than the traditional sunscreen smell. It’s a great alternative to regular sunscreen because it’s dermatologist-approved with a non-comedogenic formula that’s packed with Vitamin E. For this reason, it’s suitable for sensitive skin and is 100% hypoallergenic.
Sun Bum products are also oil-free and water-resistant with solid staying ability. This makes them perfect for the beach and getting in and out of the water. Even on the hottest day, sweat should glide off your skin without taking too much Sun Bum sunscreen off with it.
Their products are also:
- Leaping Bunny cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
- Sulfate-free
- Hawaii reef compliant
Price
Although you might find Sun Bum to be slightly more expensive, their high-quality products and level of effectiveness amongst reviewers lead us to believe that overall, it’s worth the investment. Even if you go through a lot of sunscreen, the water and sweat-resistant nature of Sun Bum sunscreen means that you won’t have to reapply as often as other brands. If you have targeted issues like tan-enhancers or hair-lighteners, those are also worth the buy.
It might be pricier than drugstore sunscreens, but when compared to designer suncare lines, the price tag is still much lower.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive skin
- Great texture that rubs in easily
- Stands up well to sand/water/sweat
- Crowd-pleasing tropical scent
Cons
- Not a lot of tinted options for different skin colors
- SPF only goes up to 70
- Slightly expensive
- Scented version may not be suitable for sensitive skin
Conclusion
We love how easy it is to pack and apply, as well as the quality of the product when compared to other drugstore brands. It can stand up to sand, water, and all your other adventures while keeping skin moisturizing all day long. Plus, that smell has practically earned it a cult following. If you’re looking for ways to enhance your tan, it’s also a solid investment. However, their mineral line does stand out as being higher-quality with fewer synthetic ingredients and a less greasy finish, leading us to recommend that over their original products.
Still – there’s a tradeoff. Although the Sun Bum Mineral sunscreen line has more eco-conscious ingredients and is better for sensitive skin and coral reefs, it’s not as waterproof as the Original line. A perfect middle ground would be their Signature Sunscreen line, which is a hybrid of the two. if you’re looking for long-lasting sun protection with the benefits of a scented lotion, look no further than Sun Bum sunscreen.
FAQs
Sun Bum doesn’t say “Reef Safe” or “Reef Friendly” on the bottles because neither of these terms are currently regulated or defined by the FDA. What they are referencing is Hawaii Act 104, which bans the use of Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. No formulas contain these ingredients.
Sun Bum doesn’t currently ship internationally. In terms of shipping times, it takes 5-7 business days. They ship out of Florida.
All the products with active ingredients have expiration dates clearly printed on them, so you never have to guess. For other products, expiration generally occurs 6 months to a year after opening, but if you smell something off or see a strange consistency, throw it out.
Unfortunately, like the Krabby Patty formula from Sponge Bob, no one knows the secret to what makes SunBum’s products smell so good. Guess you’ll have to keep buying them!
The most potent product with staying power would be their Signature Line, which was made with athletes in mind. It contains zero fragrances and is water-resistant with a mineral/chemical hybrid formula designed for extreme conditions.
Thanks to all the Sun Bum products being 100% non-comedogenic, your pores won’t get clogged by them. However, it may be better to use the Fragrance-Free option for the face, since scents can sometimes aggravate the skin.
In addition to retailers that sell sunscreen, you can find all of Sun Bum’s products on Amazon and on their website!
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