Vacation

Shake-to-Mix Mineral Milk

No.1

Shake Shake SPF 50

One of the more wearable zinc sunscreens around: 20.5 percent non-nano zinc oxide in a thin milk that pours, spreads and sets without the usual chalky drag, with ceramides and humectants for comfort. It is a genuinely good daily face SPF for most skin. Just do not mistake it for unscented, since it carries named fragrance allergens, and remember it is not water-resistant.

Key Zinc Oxide · Ceramides

4.5 (541)

$27.00 $15.88/fl oz

No.2

Retro Beach Glow Oil

Chardonnay Oil SPF 30

A sunscreen dressed as a vintage tanning oil, and a convincing one: broad-spectrum SPF 30 with a properly stabilised avobenzone system, a light, glossy finish and a fizzy champagne-inspired scent. It is a pleasure for body use on normal and dry skin. Fragrance, four chemical filters and a small bottle make it less suitable for sensitive skin and less economical for families.

Key Avobenzone · Octocrylene

4.5 (563)

$22.00 $6.47/fl oz

Nostalgia-Scented Body SPF

No.3

Classic Lotion SPF 30

A dependable, photostabilised body sunscreen whose real innovation is that people actually want to put it on. The filter system is ordinary in the best sense, the 80-minute water resistance is useful, and the price is fair. The flamboyant fragrance is both the reason to buy it and the reason sensitive or breakout-prone skin should keep it below the neck.

Key Avobenzone · Homosalate

4.8 (402)

$15.00 $4.41/fl oz

No.4

Same Price, Higher SPF

Classic Lotion SPF 50

The better buy of Vacation's two Classic Lotions: the same price and scent as the SPF 30, with a re-engineered base that reaches SPF 50 and a little more UVA filter. It is a solid, water-resistant body sunscreen for long sunny days, held back for faces and sensitive skin by the same heavy fragrance and pore-unfriendly oils.

Key Avobenzone · Octocrylene

4.6 (1.6k)

$15.00 $4.41/fl oz

Homosalate-Free Body Mist

No.5

Classic Spray SPF 30

A fast, light, homosalate-free body spray that makes covering backs and legs quick and nearly residue-free. The three-filter system is sound and water-resistant, and the non-aerosol pump is a nice touch. Like all spray sunscreens, it only protects as well as you apply it, and the alcohol and fragrance make it a poor match for sensitive or eczema-prone skin.

Key Avobenzone · Octocrylene

normaloily

4.7 (273)

$19.00 $3.17/fl oz

Triple-Stabilised SPF 50 Mist

No.6

Classic Spray SPF 50

The higher-protection sibling of Vacation's body spray, with a fourth filter and an unusually thorough set of photostabilisers holding its avobenzone together. It is quick, light and water-resistant, and at the same price as the SPF 30 it is the better buy for long sunny days. The spray format still demands generous, rubbed-in application, and the alcohol and fragrance rule it out for reactive skin.

Key Avobenzone · Homosalate

normaloily

4.6 (671)

$19.00 $3.17/fl oz

Gold-Shimmer Sunscreen Mousse

No.7

Classic Whip Glow SPF 30

Classic Whip in a party outfit: the same reliable four-filter SPF 30 mousse, now flecked with fine gold shimmer and with coconut oil quietly replaced by a lighter extract. The glow is flattering and the protection is real, but you pay a little more for sparkle in a format that already makes under-application easy, and the shimmer does transfer.

Key Avobenzone · Homosalate

4.6 (484)

$23.00 $5.75/oz

No.8

Whipped-Cream Can SPF

Classic Whip SPF 30

The most entertaining sunscreen format on the shelf, and a genuinely pleasant one to wear: a fluffy mousse that spreads in seconds and dries down powdery. The filter system is standard and sound, with avobenzone at its maximum. The catch is that the foam is mostly air, so the can empties fast and under-application is easy, and the fragrance makes it a poor face product for sensitive skin.

Key Avobenzone · Homosalate

4.6 (1.2k)

$22.00 $5.50/oz

Cult Tanning Gel, Revived With SPF

No.9

Orange Gelée SPF 30

A loving, faithful revival of a cult orange tanning gel, rebuilt as a genuine broad-spectrum SPF 30 with the same glossy melt and spicy Riviera scent. Fans of the original will be delighted, and it is a joy to wear. But it is a small, pricey tube for body use, heavily fragranced and contains bergamot peel oil, so sensitive skin should pass.

Key Avobenzone · Octocrylene

4.4 (1.4k)

$23.00 $7.37/oz

No.10

Retro Gloss in a Mist

Orange Gelée SPF 30 Spray Oil

The Orange Gelée experience translated into a quick, glossy mist, with a lighter filter load and more product per dollar than the tube. It is the more practical way to wear the revival over large areas. The usual spray caveats apply, so rub it in generously, and the alcohol, bergamot and heavy fragrance make it a poor choice for sensitive skin.

Key Avobenzone · Octocrylene

4.5 (707)

$25.00 $5.00/fl oz

No.11

Over-Makeup SPF Top-Up

Super Spritz SPF 50

A convenient way to reapply SPF over makeup, with a well-stabilised filter system and an elegant fine mist that doubles as a setting spray. It works best as a top-up rather than a first layer, because mists rarely deliver the full dose. Frequent reports of stinging eyes, plus alcohol and fragrance, make it a poor fit for sensitive faces.

Key Avobenzone · Octocrylene

normaloily

4.2 (1.2k)

$22.00 $10.00/fl oz

Teardrop-Tip Touch-Up Stick

No.12

Super Stick SPF 45

A genuinely pleasant face stick: clear, cool, non-waxy and easy to carry, with a solid four-filter system and ceramides for comfort. It shines as a touch-up tool around the nose, cheekbones and ears. As with any stick, the protection depends on using far more swipes than feels natural, and the fragrance makes it a cautious choice for sensitive skin.

Key Avobenzone · Octocrylene