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From our labs: How sunscreens smell and feel
Last reviewed: May 2011
You may be more apt to use a sunscreen if you like how it smells and feels when you put it on.
You may be more apt to use a sunscreen if you like how it smells and feels when you put it on. To help you make an informed choice, our trained sensory testers told us how 22 sunscreen products felt, smelled, and rubbed in or sprayed on. In addition, we found nine that provided excellent protection against UVB radiation, along with very good protection against UVA radiation (Ratings available to subscribers).
Many had a floral and/or citrus scent. Most left a little oily or greasy residue. Some felt draggy (meaning that it "pulled" when a panelist rubbed a hand across an arm). Some even made testers want to wash them off after applying them. We've summarized their findings below in 22 sunscreen reviews. Products are in alphabetical order.
| All Terrain AquaSport performance SPF 30 |
Slightly stale oil scent mixed with plastic. Needs more than 30 seconds to rub in. Slight amount of white residue that feels
waxy and draggy.
|
| Aveeno Continuous Protection SPF 85 |
Slight amount of sweet floral scent. Very slight draggy residue.
|
| Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 SPF 30 |
A floral/fruity scent with a coconut note. A little oily, yet a bit draggy.
|
| Badger SPF 30 |
Moderately strong floral and oxidized scent. Notably glossy on skin. Felt sticky/tacky, with a greasy, draggy residue that
was ointment-like. Panelists wanted to wash it off.
|
| Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF 30 |
Moderately intense floral, citrus, and perfume scent. Slight oily/greasy and draggy residue.
|
| Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF 100 |
Just a hint of sweet plastic scent. Very slight waxy, draggy residue.
|
| Bull Frog Marathon Mist With UV Extender SPF 50 |
Very slight amount of orange citrus scent with brown spice note. Needs more than 30 seconds to dry. Slight waxy, oily, draggy
residue.
|
| Burt's Bees Chemical-Free SPF 30 |
Strong scent of plastic (reminiscent of a plastic beach ball), artificial almond, and Play-Doh. Quite a bit of pale pink-tinted
white residue that feels waxy, draggy, and slightly tacky. Panelists wanted to wash it off.
|
| Coppertone Sport Ultra Sweatproof SPF 30 |
Slight amount of sweet floral and citrus scent reminiscent of "classic" beach sunscreen. Dries more quickly than most. Barely
there, nondescript draggy residue.
|
| Coppertone UltraGuard SPF 70+ |
Moderately intense floral, citrus scent associated with "classic" beach sunscreen. Slight draggy and oily/greasy residue.
|
| Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50 |
Slight floral scent reminiscent of talc or baby powder. Slight draggy, oily/greasy residue.
|
| CVS Fast Cover Sport SPF 30 |
Very slight floral and sweet plastic scent associated with "classic" beach sunscreen. Needed more than 30 seconds to dry.
Barely there, sticky/tacky, draggy residue.
|
| Equate Baby SPF 50 |
Very slight amount of floral with a powder (talc-like) scent. Very slight waxy, draggy residue.
|
| Hawaiian Tropic Island Sport SPF 30 |
Slight floral scent with coconut and a hint of vanilla. Barely there, nondescript draggy residue.
|
| La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 40 |
Very slight citrus, perfume scent. Associated with "beach" smells. Slight white residue remained on some. Panelists wanted
to wash their hands after applying it.
|
| Neutrogena Sensitive Skin SPF 60+ |
Very slight scent of plastic mixed with adhesive bandage. Needs more than 30 seconds to rub in. Slight waxy, draggy residue
that appears whitish.
|
| Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist SPF 45 |
Slight, clean floral scent. Just a tiny bit of oily/greasy residue that left skin smooth.
|
| No-Ad with Aloe and Vitamin E SPF 45 |
Very slight floral and citrus scent associated with "classic" beach sunscreen. Slight waxy, draggy film.
|
| Ocean Potion Kids Instant Dry Mist SPF 50 |
Very slight sweet citrus and tropical scent, including banana. Barely there, nondescript draggy residue.
|
| Soleo Organics All Natural SPF 30+ |
Noticeable stale oil scent mixed with plastic. Needs more than 30 seconds to rub in. Moderate amount of greasy, draggy, whitish
residue.
|
| Up & Up Sport SPF 30 (Target) |
Slight to moderate floral and citrus scent. Needs more than 30 seconds to dry. Very slight oily, draggy residue.
|
| Walgreens Sport SPF 50 |
Moderately intense citrus, floral, perfume scent associated with "classic" beach sunscreen. Very slight, draggy residue.
|
